Shonen Comp

Nakayama Takuya's attention was drawn to the upcoming King of Fighters of Fighters project.

"Executive Director, this is a sample copy of the latest issue from Kadokawa Shoten." The secretary gently placed a magazine on the table.

Nakayama Takuya picked it up.

The cover design is quite lively, with colorful titles and character illustrations crammed together, and in the very center is a half-body portrait of Kyo Kusanagi holding a blazing flame, occupying the most eye-catching position.

The magazine's name, <ShonenComp>, is designed in eye-catching artistic font, with a small note next to it. "Shonen-oriented + Bishoujo + Anime + Game + Light Novel".

This is a new magazine launched by Kadokawa Shoten in January of this year, and its positioning can be described as a hodgepodge.

Nakayama Takuya opened the book and found Natsumoto Masato's "The King of Fighters" manga on display. The artwork was sharp and captured the essence of the game's character designs perfectly.

"How are the sales?" he asked without looking up.

"Not very high, but very stable," the secretary replied. "Thanks to the exclusive content we and Sunrise provided, many readers came specifically for the previously unreleased setting materials and original artwork."

Nakayama Takuya nodded, tapping his fingers lightly on the smooth coated paper.

He decided to support this magazine from its inception.

What he wanted was not just to serialize a King of Fighters of Fighters manga, but to make it Sega and Sunrise's "private domain," a platform for consistently disseminating information and worldviews about "Children of the Star Ring" and spreading its influence.

In the few months since its launch, Sega and Sunrise have pulled out almost all the best stuff they've ever had.

The scrapped designs for the main characters' mechs from Super Robot Wars, the initial character designs for Sakura Wars, and even some game proposals that had never been released to the public—these valuable materials continuously filled the pages of Shonenpo, effectively helping this new magazine stabilize its core audience.

But that's not enough.

"Invite the editor-in-chief of <Shonen Comp> over here." Nakayama Takuya closed the magazine.

In the afternoon, a middle-aged man with slightly balding hair sat respectfully opposite Nakayama Takuya.

He is Sumita, the editor-in-chief of Shonenpo magazine and a senior employee of Kadokawa.

"Executive Director Nakayama, thank you so much for your and Sega's continued support!" Sumita bowed in gratitude as soon as he arrived.

"Sumita, there's no need for formalities." Nakayama Takuya pushed the magazine towards him. "The magazine's content is solid, but its business model is too traditional and simplistic."

Sumita paused, not understanding what the young executive director meant.

"Readers like to read background information, right?"

"Yes! In the reader survey, the sections about setting information and original artwork received the highest approval rating," Sumita quickly replied, something he was most proud of.

"Then why not compile them into separate books, make them into art books or Mooks (magazine books) and sell them?"

Sumita's expression instantly fell, and he said with a wry smile, "Executive Director Nakayama, you don't understand—setting books have such a small audience. Printing too few is costly, printing too many won't sell, it's all risk. We've tried it before, and lost a fortune."

"That's because your methods are wrong." Nakayama Takuya leaned forward slightly and said, word by word, "You can add a survey to the back page of the magazine, specifically for the art book. For example, this month we released the art for <Sakura Wars>. Would you like a complete art book? If you would, please send back this reply slip. When the number of votes for a project reaches five times, or even ten times, our minimum print run target, we will then launch that project."

Sumita's eyes widened slowly, and his breathing became rapid.

"Furthermore," Nakayama Takuya continued, dropping another bombshell, "The sales model is primarily based on pre-orders. We print only the number of pre-orders, maybe an extra 10% to 20%, which we then distribute through our core channels. With that in mind, do you think this business could possibly lose money?"

"This—this—" Sumita gaped, feeling as if a door to a new world had suddenly opened before his eyes.

Isn't this just a risk-free publishing business? Get paid first, then print!

"Sumita, this is more than just adding another source of income." Nakayama Takuya's tone carried an undeniable guiding force. "Once you successfully publish several well-received art books using this model, Shonen will become the authority in this niche category. At that time, not only Sega, but I can introduce you to Koei, Namco, Capcom —the entire game industry—to collaborate with you. Do you think the future of this magazine will just be a hodgepodge?"

"Gulp."

Sumita swallowed hard, looking at the excessively young executive in front of him, feeling as if the other was shrouded in an aura.

This is no longer business advice; this is evangelism!

"I—I understand!" Sumita stood up abruptly, bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, "Executive Director Nakayama, I will go back immediately to organize a meeting. We will definitely—we will definitely make this model work!"

Watching Sumita practically run out of the office, Nakayama Takuya smiled.

After seeing off Editor-in-Chief Sumita, Nakayama Takuya picked up the report his assistant had just presented.

Report on the distribution of <The King of Fighters> in Japan.

The first batch of over 10,000 arcade machines has been deployed in major game centers across Japan, and the remaining orders will all arrive within three days, after which supply to overseas markets will officially begin.

He glanced at the wall clock; it was still early before afternoon tea.

The air in the office was somewhat stuffy, and he suddenly wanted to listen to other sounds.

It wasn't a carefully worded report from executives, nor was it the calculated flattery from partners; it was the most authentic voice from the front lines—the crisp clinking of a coin into the slot, the excited roars of the players.

I'm going out for a walk.

He didn't ask the driver to prepare the car, but instead took the subway by himself, heading north from the commercial center of Chiyoda Ward to the more vibrant Adachi Ward.

After exiting the station, I turned into a shopping street and quickly found a game center.

It wasn't as bright and clean as the Sega flagship store; the air was filled with a faint smell of smoke and the overwhelming hormones of young people, but it was still quite orderly.

Nakayama Takuya didn't rush inside. Instead, he stood at the door, listening intently like an ordinary passerby.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

It's the sound of the joystick being forcefully struck against the edge of the slot.

"Take this! My ultimate move!"

Wow! It's connected! That's amazing!

Found it.