After Zaboru was firmly scolded by his mom and finally came to his senses, he made the heartfelt decision to put his family first and dedicate the rest of December to them. Starting from 22 December, he began his holiday, setting aside all business trips and meetings. Instead of flying off to London or Beijing, Zaboru arranged a special family vacation to Okinawa, known for its warm beaches, beautiful coastlines, and luxurious resorts. It wasn't just a getaway—it was a way to reconnect, to create memories, and to give his wife and son the undivided attention they deserved.
The trip to Okinawa included everything from high-class accommodations at one of the most exclusive beachside resorts to personalized spa days for Ayumi and playful beach strolls with baby Zenshin along with his Mom , Dad and sister. Zaboru also made sure to plan activities for every day—boat rides, visits to historical sites, and local culinary experiences. The atmosphere was calm, filled with laughter and sunshine, far removed from the pressures of boardrooms and business deals.
Meanwhile, ZAGE officially entered its holiday period. Zaboru had generously granted all his employees a well-deserved break from 24 December through to 2 January 1998. He wanted them to enjoy time with their own families, knowing how valuable those moments could be. This rare pause in the company's fast-paced momentum marked a shared breath of peace not just for Zaboru, but for the entire ZAGE family.
But despite being on holiday and spending precious time with his family, Zaboru never completely disconnected from work. Thanks to his Enlightenment-enhanced body, which only required two hours of rest to fully recharge, he found himself with long stretches of uninterrupted night hours. While his wife, son, and the rest of his family slept peacefully in their hotel room, Zaboru often stayed up into the early morning, quietly working by the dim glow of his laptop screen.
The laptop, while not particularly advanced for the time—still bulky, noisy, and slow by modern standards—was enough for him to write up important documents, outline game mechanics, brainstorm future projects, and continue development notes for ZAGE's upcoming releases. It wasn't ideal, but it allowed him to keep his mind sharp and momentum moving. Alongside documents, he also brought his sketch book and drawing tools, using the quiet hours to draw concept art—characters, worlds, combat designs—many of which would form the foundation for ZAGE's next generation of games.
Ayumi would often wake up in the middle of the night, the soft sound of typing or sound of pen drawing alerting her. Each time, she saw the same scene: Zaboru sitting at the desk near the window, completely absorbed in his work. But instead of scolding him, she simply smiled. She understood this was part of who he was. He didn't need much rest, and more importantly, he had chosen to be there—with them. That choice alone made her heart full.
Ayumi was truly happy that Zaboru had followed through on his promise, choosing family over the year-end business trip to London and Beijing. That decision meant more than words could say. Their son Zenshin, their parents, and even Zaboru's sister were all clearly enjoying every moment of the vacation. Whether it was walking along the beach, dining on Okinawan cuisine, or playing board games late into the evening, there was joy in every moment. It was a holiday none of them would forget—and for Zaboru, it was a reminder that even when building empires, some treasures couldn't be measured in profit and productivity.
On 26 December 1997, Disney released The Iron Giant, and it was an instant hit—not only because it launched during the peak of the holiday season, but because it turned out to be an extraordinary film. At first glance, it seemed like a simple children's movie about a boy and a robot. But once people sat down to watch, they discovered something much deeper. It was a powerful, emotional story filled with themes of friendship, fear, innocence, and sacrifice.
The bond between Hogarth and the Giant feels incredibly authentic. The film takes its time showing how their trust grows, how they learn from each other, and how their friendship blossoms through curiosity and empathy. The Giant, a colossal weapon from the stars, behaves not like a machine, but like a child seeing the world for the first time. That contrast—an innocent, gentle soul inside a body designed for destruction—struck an emotional chord with audiences everywhere. It made viewers reflect on the idea of nature versus choice and what it really means to be human—or more human than human.
One of the movie's greatest strengths is its underlying message. The Iron Giant carries a strong anti-violence, anti-war theme, wrapped inside a deeply moving personal narrative. Unlike the usual lighthearted tone of many animated features, this film tackles mature and thoughtful subjects—paranoia, the dangers of fear, and the Cold War era's deep suspicion. But it does so without ever feeling heavy-handed. Instead of preaching, it tells a story and lets viewers come to their own understanding. When the Giant learns, "You are who you choose to be," it becomes a line that stays with audiences long after the credits roll. His final act of self-sacrifice is one of the most emotionally powerful moments in animated film history—an unforgettable declaration of heroism, not from power, but from choice.
Visually, the film is equally beloved. Disney's team created a beautifully nostalgic 1950s American setting—full of charm, warmth, and believable small-town life. The animation, a seamless blend of traditional hand-drawn work with CGI for the Giant, is stunning. Every frame looks lovingly crafted. The Giant moves with weight and emotion, and even the smallest gestures carry meaning. The soundtrack only adds to the emotional impact. Its quiet, melancholic tones mix with swells of heroism at just the right moments, elevating each scene to something timeless.
The Iron Giant quickly earned critical acclaim and became a holiday favorite. It wasn't just a successful movie—it was a story that touched hearts across generations, reminding viewers that even in a world shaped by fear, we always have the power to choose who we become.
Aside from that, Zaboru had not yet assigned any new movie projects to the Disney team, as he was still busy with other responsibilities. Fortunately, the team was still occupied with their remaining two assignments—Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. These two major productions were still in progress and would keep the team engaged for a while. Once the holiday season concluded, Zaboru planned to travel to the USA to meet with the Disney division personally. During that visit, he would discuss future plans and assign them additional creative tasks, ensuring that Disney remained a key part of ZAGE's expanding entertainment vision.
On 22 December 1997, ZAGE officially released the long-anticipated KOF Bundle, and it sold like hot cakes from the moment it hit store shelves. What caught the ZAGE team completely off guard was the overwhelming and unexpected demand for the Ultimate Collection Edition—a premium version priced at 150,000 yen. This edition included all 12 KOF games, a custom Z-Fighting arcade stick, and a full set of 12 action figures featuring the main characters in dynamic poses. To everyone's surprise, this luxury bundle wasn't just popular—it was flying off the shelves. Fans and collectors alike praised the high quality of the action figures, noting the remarkable detail, poseability, and craftsmanship. The arcade stick itself was also a hit among hardcore fighting game fans, with precise controls and a arcade aesthetic that fit perfectly with the KOF brand. Within the first week, the KOF Ultimate Collection Edition had become a rare and sought-after collector's item, with some fans already reselling it at marked-up prices due to its scarcity.
The reaction didn't stop at the merchandise. Players were thoroughly impressed by the overall quality and polish of the games themselves. ZAGE had gone beyond expectations, delivering not just a fighting games collection, but an enhanced experience. Each game in the bundle was optimized for smooth performance and clearer visuals, making them feel fresh while maintaining their original spirit. What truly set the collection apart, though, was the expansion of single-player content. ZAGE didn't just port the original arcade versions—they enriched them. Every title came with fully fleshed-out story modes that added meaningful context to each character's journey, providing fans with deep lore and emotional moments never seen in the arcade releases. The stories were immersive and well-written, allowing players to explore rivalries, friendships, and personal motivations that made every match feel like part of a greater narrative.
These thoughtful additions elevated the collection from a mere porting games to a fully realized celebration of the ZAGE fighting games universe. For many gamers, especially those playing solo, it offered hours of engaging content beyond just arcade battles. Critics and fans alike praised ZAGE for not cutting corners and treating their fighting games franchise with such care and creativity. The release wasn't just a commercial success—it became a defining moment in ZAGE's legacy, proving that the company understood how to balance fan service with meaningful innovation.
And the two new fighting games included in the KOF Bundle—Rival Schools and Killer Instinct—quickly won over players with their unique styles and bold innovations. Rival Schools stood out immediately due to its unusual but refreshing concept: not only was it a solid fighting game with a diverse and colorful cast of characters, but it also included a surprisingly deep school simulation system. This unexpected layer allowed players to follow character storylines that played out like a slice-of-life drama, set in various high schools, complete with class schedules and relationship-building elements.
What truly made Rival Schools shine, however, were its engaging and creative mini-games. Players could enjoy penalty kick shootouts in soccer, a 3-point basketball challenge, batting practice in baseball, and even volleyball showdowns. These mini-games weren't just filler—they were fun, well-designed, and gave the game a depth and charm rarely seen in the genre. Many gamers were surprised at just how much content was packed into the game, calling it a genre-defining title that blurred the line between fighting game and life simulator. It was weird, wild, and wonderful, and players loved it for daring to be different.
On the other hand, Killer Instinct took a more intense and aggressive approach, quickly becoming a favorite for fans who loved high-energy gameplay. Its signature ultra combo system let players string together devastating chains of attacks, creating cinematic, over-the-top sequences that left both competitors and spectators breathless. Combine that with its hard-hitting heavy metal soundtrack—gritty, fast-paced, and adrenaline-fueled—and Killer Instinct created a visceral, electrifying experience that made it stand out from more traditional fighters. It became a fan favorite for those who loved spectacle and style, offering a perfect contrast to the grounded storytelling of Rival Schools.
Together, these two titles added serious value to the KOF Bundle, appealing to a broad range of players and helping solidify the collection as one of the most innovative and content-rich fighting game releases of the year.
Aside from that, ZAGE's Amazing Spider-Man game was also released during the holiday season, and it sold remarkably well. With many fans spending their holiday money on ZAGE products, the game became one of the season's most popular items. The title delivered not only thrilling web-swinging gameplay and combat mechanics but also a surprisingly heartfelt story that kept players hooked. Its quality exceeded expectations, and players felt their investment was more than justified—many calling it one of the best superhero games of the era.
Now, it's 2 January 1998. Zaboru and his family had just returned from their relaxing holiday in Okinawa the day before. The memories were still fresh—sunsets by the beach, laughter-filled dinners, quiet moments of togetherness—but now, Zaboru was already back in work mode. With his suitcase packed and passport in hand, he was preparing to fly to London for a crucial business trip to scout potential locations for ZAGE's future international offices.
To be continue
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