Immediately after the pokémon project discussion concluded, Takuya Nakayama wasted no time, pulling Team Leader Shimizu from Development Group Three to the Hardware Development Department's office area.
He tightly clutched the prototype of the red and white plastic sphere in one hand, while the other held a thick stack of design requirement documents that had just been presented at the meeting.
"Everyone, the content of the meeting just now should be clear to all of you."
Takuya's voice carried an undeniable sense of urgency as he gently placed the prototype sphere on the desk of the head of the Hardware Development Department.
"For this pokémon electronic pet, I believe the basic interactive and nurturing functions at the software level will not be a problem for Group Three."
He paused, then turned his gaze to the engineers from the Hardware Development Department who had gathered around upon hearing the news.
"The real challenge lies in its physical structure."
Takuya picked up the prototype sphere, his finger tapping on the black band and button in the middle. The prototype sphere folded open into two halves, then closed again.
"It must be extremely durable."
"Imagine how many times children will open and close it every day? How many times will they press this button? They might even accidentally drop it on the ground."
"We need it to guarantee at least two years of normal lifespan under such high-intensity use."
The relaxed expressions on the faces of several engineers from the Hardware Development Department instantly turned serious.
They exchanged glances, and one of the senior engineers adjusted his glasses.
"Nakayama-san, this requirement... is quite high."
"The choice of materials, the reinforcement of the internal structure, and repeated pressure tests will all require additional effort and cost."
"But it's not impossible," another engineer added, a glint of the unique dedication of a technical professional in his eyes, "We will conduct comprehensive reliability design and verification."
Takuya nodded, a hint of approval on his face.
"I know it's not easy, but this is one of the key cornerstones for the project's success."
"As for the specific details, I, as an outsider, won't interfere with your thinking. I believe you will definitely succeed."
"And then," Takuya turned to Team Leader Shimizu. "For the basic interactive and nurturing functions at the software level, I'll trouble you to convey them to everyone in Group Three. These are the functional requirements."
Takuya pulled out a document bag from his briefcase, which contained the pokémon electronic pet program proposal.
Team Leader Shimizu took the document bag, nodded, and then left the Hardware Development Department.
After handling the arrangements for hardware and preliminary software, Takuya did not linger for a moment, turning to walk to the floor where the Market Department was located.
He found Mr. Suzuki from the Market Department, a middle-aged man with whom he had collaborated quite a bit during the fatal fury promotion period.
"Suzuki-san, I need your help with something."
Takuya got straight to the point.
Mr. Suzuki put down the documents in his hand, a professional smile on his face.
"Nakayama-san, please speak."
"Do you still remember our previous animation of fatal fury?"
"Of course, I remember," Mr. Suzuki nodded, "The collaboration with Tatsunoko Production was very successful, greatly boosting both the game and the company's image."
"Very good." Takuya handed him a slip of paper, "I hope you can contact this animation company—GALLOP."
Mr. Suzuki took the slip of paper and glanced at it, a little surprised.
"GALLOP?"
"That's right, them. They mostly do animations for children." Takuya's tone was firm, "We have a brand new, hugely potential IP project that needs animation collaboration, and this IP is quite suitable for children's animation."
"If possible, we hope to appoint Mr. Kunihiko Yuyama as the director for this animation."
"This is an S-class project. Tell them that Sega's investment and determination this time will far exceed fatal fury, and the scale of the project will also far exceed fatal fury."
Mr. Suzuki felt the weight in Takuya's words, and his expression became serious.
"Understood, Nakayama-san. I will start processing it immediately and arrange a formal meeting and discussion as soon as possible."
"Additionally, I'll also trouble Mr. Suzuki to contact San-X Company to discuss the production of peripheral products for this project."
"San-X?" Mr. Suzuki was a bit unfamiliar with this company name.
"It's Hello Kitty," Takuya said, naming the company's famous product.
"Oh! I understand! I will do my best to contact them," Mr. Suzuki nodded.
GALLOP's response to Sega's olive branch was indeed very positive.
Sega was currently at its peak in the gaming industry, especially with the successful animation of fatal fury as a precedent. Coupled with the information conveyed by Mr. Suzuki, such as "S-class project" and "investment far exceeding previous," GALLOP's senior management dared not show the slightest neglect and quickly finalized the meeting time.
About a week later, in early May.
Nakano Ward, GALLOP Animation Company.
Unlike the modern and elite feel of Sega Headquarters, the atmosphere here felt more simple and focused, as if the air was filled with the scent of pencil shavings and paper.
Takuya Nakayama and Mr. Suzuki from the Market Department arrived on time.
GALLOP's president personally greeted them at the door, his attitude enthusiastic yet appropriate.
Inside the meeting room, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, Takuya did not engage in excessive commercial preamble.
He placed a special leather case, noticeably larger and heavier than a regular briefcase, on the conference table and opened it.
What was revealed inside was not a few thin pages of a project proposal, but several thick stacks of neatly bound documents.
On top were brightly colored character design drafts—Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur, with their cute and unique appearances, instantly captured everyone's attention.
Following them were detailed world-building sets, brief biographies of main characters, and preliminary story line concepts with episode outlines.
The sheer volume of these documents, far exceeding a typical proposal, made the GALLOP president and several core personnel beside him, including a somewhat shy, glasses-wearing middle-aged man—Kunihiko Yuyama—slightly stunned.
A flash of understanding crossed the GALLOP president's eyes. He immediately realized that this was by no means an ordinary business collaboration discussion, but rather concerned the construction of a vast new world.
He very tactfully stood up and said to Mr. Suzuki with a smile.
"Suzuki-san, regarding the business details of the collaboration, why don't we go to my office and discuss them over tea?"
Mr. Suzuki looked at Takuya, and seeing him nod almost imperceptibly, he also stood up.
"Certainly, Mr. President."
As the president and Mr. Suzuki left, the meeting room door was gently closed.
Only Takuya Nakayama and GALLOP's core creative team, led by Kunihiko Yuyama, remained in the room.
Takuya's gaze fell on the future Pokémon animation chief director—Kunihiko Yuyama, and he introduced: "Director Yuyama, everyone from GALLOP, these are some of the pokémon original drawings and world setting for Pokémon that I designed, as well as the main story for this arc. Please go through them first, and then we can discuss the specific animation production in detail."