In the decades to come—twenty years later, thirty years later—multi-platform synergy at a product's launch would become commonplace.
Bandai Namco, for example, would often release games, anime, and toys simultaneously, each boosting the others. Even if one segment lost money, the others would make up for it, and overall profit was nearly guaranteed.
But in this era, such a strategy was still extremely rare.
The last time someone had attempted it was back when Clover funded Gundam 0079 to accompany the launch of the very first Gunpla line.
To most ordinary viewers, Jörmungandr was simply a GG-style tie-in anime—surprisingly well-made, but still just a space show.
To professionals, however, it was an entirely different matter.
Bandai's toy division was already designing the Slormander fighter models, preparing to launch them. In Yamashina Makoto's original plan, the two fighters would combine in various ways, even feature electronic components for lights and sound effects, plus voice lines from the anime…
But due to cost constraints, that plan was set aside—at least for now. For the initial release, they would focus on producing two high-quality fighter models.
The versions with lights and sound?
Those would be "enhanced editions"—not sold separately!
Bandai had always been notoriously stingy. Taking advantage of them was nearly impossible.
The Jörmungandr production committee had already compiled the projected financial flow.
Yamashina Makoto reviewed the report and felt very satisfied. The first episode cost nearly ten million yen, though it contained hardly any battle scenes—mostly exposition and the introduction of Jörmungandr.
Future episodes, which would include battles, would naturally cost more.
"If we control costs well, one hundred fifty million yen should be enough to complete the whole series. And the commercial synergy it brings should justify the investment."
He organized the recent developments into a formal report, preparing to submit it to Yamashina Naoharu.
Yamashina Naoharu had withdrawn from Bandai's management in the early '80s to rest and treat chronic stomach illness.
As the founder of Bandai, his recognition was what Yamashina Makoto desired most.
At the Yamashina residence, Makoto presented the report with great formality.
"Father…"
Head lowered, he waited anxiously.
Naoharu flipped casually through the pages, then looked up.
"Have we received orders from regional distributors yet?"
Makoto nodded. "Yes. After the anime aired, many distributors called to inquire and expressed intent to place advance orders."
Naoharu gave a noncommittal nod.
After turning a few more pages, he suddenly lifted his head.
"Why didn't Bandai secure the full rights to 'Slormander'? Wasn't this project initiated by Bandai?"
Makoto's heart jolted violently.
Even though Naoharu had stepped down years ago, his presence still carried weight. That seemingly mild question stabbed straight into Makoto's nerves.
"I—I apologize." Makoto explained carefully. "This was the proposal put forth by Atlas Studio. Under the agreement, the anime studio holds the anime-related rights, Atlas retains the game and design rights, and Bandai holds rights to the toys and related merchandise."
Naoharu set the report down and let out a heavy, rumbling exhale.
"So Bandai has effectively handed over the initiative to them! The issue isn't the game rights or the merchandise. The core is the image. The design of the fighter! Whoever controls the image holds the real power!"
After a few stern reprimands, he began to wheeze involuntarily.
Only after resting did he wave a hand.
"You've done well. This will strengthen Bandai's toy lineup and should produce profit. But…"
He didn't want to crush Makoto's confidence, yet he still had to say it.
In the end, Atlas's handling of the matter was… simply superior.
…
…
At Sega, Nakayama Hayao received the internal report. After watching the entire episode, his gaze settled on the GG logo at the end.
"Atlas… that's the studio created by Kentarō's boy, isn't it?"
He looked toward the man beside him—driver Koizumi.
Koizumi bowed deeply. "Yes. Since he used the car, I was involved the whole way. I witnessed everything. The project didn't even exist at first, but after negotiations with the anime studio, Bandai, and TV Tokyo, it came together."
Nakayama went straight to the point.
"How much investment? And how much revenue?"
"I don't know the exact figures, but from their conversations, it sounds like Atlas invested about ten million yen. Bandai paid for the remaining production. The revenue came from the TV station's thirty-nine-million-yen licensing fee."
Koizumi had barely finished when Nakayama shook his head immediately.
"No. Not just the thirty-nine million. There will also be licensing fees, plus the sales boost when the game launches. If the anime is strong, it will push sales upward. The indirect profit alone could reach tens of millions."
And judging from TV Tokyo's response, the first episode had clearly been well-received.
"A clever idea. Though the platform is too small… no, perhaps it's because the platform is small. If it were TBS or TV Asahi, which have no shortage of programming, approval would've been far harder."
Nakayama considered this for a long moment, then nodded in satisfaction.
Even from his perspective, he couldn't see how the matter could have been handled better. He truly thought highly of Kobayashi Tetsu.
After all—
For Sega, bold ideas like this were exactly what they lacked!
Watching the ending credits fade, Nakayama couldn't help thinking:
Why wasn't that boy his son?
Koizumi tilted his head slightly.
Probably… because Nakayama wasn't born in America.
…
…
Kadokawa Fami-tsū published a timely review.
Although their editorial stance differed from Famimaga, editor-in-chief "Fami-bō" Higashifūya offered a fair, neutral evaluation.
"Using an anime to promote a game is undeniably bold and forward-thinking. Though only one episode has aired, the quality is already impressive."
"While we congratulate this emerging animation studio, we must also address a concern—whether the game can truly deliver on the impression created by the anime. Otherwise, it becomes misleading hype that humiliates the studio."
"I eagerly await the game's release, and sincerely hope Atlas will not disappoint us."
Kobayashi Tetsu closed the magazine and looked at his team.
"So—do you think we'll disappoint anyone?"
Yuji Naka spread his hands. "Absolutely not!"
Satisfied, Tetsu raised his arm and clenched his fist.
"Then let's get back to work—so that when the game launches, players will be genuinely surprised."
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