"Takayuki President, this is really interesting, but..."
At Tokyo TV, Vice President Kubo carefully scrutinized a thick set of documents in front of him, about a hundred pages long, in a state of dilemma.
This set of documents is the outline for the Pokémon animated series.
It includes detailed descriptions of the overall world view of Pokémon, as well as over fifty Pokémon forms including evolutionary stages.
It can be said that any TV station receiving such an animation outline could immediately assemble a team to start production, almost without encountering any production bottlenecks.
In order to create this outline, Takayuki once again worked tirelessly for several days without sleep, and then he and his employees began the underlying code writing for Pokémon. Now they were waiting to negotiate the details of the animation release, and then proceed on two fronts.
"Since you find it interesting but are also in a dilemma, does that mean there are some difficulties?" Takayuki asked.
"Yes, there are some difficulties... because the conditions you proposed on the appendix are quite strict."
Vice President Kubo pointed to the last page.
On the last page of the appendix, it stated that all copyrights related to the Pokémon series would belong solely to Gamestar Electronic Entertainment. Tokyo TV would only have national broadcasting rights and national videotape rental and sales rights.
Merchandising, overseas operations, and IP series operations would not be allowed.
This requirement could be considered quite domineering.
Their production department would work hard, and yet the result wouldn't belong to them. Isn't this like working for someone else for nothing?
Even though this animation is indeed very attractive, even he, as an adult, is looking forward to the finished product.
He also feels that this animation is not as simple as an advertisement for the game.
If it were just an alternative advertisement for the game, there would be no need to detail the story outline and setting so extensively.
So there must be some profit to be made from this.
However, as the vice president of the TV station, he naturally has the obligation and responsibility to consider the interests of the station and increase their profits as much as possible.
He couldn't accept the conditions on this appendix at once.
Takayuki understood and said, "Please don't misunderstand. If your production department is unwilling to accept such a contract, feeling like working for someone else, I can find a qualified outsourcing team to produce the animation and then hand it over to you for broadcasting."
"No, that's not what I mean. Of course, we also want to help with the production, but..."
This is a quite complete animation outline, and the world view is very unique. Just thinking about it, he feels that it will definitely be popular among children.
If this animation is produced by the TV station's production department, then the station's capabilities will also be greatly enhanced.
It's also important that all the people behind the animation bear the name of Tokyo TV.
Before becoming vice president, Kubo was the director of the TV station's production department.
Of course, he didn't want to miss this opportunity, an opportunity that could enhance the reputation of the production department.
"But I hope we can get some more concessions, such as allowing us to manage the sales of peripheral toys, etc."
Takayuki said without hesitation, "No, I won't compromise on this."
In his previous life, this was the number one IP in the world.
Its ability to make money is comparable to top-notch products. With just this one IP, Nintendo can live off it forever.
This is something he absolutely cannot give up. Only giving broadcasting rights and videotape rental and sales rights, and only within the country. For overseas business, Takayuki will swallow everything himself.
Dragon Quest is negotiable, but not this one.
"Kubo President, nowadays the internet is dominant, TV stations are obviously declining, and your time is running out. If I want, I can completely control the broadcasting of the animation myself and release it on the internet. Perhaps this is better than TV stations, don't you think?"
Kubo's head suddenly began to ache.
The internet.
It's the internet again.
The internet is really an annoying fellow.
Because of cooperation with Takayuki, they also gained a lot of benefits in the electronic game industry, so he can't really hate electronic games, and he also enjoys playing them.
But the internet, he really hates it.
The internet is also one of the culprits stealing TV ratings.
He didn't doubt what Takayuki said just now.
As long as Takayuki wants to release this kind of animation on the internet, perhaps he won't make money, but he will definitely attract countless internet users.
As long as there are people, there is no need to worry about not making money.
"Please allow me to consider for a moment, just two days. Within that time, I hope President Takayuki won't show this outline to anyone else."
Takayuki shrugged, "That's not certain. I can't guarantee that no interested parties will come to inquire or negotiate. We are cooperating with Tokyo TV, and under certain conditions, I will prioritize you, but you are not indispensable."
Kubo looked deeply at Takayuki.
Are you really just in your twenties? Why do you look and talk like a seasoned businessman in his forties or fifties?
He's uncompromising, and he often uses various threats.
Damn it.
It's really difficult to negotiate with someone like him.
But the resources and interests he controls cannot be ignored.
Just now, their Tokyo TV has begun to develop rapidly thanks to the cooperation with Takayuki.
The viewership ratings for electronic game programs now average around twenty-three or twenty-four percent, something they never dared to imagine before.
And then there's the Dragon Quest animated version, which was just completed and screened a month ago.
On the day of the broadcast, relying on the million-strong player base, it achieved a viewership rating of over twenty-seven percent.
An animation, made for children, achieving viewership ratings comparable to national popular dramas, this is something they never dared to dream of elsewhere.
If Takayuki gives up this cooperation with Tokyo TV, will there be cracks in the future cooperation between the two parties?
Then... perhaps he should make some concessions?
It's just an animation...
Kubo fell into deep thought.
Watching Kubo pondering, Takayuki said slowly, "In my plan, the animation and the game will be released simultaneously, so I don't have much time. My game also needs to start production. You must make a decision as soon as possible. If you disagree, I will find another TV station, or the internet."
As if struck in the most sensitive nerve, when he heard about finding another TV station, Kubo immediately shook, and quickly said, "I agree. I will arrange for the production department to prepare, and we will complete the production at the fastest speed."
Upon hearing the decisive response from the other party, Takayuki finally smiled, "Then, I wish us a pleasant cooperation."