The Second Cross-Industry Collaboration

No sooner had the Pokémon planning workshop ended than Nakayama Takuya hurriedly pulled Group Leader Shimizu from Development Team Three over to the Hardware Development Department's office area.

He tightly gripped the red-and-white plastic ball prototype in one hand, while carrying a thick stack of design requirement documents that had just been presented at the meeting in the other.

"Everyone, you're all clear on what was discussed in the meeting just now."

Takuya's voice carried an unmistakable urgency as he gently placed the prototype ball on the Hardware Development Department head's desk.

"This Pokémon electronic pet's basic software interactions and nurturing features shouldn't be difficult for everyone in Team Three."

He paused and turned his gaze toward the Hardware Development Department engineers who had gathered around after hearing the news.

"The real challenge lies in its physical structure."

Takuya picked up the prototype ball and tapped the black band and button around its middle. The ball flipped open along the center into upper and lower halves, then closed again.

"It has to be extremely durable."

"Imagine how many times children will open and close it every day. How many times they'll press this button. They might even accidentally drop it on the ground."

"We need it to maintain normal operation for at least two years under that kind of intensive use."

The relaxed expressions on several Hardware Development Department engineers' faces immediately turned grave.

They exchanged glances, and one senior engineer adjusted his glasses.

"Nakayama-san, that requirement... is quite demanding."

"Material selection, reinforcing the internal structure, and repeated stress testing will all require additional effort and cost."

"But it isn't impossible," another engineer added, his eyes showing the particular drive for investigation possessed by technical professionals. "We'll conduct comprehensive reliability design and verification."

Takuya nodded, a trace of approval appearing on his face.

"I know it won't be easy, but it's one of the key foundations for this project's success."

"As for the specifics, I'm an outsider, so I won't interfere with your thinking. I believe you'll succeed."

"Next," Takuya turned to Group Leader Shimizu. "Please convey the basic software interactions and nurturing features to everyone in Team Three. These are the functional requirements."

Takuya pulled a document envelope from his briefcase. Inside was the electronic pet software plan for Pokémon.

Group Leader Shimizu accepted the envelope, nodded, and left the Hardware Development Department.

After handling the hardware and preliminary software arrangements, Takuya did not pause for even a moment before turning toward the floor where the Marketing Department was located.

He found Mr. Suzuki from the Marketing Department, a middle-aged man with whom he had worked frequently during the promotion of Fatal Fury.

"Suzuki-san, I need your help with something."

Takuya got straight to the point.

Mr. Suzuki set down the documents in his hand, wearing a professional smile.

"Nakayama-san, please go ahead."

"Do you remember our previous Fatal Fury animation project?"

"Of course." Mr. Suzuki nodded. "The collaboration with Tatsunoko was highly successful. It greatly improved both the game and the company's image."

"Good." Takuya handed him a note. "I'd like you to contact this animation studio—GALLOP."

Mr. Suzuki glanced at the note and looked somewhat surprised.

"GALLOP?"

"That's right, them. They primarily produce children's animation." Takuya's tone was certain. "We have a brand-new IP project with enormous potential that needs to be adapted into an anime. This IP is particularly suitable for a children's animation."

"If possible, we'd like to appoint Mr. Kunihiko Yuyama as the director of this anime."

"This is an S-class project. Tell them that Sega's investment and determination this time will far exceed Fatal Fury's, and the scale of the project will also be far greater than Fatal Fury's."

Mr. Suzuki sensed the weight behind Takuya's words, and his expression became serious.

"Understood, Nakayama-san. I'll get on it immediately and arrange a formal meeting as soon as possible."

"Also, please contact San-X as well, Suzuki-san. Discuss with them the possibility of producing merchandise for this project."

"San-X?" Mr. Suzuki was somewhat unfamiliar with the company name.

"Hello Kitty," Takuya named the company's well-known product.

"Oh! I understand! I'll do my best to get in touch with them." Mr. Suzuki nodded.

As expected, GALLOP responded very positively to Sega's olive branch.

Sega was now at the height of its power in the gaming industry. With the successful Fatal Fury animation collaboration as a shining precedent, along with the "S-class project" and "investment far exceeding previous levels" information conveyed by Mr. Suzuki, GALLOP's upper management did not dare show the slightest negligence and quickly set a meeting date.

About a week later, in early May.

Nakano Ward, GALLOP Animation Studio.

Unlike Sega headquarters' modern, elite atmosphere, this place felt more down-to-earth and focused. The air seemed to carry the scent of pencil shavings and paper.

Nakayama Takuya and Mr. Suzuki from the Marketing Department arrived on time.

GALLOP's president personally welcomed them at the entrance, warm yet measured in his manner.

Inside the meeting room, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, Takuya did not spend much time on commercial preamble.

He placed the specially made leather case he had brought with him—noticeably larger and far heavier than an ordinary briefcase—on the conference table and opened it.

What lay inside was not a few flimsy proposal pages, but several thick, neatly bound stacks of documents.

At the very top were vividly colored character design sheets—Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur, their adorable yet distinctive appearances instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Following those were detailed world-setting materials, biographies for the main characters, as well as preliminary story concepts and episode outlines.

The sheer volume of material, far beyond that of a standard proposal, made GALLOP's president and several key staff members beside him—including a somewhat shy-looking, bespectacled middle-aged man, Kunihiko Yuyama—pause in surprise.

A flash of understanding passed through GALLOP's president's eyes. He immediately realized that this was no ordinary business partnership discussion, but the creation of an enormous new world.

With great tact, he stood and said to Mr. Suzuki with a smile.

"Mr. Suzuki, why don't we discuss the business details of our cooperation in my office over some tea?"

Mr. Suzuki looked at Takuya. Seeing him give an almost imperceptible nod, he rose as well.

"Certainly, Mr. President."

As the president and Mr. Suzuki left, the conference room door quietly closed behind them.

Only Nakayama Takuya and GALLOP's core creative team, led by Kunihiko Yuyama, remained in the room.

Takuya's gaze settled on Kunihiko Yuyama, the future chief director of the Pokémon anime, as he introduced the materials. "Director Yuyama, everyone at GALLOP, these are some of the Pokémon concept drawings, world-setting materials, and the main storyline for this arc that I designed for Pokémon. Please look them over first, and then we can discuss the specific animation production details in depth."