Recaps

Kyosuke showed his electronic Pidgey pet to his cousin Yoko and family, then named it Miyuki after the magpie Grandma had once rescued. After his parents decided to reward his thoughtfulness with another toy, Kyosuke chose a Poké Ball and opened it in the store.

• Kyosuke entertained himself with the Pidgey electronic pet on the drive to Grandma's house in Qingmei City.
• Kyosuke showed Yoko how to care for and play with Pidgey, and she asked where she could get one.
• Kyosuke demonstrated the pet to his family, then named Pidgey Miyuki to remind Grandma of the magpie she had rescued.
• Kyosuke's parents praised his kindness and planned to buy him another electronic pet the next day.
• Kyosuke returned to the toy store, chose a Poké Ball, and pressed its switch after opening the package.

Kyosuke proudly showed off his rare Pikachu electronic pet to his classmates, who had gathered to compare their Pokémon. During Japanese class, he secretly switched it on beneath his textbook, and its cry rang out through the quiet classroom.

• Kyosuke opened his Poké Ball and discovered that he had drawn Pikachu, thrilling his father and the children at the toy store.
• Kyosuke arrived at school eager to show off Pikachu, but found classmates already comparing their electronic pets.
• Kyosuke revealed Pikachu to the class, drawing amazed and envious reactions.
• Kyosuke secretly turned on Pikachu during Teacher Kinoshita’s Japanese lesson.
• Pikachu’s electronic cry rang out in the quiet classroom.

Kyosuke’s Pikachu electronic pet chirped during class, and Ms. Kinoshita confiscated it until after school. After spending the rest of the day worrying about what she might do, Kyosuke went to the teachers’ office, where she greeted him with a warm smile.

• Kyosuke’s Pikachu electronic pet made a sound during class, drawing the attention of Ms. Kinoshita and the other students.
• Ms. Kinoshita asked Kyosuke to keep Pikachu quiet and took the electronic pet, telling him to come to her office after school.
• Kyosuke spent the remaining classes fretting about Pikachu and imagining possible punishments from Ms. Kinoshita.
• After the dismissal bell, Kyosuke went to the teachers’ office and entered when Ms. Kinoshita invited him in.
• Ms. Kinoshita looked up from grading and beckoned Kyosuke over with a warm smile.

Ms. Kinoshita returned Kyosuke’s Pikachu after helping him understand how to balance playing with studying. Kyosuke promised to follow her rules and looked forward to letting his Pikachu meet her Meowth.

• Kyosuke apologized to Ms. Kinoshita for playing with his electronic pet during class.
• Ms. Kinoshita revealed that she also owned a Pokémon Electronic Pet, a Meowth, and explained that she understood Kyosuke’s excitement.
• Ms. Kinoshita and Kyosuke made a promise that he would keep his pet put away at school and play with it only after finishing his homework.
• Ms. Kinoshita suggested letting Pikachu and Meowth meet, but warned Kyosuke she would take Pikachu away temporarily if it disrupted his studies again.
• Ms. Kinoshita returned Pikachu, and Kyosuke thanked her and promised to be both a good Trainer and a good student.

After the Pokémon electronic pets revealed a hidden pedometer-linked experience bar, children and adults began walking more to help their Pokémon grow and evolve. Kyosuke joined the craze with Pikachu, while Teacher Kinoshita decided her Meowth should get more walks too.

• After the anime showed Caterpie evolving into Metapod, children discovered that some of their electronic pets had mysterious lines at the bottom of their screens.
• Kyosuke and his classmates compared the lines, but none of them knew what they meant.
• Animage revealed that the lines were experience bars filled by steps tracked by a miniature pedometer, and that full bars could trigger Pokémon evolution.
• Players began walking more to raise their Pokémon’s experience, and track-and-field athletes became envied for how quickly their Pokémon advanced.
• Kyosuke ran errands after school to help Pikachu grow, while Teacher Kinoshita decided to take her Meowth on walks.

Pokémon merchandise spread rapidly across Japan, while the anime’s episode showing Metapod evolve into Butterfree drove renewed virtual-pet activity and soaring Butterfree sales. At Sega, executives questioned the project’s returns, but Nakayama Takuya remained confident that its real profits were still ahead.

• Toy makers and retailers flooded stores with Pokémon merchandise, attracting children and adult fans alike.
• Kyosuke longed for a three-ball Poké Ball belt and calculated how much allowance and chore money he still needed to buy it.
• In the fourth Pokémon episode, Ash Ketchum’s Metapod evolved into Butterfree, delighting viewers and inspiring children to walk more to help their virtual Pokémon evolve.
• Butterfree merchandise sales surged, and parents and Teacher Kinoshita noticed Pokémon gaining attention beyond young children.
• At Sega’s monthly review, directors questioned the project’s returns, while Nakayama Takuya trusted that its most profitable phase had yet to come.

Nakayama Takuya saw Pokémon merchandise sales exceed expectations and prepared a Pokémon Center flagship-store plan. Sega’s new Pokémon Center advertisement introduced recovery, communication, and evolution services, while Nintendo chose to wait and see.

• Nakayama Takuya watched directors react to strong first-week sales of licensed Pokémon products and reviewed his Pokémon Center proposal.
• Nintendo executives discussed Sega’s electronic-pet business, and Yamauchi Hiroshi decided they would stick to their planned game releases and wait and see.
• The sixth Pokémon anime episode, “Clefairy and the Moon Stone,” aired, and Kyosuke wished his Pikachu could evolve with a Moon Stone.
• After the episode, a television advertisement announced that Sega would upgrade stores nationwide into Pokémon Centers offering Pokémon recovery for 100 yen and evolution services for 500 yen.
• Kyosuke was excited by the advertised Trainer communication service, and the commercial revealed Moon Stones as the first Evolution Stones available.

Pokémon Centers demonstrated their Evolution Stone service, and children across the country rushed to evolve their Jigglypuff into Wigglytuff. Kyosuke wondered whether his Pikachu might evolve someday, while Nakayama Takuya reviewed the campaign’s success and turned his attention to the channel dealers.

• A Pokémon Center clerk demonstrated the Evolution Stone service by using a Moon Stone to evolve her Jigglypuff into Wigglytuff.
• Children with Jigglypuff electronic pets flocked to Pokémon Centers nationwide, eager to witness and pay for the evolution.
• Kyosuke saw the excitement surrounding Jigglypuff’s evolution and wondered whether his Pikachu could evolve through a special method.
• Nakayama Takuya reviewed the Pokémon Center’s first-day operating data and application figures after being promoted to managing director of operations.
• Nakayama Takuya decided that the campaign would also target the channel dealers.

In December, Sega launched Set B electronic pets, Evolution Stones, and the Link Cable, sparking a new wave of Pokémon excitement. Pikachu owners like Kyosuke agonized over evolution, while Eevee’s branching forms captivated children and Pokémon merchandise boomed ahead of Christmas.

• Pokémon Center owners saw business soar after the anime’s success and worked to maintain Sega’s standards.
• Sega released fifteen Set B electronic pets along with four Evolution Stones and the Link Cable at Pokémon Centers.
• After watching Pikachu lose to Lt. Surge’s Raichu, Kyosuke struggled to decide whether his own Pikachu should evolve with a Thunder Stone.
• Children debated which form their Eevee should become, and Pokémon Center customers lined up for Evolution Stones and Link Cables.
• Sega’s Hong Kong factories and merchandise partners ramped up production for Christmas, as Pokémon goods drew spending away from traditional console games.

Nintendo recognized that Pokémon was diverting children’s time and money from Famicom games, so Yamauchi Hiroshi ordered a major Christmas counterattack built around The Legend of Zelda II: Link's Adventure and Dragon Quest II: Gods of the Evil Spirits. The chapter ended with Yuji Horii rushing to finish Dragon Quest II under its release deadline.

• Nintendo executives reviewed disappointing Famicom cartridge sales alongside the rapid growth of Pokémon products and services.
• Yamauchi Hiroshi acknowledged that Nakayama Takuya’s connected Pokémon offerings had challenged Nintendo’s market and called for a counterattack before Christmas ended.
• Yamauchi Hiroshi chose The Legend of Zelda II: Link's Adventure and Dragon Quest II: Gods of the Evil Spirits as Nintendo’s major releases.
• The head of the Marketing Department promised a broad advertising campaign across television, gaming magazines, and stores.
• Yuji Horii continued final debugging of Dragon Quest II under the release deadline set by Nintendo and Enix.

Sega’s Nakayama Takuya focused on strengthening Pokémon and System-16 while Nintendo prepared major releases. Dragon Quest II’s launch drew enormous crowds, and Tanaka Kenichi secured the last copy at a small shop after searching across Tokyo.

• Nakayama Takuya told his team to deepen Pokémon operations and keep System-16’s arcade releases strong as Sega prepared for Nintendo’s coming console challenge.
• Zelda II: The Adventure of Link went on sale on January 14, drawing customers and debate over its shift toward side-scrolling action.
• Tanaka Kenichi chose to save his money for Dragon Quest II, and he arranged an approved market-research trip to attend its release.
• On January 26, massive lines formed across Tokyo as players, parents, and fans waited to buy Dragon Quest II.
• After finding long lines at several stores, Tanaka Kenichi joined a queue at a remote toy shop and bought its final copy near noon.

Dragon Quest II sold out across Japan on its first day, lifting Nintendo’s spirits and captivating Tanaka Kenichi. The chapter left Tanaka engrossed in the game and promising Mrs. Sato that she and her grandson could play it after he cleared it.

• News spread nationwide that Dragon Quest II had sold out, and its scarcity drove secondhand prices sharply upward.
• Nintendo executives heard the sales report, and Yamauchi Hiroshi quietly showed his approval as the company’s mood brightened.
• Tanaka Kenichi began playing Dragon Quest II and neglected his work while trying to level up Prince of Midenhall.
• Tanaka Kenichi told Mrs. Sato about the game, and she asked if he could help her grandson get a chance to play it.
• Tanaka Kenichi promised Mrs. Sato that he would bring the game over after clearing it, and she offered him homemade snacks.

Nakayama Takuya oversaw Sega’s Pokémon products, arcade development, and new console as Contra’s popularity strengthened Nintendo’s hold on the market. In late March, Sega’s prototype proved powerful but costly, and Takuya tasked the development teams with preparing ports and original launch games.

• Contra became a nationwide hit, while Pokémon merchandise added to children’s competition for limited spending money.
• Nakayama Takuya monitored the Pokémon project, arcade development, and progress on Sega’s new console.
• In late March, the hardware department showed Takuya a prototype with smooth visuals and layered sound, but its current bill of materials cost thirty thousand yen.
• Takuya insisted that Sega preserve the console’s performance while seeking ways to reduce costs.
• Takuya summoned Sega’s game development leaders and directed them to prepare arcade ports and original games for the console’s launch lineup.

Takuya reviewed Sega’s proposed arcade ports for its new console and pushed for a more varied launch lineup that would appeal to home users. He then tasked Yuji Naka with creating Sega’s first flagship RPG, leaving Naka eager to begin.

• Takuya and Yu Suzuki approved Fatal Fury, Tetris, Hang-On, and Out Run as strong candidates for launch ports.
• Takuya argued that an arcade-heavy lineup of fighting games, action side-scrollers, and shooters would be too narrow for a home console, and Yu Suzuki supported his point.
• After discussion, Takuya selected Action Fighter, Shinobi, Space Harrier, and Bloody Wolf / Battle Rangers to supplement the port lineup.
• Takuya emphasized that the Shinobi and Bloody Wolf / Battle Rangers arcade versions and their console ports had to meet both quality and schedule requirements.
• Takuya praised Yuji Naka’s technical contributions and asked him to organize his ideas into Sega’s first landmark RPG for the new console.
• Yuji Naka accepted the assignment and promised to give the project everything he had.

Takuya proposed Pokémon Adventure: Pokémon Land, a casual action-puzzle game set in the animated series’ Pokémon amusement park, and assigned Groups Four and Five to develop it under his supervision. He then introduced the need for another new game and took out a planning proposal.

• Takuya proposed a Pokémon game designed to appeal to casual and female players by combining puzzle-solving with accessible action stages.
• He described an adventure in Pokémon Land where players switched among Pokémon and used their abilities to overcome obstacles and mechanical enemies.
• Takuya proposed Giovanni and his Pokémon as a hidden final boss, with Armored Mewtwo appearing as an Easter egg tied to the future film Mewtwo Strikes Back.
• Takuya named the game Pokémon Adventure: Pokémon Land and assigned Groups Four and Five to develop it under his supervision.
• Takuya introduced another game concept focused on colorful visuals, rich sound, complex systems, and hardware features, then took out its planning proposal.

Takuya presented The First Super Robot Wars as a turn-based tactical game for the new console, exciting the developers with its classic robot lineup and cinematic battle animations. The meeting ended with the team eager to build the project.

• Takuya introduced The First Super Robot Wars and showed classic robots including Mazinger Z, Getter Robo, and Gundam.
• Takuya explained that players would command machines from different anime works in grid-based tactical battles.
• Takuya showed detailed battle animations of Mazinger Z using Breast Fire and destroying an enemy machine.
• Takuya contrasted the new console’s graphics and sound capabilities with the Famicom’s limitations.
• The developers enthusiastically discussed the crossover game, and Takuya concluded that the project had won them over.

Takuya reassured the developers that he would lead negotiations for the rights to Super Robot Wars, then revealed Ace Attorney as a project for the discouraged Ninth Development Group. He explained its investigation and courtroom gameplay, leaving the group intrigued but unsure whether the unusual game would succeed.

• Takuya promised to personally negotiate with rights holders for Super Robot Wars, easing the developers' concerns.
• The leader of Development Group 8 passionately volunteered his team to make The First Super Robot Wars, and Takuya accepted their enthusiasm.
• Takuya noticed the Ninth Development Group's disappointment and introduced a new proposal prepared for them.
• Takuya revealed Ace Attorney and described its investigation and courtroom sections, where players exposed contradictions and defended wrongly accused clients.
• The Ninth Development Group considered the concept but remained uncertain whether the unusual game could become a hit.

Nakayama Takuya explained how Ace Attorney could attract third-party developers and new audiences, then laid out the Ninth Development Group’s priorities for making it a launch title. After assigning the major projects, he immediately turned to the Marketing Department to begin licensing anime copyrights.

• Nakayama Takuya persuaded the Ninth Development Group that Ace Attorney could demonstrate the new console’s potential and reach readers, drama fans, and casual players.
• The Ninth Development Group’s leader pledged to make Ace Attorney a standout game, while Yu Suzuki vowed to create an original masterpiece for his Second Development Group.
• Nakayama Takuya told the Ninth Development Group to prioritize airtight cases, memorable characters, and satisfying courtroom debates, and offered help finding mystery writers.
• After the meeting ended, Nakayama Takuya went to the Marketing Department and told Masao Suzuki that anime copyright licenses were urgently needed.
• Masao Suzuki said he had expected Nakayama Takuya’s plans, then joined him in a small meeting room.

Nakayama Takuya and Masao Suzuki planned Sega’s negotiations to license major anime properties for The First Super Robot Wars, which Takuya saw as crucial to the new console’s launch. Masao organized the Marketing Department to begin preparing proposals and contacting rights holders.

• Nakayama Takuya and Masao Suzuki reviewed the rights holders for the robot anime properties proposed for The First Super Robot Wars.
• Nakayama Takuya outlined package negotiations with Sunrise Inc., benefit-focused talks with Toei Animation, and simultaneous discussions with Voyager Holdings and Tohokushinsha for Space Battleship Yamato.
• Nakayama Takuya proposed attractive licensing fees, revenue sharing, promotional support, and using the game to revive interest in classic anime.
• Masao Suzuki raised concerns about tight deadlines, high costs, and the risk that failed negotiations could disrupt the project.
• Nakayama Takuya assured Masao Suzuki that Sega would support the effort and instructed him to assign dedicated teams to each rights holder.
• Masao Suzuki gathered the Marketing Department, and its members began preparing negotiation materials and initial proposals.

Nakayama Takuya visited financially struggling Square and offered to invest one million US dollars for a fifteen percent stake without interfering in its business. He asked Miyamoto Masashi and Sakaguchi Hironobu to stay and showed them a photograph that left them stunned.

• Nakayama Takuya drove to Square to recruit the struggling company into Sega's third-party developer camp.
• Takuya offered Square one million US dollars for fifteen percent equity, while promising not to interfere with its business decisions or creative freedom.
• Miyamoto Masashi questioned the conditions and dismissed the other executives so Takuya could speak privately with him.
• Takuya asked Sakaguchi Hironobu, a core developer working on Final Fantasy, to stay with Miyamoto.
• Takuya placed a photograph before Miyamoto and Sakaguchi, and both froze when they saw it.

Takuya showed Square executives a 16-bit Sega console prototype and offered favorable third-party terms to secure Square’s support. Miyamoto Masashi remained cautious while Sakaguchi Hironobu grew eager to bring Final Fantasy to the console, and Square left the offer under consideration.

• Takuya showed Miyamoto Masashi and Sakaguchi Hironobu a photo of Sega’s 16-bit console prototype and asked them to keep it confidential.
• Sakaguchi Hironobu imagined developing a more ambitious Final Fantasy for the new hardware, while Miyamoto Masashi questioned whether consumers would accept its cost.
• Takuya explained Sega’s developer policies, including greater creative freedom, production autonomy, lower royalties, and first-release priority without forced exclusivity.
• Takuya said Sega hoped to launch the console in the first half of the next year with a new Final Fantasy as a major launch title.
• Miyamoto Masashi asked for time to consider Sega’s offer, and Takuya left Square’s office.

Nakayama Takuya visited Konami to persuade Kozuki Kagemasa to support Sega’s upcoming 16-bit console with its generous third-party terms. Kozuki promised to consult Konami’s board, leaving the decision open as Takuya continued Sega’s effort to win developers.

• Nakayama Takuya drove to Konami’s Osaka headquarters to meet Kozuki Kagemasa.
• Takuya outlined Sega’s third-party policy and argued that Sega could grow the market rather than rely on exclusive control.
• Kozuki questioned whether Sega could sustain its favorable terms, and Takuya pointed to Nintendo’s restrictive policies and the possibility of Hudson and NEC joining the competition.
• Kozuki said he needed to discuss Sega’s proposal with Konami’s board, but promised to consider it and stay in contact.
• Takuya left believing Konami might join Sega when the market and console performance made the timing right.

Nakayama Takuya visited Compile and Game Arts to secure games for Sega’s upcoming 16-bit console. Compile agreed to pursue a Sega-character party game, while Game Arts expressed interest in developing a fantasy RPG for the system.

• Takuya planned visits to Compile, Game Arts, and Technosoft after returning to Tokyo from Osaka.
• Takuya proposed that Compile develop a multiplayer minigame collection featuring Sega characters, and Niitani Masamitsu enthusiastically agreed to form a dedicated team.
• Takuya presented Sega’s console specifications and development support offer to Miyaji Yoichi of Game Arts.
• Miyaji described Game Arts’ idea for a fantasy RPG blending Eastern and Western mythology, and he and Takuya reached an intent to cooperate.

Takuya secured Technosoft’s interest in developing shooting games for Sega’s new console, then learned Sunrise had rejected Sega’s licensing application amid Bandai’s influence. He redirected the licensing effort toward Voyager Holdings and Tohokushinsha to pursue Space Battleship Yamato first.

• Takuya presented Sega’s new console specifications to Fumio Ozono and asked Technosoft to port classic shooters and create new titles.
• Ozono agreed that Technosoft would develop a major shooting game for Sega’s console, considering both hardcore play and family-friendly co-op.
• Masao Suzuki informed Takuya that Sunrise had rejected Sega’s licensing application, with Bandai reportedly influencing the decision.
• Takuya decided to shift Sega’s efforts to Voyager Holdings and Tohokushinsha and seek the rights to Space Battleship Yamato.
• Takuya told Suzuki to pursue steady, long-term partnerships rather than rush negotiations.

Takuya told Nakayama Hayao that Sunrise had refused authorization and that Bandai might be blocking the project. Nakayama Hayao urged him to look beyond direct negotiations to the financial groups behind the companies, leaving Takuya resolved to investigate their connections and develop a mutually beneficial plan.

• At dinner, Nakayama Hayao noticed that Takuya was unusually quiet and summoned him to the study afterward.
• Takuya explained Sunrise's refusal to grant authorization and his suspicions that Bandai was obstructing the project.
• Nakayama Hayao described how Japan's financial groups shaped relationships and decisions among major companies.
• Takuya realized his connection to the Mitsui Group through his mother could help him understand the companies' deeper financial ties.
• Takuya decided to investigate Bandai and Sunrise's shareholders and affiliations, consult his mother's family network, and design a cooperation plan that could benefit all parties.
• Nakayama Hayao cautioned Takuya to proceed patiently and carefully, and Takuya planned to review the Marketing Department's existing information.