Recaps

Nakayama Takuya learned that Nintendo had scaled back the GBC and directed Sega to reveal its new handheld gradually. At Sega, Hoshino warned him that Soros’s forces were targeting Hong Kong and uncovered financial misconduct across Sega’s supply chain, prompting preparations to cut ties with unstable partners.

• Nakayama Takuya learned Nintendo had slashed the GBC promotional budget and planned to reuse old Game Boy molds, then told Tadashi Takezaki to reveal Sega’s launch games gradually ahead of next year’s E3.
• Hoshino showed Nakayama Takuya signs that Soros’s funds were building short positions against Hong Kong, while Sega had already sold its Hong Kong stocks and repatriated the proceeds.
• Hoshino revealed that Hong Kong branch executives had embezzled delayed payments to speculate, and that Sega dismissed those who repaid the money and referred others to the Hong Kong Police.
• Hoshino warned that contract manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors were borrowing against their businesses to invest in stocks and property, leaving them vulnerable to collapse.
• In a mid-September meeting in Kwun Tong, Sega’s supply-chain representative told Boss Li that his factory was late on deliveries, heavily indebted, and short of working capital.

Sega protected its Hong Kong supply chain by cutting off financially exposed suppliers and distributors before Soros’s attack sent the market crashing. After Nakayama Takuya directed Hoshino to shift attention to South Korea, he returned home and learned that his father’s new drama had been finalized.

• Hoshino reported that Sega had cut credit and orders to suppliers and distributors who speculated with borrowed money, while continuing to work with financially sound businesses.
• After Taiwan let the New Taiwan Dollar fall, Soros’s funds attacked Hong Kong’s currency, stock, and futures markets, and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority raised interest rates to 300 percent overnight.
• The Hang Seng Index plunged, leaving exposed factories and distributors unable to repay loans, while Sega’s remaining suppliers kept production running.
• Nakayama Takuya confirmed Sega’s Hong Kong funds had stayed out of the market and ordered Hoshino to focus on South Korea.
• At home, Nakayama Takuya watched his children with Eri, who showed him financial news and told him his father’s new drama had been finalized.

Nakayama Takuya’s recommendation of The Silver Tycoon helped TV Tokyo capitalize on Japan’s anxiety over the Hong Kong market turmoil, boosting audience interest and B2B sponsorship demand. As the station cemented its late-night business, Mitsui Chuta presented Nakayama Takuya with a preliminary proposal for an infrared-sensing transformation belt.

• Eri and Nakayama Takuya watched The Silver Tycoon premiere on TV Tokyo, where Duan Shaoxiang’s ruthless business revenge hooked them.
• TV Tokyo interviewed viewers the next day, and Eri reported that the show’s ratings matched The Greed of Man’s premiere as Nakayama Takuya explained its appeal amid economic uncertainty.
• Nakagawa Jun told Nakayama Takuya that The Silver Tycoon had doubled sponsors’ business inquiries and generated large orders, prompting Nakayama Takuya to reject exclusivity and recommend auctioning the Game Gear slots.
• Nakagawa Jun directed TV Tokyo’s late-night sponsorships toward B2B firms, while Nakayama Takuya said the station had established a strong advantage over Fuji TV.
• In late September, Mitsui Chuta handed Nakayama Takuya the Design Department’s preliminary proposal for an infrared-sensing transformation belt.

Nakayama Takuya turned Shizuoka’s motion-sensing belt prototype into a linked Rider-versus-Rider project and directed Mitsui Chuta to prepare talks with Toei and Ishimori Productions. Back at Sega, Hisao Oguchi warned that Sega lacked a year-end tentpole and reported Rare Studio’s growing success, leaving Nakayama to weigh the competitive threat.

• Kondo demonstrated a belt prototype that recognized transformation poses with more than ninety-five percent accuracy.
• Nakayama Takuya proposed linking two belts so they could identify opposing Riders and play exclusive dialogue and lighting effects.
• Kondo embraced the project, and Nakayama Takuya told Mitsui Chuta to finalize the hardware and arrange meetings with Toei and Ishimori Productions.
• Hisao Oguchi told Nakayama Takuya that Chrono Trigger 2 would miss the year-end release window and that Sony had no major exclusive ready.
• Hisao Oguchi reported that Rare Studio’s Blast Corps and GoldenEye 007 had sold well and that Diddy Kong Racing was due the following month.

Sony President Nobuyuki Idei approved Ken Kutaragi’s plan to develop PlayStation 2 as a DVD-based, backward-compatible console, while Sega continued consolidating its business after acquiring Bandai. The chapter leaves Nakayama Takuya reviewing a proposal for a new Super Robot Wars game and a series theme song.

• Nakayama Takuya told Hisao Oguchi that Sega benefited from a competitive market and could profit from third-party developers’ royalties rather than trying to crush N64.
• Ken Kutaragi reported PlayStation’s weak position against Sega and Nintendo to Nobuyuki Idei, then proposed a DVD-based successor with backward compatibility.
• Nobuyuki Idei approved the PlayStation 2 codename, authorized unlimited research funding, and tasked Ken Kutaragi with preparing a proposal and technical report within two weeks.
• Ken Kutaragi left to begin work on PlayStation 2, while Nobuyuki Idei planned to negotiate with Toshiba over chip production.
• Hisao Oguchi brought Nakayama Takuya a proposal for a new Jupiter-platform Super Robot Wars game with an original theme song and possible tie-in CD, and Nakayama Takuya began reviewing it.

Nakayama Takuya approved a cross-media Super Robot Wars music and concert project, then backed Satoshi Tajiri’s proposal to retire Ash Ketchum after his Johto League victory and launch a new Pokémon anime protagonist with the third-generation games. The chapter ended with Nakayama directing the transition toward a new generation of viewers.

• Nakayama Takuya convinced Hisao Oguchi to expand Super Robot Wars promotion into music and live concerts, approving the Steel Soul project with veteran anime singers, game merchandise, and limited-edition mecha models.
• Nakayama Takuya ordered Hisao Oguchi to lead a joint Sega Galaxy and Bandai executive committee, while Hattori reported progress consolidating Bandai’s licenses and production lines.
• Satoshi Tajiri argued for advancing the Pokémon anime timeline by eight years and introducing a new protagonist, while Kunihiko Yuyama warned that viewers and sponsors would reject replacing Ash Ketchum.
• Nakayama Takuya supported Tajiri’s plan, proposing that eighteen-year-old Ash Ketchum become a Pokémon League special investigator who could return for guest appearances.
• Nakayama Takuya backed launching the new protagonist and Hoenn Region alongside the third-generation games for the new handheld.

Nakayama Takuya advanced Sega’s plans for a tactical Pokémon anime and a Showa Rider film with paired toy belts. As South Korean conglomerates collapsed and Japanese banks prepared to withdraw their loans, he saw South Korea’s funding crisis nearing a breaking point.

• Satoshi Tajiri and Kunihiko Yuyama agreed to shape the new Pokémon protagonist and battles around tactical gameplay, with adult Ash appearing as a symbol for the new hero to follow.
• Mitsui Chuta told Nakayama Takuya that Toei planned a Showa Rider tribute starring Original No. 1, V3, and Black RX, while Shotaro Ishinomori was seriously ill.
• Nakayama Takuya recognized that the film’s Mirror Riders could support paired original-color and dark-color belt toys, and he ordered Sega to refine the six models and their infrared battle system.
• Hoshino reported that South Korean chaebols were collapsing under debt and that Japanese banks had been summoned by the Ministry of Finance and told to protect themselves.
• Nakayama Takuya concluded that Japanese banks’ withdrawal of South Korean loans, combined with depleted usable foreign exchange reserves, would snap the country’s funding chain.

Nakayama Takuya and Hoshino profited from Sega’s short positions as South Korea’s financial crisis deepened, while Nakayama redirected stranded console shipments and prepared to buy distressed assets. The chapter ended with Nakayama and Eri watching the crisis unfold and discussing Japanese consumers’ fears that Japan might suffer the same fate.

• Nakayama Takuya ordered Hoshino’s traders to short the Korean Won and Seoul stock index, buy South Korean credit default swaps, and enter the market gradually.
• As the Korean Won fell and Japanese banks recalled twenty-four billion dollars in loans, Nakayama Takuya told Tadashi Takezaki to proceed with Sega’s promotional spending as planned.
• After South Korea sought IMF assistance and its credit rating was downgraded, Nakayama Takuya refused to extend credit to South Korean agents and redirected their console shipment to Europe and North America.
• Hoshino reported that the Korean Won had plunged and Sega’s short positions were profitable, so Nakayama Takuya ordered him to close the remaining positions and watch for distressed assets in Seoul.
• Nakayama Takuya returned home and watched reports of South Korean bankruptcies and public panic with Eri, who said people in Japan were worried and avoiding major purchases.

Nakayama Takuya and Eri discussed TV Tokyo’s growing late-night audience as Hoshino’s team managed Sega’s bets against South Korea’s currency and stock markets. After the IMF rescue deal briefly steadied markets, Hoshino reduced exposure, while Nakayama Takuya turned his attention to Japan’s own banking crisis and the frozen interbank lending market.

• Nakayama Takuya reassured Eri that Japan had stronger reserves than South Korea, while they discussed how TV Tokyo’s Hong Kong dramas and targeted advertisements were boosting its late-night business.
• After South Korea widened the won’s exchange-rate band on November 22, Hoshino directed his team to short offshore won NDFs and limit its positions in South Korean stocks and the KOSPI.
• When South Korea and the IMF announced a rescue agreement of up to 57 billion US dollars on December 3, Hoshino reviewed its terms, took partial profits, and cut NDF exposure below 4 percent.
• Nakayama Takuya ordered the trading room to receive around-the-clock logistical support and barred others from interrupting its work until the South Korean market was settled.
• At home, Eri told Nakayama Takuya that Japanese financial reporters were focused on whether businesses could still borrow, while he recalled how Sanyo Securities’ default had frozen interbank lending.

Nakayama Takuya discussed Japan’s financial panic with Eri before reviewing Sega’s Thanksgiving sales and its competitive position against Sony and Electronic Arts. He directed Sega to prioritize its new handheld and give third-party games the winter promotion slots, while development teams continued polishing launch titles.

• Eri described how Japan’s financial failures had sparked bank runs, public anger, and fears over debts owed by South Korea, while Nakagawa Jun’s coverage raised TV Tokyo’s credibility and attracted new sponsors.
• Hisao Oguchi reported that Blizzard’s Hellfire sold strongly, Electronic Arts’ sports games topped a million copies, and Sony’s Tomb Raider II neared three million sales in Europe.
• Nakayama Takuya contrasted Tomb Raider II’s sales with Final Fantasy VII’s ten million copies and said Sony’s acquisitions would not overturn Sega’s console advantage.
• Nakayama Takuya told Hisao Oguchi to focus on mass-producing Sega’s new handheld and give third-party publishers the winter recommendation slots.
• Hisao Oguchi checked the handheld hardware and game teams as Sato Hideki refined the controls, Oba Norikatsu polished Dragon Ball Z hit detection, and Satoshi Tajiri’s team tested Pokémon battles.

Hisao Oguchi and Nakayama Takuya approved the newcomers’ plan to expand Plants vs. Zombies with mini-games, Survival Mode, and a Zen Garden before the handheld launch. Meanwhile, Hoshino’s team waited out South Korea’s brief currency rebound, then closed its short positions when the won crashed to a historic low and the Bank of Korea abandoned intervention.

• Hisao Oguchi tested the newcomers’ completed fifty-level Adventure Mode and learned it used less than 8M of the handheld’s 32M cartridge capacity.
• The ten newcomers proposed adding Mini-game Mode, Survival Mode, and Zen Garden, and Nakayama Takuya approved the plan despite the short deadline.
• Hisao Oguchi approved the budget and logistics, while Nakayama Takuya warned the team to ensure Survival Mode ran without frame drops.
• After the IMF released $3.5 billion and South Korea’s won rebounded, Hoshino kept Sega’s reduced short positions open and avoided adding to them.
• The won plunged past 2,000 after Moody’s downgraded South Korean financial institutions, and the Bank of Korea abandoned intervention.
• Hoshino ordered traders to close all short positions in South Korean markets immediately.

Nakayama Takuya directed Sega to bank its crisis-era trading profits and delay buying South Korean assets until nationalist anger subsided. After Sega completed its takeover of Bandai, its new staff and factories began thriving under Sega’s resources, and Yamashina Makoto and Mitsui Chuta joined the board as the New Year’s meeting began.

• Hoshino proposed buying South Korean semiconductor and television assets at rock-bottom prices, but Nakayama Takuya rejected the plan and said Sega would wait for public anger to fade before sending in third-party agents.
• Hoshino reported that Sega had earned a net profit of 1.54 billion US dollars from its market positions, and Nakayama Takuya ordered the funds converted to yen to help pay for Bandai and Sotsu.
• Richard reported that Bandai’s restructuring and shareholder payouts were complete, while Nakayama Takuya dismissed former shareholders’ criticism and said Sega had bought Bandai’s foundation.
• Oba Norikatsu guided former Bandai developers as they built a Dragon Ball fighting game using Sega’s technology and resources, while Mitsui Chuta saw Bandai’s factory workers producing Kamen Rider belts and Gundam models under improved conditions.
• At Sega’s first board meeting after the New Year, Nakayama Hayao welcomed Yamashina Makoto and Mitsui Chuta as directors and said their seats depended on their ability to make money for Sega.

Nakayama Hayao announced that he would step down as Sega’s president once the Bandai and Sotsu acquisitions were finalized, leaving Nakayama Takuya in charge of the company’s operations and strategy. Takuya reviewed Sega’s finances and upcoming hardware plans, then approved Hitachi’s SH-4 as the CPU for Sega’s next-generation console.

• Richard reported that Bandai’s shareholder settlements, staff integration, factory adjustments, and Sotsu rights transfer were complete, while Hoshino said Sega held nearly 100 billion yen in cash after closing its short positions and paying acquisition costs.
• Nakayama Takuya instructed Hoshino to put half the cash into safe U.S. bonds and the other half into undervalued Japanese blue-chip stocks, then reviewed plans to launch the GP2 handheld with limited-edition games and merchandise.
• Nakayama Takuya said Sega would begin preliminary research on a new home console as Sony prepared its own system, and Sato-san would draft an initial hardware proposal.
• Nakayama Hayao announced that he would retire as president after the acquisitions were completed, retain the chairman and honorary chairman positions, and hand Sega’s daily operations and strategic direction to Nakayama Takuya.
• Mitsui Chuta congratulated Nakayama Takuya, while Yamashina Makoto warned that pursuing two hardware fronts could strain Sega; Takuya cited Sega’s cash reserves and directed Mitsui to prepare merchandise for the handheld launch.
• After reviewing NVIDIA’s project reports, Nakayama Takuya met with Sato Hideki and Yuji Naka, heard their case for Hitachi’s SH-4 over x86 or PowerPC, and approved a custom SH-4 variant for Sega’s next console.

Nakayama Takuya, Yuji Naka, and Sato Hideki traveled to California to secure NVIDIA's NV10 GPU for Sega's next console and plan its network architecture. Jensen Huang agreed to develop a custom GPU after Sega offered engineers and access to TSMC capacity, and the group began refining a cost-conscious console design.

• Yuji Naka proposed partnering with Jensen Huang on a custom GPU and visiting Silicon Valley Online to discuss the console's network architecture, and Nakayama Takuya showed him NVIDIA's NV10 progress report.
• Nakayama Takuya sent Yuji Naka and Sato Hideki to California, where Mark Cerny warned them that Sony was pursuing demanding DVD drive technology for its next console.
• At NVIDIA, Jensen Huang said his staff could not adapt NV10 for Sega and warned that TSMC lacked capacity for mass production.
• Sega offered thirty senior architecture engineers, twenty low-level programmers, and access to its strategic investment in TSMC, persuading Jensen Huang to accept the custom GPU project.
• Sato Hideki presented Sega's preliminary console architecture, which kept DVD decoding on a separate chip to control cost, reduce manufacturing risk, and preserve GPU resources.

Nakayama Takuya and Sega’s partners finalized the customized NV10’s design, combining shared memory and accessible development tools with a private hardware channel for anti-piracy. The plan ended with Sega proposing a system of graduated penalties and authorized-store disc verification, while Jensen Huang committed NVIDIA to the project.

• Mark Cerny, Jensen Huang, Sato Hideki, and Yuji Naka agreed on 64-megabyte unified DDR memory, DirectX pass-through, and four pipelines with a 150-megahertz core and dual TMUs.
• Nakayama Takuya insisted that the NV10 preserve hardware T&L and include a private low-level channel for Sega’s first-party developers.
• Nakayama Takuya proposed a physically isolated CPU–GPU verification channel, and Sato Hideki suggested embedding verification fingerprints through Sega’s development tools.
• Yuji Naka proposed a fault-tolerant piracy warning level that rose after failed checks and fell after successful genuine-disc checks.
• Nakayama Takuya proposed downgrading graphics and performance after repeated verification failures, alongside public warnings and authorized-store verification terminals offering half-price replacements for scratched genuine discs.
• Jensen Huang agreed to personally oversee NVIDIA’s customized NV10 work and shook hands with Nakayama Takuya.

Nakayama Takuya helped settle Sega’s next-generation console network design, including an Ethernet port, telecom partnerships, and simple hardware diagnostics. He then visited Blizzard, defeated a tester in StarCraft with an overlord drop strategy, and asked Mike Mohan how the exciting matches could be broadcast.

• Nakayama Takuya, Sato Hideki, Yuji Naka, Mark Cerny, and Tom Kalinske discussed the console’s network interface, and they chose a 10BASE-T Ethernet port over a built-in modem.
• Kalinske proposed partnering with telecom operators to bundle consoles with network service and home installation, while Sato suggested three LED indicators to simplify troubleshooting.
• Nakayama Takuya left Yuji Naka, Sato Hideki, and Mark Cerny in California to coordinate NV10 customization as he headed to Blizzard’s headquarters in Irvine.
• Nakayama Takuya challenged test engineer David to a StarCraft match and used upgraded overlords to drop zerglings on David’s mineral lines and factory, forcing a victory.
• Nakayama Takuya praised the excitement of the match and asked Mike Mohan how such games could be broadcast.

Nakayama Takuya proposed a spectator mode for StarCraft and agreed with Mike Mohan to release it in a post-launch patch. At Silicon Valley Online, he dismissed Netscape’s chances against Microsoft and directed the company to use its broad ecosystem and high valuation to acquire promising startups.

• Nakayama Takuya outlined a StarCraft OB mode with a full-map view, live player statistics, technology information, a match timer, and customizable team colors; Mike Mohan agreed to develop it for version 1.01 rather than risk delaying launch.
• Nakayama Takuya joked that David’s loss justified slightly reducing the Zerg Overlord’s flight speed, and the test team laughed.
• Nakayama Takuya told Frank Marshall and Tom Kalinske that Netscape’s decision to make Navigator free and open source would not overcome Microsoft’s advantage, even if the Department of Justice sued.
• Frank Marshall reported that Silicon Valley Online had built an integrated ecosystem spanning ICQ, games, email, search, and blogging, while its market value exceeded twelve billion dollars.
• Nakayama Takuya ordered Frank Marshall to pursue acquisitions, including Broadcast for its streaming-audio technology and Confinity for its online payment system, and to use cash or stock to secure startups that strengthened the company’s products.

After returning to Tokyo, Nakayama Takuya approved the Investment Department’s decision to avoid Indonesia and redirected it toward protecting Sega’s overseas operations. When Shotaro Ishinomori died, Nakayama ordered Sega to support his film and funeral, reassuring former Bandai employees; the chapter ended with Yamashina Makoto and Mitsui Chuta heading to Toei to carry out his instructions.

• Hoshino told Nakayama Takuya that Sega’s Investment Department would avoid Indonesia’s volatile financial crisis and preserve its funds in US Treasuries and domestic blue-chip stocks.
• Nakayama Takuya tasked Hoshino with turning the Investment Department into a financial risk-monitoring unit for Sega’s international operations.
• Mitsui Chuta informed Nakayama Takuya that Shotaro Ishinomori had died, and Nakayama ordered Sega to keep producing Kamen Rider belts and increase its investment in Toei’s film.
• Nakayama Takuya sent Mitsui Chuta and Yamashina Makoto to support Toei and Ishimori Productions with Ishinomori’s farewell arrangements, without a budget limit.
• Yamashina Makoto reassured former Bandai employees that Sega would handle Ishinomori’s funeral arrangements, then left with Mitsui Chuta for Toei.

Nakayama Takuya inspected the first GP2 trial-production units and confirmed their performance, battery life, and multiplayer features. He ordered Sega to begin an aggressive launch campaign, while third-party studios responded enthusiastically to the development kits.

• The Shenzhen factory sent its GP2 trial-production report and photos to Nakayama Takuya, who learned that Hatano was training Mexican supervisors to follow the factory's production and quality-control methods.
• Nakayama Takuya visited Sega's Hardware Laboratory and tested the GP2 prototypes, where Sato Hideki reported strong game performance, synchronized four-player play, and projected battery life exceeding twelve hours.
• Nakayama Takuya told Hisao Oguchi to launch an uncapped publicity campaign highlighting the GP2's screen, performance, and battery life, with store demos and advance stock.
• Hisao Oguchi showed Nakayama Takuya the encrypted development kits and said major studios had received them; Tsujimoto Kenzo of Capcom had asked for five more after his team praised the machine.

Nakayama Takuya announced Sega’s completed merger with Bandai and acquisition of Sotsu, presenting plans to unite their game, animation, and toy businesses. After Sega’s stock rose, Nakayama hosted an industry reception, where he publicly restored Yamashina Makoto’s standing by promising him a role in Bandai’s overseas IP strategy.

• Nakayama Takuya told Hisao Oguchi to prioritize GP2 hardware distribution and require substantial new games from third-party developers.
• Richard told Nakayama Takuya that Bandai’s former shareholders had been paid and that arrest warrants had been issued for Takano and Ota.
• Nakayama Takuya announced that Bandai had become a Sega subsidiary and that Sega had acquired Sotsu, while Yamashina Makoto read a prepared statement defending the merger.
• Mitsui Chuta and Nakayama Takuya described plans for Gundam Sentinel models, an interactive Kamen Rider belt, and Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire during the press conference.
• Hoshino reported that Sega’s stock had risen 8.5 percent, and Nakayama Takuya then met with industry guests at the reception.
• Nakayama Takuya told suppliers that Yamashina Makoto would advise on Bandai IPs overseas, prompting them to treat Yamashina with renewed respect.

Nakayama Takuya secured new exclusive games from major developers for Sega’s GP2 and oversaw the smooth integration of Bandai and Sotsu. He rejected Bandai’s cautious North American plan and ordered a larger push to launch 'Gundam Wing' on Cartoon Network and produce exclusive finished toys.

• Nakayama Takuya told Capcom, Konami, Namco, and Hudson to develop new GP2 titles or remake strong IPs, and the company heads pledged projects including Mega Man, Castlevania, Bomberman, and a Street Fighter remake.
• News of Sega’s acquisition of Bandai and Sotsu drove up Sega’s stock, while suppliers and retailers found that deliveries continued smoothly under Sega’s retained Bandai staff and streamlined management.
• Sega Galaxy coordinated Sotsu’s Gundam licensing and aligned anime, toy, and game plans under Sega’s ownership.
• Takashima presented Nakayama Takuya with a modest plan to promote 'Gundam Wing' in North America through cheap local television slots and repackaged old toy molds, but Nakayama ordered him to redo it.
• Nakayama directed Takashima to coordinate distribution through Sega Galaxy and seek prime-time airtime on Cartoon Network, while Mitsui Chuta was told to arrange new molds and US-exclusive finished toys using Chinese OEM factories.

Nakayama Takuya laid out Sega’s plans to expand its North American toy sales and restructure its European distribution network. The board approved opening European distribution to several pan-European partners and began considering a central warehouse, with the Netherlands proposed as the location.

• Nakayama Takuya ordered Takashima to revise Sega’s North American toy proposal around a major Cartoon Network campaign and guaranteed retail placement, warning that failure could cost him his position.
• At Sega’s board meeting, Hisao Oguchi reported that Ubisoft wanted to renew its European exclusivity and receive more promotional funding, while Hoshino and Richard explained the EU market’s cultural fragmentation and antitrust risks.
• Nakayama Takuya decided that Ubisoft’s exclusive rights would end and that Sega would invite three or four pan-European distributors, including Ubisoft if it agreed to the new terms.
• Nakayama Takuya directed Sega to bundle Bandai toys with its consoles and handhelds for distributors, and told Hisao Oguchi to approach Vivendi and Infogrames.
• Nakayama Takuya proposed a unified European warehouse for Sega and Bandai products, while Richard ruled out Germany and France because of labor costs, unions, and strike risks.
• Hoshino proposed the Netherlands as the warehouse location.

Nakayama Takuya laid out Sega’s European expansion plan, combining a logistics center with local promotional production and tighter brand control. After the meeting, a GP2 poster appeared in a Tokyo game shop, where eager customers asked when the console would arrive.

• Hoshino presented the Netherlands as Sega’s preferred European logistics hub, and Nakayama Takuya ordered research into the Netherlands and Belgium, digital warehouse systems, and compliance requirements.
• Nakayama Takuya proposed long-term Sega experience stores and official after-sales centers in major European cities, while postponing unified euro settlement until regulations became clearer.
• Nakayama Takuya ordered a European Localization Center beside the future warehouse to translate and print promotional materials locally and require distributors to use Sega-approved materials.
• Nakayama Takuya adjourned the meeting after assigning departments to advance the logistics, compliance, channel, and localization plans.
• Yamada displayed Sega’s GP2 promotional poster at his Akihabara shop, and Kenta asked whether physical units had arrived; Yamada said the demo kiosks would not roll out until the following month.

Sega built intense anticipation for the GP2 through game previews, store displays, and Pokémon promotions, while Kenta and other customers secured launch preorders and bought Hoenn virtual pets. The virtual pets sold out quickly, and players prepared to transfer their partners into Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire when the GP2 launched.

• Kenta and two classmates read about the GP2's launch games and preordered the blue-and-white model at Yamada's shop.
• Yamada agreed to give Sega prime store space and distribute promotional leaflets in exchange for a larger GP2 launch allocation.
• Two months before the GP2 release, Kenta and his classmate bought Mudkip and Torchic virtual pets as the Hoenn anime and games drew crowds.
• Kenta and his classmate discovered that the virtual pets could transfer partners into Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire, prompting an office worker to decide to buy a GP2 at launch.
• The Akihabara store sold out of Mudkip and Torchic virtual pets, and the manager struggled to secure enough replacement stock.

Nakayama Takuya inspected Sega Joypolis and directed Ueda to improve the park’s rides, food, merchandise, and customer experience. He left Ueda with plans to turn an underused area into an IP-themed tavern and tabletop gaming venue for Yu-Gi-Oh! and other games.

• Kenta and Fatty discussed Pokéwalker feeding mechanics and planned how to train their Pokémon for GP2.
• Nakayama Takuya visited Sega Joypolis, where Ueda reported that attendance had risen after Gundam and Kamen Rider attractions were added.
• Nakayama Takuya told Ueda to keep limited-edition badges scarce, improve equipment maintenance and staff service, and treat the merchandise store as a key source of revenue.
• After criticizing the park’s overpriced, slow, and mediocre meals, Nakayama Takuya ordered Ueda to streamline food preparation and add Pokémon- and Sonic-themed dishes and tableware.
• Nakayama Takuya proposed replacing old claw machines with a medieval tavern, drink bar, and tabletop gaming area that would promote Yu-Gi-Oh! cards and use playful penalties to build excitement.