After returning from YaDo, Zaboru headed straight back to his office on the 51st floor of the ZAGE Tower. He sat down and began brainstorming, his mind already racing with possibilities.
"Hmm, anime games, huh?" he muttered, letting out a small chuckle.
In recent years at ZAGE, he had already developed games based on anime like Fist of the North Star and Rurouni Kenshin—titles that, interestingly, only became anime adaptations after their games found success. But this time, Zaboru wanted more. He aimed to create games based on anime that had already aired in this world through YaDo, a move that came with its own unique set of challenges. It wouldn't be as simple as adapting stories from the ground up—he had to respect existing fanbases, storylines, and the visual identity already tied to each series. That complexity, however, only fueled his determination.
'Hmm, this might be something for the long term. I won't release these games anytime soon, but it doesn't hurt to plan them early,' Zaboru thought. 'And first of all, a Dragon Ball game is a must.'
He smiled as he wrote it down. Dragon Ball games were legendary in his previous life. Not only were they popular, but they practically built their own subgenre in anime fighting games. The franchise delivered high-octane combat, iconic moves, and beloved characters that made every release an event. It wasn't just nostalgia—it was business sense. A Dragon Ball game had proven market appeal, strong branding, and near-universal recognition.
Zaboru leaned back slightly, thinking it through. If done right, the Dragon Ball title could be more than just another adaptation—it could be the foundation for a new standard in anime games. He could push the gameplay deeper, add cinematic flair, and ensure the animation captured the feel of the original show without losing the energy of the fights. 'If I pull this off, this could be the title that anchors the entire lineup,' he thought.
Then Zaboru thought, 'I think I should hold off on making games based on the Big 3—Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach—at least for now. It's better to wait a bit longer before touching those giants.' He knew the timing for those titles had to be perfect. If done too early, the impact could be wasted. There needed to be the right buzz, the right fan demand, and a market ready to embrace them fully.
'But Gundam though… that's a must,' he thought with a grin.
Unlike the Big 3, in his previous Gundam had a legacy that stretched decades and this world its actually one of ZAGE first ever anime, and just like Dragon Ball, it carved out an entire genre of games in his previous life. From tactical simulations to 3D action, Gundam games offered variety and depth—and had a fanbase that was fiercely loyal. Even though most Gundam titles back then didn't release globally until much later, the ones that did were praised and remembered. In his previous life, he had seen firsthand how dedicated fans were to mobile suit battles, storyline branches, and pilot-driven drama.
Even the Gunpla in this world continue to sell exceptionally well, with countless fans passionately collecting and building them. Their popularity hasn't waned at all—in fact, it's only grown stronger as each new fans discovers the joy of model-building and the legacy behind every mobile suit.
This time around, Zaboru wanted to go even further. He didn't want the next Gundam game to be limited to just the Japanese market. Now that he held the full rights, he was determined to take it global—just like the other ZAGE titles that had made waves across continents. His goal was simple: let fans from every country experience the full power, scale, and majesty of a Gundam game done right.
"Yeah… I'll make sure this one gets the treatment it deserves," he thought, already envisioning mobile suits bursting to life on ZEPS3, their engines roaring with cinematic impact and gameplay that would raise the bar worldwide.
'Next is the Bakusou Kyodai Let's & Go!! game. Time to give it a real revival,' Zaboru said with a chuckle. In this world, the Bakusou Kyodai Let's & Go!! anime was actually inspired by the 8-bit ZAGE game R.C. PRO AM released back during the ZEPS 1 era. It was a strange twist, where a game influenced an anime rather than the other way around. Still, Zaboru wanted to revisit the franchise and push it even further. He had plans brewing for a full sequel—the third installment of R.C. PRO AM, now envisioned for ZEPS 3, rebranded and reborn as R.C. PRO AM: Let's & Go!!
Back in his previous life, Zaboru had spent hours on his old PlayStation 1 playing the Bakusou Kyodai Let's & Go!! racing game. It wasn't flashy or complex, but its gameplay was tight, responsive, and oddly addictive. There was a certain magic in its simplicity. It captured the thrill of speed, the tinkering of mini 4WD cars, and the excitement of head-to-head races.
Now, with the full resources of ZAGE behind him, Zaboru saw the opportunity to bring that same spirit to life in a modern way. He imagined ultra-fast 3D races, customizable machines, track builders, even basic online multiplayer features where fans could compete globally.
"Maybe this will be the next task for my ZAGE game division," he murmured, already sketching notes on his digital tablet. He chuckled again, excited by how even something small from his past could spark a major project today.
Zaboru then grinned, thinking about another game he was determined to create in the future—Captain Tsubasa. It had always been one of his favorite titles. Despite its over-the-top, almost absurd mechanics, it carried a unique charm that set it apart. The exaggerated moves, cinematic passes, and dramatic goal shots made it more than just a soccer game—it was a spectacle. Now that ZAGE owned Weekly Shonen Jump in this world, Zaboru had full access to the rights. That meant he could finally bring Captain Tsubasa back the way he envisioned—faithful to its spirit, but elevated for a new generation of players.
'Hmm, for now I think these games will be enough. I'll create detailed plans for them later,' Zaboru mused, tapping his pen against the table. 'But I should also start preparing the next cartoon for Nickelodeon. They probably need new content lined up by now. Heh… so many tasks.'
Zaboru chuckled to himself—not out of frustration, but because he genuinely enjoyed it. The workload didn't bother him. In fact, he thrived in it. He immediately opened a new file and began organizing notes, sketches, and concepts for future Nickelodeon shows, just like he had done for the anime-based games. He was already categorizing ideas by target audience, animation style, and theme.
Nickelodeon was one of ZAGE's key international arms, and Zaboru knew how important it was to keep it thriving. With YaDo dominating the anime sector, Nickelodeon needed its own fresh lineup of hits. He had plans to push both into creative competition—and synergy. As he typed away, adding references and concept notes to a digital folder titled "Nick 2025 Concepts," something clicked in his mind.
Suddenly, Zaboru paused. His eyes widened slightly.
He had just remembered something.
He leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling as thoughts swirled through his head. "I've had ideas for a Smash Bros-style game, but Smash Bros itself is firmly under the ZAGE umbrella—and it wouldn't make much sense to throw anime characters into that mix," Zaboru muttered. He reflected on his previous life, where Shonen Jump had experimented with crossover fighting games like Jump Super Stars and Jump Ultimate Stars on the GBA. Those games had their charm—using manga panels (koma) to build decks and customize characters—but they were rooted in manga, not anime. And while the current Hakushensha manga library under ZAGE was impressive, it didn't quite stack up to the all-star roster Shonen Jump had in the 2000s.
"Hmm… I don't think I can take that route," he mumbled, scratching his head. Then suddenly, a spark hit. Zaboru grinned, the kind of grin that usually led to something wild and ambitious. "Hehehe… what if I create a crossover fighting game—YaDo series versus Nickelodeon series?"
The idea made him laugh out loud. It was ridiculous, but it also had massive potential. Right now, YaDo had the stronger library, no doubt about it, but that was something he could change. If he focused on strengthening Nickelodeon's lineup over the next year, he could build both sides into formidable rosters—and then clash them in one epic, explosive game.
Zaboru leaned over his desk and started scribbling ideas furiously. In the world of Nickelodeon, ZAGE had already seeded a solid mix of shows—most of them inspired by ZAGE games. Titles like Transformers, Taz-Mania, The Powerpuff Girls, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, ThunderCats, Spider-Man, X-Men, and even RoboCop were all part of the mix. There was history, famous IP , and action—all the ingredients for a killer fighting game.
The possibilities had him fired up. A dynamic fighting system, flashy visuals, chaotic team battles, story campaigns—it could be a franchise of its own. And as for Disney? Zaboru smiled to himself. He was intentionally leaving them out. He had something very different planned for that brand, something tied to… keys and hearts.
"This is a great idea! Hehehe… but what should I name it?" Zaboru muttered as he scribbled down title ideas. "YaDo vs. Nickelodeon sounds okay, but it needs more punch. Something cooler, something that sticks." He paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "ZAF… yeah, that's it! ZAF: YaDo vs. Nickelodeon."
He quickly jotted it down with a satisfied grin. "ZAF stands for ZAGE Animation Fight. That's perfect—short, powerful, and says exactly what it is." The title carried a weight to it. It didn't just sound like a game—it sounded like an event. For Zaboru, it didn't sound bad at all. But if others heard the name? They might ask him to change it—Zaboru had a bit of a reputation for questionable naming sense.
Still, he didn't care.
Zaboru's grin widened as excitement surged through him. This wasn't just another project. This was one of his original concepts, a creation entirely his own, and it lit a fire inside him. The rush of ideas, the vision, the scale—it was all coming together. Without missing a beat, he picked up his office phone and called his secretary, Yumi Ichijou.
"Bring in a full spread," he said. "I'm gonna be here a while."
Moments later, Yumi arrived, and food started coming in waves—snacks, bento boxes, desserts, everything. His appetite had exploded alongside his creativity. He paced the room, ideas coming faster than he could write them down. ZAF was no longer just a name. It was a mission.
Yumi sighed, watching her boss devour his food like a madman—as always.
To be continue
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