Late sumr's heat was fading, autumn creeping onto Musashino's branches.
At Sega's headquarters, Team 3's office erupted in barely contained cheers, quickly hushed into high-fives and stifled laughter.
"OK! The console version of Tetris is finalized!"
"It's so addictive—yesterday, tester Kobayashi nearly forgot to clock out."
"The handheld version's almost done, just needs final tweaks."
Listening to his team's excited chatter over the phone, Takuya leaned back, a smile tugging at his lips. The console version was complete, internal feedback glowing, boosting the handheld version's progress. Everything was on track, even faster than expected.
"Well done, everyone. Great work," Takuya said, giving brief follow-up instructions before hanging up. He picked up a docunt, fingers tracing "Tatsunoko Studio," a place he'd been visiting often lately.
Tatsunoko Studio, eting room. The rich aroma of coffee mingled with the scent of paper and ink.
Takuya, Shutaro Oba, and Masami Kurumada sat around a long table, strewn with Fatal Fury's refined script outline and key fra sketches, their sharp lines brimming with energy.
"The opening is critical," Oba said, adjusting his glasses, pointing to a sketch of a gritty street scene. "Episodes one and two must establish Terry, Andy, and Joe's personalities, their relationships, and South Town's chaotic, dog-eat-dog vibe to hook viewers imdiately."
Kurumada grabbed a pencil, adding quick strokes beside the sketch. "We could use fast-cut shots showing snippets of their lives, contrasting their struggles with the arrogance of Geese's n." As a manga artist, though tasked with character design, he was clearly welcod by Tatsunoko's team.
"Agreed," Takuya added. "It's not just street brawls—it's a fated showdown driven by deep vengeance. Terry's warmth, Andy's restraint, and Joe's optimism need to shine."
"Episode three could flash back to Jeff and Geese's youth," Oba said, flipping to the next page. "We need to clarify their falling-out and Tung Fu Rue's role. Flashbacks should blend naturally into the current plot, strengthening the heroes' revenge motive."
"Maybe Terry's triggered by a scene, like watching a master-student sparring?" Takuya suggested.
"Good," Oba's eyes lit up. "Or when they first face Geese's elite, Terry recalls his father's death, heightening the drama."
"The mid-section needs ups and downs," Oba continued. "Around episodes six or seven, I envision a major setback. Terry's team challenges Geese Tower, falls into an ambush, faces Geese's elite, and fights bitterly, with soone gravely injured."
"That works," Kurumada said, enthusiasm rising. "Design a brutal new villain under Geese, tough enough to push the heroes to the brink, with intense battles evoking desperate survival."
Takuya, eyeing the evolving sketches, felt a surge of excitent imagining the animated scenes and their visceral impact. "Make viewers sweat for them, but show their resilience and brotherhood, supporting each other in crisis."
The discussion grew heated, ideas sparking, sketches filling with notes as sunlight softened outside, marking an afternoon lost to focus. Watching these industry veterans, Takuya felt a surge of confidence.
"This highlights the villains' strength and vileness while building tension."
"And sets up new characters," Takuya added, picturing a certain blue-haired agent. "Like an unexpected ally."
"The KOF tournant is the back half's focus, escalating from episode ten to a climax," Oba said, eyeing the final battle notes. "Resolve Geese in episode thirteen, leaving a cliffhanger."
Kurumada listened mostly, occasionally scribbling in his sketchbook.
Through the script talks, characters evolved from simple descriptions into vivid, fleshed-out figures.
The discussion shifted to character design, mainly between Takuya and Kurumada.
Kurumada spread out new sketches of Terry, Andy, and Joe. The lines retained power but softened facial contours, with layered expressions.
"Kurumada-sensei, for Terry," Takuya pointed to a sketch of his back, "adding a worn canvas duffel bag could enhance his wandering, free-spirited vibe."
Kurumada paused, then quickly sketched. A Terry with a slung bag and iconic red-white cap erged, exuding rugged charm.
"Interesting…" Kurumada murmured.
"And for Andy," Takuya continued, "since he's a ninja, could we emphasize speed and flexibility? A slimr waist, longer limbs?"
He phrased it carefully, suggesting rather than critiquing, picturing Andy's agile form in later King of Fighters and the refined proportions of Saint Seiya's Hades arc.
Kurumada, silent, adjusted Andy's lines, elongating limbs, softening muscle bulk to hide strength in sleek contours. A swift, elegant Andy took shape, blending shonen vigor with grace.
Setting down his pen, Kurumada stared at his work, a spark of surprise in his eyes. It felt unfamiliar yet effortless, as if a creative block had cracked.
"This is great!" Oba, observing, exclaid. "This style's unique—powerful yet stylish, appealing to core male fans and likely female viewers too."
His gaze on Takuya deepened with respect. This young man understood not just stories but visual instincts.
Buoyed by Oba's praise and his evolving style, Kurumada grinned, a rare excitent lighting his face. He felt he'd touched a new creative realm.
The eting's atmosphere grew warm and collaborative.
During a break, Kurumada pulled Takuya aside mysteriously.
"Takuya-san, take a look at this."
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