Another world Game Developers in Japan`s 1991

Friday, January 1, 1992

After celebrating New Year's with his family and Ayumi, Zaboru quickly returned to work. The holiday festivities were almost over, and now he was focused on ZAGE's future. He spent the morning planning new games, advancing the handheld division, and laying out the groundwork for a PC gaming sector within ZAGE. The clock neared 11:00 AM when the phone on his office desk suddenly rang.

"Huh? I wonder who this could be," Zaboru murmured as he picked up the receiver. "Hello, Zaboru Renkonan speaking."

A voice on the other end responded with enthusiasm. "Whoa! You actually answered. Ah, I'm sorry, Renkonan-san. My name is Kyotaro Shinomori. I'm the head of the Tokusatsu department at TOEI."

Zaboru's eyes widened in surprise. He knew that name well—Kyotaro Shinomori, a legend in the Tokusatsu industry and one of its key visionaries.

"Oh! I know you, Shinomori-san. I'm actually a big fan of your work," Zaboru admitted, leaning back in his chair.

Kyotaro chuckled. "That's funny, because I'm a fan of yours as well, Renkonan-san. Your work with ZAGE has been truly inspiring. Anyway, I was wondering—could we meet up today? I'd love to chat with you if possible."

Zaboru hesitated for a moment. He was busy, but this was Kyotaro Shinomori—the father of Tokusatsu! There was no way he could pass up this opportunity.

"Sure, Shinomori-san. How about you come to my office? I'm alone right now, so we'll have plenty of time to talk."

"Sounds perfect. Please give me your address."

After exchanging details, Kyotaro headed over in his own car. Not long after, the office doorbell rang.

Zaboru quickly got up and opened the door. "Hello, Shinomori-san. It's an honor to finally meet you in person."

Kyotaro grinned as he extended his hand. "Likewise, Renkonan-san."

"Please, come in," Zaboru gestured, leading him inside. As Kyotaro stepped in, he immediately noticed the vibrant graffiti-style artwork covering the office walls. Many of the characters from ZAGE's games were prominently featured.

"Whoa! It's so lively in here," Kyotaro marveled. His eyes locked onto a large mural of Z-Man in a dynamic pose. "Ah! Z-Man! He looks incredible!"

Zaboru chuckled. "I'm glad you like it."

The two made their way to Zaboru's personal office space. Kyotaro took a moment to take in the room's atmosphere before nodding in approval.

"This place is fantastic, Renkonan-san. It's not overly large, but you can feel the appreciation and dedication poured into it."

Zaboru smiled. "You flatter me, Shinomori-san. Anyway, would you like something to drink? I have plenty of beverages here."

"Just some plain water will do," Kyotaro replied.

Zaboru nodded and handed him a chilled bottle of water before taking a seat across from him. "So, Shinomori-san, what brings you to me today?"

Kyotaro leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "When I saw your Z-Man advertisement, I was blown away. I never imagined Sentai could be presented in such a fresh and exciting way. That got me thinking—are you interested in Ultraman or Kamen Rider as well?"

Zaboru raised an eyebrow. "Of course, I'm a huge fan of both. But I haven't really planned on making games for them… at least, not right now."

Kyotaro nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Well, let me be direct, Renkonan-san. I'm a firm believer in true talent. I don't care about age, nationality, or any of that—what matters to me is skill and vision. And you, Renkonan-san, are exceptional. You're incredibly young yet already shaping the entertainment industry, especially in gaming.

So, I have a proposal for you. Would you be interested in collaborating with me on a new Tokusatsu series? It doesn't have to be full-time—just occasional involvement. I'd like to consult with you on designs, lore, and creative direction. Of course, we would compensate you, and you'd be credited as part of the production team. In addition, TOEI would officially partner with you on Tokusatsu-related projects. This means that if you ever want to make an official Ultraman or Kamen Rider game, we'd help make that happen—just like how you developed Z-Man Sentai."

Zaboru took a deep breath, absorbing the offer. "So… you're saying you'd like my input occasionally, particularly during the early development stages?"

Kyotaro nodded. "Exactly. Especially in the first season—on the world-building, the suits, the thematic elements. I'll still be directing everything, but I want your insights to refine it."

Zaboru was taken aback. "Why go to such lengths? Why put so much trust in me?"

Kyotaro grinned. "Because my gut tells me you're the right person for this. If I consult with you, I believe we can make Sentai even cooler! I don't care about pride or doing everything myself. What matters to me is creating something that truly resonates with the audience."

Zaboru chuckled to himself. So this was the kind of man Kyotaro Shinomori was—someone who trusted his instincts, someone willing to collaborate for the sake of the craft. There was an undeniable sincerity in his words. He wasn't driven by ego; he was driven by passion.

Zaboru extended his hand. "Alright then. Deal, Shinomori-san."

Kyotaro's smile widened as he shook Zaboru's hand firmly. "I'm looking forward to working with you."

The two continued to chat for a while, discussing various aspects of the Tokusatsu industry, video games, and storytelling. Eventually, Kyotaro bid farewell, leaving Zaboru with a new opportunity—and a new adventure—on the horizon.

To be continued…

if you want to support me and get 10 advance chapters for 3 bucks patreon.com/Zaborn_1997