Nijisanji

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 towards livestreaming instead of edited video and clips that was the standard for VTubers like Kizuna Ai.[11]

The name NIJISANJI (written in capital letters) was created by mixing two words in Japanese, two-dimensional 二次元 (nijigen) and three-dimensional 三次元 (sanjigen). 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 iPhone X native Animoji feature to capture the user facial expression to animate the Live2D avatar. The app can connect with streaming software.[12]

In May 2019, 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.[13] The service would eventually be shut down on 31 December 2019 with all its participants continuing activities on their own.[14]

In January 2020, Nijisanji officially opened the English version of its twitter accounts which were followed by an English Youtube account in June.[15] Also as part of their attempt to appeal to the English speaking audience, they rebranded their Indian branch (Nijisanji IN) into a broader English branch (Nijisanji EN). However, in November, the three members of Nijisanji EN were returned to their original Nijisanji India 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 April 30, 2021.[16]

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.[17]

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.[18]

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.

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.[19] It was followed by OBSYDIA in July and Ethyria in October.

On 17 May 2021, Ichikara officially renamed itself to AnyColor.[20]

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 Everland, Mysta Rias, and Vox Akuma. A debut program was hosted by Elira Pendora and Oliver Evans.[21] Luxiem marked the debut of the first English-speaking male talent wave from a big vtuber agency.[22]

On February 17, Anycolor announced the merger of Nijisanji ID and Nijisanji KR into the main Nijisanji branch starting on April 15, 2022. As part of the merger, the official social media accounts of the two branch would ceased operation and the ongoing audition for their latest generation for both would be cancelled.[23]

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

On March 16, 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 March 20.

On April 1, 2022, several vtubers transsexualized as an April Fool's Day project.[24]

In 2022, it was announced that Nijisanji's vtuber will collaborate with Yuya Tegoshi.[25]

First Wave

Second Wave

Gamers
Nijisanji Gamers was later merged with the first Nijisanji group and Nijisanji SEEDS in December 2018 becoming a single group name Nijisanji.[30]

SEEDs
Nijisanji SEEDS was later merged with the first Nijisanji group and Nijisanji Gamers in December 2018 becoming a single group name Nijisanji.[30]

VOIZ
Originally created in June 2018 as an all-male group focusing on music and voice drama,[31] the group was quickly disbanded with two of its members transferred into SEEDS (which later merged into the main branch) by the end of the year.[32][33]

2019 Wave

2020 Wave

2021 Wave

• Axia Krone (アクシア・クローネ)
• Lauren Iroas (ローレン・イロアス)
• Leos Vincent (レオス・ヴィンセント)
• Oliver Evans (オリバー・エバンス)
• Lain Paterson (レイン・パターソン)

2022 Wave

• Umise Yotsuha (海妹四葉)
• Amagase Muyu (天ヶ瀬むゆ)
• Ponto Nei (先斗寧)

Nijisanji NetWORK (former members; program terminated)

These two are still active VTubers but they are no longer officially affiliated with Nijisanji.

• Tenkai Tukasa (天開司)
• Fairys-chan (ふぇありす)

Nijisanji expanded its operational area to Indonesia under the name Nijisanji ID. Nijisanji ID made its debut on 26 - 27 October 2019 at Creator Super Fest Jakarta with VTuber named Hana Macchia, ZEA Cornelia, and Taka Radjiman. After that Nijisanji ID re-opened the registration of VTuber, the next registered VTuber members were Miyu Ottavia, Azura Cecillia, Nara Haramaung, Layla Alstroemeria, Rai Galilei, Riksa Dhirendra, and Amicia Michella.[34][35] Merged with the main Nijisanji group in April 2022.[23]

Was temporary rebranded as Nijisanji EN (Nijisanji English) before reverting back to Nijisanji IN. The branch operation was suspended on 30 April 2021 and all members retired at the same time.[38][39]

• Aadya
• Noor
• Vihaan

Merged with the main Nijisanji group in April 2022.[23]

1.5 Wave

These members were formerly part of an agency named 541 E&C, which merged with Nijisanji KR on 25 January, 2020.

• Moarin
• Gaon
• Kaen
• Lorou
• Han Chiho
• Hakuren

The second group to be named Nijisanji English after the rebranded Nijisanji India.

VirtuaReal is a branch of Nijisanji that was created in partnership with the Chinese media site, Bilibili. Apart from their VTubers/VUP's (what VTubers are called in Chinese), VirtuaReal has a producer named Tokimori Seisa.

Members of VirtuaReal Star are the VTuber identities of popular, pre-established Chinese content creators and celebrities on Bilibili.

• Ling Yuan Yousa - Identity: Ling Yuan Yousa, singer and Vocaloid producer
• Sakura Haruka - Identity: Ruanruanbing, MC and vlogger
• Nanako - Identity: Cai Ming, actress
• Zuya Naxi
• Hanser
• Ureme

VirtuaReal Link is similar to the former Nijisanji NetWORK partnership program such that independent VTubers are given technical support from Ichikara Inc. "Super Virtual High School" (SVHS) is the unit name for four members.