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 is set to have its own booth at Virtual Market 6 (Vket6) which will be hosted by HIKKY from August 14-28. At the BEAMS booth, they will be showcasing must-visit sento bathhouses. Vket is one of the biggest virtual events in the world, and uses Web to VR technology so you don’t need a VR headset, meaning people can access it simply by connecting via mobile, PC, or other smart device. This will be BEAMS’ second attendance at the event, and shop staff will appear inside as avatars.

Inside BEAMS ‘Recommended Sento 2021’ Booth at Vket 6

Inside BEAMS ‘Recommended Sento 2021’ Booth at Vket 6

Vket-chan wearing the free towel you get at the BEAMS booth

BEAMS is taking their ongoing ‘Recommended Sento 2021’ project, which is running at Kotobukiyu in Ueno, Tokyo, until September, to the virtual realm in a collaboration with COW BRAND SOAP. As well as collaboration merch, players can use Vket-chan’s 3D avatar and combine it with the free towel to bathe in the bath as her.

The virtual space is decorated with sento pictures illustrated by manga artist and calligrapher Mari Yamazaki. Users can also launch fireworks, and there are various Japanese summer-themed attractions.

The official Vket merchandise will be available on the Merch by Amazon service and can be shipped to Japan, the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

RADWIMPS are set to hold three virtual concerts titled SHIN SEKAI “nowhere” which will be streamed worldwide from July 16-18. The shows will be a unique musical experience that the band and fans will create and share in the virtual space of VARP. In promotion of the concert series, the band released a new 30-second clip and visual. They also held a pre-showing of the concert to the press.

New promo video

Press pre-showing

Members of the press were granted exclusive access to experiencing the show early at the WHITE CINE QUINTO film theatre inside Shibuya PARCO in Tokyo on July 12. The concert title appeared on the screen, and at the same time, the audience used their smartphones to enter the virtual space as an avatar where they experienced an interactive concert. A talk session was also held with RADWIMPS members Yojiro Noda, Akira Kuwahara, and Yusuke Takeda, as well as Yohei Kajiwara of PARTY, Kairi Manabe, and last but not least Kentarō Ochiai who was the MC for the show. They discussed creating SHIN SEKAI as well as the future of entertainment and music experiences.

Speaking about how the project came about, Noda said, “Last year, we said farewell so a lot of shows on the tour. It was a bottomless pit of sadness. It was at the time when we were wondering what we could do so that our music wasn’t eradicated that we met PARTY. We felt we could do something new, and decided on trying out this virtual concert.”

“It was my first time becoming an avatar,” said Kajiwara. “It was a lot of fun. For example, I could make myself big and enjoy things you can only do in a virtual space.”

Noda added to Kajiwara’s comment, saying, “We could go to space or another world whenever we wanted. Whatever you can’t do in a real concert, you can do at a virtual one.”そ

“If you go virtual, everyone around the world can be in the same place,” explained Takeda. “When I read comments on social media when we did this last time, I saw a lot of people say how they were able to enjoy themselves with people they didn’t know and communicate with people overseas. I feel we were able to foster something new for fans.”

Finishing up the talk, Noda’s final comments were: “I look forward to seeing how we can evolve this technology. I want everyone to be the first people at the door to experience all the incredible things and possibilities we will be able to deliver and to enjoy the excitement of our concerts with lots of others. Please look forward to it on the day.”

In ART is a Japanese virtual art museum displaying works by a line-up of specially-selected artists. The museum is accessible through VR where users can not only look at art pieces but watch commentaries by the artists as well as shop at the museum store.

In ART has revealed that abstract painter CBA will be the third in a line-up of solo exhibitions. CBA is a graphic designer with over 20 years of experience and is also active as a musician both in Japan and overseas. They changed jobs to become an artist in 2010, and since then, their unique style which breaks language and cultural barriers has garnered them many fans from outside Japan. Most recently, CBA opened a solo exhibition at Franck Muller Boutique in Madrid, Spain. Their work is inherently universal, getting through to people regardless of age, language, or culture, something which is best appreciated when seen for yourself, and is now observable at In ART.

Some of CBA’s works on virtual display

CBA | Comment

-shine on the life-　Pray for better life
“The foundation of my work is built on putting together different elements to create something, just like how you would techno music. Colours and shapes elicit emotions and smells. Abstract painting isn’t just playing around experimenting or taking chances—it’s something that’s formed and composed, and I’d love for people to enjoy that aspect when looking at my work. I urge you to enjoy the colours, shapes, and compositions as you would music.”

In ART opened as a service offering people the opportunity to spend time enjoying art, even alone in their own house, as well as serving as a platform to support artists. Its aim is to make art a normal part of of everybody’s lives, and it does this in the form of a virtual museum which uses 3DCG technology. While it is an art museum, you don’t have to pay to enter. You can enjoy artwork at your leisure on your favourite device, and if there’s a piece you want to buy, then you can.

Don’t miss the abstract work of CBA in their virtual solo exhibition.

Sanrio has announced that the announcement ceremony for the winner of the 2021 Sanrio Character Ranking will take place in collaboration with Tokyo Girls Collection (TGC), a semi-annual fashion festival in Tokyo, on June 8. The event will be streamed live on Hello Kitty and TCG’s respective LINE accounts, as well as Sanrio’s official YouTube account, so that more people can tune in to this year’s announcement and see which of Sanrio’s characters will take the crown.

80 characters are participating in this year’s Sanrio Character Ranking which will be announced in order from 80 to 1. This year also sees the return of the sub-award categories including Collaboration. Hosting the event as MC is tarento and actress Nao Asahi and the Japanese comedy duo Wagyu ga Tsutome.

But the winner announcement is not the only event scheduled for 2021’s ranking. Since this time is a collaboration with TGC, there will be a fashion runway where popular models will show off their looks, a live performance with JO1 and the Sanrio characters, a rap battle, and more.

Fashion Runway: Famous models display the Sanrio character aesthetic

On the fashion stage, a line-up of well-known Japanese models will serve fashion inspired by Sanrio’s most famous characters including My Melody, Kuromi, Little Twin Stars, and Pompompurin.

Marie Iitoyo and Maika Yamamoto will use a real-time composite photography system as they dress up as the adorable My Melody and her rival Kuromi. Serving the dreamy star-filled world of Kiki and Lala are Kaane and Sakura Saiga, Yoshiaki & Michi, and Rikariko. For the Pompompurin section, which is themed on the golden retriever’s daily life, we have Nana Kato, Ami Komuro, Natsuki Deguchi, Sachi Fujii, and Roy. But that’s not all as Sakachin, Yuki Higashihara, and Reina, who won the LINE LIVE auditions to appear on this year’s fashion runway, will also appear.

A heated rap battle between the Sanrio characters

In the rap battle, KIRIMI-chan, Kuromi, Kogimyun, and Pompompurin will go head to head against special guests Tsukasa Saito of comedy duo Trendy Angel and Yuriyan Retriever. 

The Sanrio cast join music artists for a concert

The adorable Cinnamoroll, who is also expanding his work as an idol, will perform alongside JO1, while Hello Kitty will sing with singer-songwriter Sonoko Inoue.

A new virtual experience using the latest technology

Japanese digital advertising company CyberAgent, who produced virtual events and 3DCG content, will be using the latest in 3DCG and XR tech to blur the lines between reality and the virtual space with an interactive experience, such as people’s comments on social media and the video displaying in real time, and more.

Virtual Shibuya has announced that its new Harajuku area will open on May 25, 2021. The virtual experience is hosted on Cluster, a virtual social media platform.

Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project launched the “Virtual Shibuya” back in May of last year in collaboration with KDDI, Shibuya Future Design, and the Shibuya Tourism Association. Officially recognised by Shibuya City, Virtual Shibuya comes in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought tight restrictions to the economy and people’s way of life. It enables people to continue enjoying entertainment from the comfort of their homes by participating in a whole host of virtual events and activities. The project aims to deliver content from Shibuya with live performances from artists, art exhibitions, talks, and more. The use of 5G and the latest cutting edge technology connects the real Shibuya to a virtual space, combining the realms of the digital and real world.

Virtual Harajuku is the second area to open in the service and brings together the iconic locations surrounding Jingumae Crossing such as Laforet Harajuku and Tokyu Plaza. As part of the new area’s launch, Japanese pop icon Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has been announced as a Special Supporter of the service. The singer and model made her debut on the streets of Harajuku with her unique fashion. Ten years since her debut, she will continue promoting Harajuku from the service.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical released a 30-second video titled “Netsunarero” on their official YouTube channel on May 6 announcing Hatsune Miku and members of Leo/need from the Project Sekai Colorful Stage ft. Hatsune Miku mobile game as the official ambassadors for the Japanese sports drink Pocari Sweat.

The importance of “Netsunare”

The video stresses the importance of netsunare – sweating in order to get used to the heat during summer. Leading the promoting of this message is Hatsune Miku who is followed by Leo/need, MEIKO, Mirai Akari, Fuji Aoi, and YuNi. The video features the original song Waiting for Clear Weather created by Orangestar for the Project Sekai Colorful Stage ft. Hatsune Miku mobile game. The popular track has been streamed over 1.9 million times as of April 2021.

The Character Line-Up

Since December 2019, Otsuka Pharmaceutical has appointed Hatsune Miku, MEIKO, Leo/need, MEIKO, Mirai Akari, Fuji Aoi, YuNi, and other familiar faces as official ambassadors for Pocari Sweat to spread information on how to overcome Japan’s hot summer weather to the world. It is part of the beyond2020 project which Otsuka describes: “With an eye to 2020 and beyond, this cultural program will contribute to the creation of a legacy befitting a maturing society that will make the next generation proud, through Japan’s strength which consists of its local and diverse culture.”

Leo/need from Project Sekai Colorful Stage ft. Hatsune Miku

Project Sekai Colorful Stage ft. Hatsune Miku is a mobile game for iOS/Android. The members of Leo/need include guitarist and vocalist Ichika Hoshino, keyboardist Saki Tenma, drummer Honami Mochizuki, and bassist Shino Hinomori. They will release their first single on June 9, 2021.

Twitter Campaign

Otsuka Pharmaceutical is also holding a Twitter campaign in Japan as part of the promotion where 200 random people can win a box of seven 500ml Pocari Sweat bottles for cooling down in the summer heat.

How to Sign Up

Step 1: Follow Pocari Sweat on Twitter @pocarisweat_jp

Step 2: Retweet or quote any of Pocari Sweat’s posts featuring the hashtag #ネツナレろ (“Netsunarero”)

Running: May 6, 2021 – May 19, 2021 (Japan Only)

Campaign Site: https://pocarisweat.jp/action/pocarimiku/netsunarero/

© SEGA / © CP / © CPM / © Mirai Akari Project / © YuNi / © Fuji Aoi

1SEC is a virtual reality company specialising in the development of AI and 3D virtual human technology. It has offices in both Los Angeles and Tokyo. It also owns its own digital fashion label, 1Block, from which it released Japan’s first-ever virtual sneakers, AIR SMOKE 1™, on Thursday (April 22).

Copyright © 2021 1SEC Inc. All Rights Reserved.

AIR SMOKE 1™

CONCEPT

“These collectible virtual sneakers are inspired by the iconic silhouettes that we’ve all seen before. The rainbow color scheme is a symbol of diversity values, the unreal smoke gushing from the sole, the flowing texture and exuberance are inspired by the hippie movement of the past.”

Copyright © 2021 1SEC Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Pokémon Company’s “Pokémon Virtual Fest” is now open for business in Japan and is set to run until August 31, 2020. A trailer was posted on the official Pokémon YouTube channel in promotion of the event.

Pokémon Virtual Fest | Promotional Video

Pokémon Virtual Fest is accessible by using the ‘cluster’ app on mobile or PC. Pokémon Trainers can look forward to jumping into a fully-realised Pokémon world with themed attractions, events, and much more. More content will be added to the virtual theme park in the coming weeks.

Being a theme park, Pokémon Virtual Fest of course has its own attractions like the Pokémon Ferris Wheel, the Galarian Weezing Train which gives players a tour of the park, and more. Players can watch Pokémon Sword and Shield Pokémon battles on the stage, complete various escape games, visit the store area, go to the beach, and much more. For a full run-down of the event, check out our detailed breakdown here.

©2020 Pokémon. ©1995-2020 Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc.
Pokémon, ポケットモンスター, and ポケモン are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and GAME FREAK inc.
© 2017 Cluster, Inc.