Since the start of their career, electro-pop duo CAPSULE has utilized virtual studios in the production of their music. Now, a new world has been created using VRChat, one of the world’s largest social VR platforms, to bring the world of CAPSULE’s latest album, METRO PULSE, to life. Along this exciting announcement also came the news that the duo would hold a virtual concert titled CAPSULE Live in VRCHAT “METRO PULSE” on August 5.

In a virtual world that transcends the limitations of reality, the members of CAPSULE have been transformed into avatars to share their latest Synthwave and city pop album METRO PULSE. Fans are invited to use this opportunity to experience the world of CAPSULE in an entirely new way. The duo continues to lead the Japanese electro scene.

The overall production of this live performance will be handled by ANNIN, a joint production of Activ8, the company behind the legendary VTuber Kizuna AI, and ASOBISYSTEM. Additionally, the concert will be produced by ReeznD, who has experience in live-action music videos and XR live performances. Kinu, who previously performed at the SANRIO Virtual Festival, will supervise the production.

■Stroll around the CAPSULE HOUSE, seen in CAPSULE’s music video, in VR

The venue for the virtual concert is CAPSULE HOUSE, a special world in VRChat. The CAPSULE HOUSE, seen in the pair’s music video, has been recreated, and as you go deeper into the house, the door to the live performance venue will appear. The CAPSULE HOUSE is open to the public now, and can be visited by logging in to VRChat. Be sure to pay close attention to the countless gimmicks scattered around the house!

<Comment from CAPSULE>

“We’re looking forward to sharing our latest work, METRO PULSE, in a new way. We’ll see you all at the CAPSULE HOUSE in VRChat.”

■Official Concert T-Shirts to be available

To commemorate the virtual live event, CAPSULE’s first e-commerce site has also been opened. The first item to be made available will be an official T-shirt.

Musical artist Licaxxx can be seen in KINGS with BEAMS SPORTS, a special concept movie made to promote the collaboration between BEAMS SPORTS and the Ryukyu Golden Kings, a B. League professional basketball team.

This project aims to expand the community surrounding both collaborators. BEAMS SPORTS creates opportunities for people to become more familiar with the positive energy generated by modern sports culture while the Ryukyu Golden Kings is known for celebrating the people and culture of Okinawa.

The concept video was planned and supervised by 92, a member of the artist collective GReeeeN. The star-studded cast includes Kabuki actor Matsuya Onoe and other basketball enthusiasts.

KINGS with BEAMS SPORTS

<Comment from Planner and Supervising Director GReeeeN’s 92>
“I want to share my home of Okinawa with both Japan and the world.
The concept of this video is one of hope. I want the appeal of basketball to merge with tons of other cultures.
I’m thrilled to be able to show my own take on historical backgrounds and culture in this new way!”

<Comment from Licaxxx>
“There are so many musical artists who love basketball! But when compared to overseas fans, they’re much quieter and less open about it. I’m sure they blend in pretty well courtside. (Laugh)
I hope everyone enjoys wearing these fashionable original items while cheering as hard as you can!”

The Metaverse event that was a smash hit in 2021 will be returning in 2023! Sanrio Virtual Festival 2023 in Sanrio Puroland, one of the world’s largest music festivals blending both the real and virtual worlds, will be held starting January 13, 2023.

A lineup of high-profile performers has been announced, including Airi Suzuki, SKY-HI, Yabai T-Shirts Yasan, and Aoi Fuji. Popular Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and Kuromi will also appear, and visitors will be able to experience the virtual Puroland by utilizing unique avatars and taking part in a number of exciting events.

The 2021 event was incredibly popular, and the 2023 version will increase the duration and amount of content available. To do this, Puroland has joined forces with VRChat, a well-known US company and social platform. Artists, VTubers, and Sanrio characters will perform in a massive space on B5 of Virtual Sanrio Puroland, and fans can enjoy live performances while also communicating with other guests!

Highlights of SANRIO Virtual Festival 2023 in Sanrio Puroland

・Inspired by PURO VILLAGE at Sanrio Puroland, VIRTUAL PURO VILLAGE is now available in the Metaverse!

・The popular Sanrio Puroland parade will be performed in the virtual space with an original story!

・Starting January 13, 2023, visitors will be able to chat and play in an open space before the concert, and special events–like radio calisthenics–will be held.

・Guests can enjoy mini concerts featuring Sanrio characters every day from January 14 until January 20 (*Fee required.)

The event can be accessed via smartphone, PC, or other devices. Guests can have fun creating their own unique avatars and immersing themselves in the Sanrio Puroland atmosphere no matter where they are! Come experience this state-of-the-art Metaverse space while you can.

Experience Mini Live Shows Featuring Popular Sanrio Characters Every Day

A daily mini concert will be held daily from January 14 until January 20 with a different Sanrio character appearing each day. 

The mini-concert ticket allows guests to watch all seven mini-concerts and also includes digital items to use with your avatar, including a fan and a T-shirt. 

17 Artists Announced (So Far) to Perform During Virtual Music Festival!

Artists like Airi Suzuki, SKY-HI, and Yabai T-Shirts Yasan will take to the LUNA STAGE (*fee required), with virtual artists including Aoi Fuji appearing on the FUTURE STAGE (*fee required.)

Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters will also appear at CHILL PARK, each giving a mini live performance. The second artist lineup and performance timetable will be announced in early December.

Free areas will be open to the public. More details and ticket information is available on the official website. 

15 Voices is a new virtual idol group aimed at youth around the world. A group of 15 girls living in the fictional industrial city of Kagutsuchi sacrifice the future in order to live in the present, or sacrifice the present in exchange for the future, as they travel on a mysterious bus towards a city of youth. 

This spring, a free series of web prequel novels exploring the backstory of each member began. A manga adaptation and audio drama featuring popular voice actresses are also currently in the works.

On August 3, the group released a new song, Ash. This track comes ahead of 15 Voice’s new EP ASTRONOTES, which will release next week. A short version of the anime music video has also been uploaded to YouTube. 

Ash – 15 Voice (Short Music Video)

The track features music and lyrics by Vocaloid-P ichica, who expertly weaves in the sentimentality one feels at the end of summer. The band’s post-punk sound is a throwback to 90s pop-punk and the emo revival of the early 2000s. This one is sure to bring the nostalgia!

The new prequel novel, The Case of Emi Akiko and Nami Akiko, has also been fully released. The story was written by Takumi Mochizuki, a Mephisto Prize winner who has written a number of popular works in the past. The story can be read for free on the tree website.

The story follows the twin sisters as they navigate through their difficult upbringing, which included a neglectful mother, an absent father, and a fortune-telling foster grandmother. The two were born and raised in a strange place, and the life they choose to live in the end will shock you. We’re looking forward to seeing how this prequel tale impacts the main story.

Each chapter of the prequel novel is accompanied by a theme song sung by the group, and the story of these two sisters is joined by the track Eureka. This song will also be featured on the ASTRONOTES EP.  Don’t miss the promo video narrated by Anna Suzuki (Nami) and Minori Fujidera (Emi). 

Emi Akiko & Nami Akiko Prequel Novel Video

Live activities held in the virtual world will begin this fall, so check out the group’s official Twitter page for more information going forward!

Starting July 25, fans of the upcoming anime mini-series BanG Dream! Morfonication will be able to visit the Morfonication Virtual Exhibition!

BanG Dream! is a next-generation girl band project that links anime characters and live performances. The franchise has become a media giant inspiring anime series, games, and live shows. The voice actors from the virtual bands Poppin’Party, Roselia, Morfonica, and RAISE A SUILEN have formed bands in real life and are actively performing!

The Morfonication Virtual Exhibition is being held on NTT’s social VR platform DOOR. Fans can access the exhibition from their smartphone, PC, or other devices, and there’s no need to install an app. You can even visit from a web browser, or for those wanting a more immersive experience, the exhibition supports VR headsets.

The two rooms currently open to the public are the Exhibition Room and Atelier of the Hiromachi Family. More rooms will open as they become available.

The exhibition room recreates the world of BanG Dream! Morfonication, a new original anime focusing on Morfonica, the fourth band appearing in the series. The Atelier of the Hiromachi Family is a faithful reproduction of the Hiromachi family’s atelier, as you may have guessed.

Come enjoy the world of BanG Dream! Morfonication from the comfort of your computer chair!

©BanG Dream! Project ©Craft Egg Inc. ©bushiroad All Rights Reserved.

Kanda Myojin Shrine dates back over 1,270 years, making it one of the most well-known religious sites in Tokyo. Dai Nippon Printing is now making it possible for interested visitors to experience the site from anywhere in the world, unveiling the Kanda Myojin CG Space this week. Developed with approval from the shrine, the virtual space faithfully reproduces the structure and design of the location using 3D laser measurement technology and CG techniques developed by DNP over many years. The space will be open online to all audiences.

A portion of the work from the Masayuki Kojo 10th Anniversary Exhibition currently behind held on-site at Kanda Myojin from June 4 until July 10 will also be available to view in the CG space. The space will also be linked to ‘Virtual Akihabara,’ developed by DNP in conjunction with the AKIBA Tourism Council. Using XR (Extended Reality), the company hopes to develop a wide variety of new communication styles.

The Kanda Myojin CG Space was created by using DNP’s laser measurement technology to recreate three-dimensional objects. By using high-definition photography and photogrammetry technology, images of objects are taken from many angles, creating a realistic 3DCG space to explore. The structure of the shrine, which was rebuilt in 1934 after being damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake, has been faithfully reproduced in every way.

In conjunction with events held at the Kanda Myojin Museum, the Kanda Myojin CG Space will make the history of Kanda Myojin and its collection of materials, including rare ukiyo-e prints, available online for anyone to access. Through these exhibits, people both in Japan and abroad can experience Edo culture through their web browsers!

BEAMS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2022 ‘BE FES!’ will be held at Zepp concert halls in Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka from July 5 to August 10, 2022. 

The artist lineup and performance venues have been partially changed following the event’s postponement. The lineup will include a variety of unique artists that are all up-and-coming in the Japanese music scene, and the official T-shirts that were previously available for preorder are now available to order again at the BEAMS online store.

Areas around the venue will also offer events, and the BEAMS HAPPY TICKET will be available for guests to enjoy. The ticket is part of a collaboration with restaurants and shops in the area recommended by BEAMS staff. 

The festival will be livestreamed so that those unable to attend the venues in person will still be able to enjoy!

BEAMS is a company that loves music and wants to bring happiness to the people of the world with the power of music. Who are you most excited to see perform?

BEAMS COUTURE, a BEAMS label focused on upcycling and handmade items, has teamed up with sweets brand RURU MARY’S for a special apparel collaboration collection.

Dress

Knit Sweater

Bag (Large)

Bag (Small)

Pouch

Chocolate Sable

The iconic floral illustrations used in RURU MARY’S packaging appear throughout the collection. The tote bag and pouch are made of insulating material, perfect for carrying chocolates! Each item also comes with a tag featuring a special rose sticker.

BEAMS Japan has collaborated with 13 businesses to develop nearly 100 unique products to highlight the wonders of Aomori Prefecture. Under the title ‘BEAMS EYE on AOMORI,’ these products are now available to purchase from the BEAMS Official Online Store. They will be available at the BEAMS Japan shop in Shinjuku starting January 19, 2022. 

BEAMS EYE on AOMORI Products at a Glance

BEAMS Japan travelled to Aomori to search for inspiration and to learn more about the prefecture famous for its blue skies and apple orchards. The areas rich nature and traditions come to life in this new line of merchandise, so why not enjoy some of these products for yourself?

BEAMS Japan will hold an event highlighting the wonders of Okayama Prefecture in both Shinjuku, Tokyo, and Taipei, Taiwan! The event will feature specialty products from 11 businesses in Okayama, and is now open in Shinjuku, with the Taipei event beginning in February 2022. Certain items are also available at the official BEAMS online shop.

Selected Products

Okayama prefecture is known for its mild climate and nature. BEAMS Japan has developed 81 unique products, with some highlighting the denim creation in the region and others showcasing local crafts.

As Okayama is closely associated with Momotaro, a figure out of Japanese folklore, peaches are very prominent in the region and can be seen in a number of these special products. 

Selected products from the collection will be available at the Taipei location from February 24 until March 13, 2022. Although travel has been made incredibly difficult during the pandemic, this pop-up shop was made possible by Okayama prefecture and BEAMS Japan. 

HIKKY has announced new information regarding those participating in Virtual Market 2021, a massive event taking place in the Metaverse starting this week. The first batch of exhibitors has been uploaded to the official website, including Lawson, SMBC Nikko Securities, and TV Asahi. Each company will offer unique virtual experiences that utilize the power of the Metaverse. Virtual Market 2021 has been formally recognized by Guinness World Records for ‘Most Booths at a Virtual Reality Market Event.’ 

Parareal Shibuya

Parareal Akihabara

When it rains in the real world, it also rains in the virtual city. 

A ‘spatial timeline’ shows micro-information about both the real and virtual cities. 

The theme for this year’s event is ‘Metaverse City.’ Visitors will feel as if they have really traveled to Shibuya and Akihabara, with weather that mirrors the real world. Buildings will even grow as the number of visitors increases!

Participating Companies

Virtual duo Tacitly from NTT Docomo’s ‘Live Animation Heart X Algorhythm’ will be one of twelve participating VTubers appearing at YouTube Music Weekend Vol.4! This online event will take place from December 3 until December 5, and will feature a number of live performances to enjoy. The duo will also perform their new song Yume wo Mitte Ikiteiru for the first time on YouTube. Tacitly will appear on December 4 from 26:30 to 27:00 JST, so don’t miss it!

Atsu Mizuno

“My name is Atsu Mizuno, and I wrote the lyrics and composed the arrangement for Tacitly’s new song! I wanted to match the powerful yet delicate voices of the two members of the group and the incredible video by POPREQ. This time, I wrote about my own struggles with a weak heart and the wonderful friends that helped me become stronger. People can’t achieve anything when they are alone, and this song made me want to treasure my friends who believe in me so much. The last part is my favorite, so be sure to check it out. Thank you so much!”

POPREQ

“I’m POPREQ from Hurray! I directed the new music video. 

When I heard Atsu Mizuno’s song, I envisioned the story she was telling and placed the members of Tacitly within it.  It’s the story of two people living on the edge of a crowded city thinking that no one will ever understand them, until one day, they meet. 

If we could only understand each other’s loneliness, beliefs, and way of life…

That’s what I was thinking about when I worked on this video. 

I hope you enjoy it!”

Tacitly (Lilia & Ciel)

Lilia

Ciel

(C)2021 project‐algorithm