The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA), primarily known for organizing CEDEC (the CESA Developers Conference) and co-hosting the Tokyo Game Show (TGS), has played an active role in promoting and exploring digital human technologies within the Japanese gaming and entertainment industries. CEDEC sessions over the years have featured numerous presentations on the development, application, and ethical implications of digital humans in virtual spaces such as the metaverse. Topics include integrating digital humans into games, real-time rendering, facial expression modeling, and immersive CG avatars. These discussions often highlight the crossover between VTubers, virtual influencers, and digital humans as emerging tools for storytelling and user engagement. CESA’s involvement also extends to policy discourse, technical reports, and showcasing innovations such as AI-driven virtual assistants and ultra-realistic avatars. The association uses its events to connect industry stakeholders and spotlight Japan’s progress in synthesizing AI, CG, and entertainment via digital human technologies.
Couger Inc. is a Tokyo-based Japanese technology company founded in December 2006, specializing in the development of Virtual Human Agents—AI-powered digital humans designed to interact with users in a natural, human-like manner. Its flagship platform is called LUDENS, which combines artificial intelligence, IoT, AR/VR, and blockchain technologies to support tasks across retail, healthcare, customer service, and education. One of its notable AI characters is Rachel, who has been deployed in over 7,000 convenience stores in Japan. Couger emphasizes transparency in AI (XAI) and maintains research collaborations and international recognition for projects involving natural language processing, computer vision, and medical AI. The company is led by CEO Atsushi Ishii and operates with a team of approximately 30–50 employees from its headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Crypton Future Media, Inc., known globally for creating the virtual singer Hatsune Miku, is recognized as a key player in the expanding virtual digital human market. Reports forecast rapid market growth from 2025 to 2032, with Crypton featured alongside companies like Microsoft, ELLASSAY, and UneeQ. Crypton leverages its expertise in developing virtual characters not only for entertainment and music but also in advertising and digital identity applications. Their contributions are increasingly cited in discussions about digital human innovation, highlighting their influence in both consumer and industry-facing virtual human technologies.
Curiosity Inc. is a Japanese creative studio specializing in immersive digital experiences, particularly through XR (AR/MR) technology. The company has been actively involved in the development of digital human technologies, including digital human archives and generative AI applications. Notably, Curiosity was responsible for developing the app Twipet, which uses generative AI to simulate pet speech in real time. The company is also developing AR applications such as AVATAVI for Meta Quest and interactive XR experiences like Circus Toyland. Through participation in events like XR Kaigi and collaborations involving digital human-based tourism and entertainment projects, Curiosity positions itself at the intersection of entertainment, AI, and extended reality, aiming to integrate digital humans into real-world applications and storytelling.
CyberAgent Inc. has positioned itself as a major force in the development of digital human technology in Japan, integrating AI, 3DCG, and XR across entertainment and advertising sectors. The company established the Digital Human Research Center in 2021 and operates CyberHuman Productions, which specializes in realistic 3DCG models of celebrities and digital twins for marketing, advertising, and live performances. In collaboration with NVIDIA, CyberAgent has enhanced its photorealistic digital human capabilities through platforms like Omniverse. Their research also focuses on generative AI for facial animation, audio-driven expression synthesis, and real-time CG production. The company has showcased applications such as AI-generated CG characters in ads, virtual concerts, and digital human concierges, and has invested in infrastructure like 4D scanning and volumetric video. Their digital human solutions are used in marketing campaigns, metaverse environments, and dynamic content creation, supported by their proprietary language model “CyberAgent LM.” Through this integrated ecosystem of research labs, AI development, and production teams, CyberAgent continues to drive innovation in Japan’s digital human and AI-powered media landscape.
Cyber AI Productions was established in September 2023 through the merger of two companies, Six-Second Planning and CyberHuman Productions, under CyberAgent. The new entity focuses on maximizing advertising effectiveness by integrating advanced AI and 3DCG technologies. It specializes in the planning and production of digital human and 3DCG content, including real-time and metaverse-based virtual events. Closely tied to CyberAgent’s AI Lab and the Digital Human Research Center, Cyber AI Productions works on photorealistic digital human generation, Japanese language speech precision, and generative AI applications for advertising. The company represents CyberAgent’s broader initiative to advance creative production using cutting-edge digital human and virtual production technologies tailored to the Japanese market.
DataGrid Inc. is a Kyoto-based AI startup founded in 2017 that develops generative AI technologies, with a core focus on creating highly realistic digital humans. These digital humans are photorealistic, fully synthetic representations of people, generated using GAN (Generative Adversarial Network) technology. The company’s offerings include tools for generating human faces, full-body models, clothing, and motion, supporting various industries such as advertising, tourism, entertainment, retail, and virtual events. DataGrid has collaborated with partners including Keihan Holdings, NIKKEI, and NTT to produce promotional content, conduct R&D on interactive AI agents, and deploy digital human-guided videos in real-world applications. The company is positioning itself as a key player in Japan’s synthetic data and digital human ecosystem and is preparing for IPO as it expands its role in AI-powered communication, simulation, and creative production.
DELTA-V is a Japanese entertainment company specializing in the production and management of virtual characters, particularly for VTubers, virtual singers (Vsingers), and other digital performers. The company offers services ranging from character creation and audition-based talent recruitment to real-time content operation and goods sales through its official shop. DELTA-V organizes frequent VTuber audition events on platforms like SHOWROOM and OPENREC, where successful candidates debut using pre-designed virtual avatars. It is also behind the "Denshi Yosei Project" (Electronic Fairy Project), a multimedia initiative featuring original characters and merchandise. The company is based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, and actively recruits creators and performers while operating multiple themed audition campaigns, product lines, and digital entertainment projects.
Digital Humans, Inc. is a Japan-based company specializing in the development and deployment of conversational AI-powered digital humans to enhance user experiences in sectors such as customer service, employee engagement, healthcare, and education. Using technologies like ChatGPT and Unreal Engine's MetaHuman, the company creates hyper-realistic digital avatars that combine natural conversation with emotional expression. Their offerings include digital human design, integration services, SaaS platforms, free trials, and eBooks guiding businesses on best practices. Collaborating with major partners like NEC, KDDI, Dentsu Digital, and ReadSpeaker, Digital Humans also contributes to industry initiatives such as the Digital Human Council. Applications include virtual assistants, digital twins, AI YouTubers, healthcare companions, and interactive educational tools. The company is headquartered in Ashiya, Hyogo, and positions its platform as a key player in the evolving AI-powered digital experience economy.
Gatebox Inc. is a Japanese company known for developing character-based AI communication devices, particularly its signature product, the Gatebox—a cylindrical display that enables users to interact with 3D virtual characters. Originally launched with the anime-style AI character Azuma Hikari, Gatebox integrates conversational AI, such as ChatGPT and GPT-4o, to enhance natural interaction. The company has expanded its offerings to AI-powered customer service solutions like "AI Kanji" and "AI Baito" for restaurants and retail, leveraging digital humans in real-world applications. Gatebox collaborates with companies like Sharp, NEC, and Asukanet on emerging technologies, including full-body holographic displays and metaverse experiences. Gatebox's role in events such as SHARP Tech-Day, Tokyo Game Show, and its partnerships with national initiatives demonstrates its position at the forefront of Japan's AI avatar and digital human ecosystem.