Japanese group aims to develop its own character franchises, targeting $63m in sales

Nemu, a bear who frets over everyday anxieties late into the night, is one of Sony’s original characters. (Photo by Keigo Yoshida)
KEIGO YOSHIDA
August 16, 2026 00:29 JST
TOKYO — Sony Group is stepping up efforts to develop original characters and build intellectual property franchises spanning anime, films and other media, seeking to create an IP ecosystem similar to that of Hello Kitty creator Sanrio.