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Chapter 640 Green Leaf Company that Being Saved by ZAGE.
🕑 Added 2025-09-12 00:18:12 +0000 UTC11 January 1996 Monday.
Kawada Takeuchi, one of the animators at Green Leaf Studio, leaned back in his chair, smiling as he sipped his coffee. Ever since ZAGE acquired Green Leaf, his workload and benefits had improved drastically. For the first time in his career, he could actually relax a bit before work. He now arrived at the office by 7:00 a.m., and with the official workday starting at 8:00 a.m., he had a full hour to unwind and mentally prepare for the day ahead.
Before ZAGE acquired Green Leaf, it had been hell. Kawada had just graduated two years prior and landed his first job at Green Leaf Studio, which was then led by Shiroki Toho — and the experience was nothing short of brutal.
The workload was often overwhelming, with far too much expected from far too few people. Kawada barely had time to breathe, let alone take proper breaks. Even lunch was rushed — he usually scarfed down instant ramen at his desk, trying to meet the relentless deadlines. The pressure never let up. And to make things worse, he was frequently forced to come in on Saturdays and Sundays. Weekends didn’t exist for him.
What stung even more was the lack of compensation. There was no paid overtime, no bonuses, and the base salary was barely enough to survive on. The benefits were almost nonexistent. It was exhausting — physically, mentally, and emotionally. But quitting wasn’t a real option either.
When Kawada once mustered the courage to resign, Shiroki Toho himself intervened, coldly warning him that if he left, he’d ruin his reputation by spreading bad rumors about his work ethic. The threat was enough to shake Kawada to the core. In an industry already cutthroat and competitive, the idea of being blacklisted terrified him. Finding another job would be hard enough — but with a tainted name, it would be nearly impossible. He felt trapped, stuck in a system that seemed designed to break him.
But all of that changed after ZAGE acquired the small Green Leaf Studio for just 10 million yen. From that moment on, everything started to shift — fast. ZAGE wasted no time implementing sweeping changes.
The first thing they did was instruct all current employees to immediately stop what they were working on. ZAGE promptly canceled every outsourced project Green Leaf had been involved in. Instead, the studio was reassigned to assist YaDo, one of ZAGE’s key subsidiaries. This redirection was not only strategic, but it also signaled a fresh start for the team, now free from the chaotic and unsustainable project loads of the past.
Next, the company’s overall well-being improved swiftly. ZAGE wasted no time upgrading the office environment — they added a new refrigerator, replaced the broken coffee machine with a modern one, and introduced several improvements that made the workspace more functional and comfortable.
Work hours were also adjusted to be more flexible. Employees could now start at either 8:00 or 9:00 a.m., and accordingly leave at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. This simple shift alone brought a better work-life balance, something that had been sorely missing before.
ZAGE also renewed every employee’s contract, ensuring they were now properly structured and legally sound. As part of their default policy, ZAGE increased salaries, upgraded health insurance, and boosted overall benefits. For Kawada, it was a clear sign that the rumors were true — ZAGE really did take care of their employees, even those working in a subsidiary. They weren’t just words on a pamphlet. ZAGE genuinely cared.
The first time Kawada heard the announcement, he literally cried. ZAGE had acted fast, and the changes were immediate — the environment quickly became more energetic and supportive. What moved him most was how YaDo, ZAGE’s subsidiary, treated them. YaDo expected hard work, sure, but they also emphasized proper rest and work-life balance. It felt like heaven compared to the chaos and burnout that defined Green Leaf before ZAGE stepped in.
Meanwhile, Kihito Midori sat in his office at Green Leaf, now restored to his role as CEO, and smiled warmly.
He took a slow sip of his tea and murmured to himself, "I still can't believe this actually happened."
ZAGE had truly been the savior of Green Leaf. He thought back to the painful past — when he had no choice but to hand the company over to Oki INC. Desperate to fund his dream and the studio’s first anime project, he had borrowed money from a loan shark. Unfortunately, the anime flopped, and Green Leaf spiraled into financial ruin.
Unable to repay the debt, Kihito was forced out. He took a job as a janitor in the building next to Green Leaf, powerless to do anything as he watched Shiroki Tono mistreat the employees he once considered family. All he could do was cry in silence, feeling the weight of failure and helplessness pressing down on him.
But that was then. Now, everything had changed.
He had nearly given up all hope — but then, Shiroki broke down in tears of happiness when ZAGE officially acquired Green Leaf. And even more unbelievable, ZAGE reinstated Kihito as CEO. He cried on the spot, overcome with gratitude, repeatedly saying thank you.
ZAGE has an outstanding reputation across Japan. They’re not just a massive company with deep pockets — they have a clear vision and consistent values. They’ve built their name by acquiring numerous small or struggling companies, but what truly sets them apart is how they handle those acquisitions. ZAGE doesn’t just buy these companies and leave them to fend for themselves — they actively integrate them into the ZAGE ecosystem, infusing them with what many refer to as the “ZAGE work spirit.”
This work spirit is built on a foundation of discipline, respect, fairness, and innovation. Their operational style emphasizes both efficiency and humanity. When ZAGE steps in, they restructure with care, improve infrastructure, optimize workflow, and most importantly, prioritize the well-being of the employees. Time and time again, companies that once teetered on the edge of collapse are revived and transformed into thriving, respected organizations under ZAGE’s guidance.
Their consistent approach and employee-first mindset are why ZAGE has become a dream employer for many Japanese workers. It’s not just about salary or benefits — it’s the sense of stability, growth, and being genuinely valued that makes ZAGE’s name shine. Their track record proves they don’t just save businesses — they restore hope.
Aside from that, the employees of Green Leaf had never hated Kihito Midori. They understood that he had done everything he could under impossible circumstances. In fact, many of them remembered how Kihito had quietly supported them during the worst of times — offering encouragement, being a friendly ear, and doing what little he could to lift their spirits. Midori smiled and though “ZAGE are really Green Leaf Saviour”
To be continue
