Tuesday, 28 April 1995
Earlier today, Zaboru had a scheduled appointment at the Tatsunoko offices in Tokyo, a location conveniently close to the ZAGE headquarters. The purpose of this meeting was clear and ambitious: Zaboru intended to negotiate the acquisition of Tatsunoko, aiming to fold the renowned studio into ZAGE's growing animation division, placing it alongside YaDo as a key pillar of the company's creative production arm.
At this point in time, Gundam and Pokémon had already wrapped up their runs at YaDo, marking the end of two major milestones for the studio. In their place, the company boldly rolled out four new anime simultaneously, a feat made possible by the impressive growth of the YaDo team over the past year. This expansion was driven in large part by the relentless ambition of Yasu Domachi, who never shied away from seeking inspiration directly from Zaboru. Far from being protective of his ideas, Zaboru welcomed Yasu's enthusiasm with an easy chuckle, happily supplying a stream of fresh concepts that YaDo was eager to bring to life. Many of these shows became cornerstones of YaDo's schedule, each one making its way to TV Tokyo and gaining a loyal audience.
Those anime were: Yu-Gi-Oh, followed by Dragon Ball, which was based on Akira Toriyama's rising popular manga serialized in Shonen Weekly Shock of Hakushensha. By this point, the manga had already been running for over a year and a half, which inevitably created pacing gaps that the anime team had to navigate. Zaboru intended not only to adapt the story faithfully but also to involve Akira Toriyama directly in the production process—something that genuinely thrilled the creator. Toriyama's excitement grew when he saw Zaboru's approach to collaboration: respectful, creative, and backed by generous compensation. Zaboru made sure Toriyama was thoroughly paid for his work on the anime, ensuring both his satisfaction and his enthusiastic participation.
The next anime YaDo created was none other than SpongeBob season 2, a project eagerly awaited by audiences both in Japan and across the globe. The original season had been a surprise hit, and demand for more adventures under the sea was impossible to ignore. Responding to this enthusiasm, Zaboru personally approached YaDo with the request to bring it to life, confident that the quirky humor and colorful world would resonate even further. Following this, the studio's schedule closed with BeyBlade, slated for release next month. Beyond the anime itself, Zaboru was already orchestrating a full merchandise strategy—spinning tops, branded accessories, and promotional tie-ins—ensuring the series would be both a broadcast and retail success.
Now, Zaboru had already reached the Tatsunoko offices, a sleek, modern building rising twenty stories into the Tokyo skyline. The polished glass façade reflected the bright midday sun, giving the structure an air of understated prestige. As he approached the entrance, he noticed a figure standing with an expectant posture—waiting just for him. It was none other than Kenji Yoshida, the owner of Tatsunoko Production. Kenji's face broke into a wide, genuine grin as he stepped forward, extending his hand warmly toward Zaboru.
"Zaboru Renkonan-san! It's an honor to finally meet you in person. I've admired your work for years," Kenji said, his grin broad and sincere as he extended a firm handshake. Zaboru returned the gesture with a warm smile. "Yoshida-san, the pleasure is mine. It's good to meet you face-to-face." Kenji chuckled lightly and waved a hand. "Please, call me Kenji, Zaboru-san. That is—if I can call you Zaboru?" Zaboru's smile deepened and he gave an affirming nod. "Of course, Kenji-san. I'd be honored."
Both went to the Tatsunoko meeting room. Kenji and Zaboru sat alongside each other.
Kenji's grin widened, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a mix of relief and excitement. "When you first called me, I honestly had to double-check that I wasn't dreaming. I couldn't believe my ears—hahaha!" he said, his voice carrying a blend of disbelief and enthusiasm. He leaned forward slightly, as if eager to get everything off his chest. "The truth is, we at Tatsunoko don't have a strong flagship anime right now. Gatchaman and Yatterman have already wrapped up, and while they still have their nostalgic charm, they're far from riding the wave of popularity they once enjoyed. We're still financially secure, but if I'm being honest, much of that stability comes from merchandise and toy sales rather than new productions. So when you approached me with the idea of buying Tatsunoko, it felt like an opportunity I'd been waiting for—one I was more than thrilled to embrace."
Zaboru raised a brow. "Ho? You're delighted, Kenji-san? Why?"
Kenji grinned and said, "Mainly because of ZAGE's reputation, Zaboru-san. In our industry, ZAGE has a proven track record of not only acquiring companies but also transforming them for the better. Every time ZAGE takes over, that company's quality, reach, and influence rise noticeably. People talk about how ZAGE injects new energy, new resources, and a fresh vision into everything it touches. I can think of no better future for Tatsunoko, and I wish for nothing more than to see our studio thrive under that kind of stewardship."
Kenji's expression softened, a bittersweet smile forming on his lips. "Tatsunoko… is something my brother and I built together from the ground up," he began, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "My brother, Tatsu Yoshida, passed away a couple of years ago. He was the true dreamer—Tatsunoko was his vision brought to life, his way of sharing the worlds he imagined with audiences everywhere. My role has always been different; I've never been much of a storyteller, truth be told. I'm just good with a pencil and paper, bringing characters to life visually. But managing the company, keeping it running smoothly—that I can do. And I'll do everything in my power to keep his dream alive and thriving. Hahaha."
Zaboru smiled and nodded, his tone both confident and encouraging. "I see… Well, if we at ZAGE are able to acquire Tatsunoko, I will not only elevate its standing in the industry but also infuse it with the capital and resources it needs to truly flourish. My vision is that within just a couple of months, Tatsunoko could be in a position to release two high-quality anime simultaneously, showcasing both creativity and production strength. Consider this not just a proposal, but a challenge—one I believe you and your team are more than capable of meeting. Do you accept?"
Kenji grinned. "As long as you have the ideas, we are ready to execute them, Zaboru-san."
Zaboru leaned back slightly, his gaze steady, and in the end asked, "So… do you have full, 100% rights to Tatsunoko?" Kenji gave a firm nod. "We haven't gone public yet, so yes—I currently own every share." Zaboru tilted his head thoughtfully before speaking in a measured tone. "How does 3 billion yen for 50% of Tatsunoko sound to you?" Kenji's eyes widened with surprise, his voice breaking into an excited rush. "That's very good, Zaboru-san! With that kind of capital, I could not only stabilize our operations but give Tatsunoko the push it needs to truly soar!" Zaboru's smile grew, the corners of his mouth lifting with quiet satisfaction. "I see… so you'd put it toward Tatsunoko's growth. In that case, Kenji-san, we have a deal. Tomorrow, I'll bring my lawyer to finalize everything. Does that work for you?" Kenji's grin turned almost boyish, his enthusiasm palpable. "Absolutely, Zaboru-san! I can't wait to start this partnership with you!"
After exchanging a few more cordial words with Kenji—light conversation about the industry, mutual acquaintances, and the exciting possibilities ahead—Zaboru took his leave from the Tatsunoko offices. The spring air outside felt brisk and full of promise as he made his way back to the ZAGE headquarters. Once there, he wasted no time slipping into his office, a confident grin already tugging at his lips. Sitting at his desk, he began mapping out the first wave of projects he wanted Tatsunoko to tackle under their new partnership. His choices were bold and deliberate: the action-packed supernatural drama Yu Yu Hakushou and the quirky, comedic gem Trouble Chocolate. These would not only showcase Tatsunoko's creative range but also set the tone for the studio's revitalized era.
In Zaboru's previous life, Yu Yu Hakusho was based on the manga of the same name created by Yoshihiro Togashi. However, in this world, the manga had not yet been released. Zaboru wondered what might happen if he produced the anime first, without the source material ever existing. It was an intriguing possibility, yet he chose not to dwell on it too much. If Togashi was destined to become a great mangaka, Zaboru believed that talent and fate would eventually ensure his work appeared in this world as well.
As for Trouble Chocolate, it is a hidden gem—a romantic comedy OVA inspired by a series from his previous life that was criminally underrated. Zaboru considered it pure gold, brimming with charm, quirky humor, and heartwarming moments that deserved far more recognition than it ever received.
To be continue
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