Bandai Strategy
A week passed quietly while browsing through countless information and secretly contacting people.
Takuya almost buried himself in the pile of information from Bandai and Risheng, and the office lights were often on all night long. Interviews with people, industry analyses, shareholder annual reports, and even expired business magazines and news clippings were piled higher than others. In his opinion, the basic information collected by the marketing department was only It's just the tip of the iceberg floating on the sea. What he needs is the behemoth beneath the water, those hidden behind the cold numbers and official rhetoric, the capital network and human network that can really influence decision-making. Some information even needs to go through special channels and cost a lot of money to get it.
The game development for the new console was proceeding in an orderly manner, which allowed him to take a breather. However, routine inspections every day were indispensable. If he did not keep an eye on these games personally, he was worried that a few overly self-centered guys would emerge from the Sega group of developers and change the theme of the game he had set. However, after a while of inspection, no problems were found.
These developments made Takuya feel a little relieved, but the string deep in his heart was always tight.
As long as the robot animation licensing contract is not signed, the guys at R&D Group Eight will not be able to really calm down for a day.
Especially <Super Robot Wars>, a project that they had poured countless efforts and dreams into. If they were unable to develop it themselves due to copyright issues, it would undoubtedly be torture day and night for them. He even bumped into several core members of Group 8 in the lounge, sighing at the set of robot models, as if they had lost their beloved toys.
Bandai's shareholder list was marked densely by him with pens of different colors. Every name, every shareholding relationship, and every seemingly unrelated directorship were like spider threads that needed to be carefully screened. He was trying to find the fulcrum that could leverage the entire network, the one that could connect with Mitsui Group, or other key figures with whom potential allies have subtle connections. This is undoubtedly finding a needle in a haystack, boring and tedious. Sometimes, he will even stare at a long list of common surnames such as "Sato" and "Suzuki" in a daze, wondering if he has missed any key information.
Until a name appeared, which made Takuya take a few more glances.
Mitsui Chuta.
This name was inconspicuous in the long list of shareholders. Bandai held less than 3% of the shares, and was not even among the top ten shareholders. Takuya was initially scanned as a routine and did not pay too much attention. However, when he When he imported all the shareholder information into the database and conducted cross-correlation analysis, this name jumped out again. What caught his attention was a subsequent note - this person was also on the shareholder list of Sony, holding more than one percent of the shares.
Sony!
Something suddenly opened up in Takuya's mind. Sony, this behemoth, although in the previous life was a direct competitor with Sega in the console market, now Sony is not Entry, and complex consortium interests are also involved behind it. If this Mitsui Chuta has equity ties with Bandai, is also related to Sony, and has the surname "Mitsui"...
He immediately picked up the phone and dialed the number at home. After the call was connected, a familiar "Moxi Moxi" came from the other side. He recognized it as his mother Nakayama Miyuki, and tried to make his voice sound calmer, like a casual mention.
"Mom, do you have any impression of Mitsui Chuta?"
On the other end of the phone, Nakayama Miyuki's voice paused slightly, apparently recalling.
"Mitsui Chuta... well, he is from our Mitsui Main Family. From a general perspective, he is a distant cousin of mine."
She thought for a while and then added, "But he is a low-key person. He mainly focuses on his own investment career. He doesn't visit our family very often."
Distant cousin.
This relationship is neither far nor close, just right.
Takuya thought about it in his mind.
Contacting this cousin directly would seem abrupt and might mess up the matter.
He made up his mind and asked his grandfather to come forward.
Grandpa is highly respected in the Mitsui Family, so letting him deliver the message not only shows respect but is also more secure.
One week later.
Tokyo Ginza, an elegant teahouse private room.
In the air, the fragrance of tea and sandalwood are intertwined.
Takuya is sitting upright.
Opposite him was a middle-aged man with a pale face, Mitsui Chuta.
"Takuya-kun, there is no need to be formal."
Mitsui Chuta's voice was calm, and he personally poured a cup of clear yellow jade dew for Takuya, his movements unhurried and slow.
"I heard the name "Pokémon" and its founder Nakayama Takuya several times on the board of directors of Bandai."
Mitsui Chuta picked up his tea cup and took a sip.
"I met the real person today. She is indeed young and promising. Miyuki is lucky to have a son like you."
In his words, there was not only the easygoingness of the elders, but also the consideration of the abilities of this "distant nephew".
Takuya respectfully performed the junior salute:
"Thank you very much, Mr. Zhongtai. I have taken the liberty of disturbing you today. I really have something to ask for."
He didn't beat around the bush, it would be better to directly state his purpose in front of such a person.
Mitsui Chuta gave a light "hmm" and motioned for him to continue.
"Regarding Sunrise's refusal of our Sega to obtain IP authorization," Takuya said in a calm tone, "I would venture to guess whether there are Bandai factors behind it?"
After the words fell, the tea room became quiet.
Mitsui Chuta put down the tea cup, and the bottom of the cup hit the precious wooden table with a slight sound.
"Your guess is correct."
He answered very simply, directly confirming Takuya's judgment.
"Bandai and Sunrise have cooperated for many years. Of course they are not happy to see anyone jump out and grab this piece of cake."
Sure enough.
Takuya's guess was confirmed, and it was exactly the same as his father's analysis and his one-week investigation results. Bandai was indeed the driving force behind it.
"Sega is willing to exchange interests with Bandai." Takuya spoke calmly and briefly presented the plan he had already prepared. "In exchange, Bandai will no longer set up any obstacles in the authorization of Sunrise and even Toei Animation related IP."
After Mitsui Chuta listened, he picked up the teacup and gently stirred the Jade Dew tea leaves floating on the water with the cup lid, but did not drink it immediately. He played with the warm porcelain cup and looked at Takuya behind the dense steam of tea. After a moment, he raised his eyes, with a somewhat vague look in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth moved upward almost imperceptibly.
"Takuya-kun, your calculation is really shrewd." Mitsui Chuta's voice is not high, but it has a unique penetrating power, and the words are clear, "If The "sincerity" given by Sega is tempting enough. Those old guys Bandai Board of Directors have no reason to struggle with money. After all, you specialize in games and they focus on toy peripherals. Although Bandai also Make some games, but that's just a small thing. I have a rough idea of the technical level. I just mix in some fans' money, and the overall conflict is not big. If Sega can develop good games, they can also encourage each other and drive sales. It does sound like a good deal with a huge profit. Especially you want those old animation IPs that have been on the shelf for many years. For some Bandai people, this is the same as "waste utilization", so why not?"