Ajal.

Chapter 189 – Naming It “GAME POCKET”

Mid-March in Tokyo — the chill was finally fading.

In the top-floor conference room of Sega’s headquarters, the presentation for the handheld console’s launch lineup was underway.

On both sides of the long conference table sat the board members and heads of each core department.

Most of them were veterans who had followed Takuya Nakayama in building the company from the ground up. Yet today, not one face showed joy; instead, every brow was furrowed...

Chapter 188 – The Undercurrent Beneath “Self-Restraint”

January 7, 1989.

A piece of heavy news spread across every corner of Japan through television and radio.

The Emperor had passed away.

It was as if the entire nation had its sound turned off, sinking into a long period of mourning known as “self-restraint.”

The neon lights of Kabukichō dimmed. Variety shows on TV were replaced with monotonous documentaries. All entertainment activities were voluntarily paused.

Inside Sega’...

Chapter 187: A Third-Party Christmas

Konami Corporation, President’s Office.

Kamizuki Masamasa held a freshly brewed cup of coffee and stood by the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing down at the winter streets of Osaka.

His mood was as clear and bright as the sky outside.

On his desk lay several reports — year-end summaries of the Japanese gaming market’s Christmas and New Year sales season.

This year had been a year of abundance and success for Konami.

Co...

Chapter 186: The PC Engine’s CD-ROM Expansion Kit

On December 4th, posters announcing the release of the PC Engine CD-ROM expansion kit appeared across Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics district.

A number of hardcore gamers lined up eagerly, ready to welcome the dawn of a new gaming era.

However, that enthusiasm began to fade within just a few hours.

The first players to get their hands on the new hardware and games rushed home, connected their systems, and inserted the shiny silver game disc. The first title wa...

Chapter 185: The Undercurrents of the SFC

Nintendo Hardware Development Division.

“Kamitani-san, Takeda-san,” Ken Kutaragi leaned slightly forward, fingers interlocked on the table as his gaze shifted between the two men. “NEC’s PC Engine has already launched a CD-ROM add-on, and it’s getting massive coverage. That’s Sony’s technology being used. Even Yu Suzuki from SEGA personally came to ask about the licensing details. Are you really not considering a CD-ROM expansion for the Super Famicom?”

Chapter 184 – Planning for the Christmas and New Year Season

After the development team meeting, Takuya Nakayama sat alone in his office, his fingertips gliding over the open release schedule for upcoming MD (Mega Drive) games.

On the table, there was only one title circled in red—“Shining Force: Legacy of the Gods.”

As a well-crafted SRPG, it was certainly worthy of being promoted as Sega’s flagship strategy title.

As for the Golden Sun trilogy, the project was still under Rieko Tamashiro’s team, with l...

Chapter 183 – The Handheld’s Launch Lineup

After a month of intense development, the handheld console’s development tools were finally ready for final testing.

The lead programmer ran the final set of data through the tool. When the generated code came out flawless under everyone’s watchful eyes, the entire team burst into long-suppressed cheers.

The handheld’s development tools were now officially complete.

Takuya dismissed the programmers, granting them three days of paid leave to rest af...

Chapter 182 – Yu Suzuki’s Troubles

After arranging the development schedule for Pokémon Red/Green, Takuya Nakayama called out to the leader of Team Three, who was about to leave.

“Shimizu-san, how’s the arcade feedback on the Art of Fighting game your team just finished?”

Shimizu stopped and turned around, looking noticeably relaxed.

“The response has been great! Especially after adding the Super Special Moves feature — players say that even if they’re being crushed in a match, they...

Chapter 181: The Vigilant Bandai and Preparing the Handheld's Launch Title

While programmers were working hard to develop tools for the new handheld console, Takuya's office phone rang.

It was Chuta Mitsui of Bandai, calling to arrange a meeting that evening.

"Of course, Mitsui-san," Takuya readily agreed, though he knew this dinner would be anything but relaxing.

The location was a high-end sushi restaurant in Ginza.

Pushing open the simple wooden door revealed a small space with only a counter, seating less than ten guests. The air was fill...

Chapter 180: Handheld Prototype

The first Friday of October, Sega Hardware Development Department.

Takuya Nakayama and Yu Suzuki stood outside a testing room surrounded by various instruments and cables, watching the busy engineers inside through the glass.

"Any issues?" Yu Suzuki asked quietly, his eyes fixed on the people conducting tests around the experiment table.

Takuya had his hands in his suit pants pockets and didn't respond.

His gaze passed over the crowd, landin...

Chapter 179: The Olympics Come to a Close

In the president's office, the ashtray was already overflowing.

The young planner pressed the stop button on the VCR.

The faint click from the videotape was the only sound in the room.

The president's chubby fingers stubbed out the cigarette butt, but his gaze never left the somewhat old Sharp TV.

On the screen, Sega's LOGO shone side by side with the Seoul Olympics emblem.

"When did you start noticing?"

The preside...

Chapter 178: Olympic Sponsors

Time has come to late August.

*Mewtwo Strikes Back* slowly came to an end amid exclamations of amazement, with its final box office settling at a figure that everyone had to look up to—8.53 billion yen.

This achievement not only trampled the 8.2 billion yen box office of the Sino-Japanese co-production blockbuster *Dunhuang*, which was hailed as the king of the year when it was released in June, but also secured the title of annual box office champion ahead of time...

Chapter 177: Aftershocks

*Mewtwo Strikes Back*’s summer viewing storm showed spare seats only on day five. Theater managers eyed sky-high occupancy with mixed joy—bonuses secured—and worry: staff had rotated nonstop for a week, pitching in on lobby order, sales, cleaning, hauling.

By August’s first weekend, the phenomenon’s daily box office finally flagged. Chains exhaled, quietly resetting screens to the initial 35%.

Cinema calm restored, but a higher storm brewed: Ministry of Edu...

Chapter 176: Release

On premiere day, managers at every Toho theater obsessively eyed schedules, hunting films to cut for more *Mewtwo Strikes Back* slots. Pre-sales were exhausted; even non-prime seats for the next two days sold out.

In Shochiku’s boardroom, ashtrays overflowed. “I should’ve seen it yesterday—those lines weren’t paid plants,” a exec rasped, pounding the table. “Useless now! Toho’s lines jammed since morning!” another snapped, loosening his tie. “Toei’s the same...

Chapter 175: Pre-Sales

Two weeks before *Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back*’s release, Pokémon Centers halted invitation distribution, disappointing latecomers while inflating recipients’ pride. The final promotional wave struck without warning one morning the week prior.

Overnight, massive posters around Centers transformed into dense walls of Pokémon avatars—no film stills, no slogans. At the center stood a black silhouette in a boss chair, back to the crowd, exuding chilling menace. Below, blood...

Chapter 174: The Window Before the Summer Blockbuster Season

Early July. In Sega’s top-floor office, the air conditioner hummed, sealing out Tokyo’s humid clamor. Takuya Nakayama reviewed a Dentsu report on *Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back*’s first two promotional phases. Media exposure and public buzz were sky-high. Survey respondents cited varied reasons for interest: *My Neighbor Totoro*’s April success boosted trust in animated films, Pokémon’s anime and pet fans were hooked, and the cloning ethics debate drew curious onlookers.

Chapter 173: *Mewtwo Strikes Back* Promotion Begins

With *Golden Sun*’s development underway, Takuya Nakayama felt a weight lift. The renewed fire in Yuji Naka and Rieko Kodama’s eyes bolstered his confidence in Sega’s RPG future. As he turned to refine *My Neighbor Totoro*’s game details, his assistant knocked, delivering a letter from Toho and Gallop. *Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back*, the franchise’s first theatrical film, was ready to launch its promotional campaign.

From the project’s outset, Takuya insisted on lead...

Chapter 172: A New RPG

Takuya Nakayama’s fingers traced the edge of a stack of sales reports. *Phantasy Star*’s lackluster sales curve stung like a thorn. Technical triumphs and market damage control couldn’t hide the core flaw: an RPG without a compelling story was a robust skeleton without a soul. He needed someone to breathe life into it.

He recalled *Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium*, the series’ true takeoff, led by a female producer, Rieko Kodama. Without hesitation, he dialed ...

Chapter 171: Shortcomings

The board meeting adjourned, and Director Hattori, clutching the gold-embossed authorization papers, beamed with excitement. He clapped Takuya Nakayama’s shoulder, voice brimming with ambition. “Executive Nakayama, I’m off to Sunrise to hammer out the acquisition price and details!” He practically jogged to the elevator.

Back in his office, Takuya’s door was knocked. His assistant entered, grinning, holding two new MD cartridges and a large Sony-logoed box. “Executive...

Chapter 170: Star Ring Child

The boardroom buzzed with approval and ease, directors awaiting Hayao Nakayama’s call to adjourn. But Takuya Nakayama’s calm, clear voice cut through, drawing all eyes back. “Regarding ‘Sega Galaxy,’ I have one more proposal. I suggest forming a dedicated ‘Creative Team’ within it, tasked with leading and reviewing story creation and world-building for all major Sega IPs.”

A raspy objection came from Director Takahashi, head of arcade operations, leaning forward. ...

Chapter 169: Investing in Sunrise

After a week-long rural retreat, Takuya Nakayama drove back to Tokyo, revitalized. The weary Sega executive was gone, replaced by a game developer brimming with confidence and creative passion. At Sega’s headquarters, he brushed off greetings, locked himself in his office, and poured his Ibaraki inspirations onto paper. The draft avoided complex systems or metrics, focusing on heartwarming scenes and interactions.

He handed it to Yusuke Suzuki. “Suzuki-san, take a look.” Su...

Chapter 168: Inspiration

With the third-party war settled, Sega secured a lineup rivaling Nintendo’s. Coupled with MD’s performance edge, the outlook was bright. Now, the battle hinged on game libraries, particularly first-party exclusives.

Back at game development, Takuya Nakayama wasn’t as relaxed as expected. Leaning back, he twirled a pen, his gaze fixed on a *My Neighbor Totoro* poster in the office corner. A few scribbled notes lay on his desk: “Farm management and cozy daily life.” He re...

Chapter 167: Nintendo Bows

While Hideo Kojima hustled for the *Metal Gear* artbook, sales reports for Konami’s *Contra* (7万 units first week) and Koei’s *Nobunaga’s Ambition: National Edition* (5万 units first week) on MD landed on Takuya Nakayama’s desk. These figures quickly reached other third parties, signaling victory.

A flood of third-party intent letters swamped the assistant’s desk. Leaning back, Takuya tapped a data summary, knowing MD’s superior hardware was the blitzkrieg’s shar...

Chapter 166: *Metal Gear* Artbook and Soundtrack

Amid the whirlwind of work, May arrived. Two weeks after *Metal Gear*’s release, a detailed sales and feedback report landed on Takuya Nakayama’s desk. The numbers were solid, profitable, but lacked the explosive growth some in marketing had hoped for, falling short of a market-dominating storm. Compared to PC Engine’s vibrant, fast-paced action games, *Metal Gear* trailed slightly in raw sales.

In the office, staff exchanged worried glances, their unease subtle but palpabl...

Chapter 165: *Metal Gear* Development Completed

The day after *My Neighbor Totoro*’s premiere, Takuya Nakayama returned to his battlefield of phone lines, fax paper, and caffeine. Rubbing his temples, he pushed aside thoughts of Mamoru Oshii’s stoic face and Hideaki Anno’s eager eyes. Metaphysical discussions on art gave way to urgent reality.

As he sat, his assistant slid a steaming black coffee and a folder onto his desk. “Executive, Director Kojima’s project is complete.” Takuya’s hand paused, then his bloodsh...

Chapter 164: *My Neighbor Totoro* Premiere

“Snap.”

A soft sound broke the silence. Hayao Nakayama gently placed his pen on the desk, his gaze on his son brimming with pride and admiration before turning to the directors. “Any further comments? If not, let’s vote.”

Director Yoshikawa, responsible for third-party relations, cleared his throat, setting the tone. “I agree with Executive Nakayama. This outreach must be all-in or not at all. Half-measures waste time and make Sega look weak, inviting und...

Chapter 163: Third-Party Blitzkrieg

Early April in Tokyo, inside Sega’s executive operations office, a warm, freshly printed fax landed on Takuya Nakayama’s desk, rushed in by a subordinate. Department heads gathered, their faces grave, voices hushed and urgent.

“Is Konami insane?” one muttered. “Giving *Gradius* to PC Engine? Have they forgotten who backed their rebellion against Nintendo?”

“This is trouble. PC Engine was barely alive, propped up by Hudson and Namco. Now Konami’s shot ...

Chapter 162: When the Wall Falls, All Push

Late March arrived. Sega MD’s buying frenzy, after its initial surge, settled to a steady hum. Nintendo’s FC shelves, stripped of heavyweight third-party Konami, looked desolate. This brief lull was brewing a storm beyond anyone’s imagination.

At Hudson’s headquarters, President Yuji Kudo’s desk was buried under market reports, their cold data and charts laying bare the industry’s state. His finger lingered on a weekly report of Sega MD software sales. The numbers, as...

Chapter 161: The State of Affairs

Early March in Tokyo carried the lingering chill of late winter. In Akihabara’s electronics stores, Sega MD shelves buzzed with crowds, their popularity unwavering. In stark contrast, Nintendo’s FC section was lackluster. The prime March spot for Konami’s games, reserved for *The Goonies II: Fratelli’s Last Stand*, stood empty, as if it had vanished from existence.

This was just the beginning. Keen players soon noticed Konami, a staple on FC release lists, was missing. Ti...

Chapter 160: The Whimsy of *My Neighbor Totoro*

Leaving the hardware department, Takuya Nakayama returned to his office and checked his schedule. His watch showed perfect timing. A car awaited downstairs, gliding toward Suginami. The city’s cold commercial towers gave way to lively residential streets. His destination: Studio Ghibli, a rising star in animation destined for legend.

A recent newspaper ad for *My Neighbor Totoro*’s upcoming release had sparked a bold idea in Takuya’s mind, prompting him to have his assistan...