Monday - April 29 1998
Zaboru right now are in the meetings with Rekka Studio, one of ZAGE most important subsidiaries that specifically handles and manages their Tokusatsu division. The studio itself is being led by a former Toei employee, a legendary figure widely regarded as the father of Tokusatsu in this world — the man responsible for creating Ultraman, Super Sentai, and Kamen Rider, Kyotaro Shinomori. For Zaboru, this meeting is for talking for Rekka Studio to talk about the next projects that he thought of.
At the moment, Rekka Studio has three major shows currently airing on ZAGE YaDo Subscription TV: Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, Kamen Rider Ryuki, and Ultraman Gaia. All three series only began airing earlier this year, yet they have already made a significant impact on viewers and critics alike. Among them, Kamen Rider Ryuki stands out the most, quickly becoming a nationwide phenomenon in Japan. Its darker tone, Rider-versus-Rider battles, and emotionally driven conflicts have captured audiences of all ages, pushing Tokusatsu beyond simple children's entertainment and firmly into mainstream popularity.
Zaboru also decided that Kamen Rider Ryuki would last for two full years, deliberately extending the series far beyond its usual runtime. He wanted to use the extra time to explore more intense Rider Battles, deeper rivalries, and heavier drama than what existed in his previous world. This decision wasn't purely driven by business logic either — Kamen Rider Ryuki was one of Zaboru's favorite Kamen Rider series in his past life, and he believed that its concept deserved more room to breathe. By allowing the story to unfold at a slower, more deliberate pace, Zaboru hoped the audience could fully absorb the moral conflicts, betrayals, and tragic choices that defined the Rider War.
Aside from Kamen Rider Ryuki, Super Sentai Ninja Sentai Kakuranger was also performing exceptionally well. As the very first Ninja-themed Sentai series, it stood out immediately among viewers. The show struck a perfect balance between humor and cool action, blending lighthearted comedy with stylish ninja techniques and memorable characters. Families loved watching it together, and its playful tone made it appealing even to younger audiences while still remaining entertaining for adults. Meanwhile, Ultraman Gaia was gaining strong momentum of its own, especially with the introduction of Ultraman Agul. As a rival Ultraman with a contrasting philosophy and presence, Agul brought a fresh dynamic to the series. This rivalry resonated deeply with fans, as it introduced themes of conflict, ideology, and cooperation that felt new and exciting within the Ultraman franchise.
Tokusatsu in Japan has become incredibly popular, with ZAGE and Rekka now standing firmly at the forefront of the industry as its driving force. Meanwhile, despite TOEI's Metal Heroes still performing well, the executives there can do nothing but regret their past decisions. They had sold the Super Sentai rights to ZAGE, while handing over the Ultraman and Kamen Rider rights to Kyotaro — choices they made because they bitterly blame him for the Show's failure before they fired him.
Aside from Japan, another ZAGE subsidiary in the United States, SABAN, is currently airing Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which has now continued well into its second season. The show has become insanely popular, far beyond initial expectations, with not only children but adults openly loving and following it as well. Its colorful heroes, team-based action, and easily recognizable designs have turned it into a cultural phenomenon overseas.
The popularity of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers has also translated directly into overwhelming merchandise success. Toy sales are exploding across the American market, from action figures and transformation items to costumes and accessories. Every new episode seems to fuel even more demand, and ZAGE is generating a massive stream of income from Power Rangers toys and merchandise alone. For Zaboru, this overseas success further confirms that Tokusatsu is no longer a Japan-only phenomenon, but a global entertainment force with enormous long-term potential.
Zaboru now sat at the same table with Kyotaro, calmly devouring plate after plate of sushi that had been personally prepared by specially for Zaboru himself. Every cut of fish, every roll, and every piece of rice was made with care, perfectly suited to Zaboru's taste. Kyotaro clearly knew his boss's appetite well, arranging the dishes in a steady flow so the plates never truly felt empty.
Zaboru smiled in satisfaction as he picked up another piece. "Hehehe, these are really good ones, Kyotaro-san," he said honestly, his tone relaxed and appreciative. Kyotaro burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You really can eat, boss. I'm not even sure that even if I were still young, I could eat as much as you do!"
Zaboru chuckled softly at the remark and continued eating without pause, clearly enjoying both the food and the casual atmosphere. The mood around the table felt light and comfortable, a rare break from the weight of corporate decisions and creative responsibility. However, it didn't take long before Zaboru finished his meal. As soon as he was done, his expression subtly shifted — the relaxed indulgence giving way to focus — and he smoothly steered the conversation toward business.
"Say, Kyotaro-san, aren't you exhausted managing three shows simultaneously? I mean Kamen Rider, Super Sentai, and Ultraman all at once," Zaboru asked casually, watching Kyotaro's reaction.
Kyotaro simply smiled and shook his head with confidence. "Nope, not at all. Rekka Studio's manpower is more than enough to handle it. Besides, most of the scripts and story directions are coming from you, boss," he said honestly. "And I have to say, they're amazing. Seeing my creations being loved across Japan like this… and now even Sentai becoming famous all over the world — it really makes all those years worth it."
Zaboru nodded in agreement and let out a small chuckle, clearly pleased by Kyotaro's words. He could see the pride in Kyotaro's eyes, not as an executive, but as a creator finally watching his work reach heights he once only dreamed of.
Kyotaro then grinned mischievously. "I bet those bastards at TOEI never expected their IPs to generate this insane amount of value. They must be regretting selling them to us now, boss."
Zaboru chuckled softly. "Well, that's their loss," he replied calmly. "And honestly, I don't want to talk about them anymore. What matters now is the future. Right now, I want to propose some new projects — ideas I've been thinking about for a while."
Kyotaro's eyes lit up immediately. "YES! I want to hear it!"
Zaboru let out a small sigh, though there was amusement in his voice. "Relax, Kyotaro-san. Can you even handle it though? Another project?"
Kyotaro laughed loudly, confidence radiating from him. "You underestimate me, boss! Despite these old bones, I'm still strong!"
Zaboru chuckled in response and slid a set of folders across the table toward Kyotaro. Printed clearly on the front was the project title: Chouseishin Granzazer.
Kyotaro picked it up and narrowed his eyes slightly. "Chouseishin Granzazer?" he repeated, curiosity taking over. Zaboru nodded, signaling him to read it properly. Kyotaro flipped through the documents, scanning the pages one by one in silence. After a moment, he looked up again.
"Is this like Sentai," Kyotaro asked slowly, choosing his words, "but with more than one group? And the groups are fighting each other?" He paused, then added, "Like the current Kamen Rider Ryuki?"
Zaboru smiled and nodded. "Yes, that's the gist of it, Kyotaro-san. I want to create something truly unique for each group. Each one will have its own identity, values, and conflicts. They'll be hostile toward one another most of the time, rivals by nature, but occasionally they'll be forced to work together — because when the Earth itself is at stake, even enemies have no choice but to stand side by side."
Zaboru leaned back slightly, his tone calm but filled with conviction. "I want each group to be called a Tribe," he explained. "They'll be based on the Zodiac, but also tied closely to elemental themes. For example, as you can see here, the Fire Tribe will be the main tribe of the show. They're hot‑blooded, courageous, and brave — the kind of people who charge forward without hesitation. Their Zodiac signs will be Leo, Aries, and Sagittarius. Every other Tribe will follow the same idea, each with its own elemental identity, Zodiac alignment, and philosophy. No two teams will feel the same, and each one will stand out with its own uniqueness."
Kyotaro's eyes lit up as he listened, excitement slowly replacing his initial surprise. "I… I never thought about Tokusatsu in this way before," he admitted honestly. "But this is really good. No — it's more than that. I think this has huge potential."
Zaboru nodded, clearly encouraged by the reaction. "I hope so, Kyotaro-san," he said. "So, do you think you can prepare for the production of Granzazer?" He paused briefly before continuing, shifting into a more practical tone. "If possible, I want it ready by 1999, right when the next seasons of our current shows — Ultraman, Super Sentai, and Kamen Rider — start airing. But if that's too tight, it's fine. We can aim for an early 2000 release instead. I'd rather do it right than rush something like this."
Zaboru was asking this because he knew very well just how special Chouseishin Granzazer truly was. In his previous life, however, the same could not be said for its successors, such as Genseishin Justiriser or Sazer‑X. Those series had failed to fully capture the spirit, intensity, and balance that made Granzazer stand out, often losing focus or lacking the emotional weight that tied the conflicts together. Remembering that disappointment clearly, Zaboru was determined not to let the same thing happen in this world.
He wanted Granzazer here to be different — to be given time to grow, evolve, and breathe. Ideally, he hoped the series would run for at least two, or even three full seasons. With that length, he could properly fill it with layered drama, long‑term rivalries, and meaningful character development. Each team would feel dynamic and alive, with shifting relationships, internal conflicts, and growth over time, much like what he was already achieving with Kamen Rider Ryuki. For Zaboru, Granzazer wasn't meant to be just another Tokusatsu show — it was a chance to finally realize the full potential he believed the concept always had.
Kyotaro thought "This requires a lot of CGI isn't it?" Zaboru nod "Yup plenty of them" Kyotaro said "i want to make this as smooth as possible so i think i want to start on 2000" Zaboru smile and nod "Sure thing its fine Kyotaro-san" then with that Zaboru are done meeting with Kyotaro as he back to his offices in ZAGE Tower
Zaboru leaned back in his chair and let his thoughts wander. "Tokusatsu… does this mean it's time for a Tokusatsu game release as well?" he muttered to himself. A small chuckle escaped his lips as he remembered that ZAGE had only ever produced one true Tokusatsu game so far — Z-Man. Well, technically speaking, the Robo‑Cop ZAGE title had heavily used Solbrain elements, a Metal Heroes series from his previous life, but nobody in this world knew that connection existed.
His thoughts continued to drift. I want Tokusatsu to stay like it was in the early to mid‑2000s in my previous life, he reflected. Back when the stories were darker, more serious, and actually respected the audience. CGI could exist, he didn't mind that, as long as the combat still felt physical, impactful, and grounded. What he truly despised was soulless CGI — flashy visuals with no weight behind them.
Zaboru groaned quietly as unpleasant memories surfaced. Before his death in his previous world, he had watched recent Kamen Rider series like Kamen Rider Forze and Kamen Rider Ghost, and to him, they were nothing short of disasters. The franchise had felt plastic, overly colorful, drowning in excessive CGI and dry jokes that stripped away the tension and drama he once loved. That disappointment had stuck with him deeply.
Because of that, Zaboru had already made up his mind. In this world, he might still allow those series to exist, but he would never let them become hollow. The tone, the storytelling, and the emotional weight would be adjusted — reshaped into something he could stand behind, something worthy of the Tokusatsu he remembered loving.
Zaboru then thought about the game side of things. Tokusatsu games basically need to be released once a year, alongside their respective shows, he mused quietly. Hmm… which means I might need to create another team. The existing teams weren't really suitable to become long-term subsidiaries dedicated purely to Tokusatsu. That limitation bothered him.
Or should I adapt the current Japan-based teams instead? he wondered. TEAM NOVA, TEAM IZAN, or TEAM NIWA… maybe they could become specialized for Tokusatsu series and anime-related games? Zaboru paused, weighing the pros and cons of each option carefully.
A small chuckle escaped him as his thoughts continued to expand. Tokusatsu itself was an IP goldmine. You could make countless kinds of games from it — fighting games built around Rider-versus-Rider combat, racing games featuring Kamen Riders just like in his previous life, or even large-scale adventure titles that focused on story, transformation, and progression. The possibilities were almost endless.
Because of that potential, Zaboru began leaning toward the idea of forming a brand-new, dedicated team. A team that understood Tokusatsu not just as a genre, but as a long-term ecosystem of shows, games, merchandise, and storytelling. If he wanted to do it properly, it deserved its own specialists.
But right now, ZAGE already had a total of eight teams, a number Zaboru had deliberately capped from the very beginning. In Japan, there were NOVA, IZAN, and NIWA, each with its own specialty and internal culture. In the United States, TEMPEST and ENIGMA were already operating steadily, pushing ZAGE's influence further into the Western market. Meanwhile, Dynasty had been established in Korea, with plans already underway to expand its presence into China as well, strengthening ZAGE's foothold across Asia.
The remaining two teams were still in preparation. One of them was Team Nexus, a unit focused heavily on arcade games, designed to operate with branches in both Japan and the United States. The other was Team OMNI, which would only be officially formed once ZAGE's London offices were completed — something expected to happen sometime next year, or perhaps the year after.
As Zaboru reviewed all of this in his mind, he found himself hesitating. He had always wanted ZAGE to have only eight teams. There was no logical business reason behind that specific number; it simply felt right to him. Now, with new ideas demanding new manpower, Zaboru was left contemplating his next move, weighing his personal ideals against the ever-expanding ambitions of ZAGE. As for why Zaboru only wants 8 teams...
To be continue
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