Chapter 8 Microsoft (1)

  "George... George..."

  "Hey, Steven, what time is it now? I've already fallen asleep! You're going to get hanged like this! Don't bother me, these days have been busy with the development of digital synthesis and I haven't had a good rest. If you bother me again, be careful or I'll beat you up!"

  "As your friend, I'm really heartbroken! I just wanted to ask for your help!"

  "Let's talk about it after I wake up!"

  "Alright then, let's put off making dinosaurs for now!"

  "Wait, Steven, you said make dinosaurs?"

  "Really! Didn't you say earlier that you could provide me with dinosaur digital synthesis? Have you forgotten?"

  How could George Lucas forget this, he was just in need of a place to test digital synthesis. Although Industrial Light & Magic created the first computer-generated character " stained glass knight" for Young Sherlock Holmes in 1985, the rough technology left George Lucas very dissatisfied! When can we truly simulate the original characteristics of organisms?

  Spielberg's interest in "Jurassic Park" undoubtedly sparked his enthusiasm, so George brought his expertise to Spielberg! At that time, Spielberg was also having a headache making realistic dinosaur models.

  "Stephen, have you agreed on the digital synthesis scheme provided by Industrial Light Magic?"

  "Yes! But before that, can Industrial Light Magic show me the composite effect? I mean, a digital composite of a small Velociraptor!"

  "This is absolutely no problem!"

  "So, George, can you get it done in a month?"

  "A month's time? I think there shouldn't be a problem! Stefan, this is really good news!"

  "Who just yelled at me?"

  "You're still holding a grudge!"

  ……

  "Kanako, help me get in touch with Avi Arad of Marvel Comics!"

  "Surprise comics? Jerry, what are you up to again? Are you trying to acquire this company?"

  "I'd love to, but buying out this company would require at least $10 billion, which is almost 2 trillion yen. I'm not willing to sell my stocks! This is a goose that lays golden eggs!"

  "So what's this..."

  "I want to talk with Mr. Arad about life and ideals!"

  Tanaka Nana looked at Jerry with a serious face and burst out laughing.

  "Alright, alright, actually I'm looking for him mainly because of the North American publishing rights issue for our magazine! Of course, not ruling out further cooperation intentions in the future, or... " Jerry stretched out one finger and said mysteriously, "or maybe even a plan to take over Marvel Comics!"

  "Alright, Jerry, it's obvious what you're thinking just by looking at you!"

  "Is it that obvious?" Jerry rubbed his chin, "Can't my charm be hidden no matter how hard I try? Hmm, I just realized!"

  Nakajou Hina has also started rubbing her belly!

  "When are you planning to go over to Microsoft? Mr. Gates heard that we're coming to the US and sent us an invitation, after all, we now hold 9% of Microsoft's shares! Mr. Gates means that no matter what, he wants to meet with us in person!"

  "Let's put it off for a few days! I think I have some materials that need to be organized, or they might come in handy when I meet with Mr. Gates later! Let's contact Mr. Arad first!"

  "Hi!"

  "By the way, Miss Hoshino, I'm giving you a few days off, so feel free to go sightseeing around California. The scenery is quite nice! Just be careful not to get kidnapped or anything, or I'll have to answer to Gentaro-san! I've already made arrangements with Mr. Spielberg, and you're also welcome to visit their model workshop over the next few days."

  "Really?"

  "Of course it's true! Hey~ Hidaka-san, if you pinch my cheeks again, I'll get angry! You're still pinching~"

  In the early 1990s, the American comic book industry reached a peak in popularity with the speculation of investors. After this period, the industry declined and Marvel Comics filed for bankruptcy. In 1998, Marvel Entertainment Group was formed through a corporate restructuring, and it established five divisions: film, licensing, toys, comic book publishing, and internet. Compared to DC Comics, Marvel's entry into the cinema was much later; Blade (1998) was its first major success. By contrast, Superman had been adapted into a feature film in 1978 under the auspices of Warner Bros.

  In 1987, Marvel Comics was still on the rise, and the actual acquisition should have taken place between 1994 and 1998!

  However, being able to establish a good relationship with Marvel Comics first will be very important for future acquisitions!

  ……

  Amazing Entertainment.

  "Mr. Arad!"

  "Daisy, what's wrong?"

  "There are several people from a Japanese manga company who want to see you!"

  "Japan?"

  "Yes, sir!"

  "Do they have an appointment?"

  "No, none, sir!"

  "Then send them off!"

  "Alright, sir!"

  Daisy hung up the phone and spread her hands, "Mr. Arad is meeting with important guests, so sorry, Miss Tanaka, you only have one more chance! Maybe you can make an appointment for the next meeting!"

  Daisy still has a good impression of this polite Japanese woman and the handsome mixed-blood boy!

  "Jerry, maybe we really have to come over next time!"

  "Alright then! Since Mr. Arad doesn't want the money we brought to him, let's go find DC Comics instead! Let's see if Warner Bros is sincere!"

  As Jerry and Tanaka Nana walked away, Daisy immediately dialed the chairman's office phone.

  "Daisy, anything else?"

  "It's like this, Mr. Arad, maybe you should meet these two guests from Japan! They seem to have something important on their minds! Maybe it'll only take up five minutes of your time! Five minutes might just bring unexpected results!"

  "Daisy, listen to me, I detest these Oriental runts! Don't say five minutes, even one minute with them and I feel stifled!"

  "Mr. Arad, you need to calm down, you have to know that your position on the board is not yet secure, you need something to prove your worth! Maybe these two guests from Japan are your chance!"

  "Alright then! Daisy, you arrange it, three minutes, I'm only giving them three minutes, not a second more!"

  "Alright, sir!"

  Daisy hung up the phone and rushed out. Just around the corner, she caught up with Tanaka Nana and Jerry who were leaving!

  "Tanaka-san... Tanaka-san..."

  "What's wrong, Miss Daisy? Anything the matter?"

  "Mr. Arad invites you over!"

  Jerry and Tanaka Nana smiled at each other, everything was going as expected!

  "Please sit down, both of you, I'm very busy, you only have three minutes!" Avi Alard didn't even lift his head, looking at the documents on his own.

  "I don't need three minutes, I just say one sentence!"

  Upon hearing the tender voice, Avi Arad finally lifted his head, and then he saw a beautiful Japanese woman with a pretty child of only six or seven years old sitting in front of him! The pretty child was not tall enough, sitting on the chair, only showing his head above the desk. The Japanese woman smiled brightly, but it was the pretty child who spoke!

  Jerry stared into Avi Arad's eyes, saying word by word, "Do you want to take down DC Comics? Do you want to trample Disney under your feet? Do you want the name of Avi Arad to be forever engraved as a hero of Marvel Comics?"

  "Think!" Avi Alard replied subconsciously.

  "Work with me!"

  Avi Alard was almost stunned, a kid, actually burst out such momentum in front of him, and the Japanese woman still smiled at him with sparkling eyes, then, he saw the woman took out a business card, respectfully handed it over!

  Avi Arad took it and looked carefully, "Shonen IC Co., Ltd., President, Tanaka Nana!"

  "Take down DC Comics? Trample Disney underfoot? Don't you think you're being too arrogant? What qualifications do you have to make such boasts?"

  Jerry ignored him and continued, "On June 1st, 1986, Shonen IC Co., Ltd. was established, and on August 12th of the same year, the weekly magazine 'Shonen TOP' was issued. From August 1986 to January 1987, the monthly circulation of 'Shonen TOP' exceeded 8 million copies, with sales revenue exceeding 100 billion yen, which is nearly $500 million in US dollars. This number tripled after the release of the second issue 'Shonen FUTURE', and it's still rising! In other words, in 1987, Shonen IC will earn over $3 billion in revenue from comic book publishing alone! Mr. Alrad, you've been in the comic industry for so long, you should know that the biggest source of income isn't from publishing!"

  Avi Arad is completely shocked!

  In just the comic book publishing industry, a comic book company that has been established for less than a year can actually achieve annual sales of over $3 billion! And because of the continuity of comics, Avi Arad is well aware that this situation will only get better in the next four or five years! He finally understands why this little guy can be so confident!

  "Alright, tell me about your plan!"

  "Collaboration! Marvel and IC Youth collaborate! With Marvel's help, IC Youth opens up the US market, while Marvel's Japanese market is handed over to IC Youth for operation!"

  "Is this your plan?"

  "Yes! A very simple plan! Isn't it?"

  "I thought your plan was so brilliant! It turns out it's just a bluff!"

  "No, you don't understand! IC has the most perfect sales channel in all of Japan, from junior high to university. You could say that the future of Japan is completely in our hands! And this is just a preparation, laying the groundwork for our future amusement park plan!"

  "An amusement park like Disney? You want to copy Disneyland? Aren't you too naive!"

  "This is by no means naive! Mr. Arad! We have the most trendy comics, the most forward-looking operation strategy, and the most humanized service!"

  "This is all just empty talk!"

  "No, this is absolutely not just talk! The Disney in Paris has been losing money year after year, while the one in Tokyo has been making profits every year! I can tell you exactly why that is. Of course, it's not now. Our plan is to conquer Japan, land in America, and then radiate out to the whole world. Connect the world with manga, create eternity with fantasy! That's our goal! If you're willing, Mr. Arad, join us and use 10 years, 20 years, to create a media kingdom that surpasses Walt Disney! Instead of just guarding Marvel Entertainment like now, Menchi?"

  Tanaka Nana's eyes sparkled as she heard Jerry call her name, and she quickly pulled out a document from her bag and handed it to him!

  "This is the initial cooperation plan! Even if we don't mention the later plans, I think it's very beneficial for both of us! I can directly say that in Japan, if the publisher of Marvel Comics isn't Shonen Ichiban, Marvel Comics won't make any waves at all. But if the operator of Marvel Comics is Shonen Ichiban, the situation will be completely opposite."

  ……

  "What? Mr. Arad, are you saying we're going to collaborate with a Japanese company? Have you gone crazy? After the Plaza Accord, the Japanese started taking over America economically, and now you want to help them take over America in comics?"

  "This is their conspiracy!"

  "Mr. Arad, you absolutely cannot agree to this!"

  "Can't you see how great this plan is? I don't have the slightest doubt, that little Japanese guy painted a wonderful future for me, and I actually believe it's within reach! Gentlemen, I've made up my mind, if any of you three want to pull out, I'm more than happy to buy your shares!"

  "This is simply too stupid!"

  Although some people say so, however, no one sells the original shares in their hands! Avi Arad doesn't think it's strange at all! Cultural invasion? Go to hell with cultural invasion, for these profit-driven capitalists, as long as they can make money, they don't care about cultural invasion!