Friday 11 December 1995 ZEB Japan
ZEB Japan recently announced a surprise event earlier this week—an informal gathering called "ZAGE Talk," scheduled to take place before the highly anticipated GOTY 1995 celebration. This casual event will feature Zaboru himself, seated at a podium, answering questions directly from fans in an open and engaging forum.
Zaboru stood by the back entrance of ZEB, moments before the event began. He had taken special care with his outfit: a crisp white suit paired with a striking red shirt underneath—an homage to the iconic style of Kazuma Kiryu, a character he deeply admired. This was the first time he had ever worn this look, and it felt bold, different. He took a moment to gaze at his reflection in the mirror, adjusting his collar with a small, confident smile and he doesn't care if people thought its lame style.
"Hehehe, I'm quite handsome, aren't I?" Zaboru admired his reflection. His lean, muscular build stood tall at around 185 cm—quite tall for a Japanese man. This impressive physique was a result of his Enlightenment ability, which kept his body in peak condition at all times and his daily workout also help. His long, dark hair flowed down over his shoulders, adding to his striking presence.
He chuckled to himself and thought, "I wonder how many people will show up? This event was announced so suddenly, and it's just a casual talk. Probably not that many, right?"
Still smiling, Zaboru stepped out from the backstage area and headed toward the main event. But as he reached the stage, a thunderous wave of applause erupted. Zaboru paused for a moment, slightly taken aback. A wide grin formed on his face as he realized the turnout was far larger than expected. Clearly, many people had come to ZEB for this special ZAGE Talk.
Zaboru took the microphone and smiled. "Wow, I didn't expect this many people to show up! Hahaha." His smile widened as the audience burst into laughter. He then sat down, adjusted his seat, and continued speaking.
"Alright, everyone, thank you so much for being here—even though the announcement was quite sudden. I really just wanted to create a relaxed event like this where I can answer as many of your questions as possible. Don't worry, both the questions and my answers are being recorded, so you'll be able to read them later in the next issue of ZAGE POWER Magazine or find them on the ZAGE Forum. Hahaha. And please, let's try not to get too weird with the questions, okay? Hahaha. Alright then—let's officially start the Q&A session!"
Many people quickly raised their hands in excitement, eager for the opportunity to ask a question. Zaboru scanned the crowd for a moment before pointing toward the center. "You, in the orange Donkey Kong shirt!" he called out with a smile. A young man wearing the bright shirt stood up enthusiastically and waved.
"Hello, Zaboru! My name is Kisuke," he said, projecting his voice clearly. "I've been a big fan for years. I want to ask—there's a rumor going around that you dropped out of school at 17 to create ZAGE. Is that really true?"
Zaboru chuckled and leaned into the mic, his smile widening. "Well, that's not entirely accurate," he began. "I didn't drop out of school. What actually happened was that I chose to graduate early. I worked hard and managed to complete my studies ahead of schedule also with help of Early Graduation projects that my highschool provide. And yes, I did create ZAGE when I was still just 17 years old."
A collective gasp filled the room as the audience reacted with surprise and admiration, impressed by his early accomplishments.
Zaboru then smiled and said, "Well, let's just say I've been quite lucky. This might not be much of a secret anymore, but before I officially started ZAGE, I actually managed to sell ten ZAS—also known as ZAGE arcade machines—to two arcades located near my home. It wasn't an easy feat, but those sales gave me the initial funds I needed to build ZAGE entirely from scratch, with no external investment. It was a bold move, but one I believed in deeply. Sometimes, taking risks and believing in your own vision is the only way forward. Anyway, let's move on to the next question."
Then another man wearing a jacket and glasses stood up and asked, "Zaboru-san, is it true that ZAGE's Manga and Anime subsidiary is disrupting the industry? There's a rumor going around that ZAGE pays animators and mangaka significantly more than other companies, and some people say it's destabilizing the market. What do you have to say about that?"
Zaboru smiled and said, "Well, 'disrupting' might be the wrong word. I prefer to say that we are simply paying people properly. I've always admired how manga and anime are made. I'm sure many of you have felt it too—when you read a great manga or watch a powerful anime, you probably wonder, 'How did they make this? Who's behind it all?' Right? And then, what if you found out that the people who created those masterpieces are paid far less than they deserve? That just doesn't sit well with me. That's why I make it a point to rank animators and mangaka highly and to pay them what they're truly worth. They work so hard and bring so much joy to the world—they deserve better."
The audience erupted into heartfelt applause, clearly moved by his sincerity.
Then another questioner asked, "Zaboru-san, how did you manage to create so many games across such a wide range of genres, often without any major failures? And where do your ideas come from, especially when you create entirely new genres that have never existed before?"
Zaboru smiled. "First of all, it's not just me. There are many ZAGE employees who join the brainstorming sessions for each game I develop. Their input is incredibly valuable, and I wouldn't be able to create such a wide range of games without their ideas and support. As for the secret to success—well, the main thing is to never be afraid to try something new. I truly believe that even if a genre or a new type of gameplay isn't popular at first, it doesn't matter. What's important is to create something original, something imaginative. And once that concept is out there, it can be improved over time with player feedback.
For me, imagination is the real source of great games. It's what drives innovation and makes each title unique. With strong imagination, there's always room for endless variety and unexpected fun. That's the magic of game development—dreaming something up and then letting the players help shape it into something even better."
Then another fan raised her hand—it was a young woman with short hair wearing a purple shirt. With a curious and slightly amused tone, she asked, "Zaboru-san, is it true that you commute to your Tokyo offices by bicycle?"
Zaboru grinned and nodded, then said, "Yes! If I'm at my home in Tokyo, I always ride my bicycle to the office. It's not far at all, and honestly, it's a ride I look forward to every time. My bicycle has always been my trusty steed ever since I was a little kid. His name is 'Silver Wrecker'—the best bike in the entire universe, if you ask me!"
Everyone burst into laughter at the way he spoke with such genuine affection and dramatic flair. Just then, the large screen behind Zaboru lit up, showing a nostalgic photograph of him wearing shirt, casually riding the Silver Wrecker through a Tokyo neighborhood, a wide smile on his face and wind in his hair. The image drew more cheers and laughter from the audience, making the moment both heartfelt and amusing.
Then another bold fan stood up and asked with a cheeky grin, "Zaboru-san, what do you think about Sonaya games?"
Zaboru chuckled at the bold and slightly dangerous question. "Well, these are the kinds of questions that can get people in trouble—but since it's me, I'll talk about it." He grinned and leaned forward slightly. "Honestly, I'm a fan of Sonaya and the games they make."
The audience gasped in surprise.
"Yeah, I know—it might sound weird, especially considering that Sonaya is ZAGE's biggest competitor. But here's how I've always seen it. On my business card, I'm a company owner. In my mind, I'm a game developer. But in my heart—I've always been a gamer. And because of that, I can't help but appreciate what Sonaya is doing. They never give up. No matter how far ZAGE may be ahead in games quality of quantity, they continue pushing, trying their best to release one to three games every month. That kind of dedication is something I truly respect."
Zaboru paused, then added with a thoughtful tone, "And honestly, a lot of Sonaya's games are great. Sure, some of them aren't perfect, and there have been a few that didn't quite land—but I don't fault them for that. In fact, I respect it. Because they're not just churning out products; they're experimenting. They're trying new things. And as a fellow developer, I can't help but admire that."
The audience gasped again—Zaboru was actually praising Sonaya's games! It was unexpected, but his honest appreciation left a strong impression on everyone in the room.
Then another male audience member asked, "Zaboru-san, what do you think about parents who hate video games because they believe video games make their children stupid?"
Zaboru chuckled and leaned slightly forward, his tone light but thoughtful. "Ah, this question always comes up everywhere, doesn't it? And honestly, my answer hasn't changed much over the years. No, video games don't make children stupid. In fact, I would argue the opposite is true. Many games encourage critical thinking, demand hand-eye coordination, and teach perseverance through trial and error. You often need strategy, timing, and focus to succeed in them."
He paused, allowing the audience to nod along before continuing. "Also, let's not forget the psychological aspect—when you beat a game, there's a real sense of personal satisfaction. That little victory can build confidence. But of course, like anything else, moderation is key. Something that's good can become bad when consumed without care. So yes, while video games have many positive elements, playing them excessively without balance isn't healthy either. Like all things, it's about how you approach them."
Then another fan raised their hand and asked enthusiastically, "Zaboru-san! As the creator of Sonic and Mario, are you aware that there's a major debate among fans about who is the true mascot of ZAGE? And if so, what's your personal take on it?"
Zaboru chuckled knowingly. He was quite familiar with the debate—even though both Sonic and Mario were created under the ZAGE brand, fans frequently argued over which one truly represented the spirit of the company.
Zaboru leaned forward with a warm smile and said, "Yeah, I'm definitely aware of that debate. It's kind of a strange question to me because, as many of you know, Mario was actually one of the very first characters I ever created. Sonic came a bit later. To me, Mario has always represented a sense of fun, joy, and playful adventure—he's cheerful, colorful, and full of charm. On the other hand, Sonic is cooler, faster, and has that edgy attitude that resonates with a different kind of energy."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "But here's the thing—I love both of them equally. They represent different sides of my creativity, and it wouldn't feel right to choose one over the other. That's why I've never officially said one is the 'true' mascot of ZAGE. To me, they're both icons, and I think that's what makes ZAGE special. We're not defined by just one face—we're defined by imagination and variety."
The audience chuckled, though some looked mildly disappointed by the previous answer. Then, another fan stood up with a cheeky grin and asked, "Zaboru-san, why are all the ZAGE female characters—especially the ones in fighting games—so sexy?"
Zaboru looked taken aback for a moment, blinking in surprise before laughing heartily. "Ahhh... well, I could say it's because they all learn martial arts and train hard to stay in shape," he said, trying to maintain a straight face. "But honestly? No, that's not the reason. The real answer is simple—I just like seeing beautiful girls kick ass. You know what I mean? Hehehe."
The crowd roared with laughter at his bold, candid reply. His honesty, delivered with a playful shrug, earned a round of cheerful applause.
Then another audience member asked, "Zaboru, why have you recently been creating more songs inspired by English music rather than Japanese?"
Zaboru chuckled. "Well, not really. It depends on my mood. Even my latest album, Blast, is in Japanese, right? But I think for Japanese people, learning English is really important. After all, English is a global language. If you can speak it, you can communicate with almost anyone in the world. It opens up so many opportunities and helps you connect with different cultures. So while I still make music in Japanese, I'm definitely influenced by English-language music too.
Then another question came: "Zaboru-san! Who is Zabo-man? Is there a deeper meaning behind his constant appearances in all of your ZAGE games?" Zaboru chuckled and paused for a moment, clearly amused by the question. With a playful grin, he finally responded, "Well, there's only one thing I can say... 'You are very cool!'"
The audience erupted in laughter at the delivery of Zabo-man's iconic catchphrase, a familiar and beloved line known to all fans of ZAGE. It was clear that Zaboru had no intention of revealing the true origins or deeper significance of Zabo-man, maintaining the mystery with a twinkle in his eye. This playful evasion only fueled fan theories further, leaving the crowd buzzing with excitement and curiosity.
After all the questions had been asked and answered, and about an hour and a half had passed, the ZAGE Talk event gradually drew to a close. The atmosphere in the room had become warm and intimate, filled with laughter and thoughtful reflections. As the final round of applause died down, Zaboru stood up from his seat, reached behind the podium, and picked up his acoustic guitar.
With a calm yet heartfelt expression, he smiled and said into the microphone, "Before we finish, I'd like to sing a new song for you all. This one is called 'Fukai Mori.' I hope you enjoy it."
Zaboru took a deep breath, positioned his fingers on the strings, and gently began to play, his voice blending seamlessly with the gentle acoustic melody.
Fukai fukai mori no oku ni ima mo kitto
Okizari ni shita kokoro kakushiteru yo
Sagasu hodo no chikara mo naku tsukarehateta
Hitobito wa eien no yami ni kieru
Chisai mama nara kitto
Ima demo mieta ka na
Bokutachi wa ikiru hodo ni
Nakushiteku sukoshi zutsu
Itsuwari ya uso o matoni
Tachisukumu koe mo naku
The audience was utterly mesmerized, their attention captured by every note and lyric of the song. A warm wave of applause filled the room as Zaboru strummed the final chord. It was a heartfelt, unforgettable moment that sealed the entire event with a sense of unity and inspiration. And with that, the ZAGE Talk event gracefully came to a close.
To be continue
Zaboru with long hair
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