Video Game Tycoon in Tokyo-Chapter 845: Memories Belonging to Anthony

"Hello, I'm Aibo, a field guide here. What are you doing all the way out here?"

"Did you end up here by accident too? Let's hurry back to camp—it's definitely safer there. Please be careful!"

"Let me tell you, this is a forward base for Hunters. We've come to this continent to investigate the mystery of Elder Dragon migrations. I'm guessing you're a member of the Fifth Fleet, right? Welcome aboard!"

"Before you arrived, the previous four expeditions all encountered some trouble. That's why the Fifth Fleet was dispatched—to help resolve the crisis."

"And among those earlier expeditions was someone I admire more than anyone—his name is Anthony, and he's considered the strongest Hunter in the investigation team."

Monster Hunter: World (Switch Edition) was released alongside the new Switch console.

In this version, Little Anthony, the son of old Mr. Anthony, was added as a character in the game.

He's introduced as a member of the First Fleet—often spotted in the Rotten Vale, the game's most hazardous environment, working with an elderly female researcher to investigate the Vale's secrets.

...

...

This inclusion was one of the biggest reasons—at least a third of it—why Anthony Sr. came to buy the game.

His son had been memorialized in Monster Hunter: World.

When Anthony saw his son's familiar name and character in the Switch version, his heart began to pound violently.

It felt as though his child had come back to life.

Although the character's appearance was noticeably different, that was intentional—Gamestar Electronic Entertainment had deliberately chosen not to make Little Anthony look too similar to avoid overwhelming Mr. Anthony emotionally. The name alone was enough.

In the Monster Hunter community, it was an open secret. Everyone knew who this "Anthony" referred to.

Anthony Sr. had successfully bought the console and the games he came for today.

He spent over a thousand dollars. But to him, it wasn't a large sum. For his son, he was more than willing.

In the game, Anthony was written as a powerful First Fleet Hunter—a mysterious ally of the elderly researcher from the original story, now reimagined as the only human character in the game who could fight side by side with the player character.

He wasn't just background support or someone who gave quests. He was right there in the action, helping fight monsters, shoulder to shoulder.

This made hunting in the game noticeably easier.

"Son..."

Anthony stared at the scene where Little Anthony appeared, and tears he hadn't shed in years started to well up.

His son appeared energetic, vibrant, and cheerful—but with his little quirks too, like his love for playing the hunter's traditional stone-and-tile game with others at camp.

In the game's side quests, Little Anthony was given even more depth.

He'd chat with fellow hunters and sometimes share dreams of having once lived in a world far more peaceful than this one—a world without ferocious monsters, where humanity thrived, and where he had a father who loved him dearly.

"If I could," Little Anthony said in the game, "I'd want to be reborn in that world, and live a good life there."

These were memories meant only for Anthony Sr.

He believed, without a doubt, that his son truly lived again—this time, in the world of games that he once loved. Perhaps they could no longer speak, but seeing his son smile, laugh, and live again—even as pixels on a screen—was enough.

And Monster Hunter wasn't the only place where Little Anthony lived on.

This was just one of many gifts that Gamestar Electronic Entertainment had quietly given Mr. Anthony.

In the latest installment of Need for Speed, set in a sprawling open-world city, Little Anthony was given an important role.

He served as a mentor-like figure, guiding the player character through races, helping defeat rival street racers, and ultimately challenging the player to one final, unforgettable race.

In that race, there were no rules—just raw skill and passion. The whole city seemed to pause for it. Even the authorities looked the other way, silently watching the showdown.

The player, of course, won.

But Little Anthony didn't mind.

Just like in Monster Hunter, he remained cheerful and optimistic—even in defeat.

"Anthony," the protagonist said afterward, "I think together, we could change this city's racing scene. Let's build something great—together."

But Little Anthony shook his head with a smile. "No. My sights are set on the stars and the seas. I want to travel the world, find the greatest racers across the globe. I'm glad we raced today—but our paths must part, my friend."

"You're leaving?" the protagonist asked, surprised.

"Yes," he nodded. "Goodbyes are always hard. But someday—we'll meet again."

The protagonist clearly didn't want to part ways.

Little Anthony got into his car, lowered the window, and looked back one last time.

"How about one last drag race before I go?"

The protagonist didn't hesitate. "Of course. Think of it as my way of saying farewell."

Engines roared to life. The two cars lined up on an empty stretch of road. At that moment, it felt like they were the only people in the entire city.

The camera cut inside Little Anthony's car—he looked toward the protagonist, or perhaps toward the screen.

And for a fleeting moment, Anthony Sr. felt like his son was looking straight at him through the screen.

Then, Little Anthony smiled and gave a small nod.

As if to say, It's okay, or Thank you, or perhaps something more personal—something only a father could understand.

The tears stopped.

Anthony Sr. realized—he shouldn't be sad. He should be happy.

Yes... that's right.

Then, the camera returned to the protagonist, who nodded in return.

A CG cutscene played—one the player couldn't control.

The two cars launched forward at the exact same moment.

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At a fork in the road, they split—each heading in a different direction.

A farewell.

A beautiful, unforgettable farewell.