Sony Group has raised its profit forecast for the financial year ending March 2026 by 8 percent. The Japanese technology and entertainment group now expects operating profit of ¥1.43 trillion. The adjustment is the result of a more favorable economic climate, strong results in the entertainment and chip divisions and successful quarterly figures. Especially the worldwide success of the animated film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle has made an important contribution to this growth.
In the July to September quarter, Sony’s operating profit rose 10 percent to ¥429 billion. The company thus strengthens its position as a world leader in entertainment and technology. According to Sony, the improved figures are due to lower costs, a milder tax environment and increasing demand for image sensors and digital content.
Anime drives global growth
Sony’s entertainment segment remains a key driver of earnings growth. The music and anime departments in particular are performing exceptionally well. The Visual Media & Platform division, led by Aniplex, saw second-quarter revenue rise 70 percent to ¥105.9 billion. This growth is largely due to the global success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castlewhich achieved box office grosses of $312 million. The film also set a record as the highest-grossing anime film ever during its opening weekend.
Tony Vinciquerra, CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, highlighted the impact of this trend: “The resurgence of anime content is transforming our portfolio and delivering unprecedented returns.” Nearly 30 percent of Sony Music’s profits now come from this division. Sony thus proves that entertainment, and anime in particular, has become a global growth pillar.
Sony shifts focus from electronics to content
For years, Sony was known for its televisions, cameras and the legendary Walkman. Today, the company focuses mainly on creating stories through films, music, games and streaming services. By cleverly capitalizing on the popularity of streaming and international fan bases, Sony has developed from an electronics manufacturer into a leading entertainment company.
By 2030, Sony’s extensive library of movies, music and games will take a larger share of the global media market, which is estimated at $500 billion, according to Bloomberg analysts. This shift not only ensures more stable revenues, but also more collaboration between different industries, such as films being translated into games or music becoming part of popular series.
Strong performance in chips and entertainment
The higher profit forecast of ¥1.43 trillion is not only due to the entertainment business. Sony also benefits from lower costs and strong performance in the semiconductor division. The growing demand for image sensors for smartphones in particular has made an important contribution to profits.
Although the gaming division faced some headwinds, this was more than offset by strong growth in other sectors. In this way, Sony shows that the company is resilient and remains successful, even in a rapidly changing market.
Demon Slayer confirms the strength of Sony’s content strategy
The animated film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle turned out not only to be a blockbuster, but also a strategic asset. With $312 million in global revenue and a 70 percent increase in sales in its Visual Media & Platform division, Sony once again proved the power of its investments in Japanese animation.
The success of Demon Slayer shows how Sony’s combination of technology, creativity and global distribution is paying off. The company proves that its future is not just about devices, but mainly about experience, stories and the power of entertainment.
Source: https://newsbit.nl/sony-verhoogt-winstverwachting-dankzij-sterke-groei-in-entertainment-en-technologie/
