Wednesday, 19 November 1992
The morning light had barely spilled through the streets when Zaboru kept the promise he made the previous night. With his trusted lawyer, Kudou, at his side, he returned to the Utsunomiya household, bringing the paperwork and a certified bank draft to finalize the purchase of their electronics store. Hinoko and her father, Hisamu, were waiting for him in the now-quiet shop.
The transaction was smooth and efficient. Kudou ensured all legal details were properly handled, and within a couple of hours, the store officially beca part of the ZAGE retail network. For Hinoko and her family, the relief was overwhelming. With the 75 million yen from the sale, they could now afford the best surgery for Hinoko's mother, Hima, and continue funding her younger brother Hiro's schooling without worry.
As they signed the final docunts, Hinoko's eyes brimd with tears. "Thank you, Zaboru. I don't even know how to express how much this ans."
"Just keep being amazing, Hino-nee. That's enough," Zaboru said with a gentle smile.
Zaboru then said, "We'll renovate the shop and turn it into an official ZAGE retail official shop, but it's still going to carry the Utsunomiya na. I'll be counting on you to manage it, alright?" Hinoko nodded, her face firm with newfound purpose. "I will, Zaboru. I'll resign from my current job and dedicate myself fully to making this store succeed."
Zaboru smiled approvingly. "Don't worry—there'll be a proper salary, benefits, and support. We'll go over all the details once the renovations are finished and we're ready for the grand opening, okay?" Hinoko agreed, feeling really grateful.
Later that afternoon, as he returned to ZAGE headquarters, Zaboru felt lighter. One promise kept, and a family's future secured. But today wasn't over—sothing big was about to happen.
"Heh, today's the day the ad goes live," Zaboru muttered to himself, sitting back at his desk and cracking his knuckles. "At 7 p.m. on TV Tokyo... The arcade world is about to change. I hope Nando and the Nanco team are ready for the surge."
With his November release titles still progressing smoothly, Zaboru turned his full attention to the evening's key event: the first public airing of ZAGE's new arcade system advertisent.
At exactly 19:00, millions of households across Japan tuned in to TV Tokyo. And there it was.
The ad began with ZAGE's signature gleaming logo, accompanied by its now-iconic chi. The screen quickly shifted to sweeping shots of the three new arcade machines: ZAS - Street Fighter, ZAS - Streets of Rage, and ZAS - Rampage.
Then ca the man himself.
Zaboru appeared in his signature Z-helt, standing confidently among the trio of machines. "ZAGE Arcade System is back! With three new gas!" he declared with fervor.
Footage of gaplay followed:
"Rampage! Destroy cities and cause mayhem with George, Lizzie, and Ralph!"
"In Streets of Rage, clean up the streets and fight back against thugs with Axel, Blaze, and Adam!"
"Street Fighter! Battle warriors from across the globe! Prove yourself against your friends in this fierce head-to-head fighting ga! oh boy and it's personal!"
The visuals were sharp and dynamic, featuring combos, explosions, and power moves in rapid succession. The music pulsed with intensity.
Finally, Zaboru faced the screen again. "You run an arcade? Then get these!"
A contact number and address for inquiries and orders flashed on screen.
The ad ended with a final ZAGE logo shimr.
Though lacking the flashiness of previous ZAGE ads, its clean, direct ssaging proved even more powerful—sotis, simplicity resonates louder than spectacle and The effect was imdiate.
Kids watching the ad were srized. Teens jumped from their couches. So even rushed to the local arcades that very night, hoping to play the new gas. To their disappointnt, many small arcades or big arcades outside Tokyo had yet to install the machines. But their interest didn't go unnoticed.
Within hours, local arcade owners from across Japan were being hounded by players begging for the new ZAGE cabinets. Word spread fast. The buzz from the comrcial rippled outward, quickly reaching arcade operators across cities and prefectures.
By the next Thursday morning, Nanco phones were ringing non-stop because Nanco is the one who handles the sales of the ZAS Arcades.
"We need the new ZAS machines. How soon can we get them?" "Can we get two of each cabinet?" "Do you offer bulk discounts?"
Nanco's offices were swamped. Orders poured in faster than they could process. True to Zaboru's prediction, the impact was fourfold.
That afternoon, Nando Michio called Zaboru directly.
"Zaboru-san, you're a madman! Orders are off the charts! If I hadn't listened to you and scaled production, we'd be dead in the water right now."
Zaboru laughed. "Well, I told you to trust . This is just the beginning. We'll probably need a dedicated manufacturing line soon."
"We're already talking to the factory team. Also, your distribution partner—Sora Distribution—is a godsend. We're coordinating shipping schedules right now."
"Good. Keep the pressure. We want these in every major arcade across Japan before December."
anwhile, TV Tokyo aired another special segnt later that Thursday night, doubling down on the rising popularity of the new ZAS arcade systems. Despite having previously covered the launch, this follow-up feature went even deeper—interviewing players, arcade owners, and showcasing new gaplay highlights that reinforced the systems' impact across the country.
"In a surprising surge, ZAGE's latest arcade systems have beco the hottest topic among gars across the country," the news anchor said. "Featuring three exclusive gas, including the fan-favorite Street Fighter, these machines are bringing fresh life to the Japanese arcade scene."
The report also noted the historical context: "Interestingly, ZAGE's first product ever was also an arcade system. The original ZAS launched in 1991 with only 10 custom units. Today, it seems ZAGE has co full circle."
Zaboru, watching the segnt from his desk, leaned back and smiled.
"From 10 machines to hundreds in two days... Not bad, huh?"
Zaboru chuckled. "Didn't TV Tokyo already run the news just like this? Highlighting the New ZAS machines?" He smirked knowingly. "Seems like they're really trying to stay in ZAGE's good graces well not i'm complaining"
He pulled up his planner. There was more to do. Much more.
"Next step for the arcades," he whispered, and grinned "another ga for arcades and competitive fighting tournants."
To be continued...
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