Toei hit a wall

"Did you run into a wall?" Nakayama Takuya threw his pen on the table and leaned back in his chair.

Yoshimura paused in his work, then gave a wry laugh.

"Nothing escapes your notice." Yoshimura crumpled his handkerchief and stuffed it back into his pocket. "A couple of days ago, the project manager from Sega Galaxy and I went to Kurumada's studio."

Yoshimura leaned forward, clasping his hands on his knees.

"We've laid out Sega's intention to lead the project, along with Toei's top-tier production team, to Mr. Kurumada. The terms are very generous, and their sincerity is absolutely evident." Yoshimura's tone revealed a hint of bewilderment. "I thought, any other manga artist would have agreed to such a good deal immediately."

Nakayama Takuya picked up the Mark on the table and took a sip of coffee.

"He's not answering?"

"They didn't even look at the preliminary outline, they just rejected it." Yoshimura spread his hands, his brows furrowed.

Nakayama Takuya put down his cup, the porcelain bottom striking the wooden tabletop with a soft sound.

Did you mention my name?

"He mentioned it! Of course he mentioned it!" Yoshimura quickly chimed in, "At first, when Mr. Kurumada heard that it was someone from Toei, his attitude was quite cold. But as soon as he heard that you personally set the framework and that Sega Galaxy would be in charge, he immediately had his assistant brew the best tea."

Yoshimura slapped his thigh.

Even so, he still refused to budge.

Nakayama Takuya placed his hands on the edge of the table, crossed.

Back in the early stages of the preparation for "Saint Seiya," he discussed the logic of the mythological setting with Masami Kurumada.

Back then, Kurumada was full of energy.

Why have you become so hesitant and timid now?

"What were his exact words?"

Yoshimura cleared his throat, recalling the details of that time.

"Mr. Kurumada said that the cancellation of ' Shō: The Silent Knight ' was a huge blow to him. Although he later regained his creative confidence with ' BT'X B. TX,' he is very happy to see new ' Saint Seiya ' projects."

Nakayama Takuya nodded. The worst thing for a manga artist is having their series canceled; it's truly not easy to get back on track.

"But he immediately followed up by saying that, specifically regarding the creation of ' Saint Seiya,' he couldn't think of any area where he could make a substantial breakthrough in his creative work." Yoshimura became increasingly puzzled as he spoke.

Yoshimura gestured with his hands in the air.

"Mr. Kurumada specifically mentioned you. He said that many years ago you gave him advice to study the original texts of Greek Mythology and Northern Europe mythology. You suggested that he solidify the characters' motivations and elevate the cultural depth of the plot. He has been studying this, but the more he studies, the more he realizes that recreating this classic is extremely difficult."

Yoshimura leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.

"Mr. Kurumada felt that he didn't want to push forward with such a commercialized project in its current state of stagnation. That would be extremely irresponsible, both to himself and to all parties on the Production Committee."

The office fell silent.

Yoshimura observed Nakayama Takuya's expression.

He originally thought that the hot-tempered young president of Sega would definitely get angry after hearing these words, and feel that Masami Kurumada was being ungrateful.

Capitalists demand intellectual property (IP), and original authors obediently comply by drawing a few character designs to fulfill their obligations—this is the norm in the industry.

Nakayama Takuya did not get angry.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic tapping sound.

This persistence, this attitude of cherishing one's reputation, is excellent.

This proves that the Saint Seiya IP has not completely died out.

If Masami Kurumada were to write a shoddy script just for money today, this project would definitely be a joke.

"Mr. Kurumada has a strong sense of principles," Nakayama Takuya commented, stopping his tapping on the table.

Yoshimura was stunned.

"President Nakayama, the problem now is that the schedule is stuck. Without Kurumada- sensei's approval, the project can't move forward. We can't just bypass him and create original content; the fans won't accept that."

Yoshimura rubbed his hands together.

Toei executives are waiting to see him bring this big project back and deliver results.

"Forced melons are never sweet. Since he's hit a roadblock in creating new storylines, forcing him to write will be pointless." Nakayama Takuya stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at the streets of Tokyo.

Yoshimura quickly stood up and followed behind Nakayama Takuya.

"So this project is just going to be shelved like this?" Yoshimura's tone was full of resentment.

They had this lucrative opportunity— Saint Seiya —right in their mouths, but couldn't get their hands on it.

"So, what are Toei's plans for next?"

Nakayama Takuya picked up his Mark.

"After all, this is Kurumada's own creation. If he himself is unwilling to write a new outline, no matter how capable Sega Galaxy's Planning Department is, they can't just fabricate one out of thin air. Forcing them to create original content simply won't win over the fans."

Yoshimura gripped the fabric of his suit jacket tightly with both hands.

If he can't leave Sega Headquarters today with a truly viable solution, he won't even need to step into his office at Toei.

The old guys at the top had finally seen a glimmer of hope in getting a piece of Sega's global strategy, and they absolutely wouldn't allow him to mess it up.

Yoshimura rubbed his face, trying to compose himself.

"President Nakayama."

Yoshimura moved forward slightly.

"During our repeated discussions with Professor Kurumada, he mentioned someone."

Yoshimura looked up and his gaze fell on the face of the young man behind the desk.

"He kept saying that when Saint Seiya was just starting out and the original manuscript wasn't even fully finalized, you gave him a lot of inspiration."

Nakayama Takuya put down his Mark.

The bottom of the cup made a soft sound as it touched the wooden tabletop.

Yoshimura swallowed hard and seized the opportunity to continue.

"Those of us who have worked in this industry for decades know exactly what's going on."

Yoshimura's tone became extremely earnest, even bordering on obsequious.

"In the past two years, you've focused your energy on Sega's group restructuring, the acquisition of Bandai, and the expansion of its North America internet business. What the outside world sees is your decisive and efficient business acumen. You also rarely personally lead teams or take on the role of director to scrutinize the details of game development like you used to."

Yoshimura held up one finger.

"But in the eyes of those who truly understand the industry, your position is irreplaceable. Which of Sega's core titles and major projects in recent years didn't have a core plan devised by you?"

Yoshimura used every syllable of praise he could muster.

"Whether it's the creative structure of the game or the combined efforts of cross-industry promotion, without your key guidance, those projects would never have reached the heights they are today. In the industry, you are a recognized creative master, a true Midas touch."

While these words contained an element of flattery, they also reflected the current consensus among the top executives of the entire Japan ACG industry.

Sega's ability to build the massive and breathtaking entertainment empire it is today owes much to the astonishingly forward-thinking vision and precise intuition of this young man.

Nakayama Takuya leaned back in his Genuine Leather swivel chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

Tap, tap, tap.

This tiny sound made Yoshimura's already anxious heart leap into his throat.

Yoshimura gritted his teeth and made a firm decision.

He suddenly stood up.

The sudden movement even knocked over the expensive Genuine Leather briefcase at his feet, but he didn't even glance at it.

Yoshimura stepped to the side, bypassing the guest chair in front of him.

The heel of the leather shoe stomped heavily on the wool carpet.

Immediately afterwards, he pressed his hands tightly against the outside of his thighs and folded his upper body down abruptly.

A perfectly standard 90-degree bow.

The movement was completely frozen in time.

"Therefore, I shamelessly beg President Nakayama to come out of retirement!"

Yoshimura's voice echoed in the spacious office, carrying a resolute determination to go all in.

"Please take the time to speak with Professor Kurumada in person!"

"If you were to personally take charge, you could definitely help Mr. Kurumada rediscover his creative passion and break through this inexplicable creative block!"

The office fell completely silent.

The only sound was a faint whirring sound coming from the air conditioner vents.

Nakayama Takuya looked at the Toei director in front of him, who was over fifty years old and had lost most of his hair.

Toei's top management must have given him a firm order to hold onto this IP reboot project tightly.

Judging from Yoshimura's hurried arrival early this morning to schedule a private meeting, it's clear that whether he volunteered or was forcibly assigned the task, he has now completely taken responsibility for it.

If he succeeds, he'll remain firmly in a high-ranking position at Toei; if he fails, his boasts will drown him in internal power struggles.

Nakayama Takuya knew very well that if he shook his head now, this dignified Toei of Toei would definitely kneel down without hesitation and give him a proper dogeza right there in the office.

In the face of an absolute battle to protect interests and status, face is the least valuable thing.

Yoshimura's suit was stretched taut at the back, and his once meticulously styled Mediterranean hairstyle had a few strands of hair hanging down, making him look quite disheveled.

One second.

Two seconds.

Five seconds passed.

Nakayama Takuya.

He just sat there, watching Yoshimura maintain that difficult bowing posture.

Yoshimura's legs began to tremble slightly, and the fabric on the back of his suit was completely soaked with sweat, turning a large patch of darker color.

"Managing Director Yoshimura, please have a seat," Nakayama Takuya finally spoke, his tone calm.

Yoshimura felt as if he had been granted a general amnesty.

He straightened up, his face flushed red, and his breathing heavy.

He didn't dare to reach out and wipe the dense beads of sweat from his forehead. He kept his hands obediently pressed against the sides of his trouser seams and sat down, half-leaning against the chair.

"President Nakayama, I really lost my composure just now." Yoshimura swallowed hard.

"I'll go see Professor Kurumada and help Toei revive this project." Nakayama Takuya tapped his finger on the back of his hand. "That's quite a request."

Just as Yoshimura was about to respond, Nakayama Takuya abruptly changed the subject.

"But before that, we need to settle some old scores between Sega and Toei from the past few years."

Yoshimura's buttocks, which were still partially touching the chair, suddenly tightened.

"The previous two collaborations between Sega Galaxy and Toei were very unpleasant." Nakayama Takuya didn't mince words and directly tore away the fig leaf.

He pointed out several animation projects that the two sides had collaborated on in the previous two years.

Yoshimura's face stiffened.

"The anime initially received good reviews and its ratings went up. Toei immediately went crazy with licensing, releasing all sorts of cheap merchandise to make money. To coincide with the toy release, they forced Sega Galaxy to revise the script, adding more screen time and padding the story for the new villains." Nakayama Takuya tapped his index finger on the table. "A good work that could have grown into a classic through word of mouth was artificially lengthened. In the end, the ratings plummeted, and it had a rushed and unsatisfactory ending."

Yoshimura took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead haphazardly.

"The project manager at Sega Galaxy protested, arguing that doing so would exhaust the IP's potential and ruin its reputation." Nakayama Takuya stared at Yoshimura, "And what happened?"

Yoshimura lowered his head, not daring to utter a single word.

"And then Toei turned around and contacted the TV station and the biggest sponsor," Nakayama Takuya sneered, "To put pressure on Sega Galaxy, using production costs and scheduling to hold them hostage. They forced Sega Galaxy's Planning Department to bow their heads and admit their mistakes, to revise their pathetic, short-sighted script."

Yoshimura's hand, which was holding the handkerchief, started trembling.

He himself was the one who made the final decision to jointly block the Sega Galaxy project at that dinner party at the TV station back then.

Back then, Sega hadn't yet acquired Bandai, and its influence in the anime industry wasn't nearly as formidable as it is now.

Toei, relying on its status as the leading company, completely disregarded Sega Galaxy.

Now, the tables have turned.

"President Nakayama, about what happened back then—" Yoshimura's voice trembled as he frantically tried to organize his thoughts to explain, "Back then, the sponsors were indeed putting immense pressure on our financial reports. Toys were piling up in the warehouse, Toei's board of directors was constantly pushing for profits. I was helpless—"

"Stop." Nakayama Takuya raised his right hand.

Yoshimura immediately shut up, swallowing the rest of his sentence.

"I'm not here to listen to your complaints." Nakayama Takuya withdrew his hand, leaned forward, and instantly exuded a strong sense of pressure.

"I can go see Professor Kurumada," Nakayama Takuya gave a definite answer.

Yoshimura's eyes lit up, and he suddenly looked up.

"Back when Saint Seiya was just starting out, I did have a lot of conversations with Mr. Kurumada. We had a pretty good personal relationship. We would occasionally meet up for a drink at industry events or company annual meetings. It's just that in recent years, after I was promoted to executive director and president, I had more social engagements and fewer individual visits." Nakayama Takuya's tone softened a bit.

Yoshimura nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"A quick visit, a cup of tea, a chance to catch up. It's no big deal. We're all old acquaintances." Nakayama Takuya quickly threw out his core condition, "I can come up with creative ideas to revitalize the new Saint Seiya project."

Nakayama Takuya held up one finger, pointing at Yoshimura.

"But from now on, the rules for all collaborative projects between Toei and Sega must be changed."

Yoshimura held his breath and pricked up his ears.

"Toei only handles animation production and execution." Nakayama Takuya's voice wasn't loud, but every word was crucial. "Sega Galaxy is responsible for planning and quality control. Toei must give Sega Galaxy sufficient respect and absolute say in creative input."

Nakayama Takuya made his point completely clear.

"Sega Galaxy's word is Sega's word." Nakayama Takuya looked at Yoshimura. "If I ever hear that Toei colluding behind Sega's back, using TV stations and sponsors to intimidate people again, I'll cut off all of Toei's game licenses and cancel all of Bandai's toy manufacturing orders. Do you understand?"