Taking a Stake in Sunrise
His week-long country vacation came to an end, and when Takuya's car drove back into Tokyo, he was completely refreshed.
The Sega executive officer, who was struggling with a creative problem and looked somewhat tired, had disappeared.
Instead, a game developer brimming with confidence and creative passion emerged.
Upon returning to Sega Headquarters, he merely dealt with the greetings from his subordinates along the way before shutting himself in his office.
He spread out the manuscript paper, and his pen flew across it, quickly transforming the brilliant, star-like inspirations that had emanated from under the eaves of the old house in Ibaraki, along with the bits and pieces he had casually scribbled and drawn, into a detailed, specific, and ingenious first draft of the game design.
The manuscript paper contained no complex system architecture or numerical models, but only warm scenes and interactions.
He found Yu Suzuki and handed him the first draft.
"Suzuki -san, look at this."
Yu Suzuki took the manuscript paper, glanced at it, and his brows gradually furrowed.
What is written on this?
Wipe the Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva?
Help the tadpoles go home?
"Takuya, what's the goal?"
Yu Suzuki was somewhat confused; this completely overturned all his understanding of game design.
What motivates players? Scoring? Completing levels? Rewards?
Takuya smiled; he had already anticipated that Yu Suzuki would ask this question.
He began to articulate his core ideas in a highly engaging voice.
"This is a game made for My Totoro."
At its core is "unintentional kindness and a gentle echo of the world".
"There are no missions, no rewards, only the players' heartfelt choices."
"Of course, there was some feedback, but it wasn't a reward for personal gain; rather, it was a selfless act of kindness from the world."
"You've seen ' My Totoro ' too, right? Don't you think this fits perfectly?"
Yu Suzuki fell silent. He looked at the manuscript in his hand with satisfaction, then looked up at Takuya, whose eyes were clear and firm.
He gradually came to understand.
This design goes beyond the utilitarian closed loop of the traditional game's "task-reward" system.
What it seeks is a purer and more sophisticated emotional resonance.
How bold, and how ahead of its time!
In Yu Suzuki's eyes, confusion faded, replaced by a heartfelt admiration.
This young man always manages to redefine "games" from an angle that no one would expect.
Just as Takuya and Yu Suzuki were engrossed in discussing a brand-new game concept, the office phone suddenly rang.
Takuya answered the phone.
He is Masatoshi Ito, the president of Sunrise Animation.
President Ito's voice on the other end of the phone was calm and steady, with a hint of solemnity.
"Nakayama Executive Director, after careful deliberation among our shareholders, we have agreed to sell 3% of Sunrise Animation's shares to Sega."
Although it was only a mere 3%, Takuya knew that he had finally opened that door.
This symbolic first step signifies that Sega has successfully placed the first crucial piece into its long-desired ACGN strategic puzzle.
His "fan-style visit" resulted in a decisive victory.
That evening, at the restaurant of the Nakayama family.
Takuya a family dinner.
Nakayama Hayao showed an approving expression, raised his glass, and said to his son, "Well done."
But he did not bask in joy.
This business tycoon always saw further and deeper.
"Takuya, this 3% is just the starting point."
Nakayama Atsuo put down his wine glass, his voice instantly pulling Takuya from the joy of tactical victory back to the cold reality.
"This means that our relationship with Sunrise is entering a completely new phase."
He stared at his son and posed a deeper question.
Have you considered how we should manage these "foreign" IPs in the future?
"How can we establish a firewall between our own IP address and theirs?"
His father's question was like a heavy hammer blow, instantly waking Takuya up.
He realized that behind every victory often lay even greater challenges and struggles.
The following day, in the boardroom at Sega Headquarters.
The news of the successful acquisition of Sunrise Group made the atmosphere in the conference room very enthusiastic.
According to company practice, such collaborations involving external IP should be handled by an existing department.
Director Hattori stepped forward voluntarily.
"President, I suggest integrating Sunrise's IP integration work into the business department I'm in charge of."
"It's the safest and most efficient way to have us manage it centrally."
The suggestion sounded reasonable, and it was also appropriate to entrust the responsibility for this type of operation to Hattori, who has always been known for his steady approach. After all, stability is paramount in this kind of work, and almost everyone's first reaction was to approve of the suggestion.
However, Takuya stepped forward.
I object.
Two words instantly cooled the enthusiastic atmosphere, and everyone's attention focused on him.
Facing the gazes of the crowd, he calmly analyzed, "Ladies Pokémon, Sega is a golden egg that Sega hatched from scratch. Sunrise's Gundam, and other IPs, are also their lifeblood."
"Right now, we only have a 3% stake, which is certainly fine."
"But what if in the future we want to fully acquire Sunrise, or even other animation companies?"
He looked around, his voice not loud, but every word clear.
"According to Hattori's plan, all IPs are mixed together. When the asset valuation and integration take place, will the other party use 'joint management' as a pretext to demand a share of our Pokémon's rights?"
"This is tantamount to inviting a wolf into the house."
These words silenced the entire conference room completely.
Those present were all seasoned business veterans, and they instantly understood the enormous risks involved.
Taking advantage of the momentum, Takuya presented his solution, which he had carefully considered overnight.
"I propose that we establish a completely new and independent subsidiary."
"It is specifically responsible for the operation and licensing of all Sega's IP assets. We can call it 'SEGAGALAXY,' which means ' Sega Galaxy Company,' implying that Sega owns many excellent IPs, each of which shines like a star."
"Our first step is to integrate Pokémon, as well as all our core IPs that we own in the future, into this subsidiary, making its assets and operations completely independent."
"Future IP collaborations and even equity integrations with external companies like Sunrise will bypass this subsidiary and be conducted primarily through Sega headquarters."
"This will ensure the absolute security and independent profitability of our core assets, while also providing a clean and clear platform for future large-scale mergers and acquisitions."
Nakayama Atsuo looked at his son, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration and satisfaction.
His son not only understood his advice last night, but also conceived a relatively reliable framework overnight.
"That's the plan. Let's vote on it."
Nakayama Hayao immediately initiated a vote, his voice leaving no room for argument.
After hearing Takuya's explanation, the board members agreed with the idea and unanimously approved it.
Therefore, Nakayama Atsuo announced that the plan to establish a subsidiary company would be launched immediately.
In order to balance the interests of all parties and to appease Director Hattori, who had just been humiliated, he looked at the other party.
"Hattori, since you volunteered, you will be in charge of this new company."
A completely new internal structure, centered around the future IP empire, quietly began to unfold in this conference room.