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Chapter 566: ZAGE Disney Deals Reactions
🕑 Added 2025-08-08 02:10:40 +0000 UTCOn Monday, 5 February 1995, the ZAGE and Disney deal officially went through, solidifying Zaboru’s new role as the co-owner of Disney with a 50% stake. The following day, on 6 February, he visited Disney’s main offices in Burbank, California—just a short drive from ZAGE USA’s headquarters. In a moment that would be remembered by many employees, Walt Disney himself personally introduced Zaboru to the Disney staff, signaling his complete trust in the young visionary.
There was no room for debate or resistance within the company; Walt Disney’s authority was absolute, and everyone knew it. What surprised the staff most wasn’t just Walt’s decision, but how effortlessly Zaboru seemed to fit into the Disney world. Already widely recognized for his explosive imagination and unorthodox creative process, Zaboru’s reputation preceded him. Instead of skepticism, his arrival sparked genuine excitement and curiosity among the Disney team, who were eager to see what kind of magic this bold new leader would bring to the company’s future.
Zaboru worked with remarkable speed. By Thursday, 7 February, he had already submitted a fully fleshed-out animation proposal for Disney’s next major film. Walt and Roy Disney both attended the presentation, curious to see what the young co-owner had in mind. To their surprise, Zaboru’s first pitch was for an ambitious project titled The Little Mermaid—a reimagined fairy tale unlike anything Disney had done before.
As he unveiled the concept, both Walt and Roy sat in stunned silence. The depth of story, emotion, and originality caught them off guard. It wasn’t just the narrative—it was the passion, the vision, the attention to detail. Finally, Roy broke the silence and asked, “How long have you been preparing this?”
Zaboru only chuckled, giving a sly smile. “That’s a secret.”
Walt burst into laughter, clapping his hands. “That’s my kind of answer!”
Walt Disney was genuinely delighted. This was the kind of creativity Disney had been missing for years. Even on his first day, Zaboru was already inspiring noticeable changes throughout the company—something that filled Walt with renewed hope and excitement.
Without hesitation, Walt gave his full endorsement to the project and instructed the Disney animation team to follow Zaboru’s lead. Zaboru didn’t stop there—he brought out a hand-drawn character book filled with sketches, detailed expressions, and costume designs. The animators were astonished. The designs felt fresh but still retained the timeless Disney spirit.
From that very day, 7 February, The Little Mermaid officially entered development. Disney’s creative engine roared to life, and for the first time in years, the studio buzzed with real excitement. The film was tentatively scheduled for release the following year—and everyone present could already feel that something special was underway.
Friday, 8 February 1995
News of ZAGE acquiring Disney spread rapidly across the globe, sending shockwaves through both the entertainment industry and the business world. Word of an upcoming press conference on Saturday only fueled the public’s growing curiosity. The story took on a life of its own—after all, Disney had earned a legendary reputation for resisting acquisitions. Numerous major corporations had attempted to buy into Disney over the years, only to be rebuffed by Walt Disney himself with a firm and unapologetic “no.”
For decades, Walt Disney had protected the company from outside control, insisting that Disney remain a family-guided legacy. But prior to the ZAGE acquisition, quiet rumors had begun to circulate—that Walt was secretly searching for a worthy heir, someone who could carry on the vision and spirit of the brand without compromising its soul. Now, the world was beginning to believe that Zaboru, the creative force behind ZAGE, was that chosen successor.
Hikaru Kurata read the headline, his eyes scanning each word with rising disbelief. His jaw tightened, fists curling until his knuckles went white. Without a second thought, he slammed his desk, the sound echoing through the room like a gunshot. “WHY? WHY is it always him?! F*CK!” Hikaru Kurata bellowed, slamming his fists into the desk again. “I tried to buy Disney shares too, only to be rejected by Walt Disney! Damn it! Why?! I offered 2 billion—twice the normal price back then—for 50%, and he still turned me down!”
His voice cracked under the weight of his frustration, and the veins in his forehead throbbed visibly. The rejection had haunted him for years, but this new development pushed it over the edge. He couldn’t take the news lightly—not when his biggest rival had succeeded where he had failed so spectacularly.
Four years earlier, Hikaru had offered Walt Disney an eye-watering 2 billion dollars for a 50% stake in the company—an offer aimed at bringing Disney under his full influence. But Walt had dismissed it without hesitation. Now, reflecting on that moment, Hikaru leaned back in his chair, forcing himself to breathe slowly and steady his racing thoughts.
“This... is getting worse,” he muttered, voice low but trembling with frustration. “Zaboru owns Disney now... There's a chance he won't manage the Disney team well. But if he’s got Walt Disney’s full backing... that changes everything.”
He closed his eyes tightly, pressing his fingertips to his temples. The pressure in his head was building dangerously. If he didn’t calm down soon, his blood pressure might explode.
Meanwhile, Bill Gates read the news and let out a low chuckle, shaking his head in amused disbelief. “So, that old fox Walt Disney finally picked his successor, huh?” he said aloud to no one in particular. “I even put 8 billion on the table for the entire company—and he still shot me down.”
He laughed again, not bitterly, but with genuine admiration. "That man never gave a damn about money. It was always about the legacy. I guess ZAGE really has become something big now. But can Zaboru handle the pressure? Well, he’s got the backing of that old fox—so maybe he’ll be just fine."
Gates leaned back in his chair, the flicker of a smile still on his face. “Guess he found someone who could carry the torch his way.”
Meanwhile in Japan, the Japanese government was taken aback by the news. The scale and speed of the acquisition stunned officials, prompting urgent internal discussions. It became clear that ZAGE was no longer just an entertainment company—it was now a global powerhouse with influence that reached deep into American cultural legacy. From that moment on, Japanese officials understood they would need to engage with ZAGE far more seriously, with a new level of respect and strategic consideration.
The American government, though visibly displeased by the acquisition, found their hands tied. A confidential agreement between Walt Disney and a select group of high-ranking officials—shrouded in secrecy and known only to a privileged few—left them powerless to act. If the transaction had Walt Disney’s blessing, no intervention could be justified. The government had to stand down, no matter how unsettling the development was to them.
Saturday, 9 February 1995 ZEB USA, had finally arrived. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as the press conference for the Disney acquisition—featuring none other than Walt Disney himself and Zaboru—was moments away from starting. Media outlets from around the country flocked to the venue, cameras in hand, eager to capture every word and detail. Speculation ran rampant, and journalists prepared their questions, hoping to uncover not just the mechanics of the deal but the deeper story behind ZAGE’s sudden Disney Acquisition.
To be continued
