148 Acquisition and rare Pokémon cards
[Sazama's Mansion]
Sazama found himself engrossed in the arcade machine, running a game of Tetris in the comfort of his own home.
He had procured the arcade cabinet because Tetris was exclusively available at arcades, which compelled him to invest in this gaming setup.
"This video game is even more addictive than the original!" Sazama exclaimed, his mind awash with memories of 'Tetris.'
Kumiko, who stood beside him, watching him play, smiled as nostalgia washed over her, evoking memories from the past.
---
[USA]
News of KiShin Pictures investing tens of millions in a film project captured the public's attention, and many film enthusiasts chuckled at KiShin's ambitious endeavor.
Almost everyone is critiquing KiShin for its ambitions that seem as vast as a mountain.
However, just a few days after that initial news, another astonishing announcement regarding KiShin emerged.
The news revealed that KiShin had acquired Hanna-Barbera Productions for a staggering $280 million.
Upon learning of these colossal figures, a multitude of individuals intensified their criticism of KiShin for what appeared to be questionable decisions.
In particular, Warner Bros. seemed to have insight into KiShin's intentions behind acquiring an animation studio that already held sway in Hollywood.
Meanwhile, TBS, who had contemplated acquiring Hanna-Barbera Productions, could only sigh in regret as the animation studio was snapped up by KiShin Pictures. They found themselves blaming their own prolonged hesitancy.
Concurrently, negotiations between the cable kids networks and KiShin for airing Pokémon had reached a successful agreement.
A few days later, KiShin held a press conference that drew the attention of numerous media outlets.
A Fox reporter inquired, "What's the motive behind acquiring such a renowned American animation studio?" directed at Julius Parker, the 28-year-old President of KiShin Entertainment.
Julius Parker, a Caucasian gentleman, paused briefly before responding, "That's precisely why we've called this press conference. We intend to launch a cable network that will serve as a platform for the vast animation library of Hanna-Barbera Productions."
Following this statement, the reporters eagerly jotted down the details, and a CBN reporter inquired, "When is this cable network going to be launched?"
Julius Parker, with a confident smile, replied, "It will launch on January 1, 1992," which was just a few days away as it was presently December 28, 1991.
The reporters were taken aback by the swiftness of KiShin's network launch.
Then, another reporter asked, "What will the cable network be named?"
Julius Parker beamed and replied in line with Shin's directives, "It will be named 'Cartoon Network.'"
In the midst of the excitement, the executives standing beside Julius Parker chimed in, "Furthermore, we're pleased to announce that the popular anime 'Pokémon,' gaining recognition in Asia, will premiere on a few cable network channels on January 5, 1992. However, it will first air on our 'Cartoon Network' channel on January 1, 1992."
The reporters duly took note of this, and while they acknowledged that Pokémon had garnered significant attention in Asia, they were not overly optimistic about its potential success in the USA.
---
[Tokyo, Japan]
January 1, 1992.
Shin and Mira celebrated the arrival of the new year together while they watched the fireworks illuminating the night sky. New Year's celebrations unfolded simultaneously in various countries around the world.
Following this, Shin and Mira spent time with Mira's family before meeting with Shin's own, although they weren't exactly welcomed by the Suzuki family, particularly his elder and third brothers.
In an audacious move, Reina shamelessly made a request, saying, "Hey, Shin, you're already so wealthy, could you spare some pocket money?"
Upon hearing this, their parents reprimanded Reina once more. Nevertheless, Shin surprised Reina by gifting her a rare Pokémon card, a Charizard Shadowless first edition.
When Reina examined the card more closely, her expression soured. "What's this!? A Pokémon card? What am I supposed to do with it?" She carelessly tossed the Pokémon card aside, catching the attention of Shiko and Seki.
Shin smiled at her reaction and remarked, "You don't like it? It's quite rare, you know."
Reina merely snorted, convinced that Shin was teasing her.
Suddenly, Seki blurted out without thinking when he saw the Pokémon card that Shin had given Reina, "It's the first edition Charizard Shadowless Pokémon card!" He quickly covered his mouth, realizing that Shin was still present.
Shiko regarded Seki with a touch of disdain. Although he was also a Pokémon fan, he saw no need to lose his composure over a rare card, especially in front of their least favorite brother.
Shin chuckled as he witnessed Seki's genuine surprise at the Pokémon card. He then said, "If you want it, you can have it, provided our spoiled Reina doesn't want it."
Shiro and Airi examined the Pokémon card carefully after Seki's exclamation, and Shiko inquired, "Oh? Is it a rare card?"
Ruki also inspected the Pokémon card attentively but remained silent, as she had already been gifted an even rarer card by Shin – the 'Pikachu Illustrator,' of which there were only 20 in existence.
Suddenly, the door of the Suzuki mansion swung open with force, drawing Shiro's attention. He was about to reprimand the intruder, but upon closer inspection, he realized that it was his father, Sazama Suzuki.
Sazama and Kumiko entered the house and joined the family gathering of Shiro.
Sazama turned his attention to Shin and exclaimed, "You rascal... You didn't pay me a visit on New Year's? What's the meaning of this?" Kumiko, who stood beside her husband, appeared somewhat helpless.
Shiro couldn't help but chuckle wryly at the fact that his father had come to seek out Shin instead of him.
Shin, with a wry smile, reached into his wallet and retrieved a Pokémon card. He said, "Here, Grandfather, my New Year's present." He presented the Pokémon card to Sazama.
Sazama accepted the card and was genuinely surprised, his eyes widening as he asked, "Is this... Could it be the rare Pokémon card I've been searching for?"
A stunned silence fell over everyone as it was revealed that the elderly Sazama was an avid viewer of an anime, particularly a children's one.
Shiko and Seki leaned in to examine the Pokémon card closely, and they both exclaimed, "It's a 'Pikachu Illustrator'!"
Shiko and Airi exchanged wry glances, perplexed by the significance of the cards that had caused their two sons to lose their composure.
Mira couldn't help but snort at Shin's two brothers, especially considering their inability to maintain their composure over Pokémon cards.
Observing her two brothers' reactions to the Pokémon card, Reina suddenly sensed that the card must hold significant value for them, prompting her to swiftly retrieve the Pokémon card she had carelessly tossed aside earlier.
Shiko and Seki couldn't help but feel a sense of pity as even their spoiled sister came to recognize the card's worth.
Simultaneously, they contemplated following in KiShin's footsteps, planning to release their own anime cards once their anime was launched, in hopes of possessing rare cards that would drive people to excitement.
They, too, found themselves unable to maintain their composure over a Pokémon card from their younger brother's company, a fact that brought considerable embarrassment to them.
