The summer heat of late summer gradually receded, and the autumn chill quietly crept onto the branches of Musashino.
At Sega Headquarters, in the office of Development Group 3, an irrepressible cheer erupted, then quickly subsided into high-fives and snickers.
"OK! The console version of tetris is packaged and complete!"
"It's so addictive, Kobayashi from the testing team almost forgot to go home yesterday."
"The handheld version is almost done too, just a little more optimization."
Listening to his subordinates' excited, chattering reports over the phone, Takuya leaned back in his chair, a smile unconsciously curving his lips. The console version was successfully completed, with enthusiastic internal feedback, and even the development of the handheld version seemed to have received a boost, progressing remarkably well. Everything was on track, even faster than expected.
"Well done, everyone. You've all worked hard." Takuya briefly gave instructions on follow-up matters, then hung up the phone. He picked up another document on the table, his fingertips tracing the words "Tatsunoko Production." Recently, he had indeed been frequenting that place.
Tatsunoko Production, meeting room. The rich aroma of coffee mingled with the smell of paper and ink.
Takuya, Ooba Jutarou, and Kurumada Masami sat around a long table. Spread out on the table were the detailed script outline for the fatal fury anime and several key frame sketches, with sharp lines full of power.
"The opening is very important." Ooba Jutarou adjusted his glasses, his finger pointing at a storyboard sketch depicting a dilapidated street scene. "The first and second episodes must quickly establish the personalities of Terry, Andy, and Joe, their relationships, and the chaotic, law-of-the-jungle atmosphere of South Town must be fully rendered to immediately draw the audience in."
Kurumada Masami picked up a pencil and quickly sketched a few strokes next to the draft: "We can use some quick-cut shots to show snippets of different characters' lives, contrasting their struggles with the arrogance of Geese's subordinates." As a manga artist, he was no stranger to this, and although he was only responsible for character design, Tatsunoko Production's production team clearly welcomed his participation.
"Agreed." Takuya added, "We need to make the audience understand that this isn't just an ordinary street fight, but a fated showdown fueled by deep-seated revenge. Terry's optimism, Andy's forbearance, and Joe's cheerfulness must all be reflected."
"The third episode should insert flashbacks to Jeff and Geese's youth." Ooba Jutarou turned to the next page. "We must clearly explain the reason for their falling out, as well as the key character, Tung Fu Rue. Use flashbacks, but they shouldn't be too abrupt; they need to be naturally embedded into the current plot to strengthen the protagonist's motive for revenge."
"Could this flashback be designed so that Terry is reminded of something by a specific scene, like seeing a similar master-disciple training session?" Takuya suggested an idea.
"Yes." Ooba Jutarou's eyes lit up. "Or when they first directly encounter Geese's subordinates, have Terry recall fragments of his father's murder, to increase dramatic tension."
"The middle part of the story needs some ups and downs." Ooba continued to push forward. "My initial idea is to arrange a relatively major setback around episodes six or seven. For example, Terry and his friends try to challenge Geese Tower, but fall into an ambush, are surrounded by Geese's elite subordinates, get into a tough fight, and some even get seriously injured."
"That's good." Kurumada Masami seemed interested. "We can design a powerful character among Geese's subordinates, with a tough image, to create enough trouble for the protagonist group. The battle scenes should be intense, highlighting that feeling of survival in desperate circumstances."
As Takuya looked at the gradually fleshing out characters and scenes on the draft, he felt a surge of excitement. He could imagine how those images would move, and feel the impact of every punch. "We need to make the audience hold their breath for them, but at the same time, show their resilience and brotherhood, supporting each other in adversity."
The discussion in the meeting room grew more and more heated, with their ideas constantly clashing, and more details and annotations being added to the draft paper. The light outside the window gradually softened, indicating that an afternoon had quietly passed in focused work. Takuya looked at the two industry veterans before him, and a strong sense of confidence welled up.
"This can both show the villain's power and depravity, and create tension."
"It paves the way for the appearance of new characters later."
Takuya added, a blue-haired female agent's figure appearing in his mind, "For example, an unexpected helper."
"Hmm, the KOF tournament is the focus of the second half, starting from episode ten, progressing layer by layer, pushing the atmosphere to a climax."
Ooba Jutarou looked at the mark for the final battle, "Episode thirteen resolves Geese, leaving a cliffhanger."
Kurumada Masami mostly listened, occasionally sketching something in his own notebook.
Through the script discussion, the images of each character were no longer just a few simple words from the beginning, but gradually became fuller, with flesh and blood.
The discussion shifted to character design.
This part mainly involved the interaction between Takuya and Kurumada Masami.
Kurumada spread out several newly drawn sketches of Terry, Andy, and Joe.
The lines were still full of power, but compared to the initial drafts, the characters' facial contours were slightly softer, and their eyes had more depth.
"Caruda Teacher, look at Terry here," Takuya pointed to Terry's back in the sketch, "If we add a worn canvas duffel bag to him, wouldn't it better convey his wandering, unrestrained drifter feel?"
Kurumada paused at his words, picked up his pen, and quickly sketched a few lines beside it.
An image of Terry, with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder and wearing his iconic red and white hat, sprang to life on the paper, and that hearty yet somewhat weathered feeling immediately became much stronger.
"Interesting…"
Kurumada murmured.
"And Andy," Takuya continued to guide, "He studies ninjutsu, so in terms of body proportion, shouldn't we emphasize a sense of speed and flexibility more? For example, tighten his waistline a bit more, and make his limbs appear longer?"
He chose his words carefully, avoiding direct negation, but instead proposing possibilities for discussion.
What came to his mind was Andy's agile figure in the later King of Fighters series, and the more mature and harmonious human proportions in Kurumada's future work, the Hades Chapter of saint seiya.
Kurumada Masami did not speak, but just lowered his head in thought, his pen tip constantly adjusting Andy's lines on the paper.
He tried to lengthen the limbs and adjust the blockiness of the muscles, allowing strength to be contained within smooth contours.
Gradually, an image of Andy appeared on the drawing paper, one that retained the masculinity of a shonen manga but also had a touch of handsomeness, with a more swift and agile physique.
Kurumada put down his pen, looking at the character he had drawn, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
This feeling was unfamiliar, yet unusually natural.
It was as if something that had been stuck in his heart had been gently unblocked.
"This is great!"
Ooba Jutarou, who had been observing, couldn't help but exclaim, "This style is very unique! It has a sense of power yet is still aesthetically pleasing, which can appeal to core male audiences, and perhaps even attract many female audiences."
He looked at Takuya with a deeper meaning in his gaze.
This young man not only understood stories but also had an astonishing intuition for visual presentation.
Kurumada Masami, encouraged by Ooba's affirmation and the new style emerging from his pen, showed a long-lost excited smile on his face.
He felt he had touched a new realm.
The atmosphere of the meeting became exceptionally harmonious.
During a break, Takayama-san suddenly pulled Takuya aside mysteriously.
"Nakayama-san, let me show you something."