Nijisanji
NIJISANJI
Native name
にじさんじ
Niji-sanji
IndustryVirtual YouTubers
Livestreaming
FoundedFebruary 2018 (2018-02)
ParentAnyColor Inc.
Websitenijisanji.jp
AnyColor Inc.
FormerlyIchikara Inc.
TypeKabushiki-gaisha
TYO: 5032
Industry
Founded2 May 2017 (2017-05-02)
FounderRiku Tazumi
Headquarters
Akasaka, Tokyo
,
Japan
Key people
  • Riku Tazumi
  • (CEO and founder)
  • Shinya Tsurui
  • (CFO)
  • Takato Suzuki
  • (Executive Officer (YouTube Strategic and Media Produce Group))
  • Aki Iwakura
  • (Executive Officer (IP Marketing and Design Group))
  • Yosuke Kobayashi
  • (Executive Officer (VTuber Sales Group))
  • Masato Fujita
  • (Executive Officer (Engineering Group))
  • Yoshitaka Fumoto
  • (Executive Officer (Overseas VTuber Management Group))[1]
Total equity¥2,641,914,764 (2021)
Owner(as of March 27, 2023):
Riku Tazumi (44.4%)
Sony Music Entertainment Japan (5.47%)
Yuzuru Honda (4.90%)
Skyland Ventures KK (4.15%)
Bilibili (3.56%) [2]
SubsidiariesAtelier Colors[1]
Websitewww.anycolor.co.jp/en

Nijisanji (Japanese: にじさんじ) (stylized as NIJISANJI) is a virtual YouTuber agency owned by AnyColor Inc. (formerly Ichikara Inc.).[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] The agency was founded in 2018 with the purpose of promoting the use of Live2D models and streaming as opposed to the 3D and clips format popularized by Kizuna AI. Notable domestic Nijisanji members include Tsukino Mito, Higuchi Kaede, Kuzuha, Kanae, Sasaki Saku, Honma Himawari, and Hyakumantenbara Salome.[10][11]

History

2018

In the beginning of 2018, Ichikara Inc. founded the VTuber agency Nijisanji. Nijisanji helped popularize the use of Live2D models instead of the prior focus on 3D models as well as the shift toward livestreaming instead of edited video and clips that was the standard for VTubers like Kizuna Ai.[12]

The name NIJISANJI (written in capital letters) was created by mixing two words in Japanese, two-dimensional nijigen (二次元) and three-dimensional sanjigen (三次元). The name was created while imagining a new era of entertainment that connects the real and virtual worlds. There are two meanings implied in the NIJISANJI logo: there is the word niji (虹) which means rainbow and the word sanji (三時) which means three o'clock. NIJISANJI's characters, or Virtual Livers, are full of colorful characters and varied personalities, which is symbolized by the rainbow in the logo.

The center piece of Nijisanji operation is their custom facial recognition app, utilizing the then-new iPhone X's native Animoji feature to capture the user facial expression to animate the Live2D avatar. The app can connect with streaming software.[13]

On 17 July 2018, auditions were started for a Chinese branch in Shanghai and Taipei, and in cooperation with CAPSULE Inc., would recruit from each eight people for a total of sixteen Livers.[14] The partnership with CAPSULE Inc. would end in March 2019, with Ichikara revoking its license. CAPSULE Inc. would spinoff what it maintained into VEgo.[15][16] VEgo itself would go inactive by the end of March 2020.

2019

A month after the end of the original Chinese branch, in April 2019, in cooperation with bilibili, new Chinese auditions would be started. From these, the jointly operated "VirtuaReal Project" would emerge later in May.[17][18]

Additionally in May, Ichikara launched its "Nijisanji Network" service where it would support other content creator and affiliated companies through the use of Nijisanji management and support resource. They also announce the first and only participants of the program being Indie VTuber Fairys-chan and Tenkai Tukasa.[19] The service would eventually be shut down on 31 December 2019 with all its participants continuing activities on their own.[20]

In July, auditions began for an Indonesian branch of the agency, Nijisanji ID, which would launch later in September.[21][22] In November and December, auditions began for Indian and Korean branches respectively (Nijisanji IN and KR), each beginning activity in January 2020.[23][24]

2020

In January 2020, Nijisanji officially opened the English version of its Twitter accounts which were followed by an English YouTube account in June.[25] Also as part of their attempt to appeal to the English speaking audience, they rebranded their Indian branch into a broader English branch (Nijisanji EN). However, in November, the three members of Nijisanji EN were returned to their original Nijisanji IN branch, while the audition for the only English speaking talents was held in December. Nijisanji IN was eventually dissolved and all its members graduated on 30 April 2021.[26]

In September 2020, Nijisanji created an "Aggressive Acts and Slander Countermeasure Team" to offer counselling to victims of harassment and take legal measures against perpetrators of harassment, specifically the online harassment plaguing the Japanese entertainment industry. This announcement came in the wake of Hololive VTuber Mano Aloe's retirement after only two weeks of activity due to online harassment.[27]

In October 2020, Nijisanji privated the various Among Us streams of its member after receiving a complaint by Masuoka, a programmer who made the popular Japanese translation mod of the game. Through a tweet, Masuoka specify that the reason for his complaint was that Nijisanji was using Masuoka mod without properly crediting him. Nijisanji have since entered negotiation with him to properly credits and license his work.[28]

On 1 December, Ichikara Inc. announced the official launch of NIJISANJI's first-wave auditions for English-speaking countries. The audition period lasted until 15 December 2021.

2021

Nijisanji EN debuted its first wave in 16 May 2021 dubbed "LazuLight". It consisted of three female Livers: Elira Pendora, Pomu Rainpuff, and Finana Ryugu. A simultaneous commentary livestream on their English channel, hosted by Nijisanji ID members Hana Macchia and Bonnivier Pranaja was also held.[29] It was followed by OBSYDIA in July and Ethyria in October.

On 17 May 2021, Ichikara officially renamed itself to AnyColor.[30]

In June, Anycolor would announce a talent training initiative known as "Virtual Talent Academy". Its first auditions would be held on 18 June 2021, who would begin training starting from November.[31][32][33] Upon completion, the graduate may be given the offer to debut in Nijisanji or freely move to other agencies to try to audition to them.

On 12 December 2021, the fourth wave of Niji EN debuted, called "Luxiem". It was made up of five male Livers: Luca Kaneshiro, Shu Yamino, Ike Eveland, Mysta Rias, and Vox Akuma. A debut program was hosted by Elira Pendora and Oliver Evans.[34] Luxiem marked the debut of the first English-speaking male talent wave from a big VTuber agency.[35]

2022

On 17 February 2022, Anycolor announced the merger of Nijisanji ID and Nijisanji KR into the main Nijisanji branch starting on 15 April 2022. As part of the merger, the official social media accounts of the two branches would cease operation and the ongoing audition for their latest generation for both would be cancelled.[36]

On 22 February 2022, Noctyx, the second male wave (and fifth overall) of Nijisanji EN debuted.

On 16 March 2022, Anycolor announced a new wave of three Nijisanji Livers originally from Virtual Talent Academy, the first VTA graduates to debut directly into NIJISANJI. The new wave, "Ranunculus", began their activities on 20 March 2022.

It was later announced that Nijisanji's VTubers would collaborate with Japanese singer Yuya Tegoshi.[37]

On 8 June 2022, ANYCOLOR publicly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange,[38] opening at 4,810 yen per share. By 18 October 2022, the company was estimated to be worth over US$2.5 billion, with founder Riku Tazumi's 45% share netting him a personal wealth of roughly $1.1 billion, making him Japan's youngest billionaire.[39][40]

On 13 July 2022, Anycolor announced the next wave of Virtual Talent Academy graduates to debut directly into Nijisanji. The new wave, "Voltaction", began their activities on 16 July 2022.[41]

On 24 July 2022, Iluna, the sixth wave of Nijisanji EN, debuted.[42]

On 9 December 2022, XSOLEIL, the seventh wave of Nijisanji EN, debuted.[43]

2023

On 24 June 2023, Krisis, the eighth wave of Nijisanji EN, debuted.[44]

On 27 October 2023, TTT, the ninth wave of Nijisanji EN, debuted.[45]

Livers

Nijisanji members are called Virtual Livers or Livers, a portmanteau of "live streamers", and mainly stream on YouTube. Typical activities involve playing video games, singing or chatting with the audience.[46][47] Over time, some Livers might get merchandise such as Nendoroid,[48] pin-back buttons,[49] acrylic stands, special voice packs, signed cards and more for anniversaries or special events.

Events

  • Nijisanji Music Festival ～Powered by DMM music～ (2 October 2019)[50]
  • Virtual to LIVE in Ryōgoku Kokugikan (8 December 2019)[51]
  • Nijisanji Anniversary Festival 2021 Eve Festival feat. FLOW (27-28 February 2021)[52]
    • Nijisanji JAPAN TOUR 2020 "Shout in the Rainbow! Tokyo Revenge Performance" (27 February 2021) - at Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake, Tokyo. Live Concert with online stream and limited audience due to COVID restriction.
  • NIJISANJI AR STAGE ”LIGHT UP TONES” (31 July - 1 August 2021)[53][54]
  • NIJISANJI held two concerts at YOKOHAMA Pia Arena MM in two days 30–31 October 2021:
    • "NIJIROCK NEXT BEAT" with 7 livers in 30 October.[55]
    • "initial step in NIJISANJI" with 8 livers from First Wave in 31 October.[56]

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref.
2023 The Vtuber Awards Best FPS VTuber Selen Tatsuki Won [57]
Shu Yamino Nominated [57]
Best Minecraft VTuber Pomu Rainpuff Nominated [57]
Best Roleplay/ASMR VTuber Vox Akuma Nominated [57]
Miss VTuber Elira Pendora Nominated [57]
Best VTuber Org Nijisanji Nominated [57]
Most Dedicated Fanbase Kindred Nominated [57]
Best Philantrophic Event Mika Melatika's 60-hour charity marathon Won [57]
Vox Akuma's Save Charity stream Nominated [57]
Gamer of the Year Selen Tatsuki Won [57]
Kuzuha Nominated [57]
VTuber of the Year Hyakumantenbara Salome Nominated [57]

References

  1. 1 2 "About". Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Anycolor Inc.: Shareholders Board Members Managers and Company Profile | JP3164780003". Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  3. ↑ "「にじさんじ」のいちから、「Anycolor」に社名変更". 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  4. ↑ "新宿アニソンスコープ：にじさんじのVTuber葛葉の初ミニアルバムが首位 「アイマス」SideMも上位に". Mainichi Shimbun. 19 March 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  5. ↑ Okamoto, Ken (2020). 大学で学ぶゾンビ学～人はなぜゾンビに惹かれるのか～. Fusosha Publishing. ISBN 978-4594083243.
  6. ↑ サイゾー 2021年3月号. Cyzo. 2021. p. 71.
  7. ↑ 「会社四季報」業界地図 2022年版. Toyo Keizai. 2021. p. 44. ISBN 978-4492973301.
  8. ↑ "コロナ禍で医療従事者として尽力し、配信者としても成長を続けるVTuber・健屋花那の挑戦". Real Sound. 2 April 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  9. ↑ ユリイカ 2018年7月号 特集=バーチャルYouTuber 2019年3月号. 青土社. 2019. p. 80. ISBN 978-4791703517.
  10. ↑ "にじさんじ・月ノ美兎がソロアルバム「月の兎はヴァーチャルな夢をみる」のリリースを発表". Panora. 18 June 2021. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  11. ↑ Richman, Olivia (8 June 2022). "VTubers taking over Youtube; Salome reaches over 1M subscribers in two weeks". Invenglobal. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  12. ↑ 公開, 日時 (5 June 2020). "尖ったメンバーばかりのVTuberグループ"にじさんじ"の魅力を紹介". Dengeki Online. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Ichikara Inc. (11 January 2018). "iPhoneXのAnimojiでバーチャルYoutuberに！バーチャルライブアプリ「にじさんじ」配信声優を募集！". PR Times (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  14. ↑ "「にじさんじ」が海外展開！ 上海／台北でライバーオーディション開始". Panora VR (in Japanese). 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  15. ↑ 台北・上海にじさんじ、いちから株式会社との提携終了。新プロジェクト「VEgo」として活動継続へ Archived 11 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine vtuber-post 2019年4月4日
  16. ↑ VEgo [@VEgo_CHver] (2 April 2019). "この度、いちから株式会社とのパートナーシップ終了につき、本日(3/29)をもって「にじさんじ」プロジェクトにおける両社の業務提携が正式に終了したことをご報告させていただきます。" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 August 2022 – via Twitter.
  17. ↑ いちから、中国へ本格進出！「VirtuaReal Project」始動！ Archived 7 August 2022 at the Wayback Machine PR Times 2019年4月19日
  18. ↑ 岸嶺ミミム (13 July 2021). "受けるポイントは「声」と「多才さ」にあり？ 中国のVTuber事情". Panora (in Japanese). パノラプロ. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  19. ↑ Ichikara Inc. (10 May 2019). "VTuberコミュニティサービス「にじさんじネットワーク」始動！VTuberを「流行り」から「文化」へ。". PR Times. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  20. ↑ Ichikara Inc. (31 December 2019). "にじさんじネットワーク 公式サイト" [Notice of termination of "Nijisanji Network" service]. にじさんじネットワーク 公式サイト (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  21. ↑ 「にじさんじ」のいちから、インドネシアでのVTuber事業「NIJISANJI id」を発表 Archived 16 August 2022 at the Wayback Machine MoguLive 2019年7月19日
  22. ↑ いちから、インドネシアへ本格進出！「NIJISANJI id」始動！. PR Times. 19 July 2019. Archived from the original on 16 September 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  23. ↑ にじさんじ、インドへ 「NIJISANJI in」始動でヒンディー語VTuber誕生か Archived 10 April 2022 at the Wayback Machine ねとらぼ 2019年11月20日
  24. ↑ いちから、韓国へ本格進出！韓国VTuberグループ「NIJISANJI KR」始動！ Archived 10 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine PR Times 2019年12月18日
  25. ↑ Komatsu, Mikikazu (22 June 2020). "Virtual YouTuber Project Nijisanji Opens Official English YouTube Channel". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  26. ↑ Morrissy, Kim (14 April 2021). "Nijisanji's India Branch Announces "Temporary Suspension" from April 30". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  27. ↑ Morrissy, Kim (4 September 2020). "Bushiroad and Nijisanji Are Taking Online Harassment Seriously". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  28. ↑ Dennison, Kara (6 October 2020). "VTubers Apologize for Uncredited Use of Among Us Translation Mod". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  29. ↑ Morrissy, Kim (14 May 2021). "Nijisanji En Announces "LazuLight" Virtual YouTuber Group". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  30. ↑ "いちから株式会社は「Anycolor 株式会社」へ社名を変更いたします。". 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021 – via PR Times.
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  32. ↑ "VTuber育成プロジェクト「バーチャル・タレント・アカデミー」が本格始動！". MoguraVR. 2 November 2021. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  33. ↑ にじさんじ発タレント育成プロジェクト「バーチャル・タレント・アカデミー」開講決定！本日6月18日(金)より第1期候補生募集開始！. プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR Times. 18 June 2021. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  34. ↑ "Luxiem VTuber Debut Announcement". Twitter. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  35. ↑ Luzong, Allia (8 March 2022). "Nijisanji's Multilingual Talents Are on Track to Making Vtubing Bigger Than Ever". A Little Bit Human. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022. As the only big agency that focused on promoting English-speaking male talents, Nijisanji tapped into a previously underserved audience.
  36. ↑ Agonoy, Jay (18 February 2022). "Nijisanji ID and KR to Be Merged With Japan by April 2022". Anime Corner. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  37. ↑ "手越祐也が『にじさんじ』にすり寄り!? VTuberファンが猛反発する理由とは…". 日本ジャーナル出版. 2 April 2022. Archived from the original on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  38. ↑ Ikeda, Masaru (30 April 2022). "Japan's virtual YouTuber management agency Anycolor files for IPO". BRIDGE（ブリッジ）. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  39. ↑ "A 26-Year-Old Billionaire Built Fortune on Virtual YouTube Stars". Bloomberg.com. 18 October 2022. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  40. ↑ "Meet Japan's Riku Tazumi, the 26-year-old billionaire founder of Anycolor". South China Morning Post. 21 November 2022. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  41. ↑ "【Voltaction 本日デビュー！】 新規デビューユニット「Voltaction」として、新たに4名がにじさんじライバーとしてデビュー！ 本日 7/13 (水)より活動開始いたします！". Twitter. 13 July 2022.
  42. ↑ Miras, Aldrin (21 July 2022). "Iluna Nijisanji En's 6th wave of Livers is set to debut this week". UnGeek. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  43. ↑ @NIJISANJI_World (7 December 2022). "Make way for Xsoleil! Three days to go! 🔻Debut teaser: https://youtu.be/i1oEHCKpE4U 🔻Debut program: https://youtu.be/9PG8FLA_TXE 🔻Debut song MV: https://youtu.be/Ss9AjwvRHGk #XSOLEIL #NIJISANJI_EN" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  44. ↑ "New Nijisanji EN Vtubers Are Vantacrow Bringer, Vezalius Bandage, and Yu Q. Wilson". Siliconera. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  45. ↑ "A new adventure begins! VTuber Debut Program hosted by Luca & Maria【Nijisanji EN】". YouTube. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  46. ↑ Myrmecoleon (29 March 2020). "にじさんじの"歌"の歴史をまとめてみた【VTuberデータ分析】". MoguraVR (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 30 March 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  47. ↑ "「にじさんじ の日」世界リレーから見えた海外ライバーたちの魅力とは？". MoguraVR (in Japanese). 12 February 2020. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  48. ↑ "Nijisanji Kanae and Sasaki Saku Vtuber Nendoroids Appear". Enthusiast Gaming. 23 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  49. ↑ "【にじさんじ】まさかのサーニャ、ちーくん、鈴鹿ウタなどのアクスタ・缶バッジが販売。販売期間は本日4月1日23:59までなのでお早めに！". Famitsu. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  50. ↑ "総勢20名、人気バーチャルライバーの熱唱に幕張メッセが震えた！ 「にじさんじ Music Festival」フォトレポート". Panora (in Japanese). 2 October 2019. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  51. ↑ ""にじさんじ"ライバー15名が声を届けた"VtL両国"をレポート". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). 10 December 2019. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  52. ↑ "「#にじFes2021 前夜祭」ライブレポ にじさんじとFLOWが音楽でつながった一夜". KAI-YOU.net | POP is Here . (in Japanese). 27 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  53. ↑ "にじさんじ AR生バンドライブ開催！ 47都道府県でライブビューイング＆生配信". MoguLive!| Mogura VR (in Japanese). 9 July 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  54. ↑ "これがVTuber界における一つの到達点「にじさんじ AR Stage "Light Up Tones"」ライブレポート". VTuber Post (in Japanese). 12 August 2021. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  55. ↑ "「にじロック」から『Nijirock Next Beat』へ 7人が見せた"邦楽ロックへの愛とリスペクト"". Real Sound｜リアルサウンド テック (in Japanese). 6 November 2021. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  56. ↑ "『initial step in Nijisanji』虹を描き続けた「にじさんじ1期生」メンバーたちの積み重ねの結晶がここに ｜Up-Station(アップステーション)-VTuber専門メディア". Up-Station(アップステーション)-VTuber専門メディア (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  57. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "The Vtuber Awards - Winners". Retrieved 20 December 2023.
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