After leaving the Hardware Development Department, Takuya Nakayama returned to his office and checked his schedule.
He glanced at his wristwatch; the timing was just right.
His car was already waiting downstairs.
The vehicle smoothly drove towards Suginami Ward, and the scenery outside the window gradually transitioned from cold commercial buildings to more lively neighborhoods.
Takuya Nakayama's destination for this trip was a place that was just emerging in the animation industry but was destined to go down in history: Studio Ghibli.
Not long ago, he saw a promotional poster for the upcoming "my neighbor totoro" in the newspaper, and at that moment, a bold idea took root in his mind, so he had his assistant send an appointment request to Studio Ghibli.
The studio's facade was unremarkable, a plain two-story building that would be easily missed if not for the simple wooden sign hanging by the door.
Greeting him personally at the door was Studio Ghibli's President, Suzuki Toshio.
He was a middle-aged man with black-rimmed glasses, who appeared shrewd yet gentle.
"Executive Director Nakayama, welcome."
Suzuki Toshio's smile was polite, carrying a touch of appropriate professionalism.
Takuya Nakayama shook his hand and followed Suzuki Toshio's lead into the studio's reception room.
Takuya did not engage in much small talk, cutting straight to the chase.
"Mr. Suzuki, I've taken the liberty of visiting today because I hope to discuss the game adaptation rights for 'my neighbor totoro' with your esteemed company."
His gaze swept over the animation original drawings hanging on the studio walls, his tone filled with undisguised admiration.
"I really like your company's works."
Suzuki Toshio's eyes flickered.
He, of course, knew what Sega did, and he understood what a game adaptation entailed.
But he knew even better that the final decision on this matter was not in his hands.
"Mr. Nakayama, thank you very much for your appreciation of our work."
"However, this matter must be decided by Director Miyazaki himself."
"I will go invite him over."
Suzuki Toshio walked out of the reception room and gave instructions to his assistant.
Not long after, a man wearing a simple apron and sporting a distinctive beard walked in; it was Hayao Miyazaki, who had just finished the post-production of "my neighbor totoro."
Suzuki Toshio briefly explained the situation.
Upon hearing the words "game adaptation," Hayao Miyazaki's already serious face immediately furrowed into a frown.
He almost gave Takuya no chance to elaborate before directly expressing his objection.
"No."
His voice was not loud, but it was firm and decisive.
"Turn 'my neighbor totoro' into a game?"
Hayao Miyazaki's tone carried an artist's instinctive resistance and disdain for capital.
"Let children fight monsters in my world? Level up? Or contend for some inexplicable treasure?"
"With all due respect, Mr. Nakayama, this goes against everything 'my neighbor totoro' aims to convey."
"I cannot imagine it, and I will absolutely not accept it."
The air in the reception room seemed to solidify with his words.
Suzuki Toshio, standing by, gave a bitter smile, as if he had expected this.
However, facing Hayao Miyazaki's almost reproachful refusal, Takuya Nakayama showed no hint of surprise or awkwardness on his face.
He even smiled and nodded, as if in complete agreement with the other party's viewpoint.
"Director Miyazaki, I completely understand your concerns."
"In fact, before I came, I had already anticipated that this would be your reaction."
His frankness eased the displeasure on Hayao Miyazaki's face slightly, replaced by deeper confusion.
"Therefore, from the very beginning, I never intended to create a game with combat or violent content."
Hayao Miyazaki was stunned, and even Suzuki Toshio showed a surprised expression.
"Oh?"
Hayao Miyazaki raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly forward. "A game without fighting and killing? Can that still be called a game?"
His tone was full of doubt, but that absolute resistance seemed to have loosened a little.
Takuya Nakayama met his gaze and made a request.
"Director Miyazaki, to explain my concept more accurately, may I have the honor of reading the script for 'my neighbor totoro'?"
"This way, I can explain my concept to you more concretely."
Hayao Miyazaki silently scrutinized the young man before him.
He was very young, but his gaze was steady, without the usual impetuousness of a businessman.
Considering that the core content of the script had not yet been made public, he did not believe that the other party could come up with a solution that would impress him with just one reading.
After a moment of hesitation, he still pulled out a copy from a nearby file and handed it over.
Takuya Nakayama solemnly took the script and began to read quietly.
The story of "my neighbor totoro" was not complex, and the script was not long.
He read extremely quickly, the movie scenes he had seen in his previous life rapidly corresponding with the text before him. The core of the story—that unique innocence of childhood, the harmonious coexistence with nature, and the warmth between family members—flowed through his heart once again.
In the entire reception room, only the faint rustle of turning pages could be heard.
Hayao Miyazaki and Suzuki Toshio remained silent, simply observing him.
Finally, Takuya Nakayama closed the script and looked up.
His eyes were bright, filled with confidence.
"What I want to make is a 'farm management and heartwarming daily life experience' game."
He began slowly, his voice clear and composed.
"The protagonist of the game is not Satsuki and Mei. Instead, it is a young person who, like them, moves from the bustling city to the countryside."
"He inherits an old house and abandoned farmland left by his grandfather, and with a bit of uncertainty about the future, he begins a new life here."
Hayao Miyazaki's gaze became focused.
"The core gameplay of the game is to reclaim wasteland, sow crops, and care for cattle, sheep, chickens, and dogs. Players need to cultivate by hand, experience the cycle of the four seasons, and feel the joy of harvest."
"He will receive help from neighbors, integrate into this simple town, and slowly fall in love with this peaceful and fulfilling life."
Hayao Miyazaki's brows moved slightly, but he said nothing.
"So, where is my neighbor totoro?"
Suzuki Toshio was also listening intently and, remembering it was a licensed game for "my neighbor totoro," asked.
Takuya Nakayama's lips curled into a mysterious smile.
"my neighbor totoro, and the other spirits in the forest, will not appear as quest objectives."
"They are a kind of 'encounter'."
"When players are working in the fields, they might accidentally pick up a strange acorn. When they walk in the forest after the rain, or sit on the ridge at dusk, as long as they carry this acorn, there is a certain chance of an unexpected encounter with my neighbor totoro or other forest spirits."
"Players can even ride the Catbus."
"But these encounters are more like a magical adventure. There are no quests, no rewards, only a wonderful experience."
His voice was very soft, as if he were describing a dream.
"Perhaps the spirits will give him a bag of small, rather useless but delightful trinkets from the forest."
"Perhaps the Catbus will take him on a brief night flight."
"The next day, when the player wakes up from bed, everything seems like an unreal dream."
"However, when he opens the door and sees the strange, never-before-seen plant that grew overnight in the courtyard, he will realize that everything from last night truly happened."
"This game has no end, no so-called 'completion'."
"Its only goal is to allow players to immerse themselves in a leisurely pastoral life, experiencing the joy of cultivation and harvest, feeling the harmony between humans and nature, and a series of small stories filled with kindness and warmth."
As Takuya Nakayama described, a vivid, healing, and imaginative game world slowly unfolded in the minds of Hayao Miyazaki and Suzuki Toshio.
Hayao Miyazaki's expression shifted from initial skepticism to focused attention, and finally to shock.
When Takuya finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the reception room.
Suddenly.
"Clap!"
Hayao Miyazaki slapped his thigh, his eyes gleaming with astonishing light from excitement. The passion belonging to a top creator was thoroughly ignited at this moment.
"Genius!"
He spared no praise, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.
"This is the game 'my neighbor totoro' should have! This is it!"
Suzuki Toshio, standing by, was utterly dumbfounded.
He had worked with Hayao Miyazaki for many years and knew well the man's stubbornness and meticulousness.
He had never imagined that someone could, through the medium of "game making," not only persuade Hayao Miyazaki but also excite him and resonate with him.
Although a massive wave had surged within him, Hayao Miyazaki was, after all, Hayao Miyazaki. After a brief period of excitement, a creator's almost harsh meticulousness quickly brought him back to calm.
"The idea is very good, but... can you really execute it perfectly?"
He worried that this ineffable mood and feeling would be eroded by technical and commercial constraints during the actual development process, ultimately turning into a mediocre hybrid.
Takuya Nakayama seemed to have anticipated this question.
"Director Miyazaki, to alleviate your concerns, I am willing to include two special clauses in the contract."
He held up two fingers, his expression utterly sincere.
"First, all the scripts for the small stories in the game can be submitted to you for review. Of course, we would also be delighted if you could personally participate in the creation of some parts."
"Second, the final product of the game, before its official release, must receive your approval. As long as you don't give the nod, this game will absolutely not be released."
This sincerity and respect, completely relinquishing the final decision-making power, utterly broke down Hayao Miyazaki's last line of defense.
He gazed at Takuya Nakayama, his sharp eyes now devoid of scrutiny and suspicion, replaced only by pure admiration.
"Good."
"I agree."
With the cooperation settled, the atmosphere instantly became incredibly harmonious.
Takuya Nakayama struck while the iron was hot, saying with a smile.
"Director Miyazaki, if you are satisfied with the quality of this game in the future, I have one small request."
"I hope you can help introduce me to Mr. Joe Hisaishi, the master composer for 'my neighbor totoro'."
"I believe only his music can perfectly interpret the soul of this game."
Upon hearing this, Hayao Miyazaki burst into hearty laughter, in high spirits.
"No problem! Leave it to me!"
Suzuki Toshio watched this dramatic scene unfold, his evaluation of Takuya Nakayama rising to an unprecedented level.
This young man not only understood business and technology but also, perhaps, understood the soul of art better than many creators.