Fans of the semi-annual fashion festival Tokyo Girls Collection (TGC) are getting a new way to participate in this year’s festivities! As this year’s show is taking place online, the ‘Virtual TGC’ will allow viewers to experience the virtual space in real time during the event on September 4, 2021.
Lobby Area
Stage Area
Users can create and design their own avatar, using it to explore the entirely recreated world of TGC in a 3D virtual space with family and friends. In the lobby area, booths will be set up for social networking, and interacting with these spots will unlock secret avatars and items to be used during live performances. By collecting five coins around the lobby area, users will be able to enter the VIP lounge, where a special talk with popular models will be held after the event.
Crossing the lobby area, guests will enter the stage area, which recreates the look and feel of the runway. Special cameras installed at the venue will allow the audience to see angles of the popular fashion show they’ve never seen before!
For those who miss the live broadcast, the show will be streamed again on the following day, September 5. Transcending the boundaries between reality and the virtual world, will the ‘Virtual TGC’ change the way events are held going forward?
Information
33rd Mynavi Tokyo Girls Collection (TGC) 2021 AUTUMN/WINTER
Virtual TGC Live Broadcast: September 4, 2021 13:00-19:30
Virtual TGC Live Broadcast Restream: September 5, 2021 13:00-19:30
*Some content may be restricted depending on location.
Official Site: http://tgc.st/
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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! Information
Virtual Idol Group 15 Voices
New EP ASTRONOTES
Release Date: August 10, 2022
Streaming Links: https://15shoujo.lnk.to/Ash
Spotify Presave / Apple Music Pre-add: https://avex.ffm.to/p72ejpw.OWE
tree Serialization Site: https://tree-novel.com/works/96b8b411b4810f421a503bb4ac16a8f7.html
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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. Information
BanG Dream! Morfonication Virtual Exhibition
Open: July 25, 2022
Venue: DOOR https://door.ntt/
Admission: Free
Official Site: https://gugenka.inc/morfonication-vr -
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Kanda Myojin CG Space
https://virtual-akihabara-web.com/kandamyoujin-kojomasayuki10th/
Masayuki Kojo 10th Anniversary Exhibition
Running: June 4 – July 10, 2022
Hours: 9:00-16:00 *Last entry at 15:45, open daily
Address: Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Center 1F (2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
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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.Information
Virtual Market６
Running: August 14, 2021 – August 28, 2021
Official Website: https://vket6.v-market.work/ -
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-showingMembers 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." Information
RADWIMPS – SHIN SEKAI “nowhere”
Dates: July 16, 2021 / July 17, 2021 / July 18, 2021
Times (Each Day): 11:00 / 16:00 /22:00 (JST)
Official Website: https://rad.varp.jp/en.html
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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.Information
CBA SOLO EXHIBITION +Up!
Running: June 7, 2021 – September 7, 2021Entry: Free and open 24 hours a day
In ART Official Website: https://in-art.jp
In ART Official Museum Shop: https://shop.in-art.jp