Sony anticipates strong performance for its
game division, which has the PlayStation 5 set
to go on sale soon. But even its current model
and its game software are doing well as the
coronavirus pandemic has people around
the world staying home. Sony sold 1.5 million
PlayStation 4 machines in July-September.
Sony has a wide array of businesses, including
electronics and financial services, and its other
divisions did not fare as well. With global
demand crimped, Sony said it isn’t expecting
growth in sales of its image sensors.
But Sony’s music business is doing better as
streaming revenue increases. Sony said it also
recorded gains from the selling of shares and
business transfers in its music division for the
quarter through September.
Sony is also behind the hit animation “Demon
Slayer,” which is drawing people by the masses
to movie theaters in Japan. Timing is likely a
factor as theaters have been reopening with
social distancing measures are few competing
animation movies showing. The movie’s
performance was not reflected in the latest
results because it just opened earlier this month.
“Demon Slayer — Kimetsu no Yaiba — The
Movie: Mugen Train” marked a milestone,
achieving more than $100 million at Japan’s
box offices in the shortest period ever, or 10
days, according to Sony. The film premiered Oct.
16, and has drawn a record of nearly 8 million
admissions and more than $102.5 million in box
office sales.
Sony’s shares gained 1.8% in Tokyo trading
on Wednesday.