Kirby

Sega Headquarters, top-floor conference room.

The directors' eyes were all fixed on the youngest figure at the end of the conference table.

Regarding my participation in the Sunrise board meeting last week.

Nakayama Takuya and reported on the results of his trip to Sunrise.

"President Ito has agreed to accept Sega's investment."

Then, Takuya lightly placed the letter of intent for the share transfer, signed by Sunrise Inc. Masatoshi Ito, on the conference table.

"Sunrise —did you agree?"

Director Yoshikawa, who was sitting nearby, immediately took the document to his face and examined it carefully.

Sunrise!

That's a mainstay in the animation industry, a behemoth that owns a host of high-value IPs, including Gundam!

Everyone present knew that after Sega made a symbolic investment in Sunrise, its shareholding never increased again, in order not to provoke Sunrise's resistance.

Now, this stubborn fortress has been breached by Takuya without him even realizing it, and his more than a year of lying low and working hard has finally paid off.

The meeting room erupted in excitement, suppressed excitement spreading across everyone's faces, and whispers filled the air.

A hint of surprise, barely concealed, flashed across Nakayama Atsuo's usually dignified face.

He looked at his youngest son, whose calm and composed demeanor made it seem as if he had only accomplished a trivial matter.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil within him, and asked in a low voice, "What's the price?"

This question silenced the instantly heated meeting room once again.

Everyone stared at Takuya, waiting for his answer.

"Cost?"

A playful smile curved at the corners of Takuya's lips.

"Not only did we not need to pay a high premium, but it could even be said that Sunrise actively invited us to become 'allies'."

"They need our funds to weather the current economic downturn."

"They need us even more to help them get rid of Bandai's elbow."

This is a timely help, a triumphant arrival, and the other party willingly opening the door!

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"

Nakayama Hayao could no longer remain calm; he stood up and led the applause.

The applause started with him and quickly spread throughout the entire conference room, warm and long-lasting.

Every round of applause is the highest recognition of Takuya's abilities!

"Good! Well done!"

Nakayama Hayao's eyes were filled with approval and pride, "Yoshikawa! Hattori!"

"Exist!"

Director Yoshikawa and Sega Galaxy Hattori Director Hattori immediately responded.

"You two, immediately assemble the best negotiation team and go liaise with Sunrise!"

Nakayama Hayao issued the order, his voice firm and powerful.

"Remember, in the details, we must demonstrate our sincerity and magnanimity as allies, but on core interests, we cannot back down an inch!"

"Yes!" the two replied in unison, their spirits soaring.

After the board meeting, Takuya returned to his office, sank into the soft sofa, and let out a long sigh of relief.

The acquisition of Sunrise, a grand scheme, has finally entered its final stage, from the initial planning and moves to today. The remaining trivial details will be handled by professionals like Yoshikawa Hattori.

Finally, I can relax and do something I really enjoy.

What are you doing?

His gaze swept across the desk and landed on the GamePocket placed on it.

Since the current economic situation is more suitable for making handheld consoles, let's set an example for other third parties and see if consumers can still afford to spend money in this economic crisis.

In his mind, a pink, round figure gradually became clear.

Nintendo, Nintendo 'm really sorry, but we'll have to "borrow" your future ideas again.

Takuya couldn't help laughing.

A top-tier IP that sold over five million copies on the Game Boy in its previous life, a pink devil so cute that players of all ages can't resist it— Kirby.

Once the idea popped into my head, I couldn't stop it.

The relatively short levels and the simple, clear map-based progress control are practically tailor-made for handheld consoles, perfect for fragmented entertainment.

Its cute Mew art style and easy gameplay are sure to attract a large number of casual and female players.

Even more wonderful is -

Takuya's thoughts instantly connected to Sunrise, which he had just acquired.

What advice did he give Sunrise? Develop some original works with low to medium budgets, broaden the range of roles, and reduce risks.

Isn't this a ready-made plan?

The Kirby anime was practically a perfect start for the newly formed Sega - Sunrise alliance!

This project requires little investment, carries extremely low risk, and allows the game and animation to be developed simultaneously, creating a perfect business synergy.

This approach allows Sunrise to practice and familiarize itself with its collaboration model with Sega, while also providing a sure-fire success project to demonstrate its foresight as a new "ally" to Sunrise's internal staff.

Killing two birds with one stone, no, killing three birds with one stone!

Takuya became more and more excited as he thought about it; he had even figured out the core requirements for animation production.

He picked up a pen and wrote two lines on the sticky note:

1. The protagonist, Kirby, cannot speak. All his emotions and communication must be expressed through actions, interjections, facial expressions, and eye contact.

Second, the story is set in the "Pupupu Land," and Earthlings are absolutely not allowed to appear in the animation in order to maintain its unique alien worldview.

After writing it down, he looked at the two seemingly strange rules on the paper and nodded in satisfaction. This was the essence of the Kirby anime and the key to its success.

He picked up the phone and dialed the internal line of the Game Development Department.

"It's me."

The voice of Shimizu, the team leader of the Third Development Group, came from the other end of the phone. "Executive Director, what are your instructions?"

"Shimizu -san, I have a new handheld game project in mind." Takuya leaned back in his chair, his tone relaxed. "Come to my office for a moment."

Let me tell you.

A short while later, Team Leader Shimizu arrived at Takuya's office.

Takuya pushed the original sketch of Kirby that he had just drawn in front of Team Leader Shimizu.

"The main character is a pink, round little guy, like a glutinous rice ball."

"It has a huge appetite; it can suck enemies into its belly like a vacuum cleaner, and then it can replicate the enemy's abilities."

Team Leader Shimizu carefully examined the drawing on the draft paper without saying a word, seemingly digesting this seemingly naive and romantic concept.

"Executive Director—you mean—a pink glutinous rice ball?"

"Yes!" Takuya grinned widely. "I call it ' Kirby '."

"The core gameplay of this game is that Kirby can swallow enemies by taking a deep breath, turn them into stars and launch them away, or devour them and copy their abilities."

"I've initially designed four abilities that can be absorbed: fire-breathing, swordsmanship, rock-making, and wheel-like abilities. You can add others as you see fit, or if you have too many ideas, you can save them for future sequels."

"I've also written the basic plot on the draft paper below. You can use that to create the level maps."

"Make the game a little easier, so that even girls who are new to GamePocket can complete it."

Team Leader Shimizu nodded. "I understand, this shouldn't be complicated."

"One more thing, the level story scripts and overall art style need to be consistent with Sunrise's, using that cute, marshmallow-like pudding style."

"Our game and animation need to launch simultaneously."

"Hmm." Team Leader Shimizu jotted down Takuya's instructions on the one-page game planning draft. "I'll get the art and level design team from Pokémon Adventure to help out."

Takuya nodded, agreeing with his approach.