Saturday, 3 May 1994 – Japan
After the meeting with Masami Kurumada yesterday, Zaboru wasted no time and jumped straight back into work. Today, his full attention is on planning one of the most ambitious international expansions ZAGE has ever attempted—bringing the energy and excitement of Japanese arcade tournament culture to American shores. The clock is ticking, because the first-ever official ZAGE event in the United States is coming up fast, slated for mid-June. The main event? A thrilling Mortal Kombat arcade tournament.
In the U.S., Mortal Kombat isn't just popular—it's a cultural phenomenon. It has exploded across American arcades, outshining even legends like Street Fighter or the hit crossover Marvel vs. ZAGE. In fact, the only arcade machine with more pull is OutRun, the immersive sit-down racing game that many Americans describe as "Sci-Fi tech."
In fact, arcade games in America are immensely popular right now—similar to Japan. And just like in Japan, American audiences know that anything related to ZAGE means business and is almost never disappointing. However, the taste between the two regions differs quite a bit. For example, in Japan, Captain Commando is more popular than Streets of Rage, while in America, it's the opposite—even though both are ZAGE arcade titles. Another major difference is with the arcade game 1942. In America, it's extremely popular—third only to OutRun and Mortal Kombat—whereas in Japan, although it had decent sales, it never reached the same level of hype. The gap is huge.
For 2 years, American ZAGE fans have watched from afar from the TV, enviously admiring the exclusive tournaments and merchandise events held in Japan. They've written letters, and begged for the same immersive experience. Now, Zaboru is finally answering that call. He has officially acquired a multipurpose venue in Los Angeles, which is undergoing a full transformation into the second ZEB (ZAGE Events Building)—the first of its kind outside Japan. This new American ZEB will serve as a hub for tournaments, fan gatherings, and new product showcases.
To make this vision a reality, Zaboru has entrusted James from Emerald Wings, a ZAGE USA supervisor, to lead the renovation and setup process. Meanwhile, ZAGE USA is already laying the groundwork by organizing elimination matches. Their teams are hitting local arcades across several states, using the same successful format ZAGE employed in Japan with Street Fighter Tournament—except this time, The game is Mortal Kombat.
"Hehehe… This will be a huge success, I bet—and it'll make American fans happy too," Zaboru said, grinning with confidence.
Just as he was going over some final details, Zaboru was surprised by a visit from his family—his cheerful mother Keiko, his curious younger sister Sanika, and his ever-serious father Zanichi.
Zanichi shook his head with a sigh. "Boss, I know you're a workaholic… but do you know why people love weekends? Because they're supposed to be free from work."
Keiko chuckled and held up a tray. "Hahaha, Zaboru—don't overdo it, okay? I brought you your favorite food."
She set the tray on his desk, and the savory aroma hit him immediately.
"Ohh, thanks, Mom! You're the best." He smiled brightly. There was nothing in the world that beat his mother's home-cooked meals—not even a Michelin-star steakhouse in New York.
As Zaboru began digging in, Sanika leaned over and spotted a folder marked "USA Tournament."
"Nii-san! You're going to the U.S. again…?"
Keiko's smile dimmed just a little. She always tried to be supportive, but every time her son flew overseas, she couldn't help but worry.
Zaboru noticed the shift in her expression. He gently took her hands.
"Yes, Mom, I'll be heading there again soon. But I promise, I'll be careful. Right, Dad?"
Zanichi nodded and wrapped an arm around Keiko. "It's alright, love. Our son knows what he's doing. And while he's away, I'll take care of everything here with ZAGE Japan."
Keiko nodded with a soft chuckle. "Just… Don't forget to take care of yourself, Zaboru."
"I won't," he replied.
Sanika, meanwhile, scrunched her nose. "But Nii-sama, why Mortal Kombat? I don't like that game—it's way too bloody!"
She had tried playing it once at a local arcade and was immediately turned off. She was much more into Street Fighter and the colorful chaos of Marvel vs. ZAGE.
Zaboru smiled. "That's because in the U.S., Mortal Kombat's the top choice. It's got a different vibe—more gritty, more violent. It just clicks with fans over there."
Zanichi nodded in agreement. "Different strokes for different folks, huh?"
"Exactly," Zaboru said.
Then, as if remembering something urgent, Sanika gasped. "Oh yeah! Nii-sama! You forgot to bring me a souvenir last time you went to the U.S.!"
Zaboru laughed. "Oops! My bad, hahaha."
(Of course, he didn't forget. With his Deep Dive ability, he never forgets anything.)
Sanika pouted, folding her arms. "Hmmp!… I was really excited, you know."
Zaboru smirked. "Well, allow me to make it up to you."
He reached into a drawer and pulled out a framed Yu-Gi-Oh card—a rare Dark Magician Girl, complete with a personalized engraving.
Sanika's eyes sparkled. "What?! Dark Magician Girl?! She's my favorite!"
She hugged the frame tightly. "Thank you, Nii-san! You're the best!"
Zaboru nodded, feeling a warm sense of satisfaction. As his sister admired the card, his mind drifted again—to the next steps for ZAGE's games.
I need to start planning a Yu-Gi-Oh upgrade soon… The Yu-Gi-Oh Anime are really necessary might be the next Gundam Or Pokemon anime. The ZGB game is already up to Malik, but the stories barely exist because of hardware limitations. So many important cards aren't even released yet. We don't need to rush into GX—we've still got time to give Yami Yugi the spotlight he deserves.
Without the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime fans in this world will never know the true effect of "Pot of Greed," or witness the Giga Chad Joey Wheeler—Jonouchi—who nearly defeated Malik. To Zaboru, the original Yu-Gi-Oh! was peak anime, and recreating it in this world is a must.
Zaboru remembered it vividly from his previous life: playing Yu-Gi-Oh! with his friend, and Zaboru's friend is on the verge of losing. In a dramatic flourish, his friend blasted the theme "Passionate Duelist", stood up, and shouted with full power, "ORE NO TAN DORO!!" Mimicking the Yami Yugi Style—only to draw Polymerization, which is useless because he can't fusion shit because his fusion materials were already destroyed. Zaboru laughed so hard. Good times.
And now, he wants to bring that same energy, that chaotic and passionate spirit, into this world.
With a deep breath, Zaboru decided to focus on spending time with his family and then Zaboru finally relaxed and began to devour the delicious meal his mother had lovingly prepared. Keiko knew him better than anyone—she had made an enormous spread, complete with all his favorite dishes, from crispy tonkatsu to miso soup and freshly steamed rice. The smells alone felt like a warm embrace. Every bite brought a wave of comfort and nostalgia, and he couldn't help but smile between mouthfuls. As he looked around the room, his heart felt full. Here he was, surrounded by his ever-supportive family—his kind mother, sharp-witted sister, and steadfast father. In that moment, with laughter echoing in the background and the clink of chopsticks filling the air, Zaboru felt truly at peace, grounded by the presence of the people who mattered most.
To be continued
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