GREE, a Japanese internet company, is actively involved in digital human, VTuber, and metaverse development through its dedicated research arm, GREE VR Studio Lab (now part of REALITY, Inc.). The company has invested in the creation and implementation of digital humans across XR, AR/VR, and AI technologies, particularly for entertainment, education, and advertising. GREE has hosted events such as the #VRSionUp! workshops and CCSE conferences, promoting research on human-like avatars, 3D makeup, and expressive control systems for VTubers. Its VR Studio Lab collaborates with academic and industry groups to push digital human realism and interactivity. GREE has also been highlighted in collaborations involving large-scale digital human projections, holograms, and real-time character interactions. Its broader ecosystem ties into social networking and gaming origins (e.g., mixi, GREE platform), now expanded to the development of immersive digital identity and AI-based content creation platforms.
Gugenka is a Japanese XR technology company specializing in metaverse content, virtual influencers, and digital humans. It produces VR/AR/MR experiences and 3D avatars, often collaborating with anime IPs and media franchises. Gugenka develops low-cost avatar-based animation systems and participates in projects integrating digital humans into virtual exhibitions, customer interaction systems, and accessibility tools such as audio-based learning for visually impaired users. The company also co-develops platforms with partners like NTT and ReadSpeaker to enhance digital human applications in customer service and education. It has showcased work at major events such as XR Kaigi, CEDEC, and Tokyo Game Show, where its digital humans and holographic experiences are highlighted. Gugenka’s initiatives reflect a focus on creating emotionally resonant, immersive digital identities within the metaverse and beyond. CEO Masafumi Mikami plays an active public role in promoting its vision.
Horipro, a prominent Japanese talent agency established in 1960, has expanded into the digital human space with its 2024 collaboration with Dentsu to create a virtual version of actress Rika Adachi. This marked Horipro’s first AI-generated talent and part of a broader initiative to explore synthetic characters for entertainment, communication, and metaverse applications. The project produced a highly realistic 3D avatar capable of real-time interaction and multilingual support, showcasing Horipro’s interest in extending talent representation into digital platforms. While Adachi’s digital twin remains the only publicly known example, the move reflects Horipro’s strategic shift toward leveraging AI and synthetic media in its talent management business.
INCS toenter Co., Ltd., founded in June 2004 and based in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, is a Japanese entertainment production and management company specializing in music, voice acting, and digital content. The company manages a wide range of creators including artists, writers, illustrators, and VTubers, and operates in both physical and virtual entertainment spaces. It is particularly active in the anime, Vocaloid, and VTuber sectors, having produced digital characters like Ci flower for CeVIO AI and partnered in large-scale multimedia projects such as HoneyWorks Premium Live. INCS toenter also runs associated labels like Ixy Music and supports the planning, production, and distribution of music, live events, and virtual performances.
In 2025, KDDI launched a next-generation customer support service called the "au Support AI Advisor," developed in collaboration with Digital Humans, Inc. This service integrates generative AI with a 3D digital human named "Nagisa," designed to provide a lifelike, friendly, and conversational interface for handling customer inquiries via voice and text. It aims to enhance user experience through natural interactions and improved accessibility. The system was showcased at MWC Barcelona 2025 and developed with technical support from ARISE analytics, a KDDI–Accenture joint venture. KDDI positions this initiative as a key part of its digital transformation and AI integration strategy to improve customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Kizuna AI, one of the earliest and most prominent VTubers, has resumed activities under the name "KizunaAI" and signed an agent contract with Asobisystem to expand her music career internationally. Recent developments also associate her presence with broader digital human and virtual influencer trends, as seen in various mentions of her role in immersive experiences, digital ballet projects, and tourism-related AI guides. These activities position Kizuna AI as both a cultural icon and a representative case of the convergence between virtual idols and digital human technologies.
Mawari, a technology company specializing in 3D and XR content streaming, is advancing digital human development through its "Digital Human-as-a-Service" (DHaaS) platform. In partnership with Meta Osaka, Mawari has co-developed a next-generation, multilingual AI digital human guide capable of real-time interaction. This guide is being used to enhance tourism experiences and public-facing digital services, leveraging Mawari's decentralized infrastructure, the Mawari Network. Their technology supports ultra-realistic, high-resolution digital humans for applications in retail, entertainment, and smart cities, including collaborations with KDDI and deployments at events like MWC Barcelona and Expo 2025 Osaka.
Nijisanji is the official VTuber and virtual livestreamer group operated by ANYCOLOR Inc., with its central platform hosted at nijisanji.jp. The website serves as the primary hub for information about the group's talents, events, merchandise, fan club memberships, and live streaming schedules. It supports both the Japanese (JP) and English-language (EN) branches, offering profiles, voice content, digital goods, and access to large-scale events like the "Nijisanji World Tour" and anniversary campaigns. The site also functions as a central storefront and fan communication portal, reflecting Nijisanji’s global reach and growing presence in the virtual entertainment industry.
NTT has integrated digital human technology into its tech solutions, particularly during the Tour de France. These AI-powered digital human avatars combine machine learning, voice recognition, natural language processing, and conversational AI to deliver real-time race updates in an interactive format. NTT's platform displays human-like avatars that enhance viewer engagement, even in challenging environments like mountainous terrain. Their Digital Human Platform incorporates ChatGPT and is designed to respond dynamically to changing conditions, illustrating NTT's broader strategy of combining immersive technologies with AI to enhance digital experiences in large-scale global events.
NTT Communications (NTT Com) has actively developed and deployed digital human technologies through a range of collaborative projects, particularly involving its AI-powered avatar "CONN." These digital humans are used in customer service, tourism, retail, and remote communication scenarios, integrating voice synthesis, generative AI, and large language models (LLMs) like NTT's "tsuzumi." NTT Com has partnered with companies such as Toei and QONOQ, launching pilot programs in venues like OPEN HUB Park and retail stores to demonstrate human-like interaction. Applications include pharmacy staff simulation, tourism concierges, and on-demand video generation. The company emphasizes co-creation with partners to design personalized, scalable AI-driven customer experiences in real-world environments.