Sony Accelerates Entertainment and AI Strategy as Anime Business Drives Growth at FY2026 Management Briefing

Sony Group is accelerating its growth strategy centered on entertainment and AI. During its FY2026 corporate strategy briefing and FY2025 earnings presentation held on May 8, President and CEO Hiroki Totoki outlined the company’s key priorities and future direction heading into the final year of its midterm management plan. Sony emphasized stronger anime initiatives, expanded AI integration, and major semiconductor partnerships, further reinforcing its identity as a global entertainment company.

Sony Highlights “Creative Entertainment Vision”

During the presentation, Sony shared progress on its long term “Creative Entertainment Vision.” The company reaffirmed its commitment to maximizing IP value by leveraging technology to create new entertainment experiences across both real and digital spaces.

Anime was positioned as one of Sony’s most important growth areas. Last year, Sony entered a strategic partnership with Bandai Namco Holdings to strengthen competitiveness in anime and related businesses. The collaboration spans production, global distribution, and fan community development across the broader Sony Group ecosystem.

Sony also highlighted the worldwide success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1: Akaza Returns, produced by Aniplex and partner companies. The company revealed that paid subscribers for anime streaming service Crunchyroll surpassed 21 million as of the end of March 2026.

To further accelerate anime expansion, Sony announced that the Crunchyroll Anime Awards introduced MyAnimeList as an official fan voting platform for the first time through a partnership with Gaudiy. In addition, Sony plans to launch the first “Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum” this autumn, bringing together leading companies from across the industry to strengthen ties with anime fans, Japanese publishers, and creators.

Sony Expands AI Integration Across Entertainment

Sony described AI as “the most important theme across the Group’s businesses.” The company reported that collaborative initiatives with Bandai Namco Holdings using generative AI and other advanced technologies have already demonstrated significant improvements in video production speed and employee productivity.
At the same time, Hiroki Totoki emphasized that AI should not replace artists or creators.

“AI is not something that replaces artists or creators. Human creativity should always remain at the center,” Totoki stated.

Sony said it plans to combine its proprietary technologies with generative AI to create production environments that allow creators to expand their creative expression more freely, opening new growth opportunities throughout the entertainment sector.

Hideaki Nishino, President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, also appeared during the presentation to discuss AI powered advancements in PlayStation game development. AI is already being implemented in software development, 3D modeling, and quality assurance workflows, enabling creators to focus more heavily on delivering richer gameplay experiences.

Sony and TSMC Announce Strategic Semiconductor Partnership

Sony also announced a memorandum of understanding with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), one of the world’s largest semiconductor foundries, regarding the development and manufacturing of next generation image sensors.

The agreement includes plans to explore the establishment of a joint venture in which Sony would hold a majority stake. Sony also plans to utilize its newly completed factory in Koshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, for future development and production lines tied to the partnership.

Totoki concluded the briefing by addressing the rapidly changing global environment, including rising demand for AI infrastructure and growing geopolitical risks. He stressed that the diversity of Sony’s businesses and workforce would continue to support the company’s long term growth and adaptability.

Game, Music, and Film Businesses Also Post Strong Results

Sony’s Game and Network Services division achieved record operating income, supported by foreign exchange effects, growth in network services revenue, and increased sales of third party game software. Excluding one time factors such as impairment losses related to Bungie, Inc. intangible assets, operating profit increased by 45 percent year over year.

The Music division reported a 15 percent increase in sales and a 25 percent rise in operating income, reaching record high profitability. Growth in music streaming revenue, live events, merchandise sales, and the success of films including Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1: Akaza Returns and Kokuho contributed to the strong performance.

Sony noted especially strong growth in streaming businesses, with music production revenue increasing 9 percent year over year and music publishing revenue growing 14 percent. Subscription revenue from services such as Spotify and Apple Music continues to serve as a stable growth engine.

Although Sony expects lower profits in FY2026 due partly to the exceptional success of Demon Slayer, the company said continued streaming growth should allow profits excluding temporary factors to remain largely in line with the previous fiscal year.

In the Pictures division, profits declined because of reduced theatrical revenue and costs associated with asset impairment and business restructuring at Pixomondo, a company involved in VFX and virtual production. However, increased revenue from Crunchyroll and expanded television production deliveries helped keep overall sales nearly flat.

For FY2026, Sony plans major theatrical releases including Spider Man: Brand New Day, scheduled for simultaneous release in Japan and the United States on July 31, and Jumanji: Open World (working title), scheduled for U.S. release on December 25.

Source : ORICON NEWS