See more on Twitter or Pinterest.

More…

The Best of the #ToonMe Challenge

What started out as a sketchy mirror selfie evolved into a viral new art challenge.

The #ToonMe Challenge began on January 7th, 2020, when artist and illustrator René Córdova posted a half-real, half-drawn selfie to his Instagram.

His caption for the photo was simple: #toonme #challenge. Since then, the #ToonMe hashtag has amassed over 100,000 posts on Instagram.

After learning of the founder of the #ToonMe Challenge, fellow artists have left comments to express their support and gratitude.

Thank you for creating this challenge! AND awesome work on yours! ????

bella_mae_artist

Thank you so much for this awesome challenge! I found out so many cool artist with this challenge

pmkart

Thanks for this fun challenge ! ???? I loved drawing mine ! And it’s so cool seeing my feed full of all those awesome #toonme participations ! ????

amunade

Just found out you started this trend ???????????? great idea!! Was a ton of fun.

animikecartoons

We love things that blur the line between fiction and reality. Especially artwork!

This appears to be the first viral new art challenge of is 2020, and it’s only January.

Subscribe to the nitrotaku Newsletter, and we’ll keep you updated on art challenges and other new trends that relate to Japanese pop culture.

“We’re here to keep you up to date on all aspects of otaku culture, as well as shine a spotlight on some of our favorite artists.”

EDITOR

At nitrotaku, one of our goals is to find and spotlight artists that we feel produce stunning work, and make this hobby what it is.

To this end, we’ve decided to feature some of these artists and their artwork on our website.

At its core, “art” is one of the main factors that make up “otaku culture,” and we hope you appreciate these artists and enjoy their artwork as much as we do.

---

Porter Robinson x chloma

In a Twitter thread, Porter Robinson announced his collaboration with Japanese high fashion brand chloma.

The collection, titled ‘CHLOMA + VIRTUALSELF: Human-Error:LAMENT’, combines music, fashion, and the virtual world in all the right ways.

However, this isn’t just a merch drop. This is fashion for a cause.

“All of my profits on the Chloma collaboration will go directly to the Robinson Malawi Fund,” Robinson tweeted, “and will be used for direct patient care for pediatric and adolescent lymphoma in Malawi.”

Read about Porter and his brother Mark Robinson’s personal encounter with lymphoma in this UNC Medicine article.

Porter Robinson and chloma aren’t a new pairing, either.

It turns out, the ‘cyber-style’ of the chloma fashion brand actually influenced the creation of Robinson’s ‘Virtual Self’ EP, released in November of 2017.

Further along in the Twitter thread, Robinson reveals, “Chloma was a huge influence on Virtual Self when I was first developing the project in late 2016. In 2018, when I met the brand’s founder, Junya, he told me that Virtual Self had influenced his latest collection too!”

This collection includes a jacket titled Human:Error LAMENT: ANORAK. The anoraks are unisex, and available in both black and white (dubbed “Pathselector & Technic Angel colorways”). There’s one other interesting note to mention—

There are only 120 of them.

“Handmade in Japan; only 70 black anoraks, and 50 white anoraks will be produced.” Robinson tweeted.

The CHLOMA + VIRTUALSELF collection also includes the “UTOPIA” high-neck zip tee, the “SySTEM” skirt, and the “Distant” sweat parka.

A trailer featuring glitch effects and a robotic computer-generated voice was uploaded to the Porter Robinson YouTube channel. The video is linked below.

See the collection for yourself on the Virtual Self chloma Collaboration website.

chloma is a fashion brand that dances the border between virtual and reality.

There used to be some people who called chloma “Uchu-kei” in Reddit. Chloma is influenced by cyber style like y2k fashion, and also by modern practical tech fashion. I want to make clothes that can inspire the future and are suitable for wearing now.

Junya Suzuki, chloma

They primarily deal in coats and jackets, though there are other articles available as well on the chloma website.

At chloma, when choosing their models, they don’t discriminate based on your World of Origin.

Check out this listing for their EMBROIDERED HIGH-NECKED TEE “cosmo” / icegray.

Based on absence of stock, virtual reality + fashion seems to be a winning formula.

chloma also sells an anorak for your virtual avatar to wear (in both One-piece and Parka versions), in case you want your virtual self to be stylish too.

Both come with futuristic virtual shoes and long white virtual socks, so your virtual self stays cozy.

The ‘virtual models’ featured on the chloma store are modeling clothing that can be bought and used in social Virtual Reality games such as VRChat.

See more virtual fashion-selling in action in our article Virtual YouTubers Sell Virtual Fashion at PARK Harajuku.

---

On January 7th, 2019, Russian illustrator Ilya Kuvshinov announced his involvement as character/visual designer and world concept artist for an upcoming anime movie.

On April 26th, 2019, “Birthday Wonderland” was released in Japan.

Fast-forward to January 2nd, 2020, when Ilya Kuvshinov announced the “Birthday Wonderland” U.S. release date…

Birthday Wonderland Release Date

Ilya Kuvshinov revealed on Instagram that the near 2-hour long feature film, titled “The Wonderland” for English audiences, will premiere in U.S. theaters on January 31st.

Watch Birthday Wonderland Now

If you’re wondering “where can I watch Birthday Wonderland?” Well, that depends on your location.

For example, those in Italy can watch the full movie online at Amazon Prime Video, in both Italian subbed and dubbed versions.

The movie is an animated adaptation of the 1988 children’s novel Chikashitsu Kra no Fushigi na Tabi, or Strange Journey from the Basement, written by Sachiko Kashiwaba.

Birthday Wonderland Movie Synopsis:

View the teaser below:

Ghost in the Shell on Netflix

The artist also announced, back in June of 2019, that he would be working on the new Ghost in the Shell series a lead character designer.

Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Release Date

Titled “Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045,” (with SAC meaning Stand Alone Complex), this 3DCG anime will release this year, only on Netflix. The exact release date is unknown – for now, it’s just “coming 2020.”

Japanese animation studios Production I.G. and SOLA Digital Arts will be creating the anime.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex director Kenji Kamiyama, and post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi anime Appleseed director Shinji Aramaki will be directing this Netflix series.

Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Anime Synopsis:

View the teaser below:

About Ilya Kuvshinov

Ilya Kuvshinov is an artist whose professional progress has been well documented over the years.

His earliest Instagram posts date back to 2012, and there’s even a Visual Novel Database entry of his visual novel “00 mem.: ~Le Chat~” from 2009.

The first collection of his works, Momentary: The Art of Ilya Kuvshinov, was published in April of 2017 by publisher PIE International.

He is currently financially supported by his fans on Patreon, as well as through various commissioned projects as a freelance illustrator.

He has drawn the attention of millions with his distinct and cherished illustrations, and his artistic journey is still just beginning.

To celebrate the international release of Keiichia Hara’s Birthday Wonderland, and Ilya Kuvshinov’s involvement in the upcoming Ghost in the Shell Netflix anime, nitrotaku has developed a visual timeline of Ilya Kuvshinov’s collaborative illustration works over the years.

Follow Kuvshinov on Instagram and Twitter.

Ilya Kuvshinov:
The Visual Timeline

2013 to 2014

“Knights of the Void” Motion Comic

NARR8

“Judge Dredd: Anderson, Psi-Division #2” Cover

IDW Publishing

“Silent Hill Downpour: Anne’s Story #3” Variant Cover

IDW Publishing

“Red Fury #26” Cover

BUBBLE Comics

“Red Fury #27” Cover

BUBBLE Comics

2015 to 2016

“Wayward #15” Variant Cover

Image Comics

“Technokinesis” Album Cover

meganeko

“Create Futuristic Manga” Magazine Cover

ImagineFX Magazine

2017 to 2018

“Lord of Vermilion IV” Cards

Square Enix

“BLOSSOM DETECTIVE HOLMES: Selfie with a Strange Intruder”

Steve Ahn

“the fragmented ALiS” Cover

Keiichi Kakoya

“AMU KOKURA 20th – SPRING 2018” Promotion

AMU Plaza Kokura

“Emperor Penguin” Print

PangeaSeed Foundation

CHNGE Illustration

CHNGE

“Sadameya” Cover

Sui Uehara

“AMU KOKURA 20th – SUMMER 2018” Promotion

AMU Plaza Kokura

“No Future Vacances” Album Cover

Sumire Uesaka

“AMU KOKURA 20th – AUTUMN 2018” Promotion

AMU Plaza Kokura

“REAL” Art Exhibition

GoFa (Gallery of Fantastic Art)

“GRIS” Special Edition Posters

Nomada Studio

“AMU KOKURA 20th – Xmas 2018” Promotion

AMU Plaza Kokura

“Fox” Illustration

Procreate

“Love Finds A Way” Single Cover

G.E.M.

2019 to 2020

“Wonderland EP” Single Cover

milet

“Wonderland EP” Music Video

milet

“Birthday Wonderland Official Design Works” Art Book

PIE International x Ilya Kuvshinov

“Birthday Wonderland” Visual Design

Warner Bros. Japan

“Indivisible” RPG Repair Nurse NPC Design

Lab Zero Games

“depth of field” Ad Campaign

NAGASE

Snazzy Enamel Pin

Plush Art Club

“Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045” Character Design

Netflix

“Plastic Sea” Print

PangeaSeed Foundation

---

Whether it’s music videos or RPGs — Waboku is still Waboku.

Animator and illustrator Waboku has risen to prominence with his lively animation and distinct style. Now, his latest project has been revealed (and it’s not entirely music related).

Beyond the story and characters, not much is known about this upcoming title.

According to Gematsu, pre-registrations are already open in Japan.

However, what we’d like to focus on is the game’s Opening Movie.

What immediately grabbed our attention was the artstyle.

Look to the bottom-right corner of the opening movie, and, sure enough, you’ll see its creators:

A “Looking for Real Magic RPG”

“A Story to Find Where You Are”

「ペンタグラム」 “Pentagram”

「騎士」 “Knight”

There it is, the Waboku touch.

The game’s not due out until Spring, and there has been no word on localization as of yet, but we’d be glad to get our hands on a game featuring one of our favorite artists.

What about you?

「WARAU ARS NOTORIA」

『咲う アルスノトリア』

Platform: iOS/Android (planned)

Release Date: Spring 2020 (planned)

Website (Japanese): https://www.arsnotoria.jp/

Story Translation via Gematsu:

“This is a tale weaved for someone in another time and place.

“You” have lost most of your memories and somehow manage to arrive at a secret academy impossible for normal people to see. There, girls known as “Pentagrams” socialize and study to become “proper ladies.” Bestowed with the role of “teacher,” you will spend busy days wrapped around these adolescent girls’ fingers.

However, the glamour of paradise was only a prelude for the grand battle to come against the men known as the “Knights.”

Waboku

Twitter

A talented illustrator and animator, Waboku has been active since 2015, when he released his award-winning, emotional animated short titled “EMIGRE.”

Under creator management company NENENE United, he produced two short films, “VOYNICH” and “Celebrator,” joined by musical duo and fellow NENENE member Terarist.

While under NENENE United, he began animating music videos for various musicians.

Some of his most well-known works have been his music videos for artists Eve and Zutto Mayonaka de ii no ni (Zutomayo).

Recently, he gathered talented animators and directed the music videos for Eve‘s “Baumkuchen End” and Zutomayo‘s “Haze Haseru Haterumade.”

List of Waboku-involved projects thus far:

1. Zutomayo – Haze Haseru Haterumade, Director
2. Eve – Baumkuchen End MV, Director
3. Eve – Dark Night MV, Director & Character Designer
4. Eve – Last Dance MV, Assistant
5. Eve – Tokyo Ghetto MV, Lead Animator
6. Eve – As You Like It MV, Lead Animator
7. Zutomayo – Byoushin wo Kamu MV, Lead Animator
8. Zutomayo – Nouri ue no Cracker MV, Lead Animator
9. Loin – 「ハイタ」 / “Haita” MV, Director and Animator
10. Orangestar feat. IA – 「快晴」 / Kaisei, Animator
11. NENENE – Film Vol. 1 Waboku x Terarist – 「VOYNICH」, Director and Animator
12. NENENE – Film Vol. 2 Waboku x Terarist – 「Celebrator」, Director and Animator
13. 『EMIGRE』, Lead Animator and Director

---

To celebrate, confectionery company Ezaki Glico has united with Virtual YouTuber (and singer) Kizuna AI to celebrate the day honoring these two world-famous stick-shaped snacks: Pocky and Pretz.

Until the 18th, if you buy two boxes of qualifying Pocky or Pretz snacks at participating stores, and scan your receipt on the Pocky website, you’ll be entered for the chance to win a pair of Kizuna AI Limited Edition Drinking Glasses!

111 People will win the pair of Limited Edition Kizuna AI Drinking Glasses.

Also, all those who scan their receipt will receive a store-specific digital picture of Kizuna AI!

Participating stores are: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, MINISTOP, and Daily YAMAZAKI.

This Twitter user was able to pick up Kizuna AI Pocky and Pretz clear files.

This user built a beautiful Pocky and Pretz shrine featuring their Kizuna AI figures.

This user really like Pocky & Pretz… or Kizuna AI…

probably both.

Lastly, a cute drawing of Kizuna AI enjoying Pocky & Pretz!

---

Lawson is reporting that there have been attacks on their servers — possibly from the Abyssal Fleet.

Twitter ・ @C2_STAFF

The Fleet Arrived on October 15th

Convenience store chain Lawson has united two entertainment and confectionery powerhouses to bring us the crossover that we never thought was possible: battleship anime girls and OREOs.

“「KanColle」 × OREO Vanilla Creme Launch!”

The battleship anime we’re referring to is, of course, Kantai Collection, or KanColle for short.

This “Next Generation Fleet Girls Tactical Browser Game,” launched in April of 2013, has players assuming the role of an “admiral” who collects and commands anthropomorphized battleships known as “fleet-girls,” in the fight against the monstrous Abyssal Fleet.

While the game has never been officially released outside of Japan, the anime, movie, charming fleet girls, and a multitude of memes have kept the hype above water worldwide.

That being said…

Here are 3 reasons fans in Japan weren’t so thrilled about Kantai Collection’s latest alliance.

Many Japanese Twitter users suggested that a box of “Milk’s Favorite Cookies” and a magnet aren’t worth the 690 yen price tag (about $6.35).

“That’s expensive… I’m not buying.”

“MISSION: Preservation of KanColle Oreo in LAWSON has been successfully completed.

The cashier was an old lady, and was like ‘why are Oreos so expensive’, lol.

Well, I guess she’s right.”

“My cashier told me ‘it’s 690 yen, is that ok?’ lol”

“It’s about 3 times the normal price, so when a cashier who doesn’t know about the collaboration uses the cash register, they’re like ‘is this the right price?’ lol.”

“What if I want to buy every cardboard shipping box? Would Lawson-san be happy with that? LOL”

“It costs 690 yen per box of Oreos, it’s impossible!!! That’s 7 Boxes of Bisco!!!”

Several people expressed that they would rather Lawson have collaborated with YBC’s Noir.

“In the past, YBC has produced the original Oreo cookies under license for the Japanese market. When the contract ended, YBC launched the NOIR series to supply customers with the high quality that they were used to. Many Japanese prefer the NOIR series because of its fine sweetness and high quality.”

NipponShop

“If you’re Japanese, eat Noir, lol.

(Yamazaki Nabisco split into Yamazaki Biscuits and Nabisco)

(Oreo used to be made in Japan, but now it’s made in China)”

“690 yen for only one magnet?

Chinese-made Oreo seems to lust for more profits. [approx.]

I’m not interested in these magnets, so I’ll eat some Japanese-made Noir.”

あっ、ノアールじゃない方ですね。ﾒﾓﾒﾓ

— てつ@まったり (@tetsu_2007) September 25, 2019

“Ah, it isn’t Noir. *takes notes*”

なぜノアールじゃn

— どんすう (@trariver) September 25, 2019

“Why isn’t it Noir?”

ノアールの方が旨いんだよなぁ今は…(個人的感想

— まぐに (@maguni_suzuri) September 25, 2019

“Noir is more delicious now (in my opinion)”

中国産てす。
残念だ！食べない。

— sinon (@kagk184sinon) October 11, 2019

“It’s Made in China.

What a Shame! I’m not buying.”

However, these two problems may not be so serious, considering the last complaint.

“Okay, the night shift is over… (i’m tired)…

I went to the closest Lawson to the company.

There’s no Oreos, but there’s a few goods left.”

“I only needed to go to 3 different Lawsons to find a trace of the campaign.

(There weren’t even 2 boxes left)…”

Regardless of the backlash…

We’ve collected tweets from those who were able to “GET!” them a box of KanColle OREOs.

Visit our Twitter Moment for more!

“OREO and Happo-chan…secured!!”

“I bought Oreos.”

“There was only 1 box of Oreos left! I thank the person who didn’t buy up all the stock!”

“I’ll be snacking on Oreos for a while lol”

“I bought KanColle OREO at Lawson!

Also, there were a few IDOLMASTER clear files.

My house is getting full of sweets I bought at the convenience store…”

“Good Morning!

This time, I only bought Oreos!”

“I went to Lawson and got Kancolle OREO～

I’ll eat it later”

“Ah, I found Oreo. It’s still here!”

“Oreo Opening!”

“Oreos and OREO with a fried egg and tree hat.

Oreo is so cute～ and I took the pictures while talking to him.”

“My OREO magnet was Mizuho-san!”

“My KanColle Oreo was Richelieu.”

“My magnet was Sigiri!”

“I got KanColle Oreo!

When I opened it, it was a secret Hatsuyuki”

Many artists depicted the Kantai Collection girls themselves participating in the event.

“Oreo Time”

“Oreo!”

“Oreo…delicious…”

“Fubuki and a night drive.

She’s eating Oreos.”

“Even though it’s kinda pointless, I added a seatbelt lol

(You have to wear it while driving!)”

“A picture of finally buying Oreos.”

“Hoppo-chan finally found Oreos.”

---

PARK Harajuku

Operating under the theme fashion × otaku × creation, PARK uses various collaborations, promotions, and events to help anime fans find their style.

Through one such event, known as “VIRTUAL REALI-T,” PARK sought to connect fans directly with their idols through the medium of fashion.

We thought we’d chronicle this event for those who, like us, need a bit more Virtual in their Reality.

May 26th, 2019

*Find the original Japanese schedule & introductions at Mogura VR.

Twitter ・ @TorahArc

12:00 – 12:45 PM

Hitomasu Modoru (@00unit) & Lily

• Freelance DTP artist who works mainly on typography and editorials.
• He is also active in COMIC X-EROS and other magazines, creating original manga under “Kamiya Zuzu.”

• Lily, who woke up one morning as a girl, aims to be her ideal girl.
• She works hard to maintain her “Mekakure-Pink” hairstyle.

Twitter ・ @TorahArc

1:00 – 1:45 PM

Hikagami Hinami (@moucou) & Kinari-chan

• Illustrator / Designer.
• Draws lovely girls with an “analog taste,” and makes dreamy miscellaneous goods.
• Big eater.
• Recently has had a crush on the VRoid costumes.

• A 14-year-old with lavender colored hair, who traveled to Tokyo to wear cute clothes.
• Because she’s a young lady, she’s never worn sneakers.
• She doesn’t dislike waiting in line for the pink cafes in Harajuku.

Twitter ・ @minamitary

Twitter ・ @TorahArc

2:00 – 2:45 PM

Shinichiro Miyazaki (@rgrphs) & Ghost

• Freelancer.
• Involved in 3DCG, Graphic Design, and soaking umeboshi (Japanese plums).

“A virtual figure doesn’t necessarily have to be beautiful.”

• He appears as though he found his true nature by gazing into the abyss.

Twitter ・ @oplant

3:00 – 3:45 PM

Mahoro Nijino (@nijinomahoro)

• This 19-year-old college student started her career broadcasting on Niconico in July 2017.
• She has experience as a web media newscaster dealing with VTuber-related topics, and has even hosted real VTuber events.
• She also posts various project videos and collaboration videos with other VTubers on her YouTube.
• Currently, she’s also in charge of a news program called “Weekly MoguLive!” for VTuber fans.

• With the help of a high-performance 3D scanner, this 19-year-old college student has acquired a perfectly reproduced virtual body.
• She stands in front of you in the same form as the real-world Mahoro Nijino, and will serve you as a virtual sales clerk.

NERIMA CITY　Twitter ・ @tukkiy03

Twitter ・ @oplant

4:00 – 4:45 PM

clocknote. (@clocknote) & Tokine Karu

• Designer.
• Member of BALCONY.
• Can work in any medium, such as product packaging, book binding, Web, UI, etc. (mostly focused in the entertainment field).
• As hobbies, he’s a VJ (video jockey), composer, & more.
• Songwriter (words & music) for the Nijisanji JK-Group’s “dream triangle.”

• A person born on the internet as an avatar for clocknote.
• Works everyday researching at the virtual laboratory “Tokine Karu Lab.”

Twitter ・ @TorahArc

Twitter ・ @minamitary

5:00 – 5:45 PM

Terada Tera (@trcoot) & Uome

• Draws vivid pastel illustrations, mainly for girls.

• An immortal mermaid on the brink of death who fled the deep sea in search of Iekei Ramen and 4G!
• She’s often battered by shark attacks, but it’s fine as long as she goes to sleep.

Twitter ・ @minamitary

6:00 – 6:45 PM

itopoid (@itopoid)

• VTuber working as a virtual salesperson.
• Participated in #バーチャルティッシュ配り (Virtual Tissue Distribution), #バーチャルスタッフ (Virtual Staff), #バーチャル貨物トラック (Virtual Cargo Truck) #ニコ超テレ東ブース (Nico Super TV Tokyo Booth), #バーチャルツクモ店員 (Virtual TSUKUMO Clerk), and other events.
• The type of VTuber with no choice but to work.
• Also known as a portable vending machine.
• She’s a virtual sales clerk in virtual Harajuku today, taking a 180 degree turn from the usual and serving customers with street style.
• She’ll speak casually, and wear her own T-Shirt design.

Twitter ・ @wogura

7:00 – 7:45 PM

Ryo Asakura (@seventhgraphics) & Liang-Liang

• Freelance CG artist who works primarily on photo-realistic video and graphics production.
• Does basically anything requested of him, including photography, music, and design, while working in CG.

• Real Name (Self-Proclaimed): 蔡涼華 (Tsai Lianghua)
• University student located in Greater China with a “bit of Japanese heritage.”
• Your superficial older sister who claims she’s from Taiwan, yet can’t speak Chinese.
• Dreams of working as a CG artist in the future.

Twitter ・ @PARK_HARAJUKU

September 14th, 2019

*Find the original Japanese schedule & introductions at Mogura VR.

Twitter ・ @moucou

12:00 – 12:50 PM

Ryo Asakura (@seventhgraphics) & Liang-Liang

• Advertising video, CG, and motion graphics creator.
• Usually makes CM’s (Commercial Messages/TV ads), VP’s (Video Packages), advertising visuals, etc. for major companies.
• Also, if you ask him, he’s a cameraman, designer, etc. who can do anything.

• Real Name (Self-Proclaimed): 蔡涼華 (Tsai Lianghua)
• University student located in Greater China with a “bit of Japanese heritage.”
• Your superficial older sister who claims she’s from Taiwan, yet can’t speak Chinese.
• Dreams of working as a CG artist in the future.

Twitter ・ @PARK_HARAJUKU

1:00 – 1:50 PM

Hitomasu Modoru (@00unit)

• Freelance DTP artist who works mainly on typography and editorials.
• In charge of creating VRoid Mobile clothing brand logos.
• Besides that, he is also active in COMIC X-EROS and other magazines, creating original manga under “Kamiya Zuzu.”
• His favorite TSFs (TransSexual Fiction/Fantasy) are now the ones where they wake up as a woman.

• Lily woke up one morning as a girl, and she brought her various attributes with her.
• She continues her repeated days of laziness, and, even as a girl, still only wears oversized hoodies.
• She seems to like extremely spicy food.

2:00 – 2:50 PM

Hikagami Hinami (@moucou) & Kinari-chan

• An illustrator and designer who is good at fluffy illustrations and dreamy designs.
• Likes to creating things across different mediums and subject matter.
• Works on stage costume design and VTuber costume design.
• Created the illustration for NekoHacker‘s song “Chocolate Adventure.”
• Managed the live direction for singer Nanahira.
• Director of watercolor painter Pata‘s book of paintings.
• Active as a multi-media art director.
• Site: https://moucou.work/

• Model for the virtual brand “unnun.”
• Favorite brand is REDValentino.
• Because she’s a young lady, she’s never worn sneakers.
• Yearns for streetwear.
• Really wants to buy all of her autumn outfits right now.
• While wearing clothing created by Hinami today, she’ll share behind-the-scenes stories about its production.

Twitter ・ @hoshi_mayuki

Twitter ・ @hoshi_mayuki

3:00 – 3:50 PM

clocknote. (@clocknote) & Tokine Karu

• Designer by day, music producer by night.
• Member of BALCONY.
• Started making songs by producing the Nijisanji JK-Group’s song “dream triangle.”
• Can work in any medium, such as product packaging, book binding, Web, UI, etc. (mostly focused in the entertainment field).
• Itopoid said to clocknote, “FaceRig is difficult in person, become 3D,” so clocknote learned Unity and started creating their own Live2D broadcast tool.
• Site: https://clocknote.net/

• Was born on the Internet as a convenient avatar for clocknote..
• After experiencing multiple project cancellations, and almost no activity, it appears they beg their mother for work creating LINE stamps.
• Since it’s an event, they’ll be really happy if their turn goes well.

Twitter ・ @masshi20

4:00 – 4:50 PM

itopoid (@itopoid)

• VTuber working as a virtual salesperson.
• Participated in #バーチャルティッシュ配り (Virtual Tissue Distribution), #バーチャルスタッフ (Virtual Staff), #バーチャル貨物トラック (Virtual Cargo Truck) #ニコ超テレ東ブース (Nico Super TV Tokyo Booth), #バーチャルツクモ店員 (Virtual TSUKUMO Clerk), and other events.
• Recently in charge of VTuber broadcast planning and production.
• Also known as a portable vending machine.
• She’s working so hard that she’s beginning to go crazy. She wants to put her passion for finishing the work on time into her design, so she works on her virtual T-Shirt even while wearing it.
• Oh? She’s working again…
• The “Cinderella Time” (fixed time) shown on the back of the design is 7:00 PM.
• If the magic is ever undone, she looks forward to seeing a smile appropriate for your age!

Twitter ・ @itopoid

Twitter ・ @nonzka

5:00 – 5:50 PM

kikiyu (@atatame_m) & Kikiyu

• Creates new experiences, mainly through fashion, while discovering the possibilities between virtual and real.
• Also working as an illustrator.
• In charge of artwork and video for the following songs:
• “White Happy (Cover),” “Beast Dance (Cover),” and “Irony (Cover)” by KMNZ
• “Neon Light (Cover)” by somunia
• “Ai Wo Tsutaetai Datoka (Cover),” and “Lovin’ You (Cover)” by EMMA HAZY MINAMI

Twitter: https://twitter.com/atatame_m

• A Ragdoll cat with her beret and blue eyes as her charm points.
• She likes packs of fruits au lait and cute girls.
• She’ll do something for a cute girl who shows up.

Twitter ・ @altail_kmnz

Twitter ・ @Miketsuba

Twitter ・ @atatame_m

Twitter ・ @nkjzm

6:00 – 6:50 PM

Takanashi Metro (@clocknote)

• Made her debut on June 22, 2019.
• Came to work as a VTuber from a fantasy world.
• Likes animals and singing and eating.
• She’s extremely bad at games, but she’s getting better everyday……possibly.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/takanashi_metro

• “Since my mom sends me the cutting-edge of cute fashion, I want to bring cute fashion to the world!
• So, I decided to take part in VIRTUAL REALI-T.
• I’m nervous since it’s my first time serving customers, but I look forward to meeting all of you!”

7:00 – 7:50 PM

Mahoro Nijino (@nijinomahoro)

• 19-year-old college student living in Nerima.
• Began on Niconico → took a break for high school entrance exams → returned as an intern in news media on YouTube.
• Currently, she’s the lead caster of a news program called “Weekly MoguLive!“ for VTuber fans.
• Although her video posting frequency has decreased, and she’s a bit impatient, she wants to do her best at the event.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nijinomahoro

• “Since I would always wear my indoor clothes during my earlier videos, I was called things like ‘no shoes’ or ‘broke college girl.’
• But I do have shoes.
• This time, I’ve prepared a T-Shirt to let everyone know about the freedom of not wearing shoes, and that alive feeling you get through the pain in the sole of your feet!
• Everyone! Come see ‘Mahoro’s Ogre Sales Pitch!’”

“The shop, managed by unit www, is located in Harajuku, the center of fashion culture.

“Their aim is to create an entirely new platform through connecting the foreign cultures of anime and manga, subculture and fashion, to create a place where customers (users) can find a new culture and new them.”

– Tokyo Otaku Mode

---

Talent management and merchandising company eStream has teamed up with convenience store chain FamilyMart, hobby shop and “Exciting Book Store” Village Vanguard, and animate, the store for all things anime, as well as 16 different Virtual YouTubers, to bring us our latest taste of the Virtual World:

One bag costs 242 yen ($2.26), and event organizer eStream is selling boxes of the chips on their website for 2,904 yen ($27.13) per box, with 12 bags of chips per box.

For 3 lucky winners, eStream is also hosting a giveaway of the Complete VTuber Card Set on Twitter.

1. “Follow the eStream Twitter Account and Quote-Retweet this tweet.
2. Use the hashtag #VTuberチップス and yell your favorite VTuber.

Example: HAKARI KANNAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! #VTuberチップス

Village Vanguard is also doing a giveaway. (until 10/22)

The image says, with every purchase of 6 bags comes a random clear file.

Giveaway Instructions:

1. Follow the Village Vanguard Twitter Account and Quote-Retweet this tweet.
2. Use the hashtag #VTuberチップス and yell your favorite VTuber.

Example: FUJI AOIIIIII (character limit) #VTuberチップス

There are 48 different cards in total: 16 Normal (N) cards, 16 Rare (R) cards, and 16 Super Rare (SR) cards (one of each tier for each participating VTuber).

We’ve collected the reactions from some of the most excited (and a few unlucky) fans!

Visit our Twitter Moment for more.

“I’m home! Itadakimasu! (~Let’s eat!)”

“Sora-chan! I got it!!! I’m so happy!!!!”

“I trusted Sora-chan and made a detour, and was able to safely pick up a clear file!!!!! I’m so happy!!!!!”

“I bought them immediately!

I didn’t get Sora-chan on my first time…but I got Sora-chan’s buddy, Aoi-chan!

And I got 2 Yomemi-chans, who collaborated with Sora-chan…This is a miracle!”

“I got a Normal one.”

“AAAAAAAA!! I GOT SORA!!!!!”

“Baaa~ Finally, I got ‘Deron’ [nickname for Kaede Higuchi]

Baaa… Cat-Deron is cute~”

“A template. (all hand-made)

Use it freely everyone! (don’t abuse it)”

“I got myself! I’m so happy!! hahahaha”

“two cards hahaha”

“I bought two bags and got my card both times!!!! Wow!!!!!”

“Where are you selling these?”

“Hell”

“I didn’t get the hololive group that I wanted, but I’m satisfied.

But Baacharu this is you? lol”

“I bought a lot of clear files!”

“Does anyone want to duel me?”

“I bought a lot.

I’ll record a video of me opening them and upload it later.”

“I’m looking to trade!

Looking for: RukiRoki, Shiro, Fubuki, cards I don’t have.

Trading: Any equivalent exchange to some extent, cards you don’t have.

※ SR cards are not in the picture, but we can definitely trade those.”

“(I didn’t get Fubuki’s SR so I’m personally defeated…)”

“I bought 10 boxes (120 bags) and got 9 SRs.

There’s not always 1 SR per box.

I hope this is helpful for those thinking about buying them after tomorrow!

By the way, the N and R cards are very cute (except for some), so be sure to buy more!”

“’except for some’ lol”

“It seems there’s been a mistake, and a real horse got mixed in with the others (jk)”

1. Mirai Akari
2. Nekomiya Hinata
3. Dennou Shojo Siro
4. Baacharu
5. Tanaka Hime・Suzuki Hina
6. Yomemi・Moemi Yomeno
7. Yuzuki Roa
8. Higuchi Kaede
9. Tsukino Mito
10. Shizuka Rin
11. Honma Himawari
12. Tokino Sora
13. Shirakami Fubuki
14. Fuji Aoi
15. Hakari Kanna
16. Ruki & Roki Sasugano

1. Would you buy one box or two?
2. Which VTuber’s trading card would you hope to pull?
3. Which savory snack will VTubers be selling next?

---

[fts_pinterest type=single_board_pins pinterest_name=nitrotaku board_id=bea-pokemon-fanart pins_count=6]

See more on Twitter or Pinterest.

Bea, the new Fighting-Type Pokémon Gym Leader

From the official Pokemon: Sword and Shield website:

“Bea is a prodigy in Galar karate, carrying on its century-old traditions and techniques.

She’s also an expert on Fighting-type Pokémon!

She’s known for her stoicism and very rarely shows her emotions. It seems her battle style remains very precise, even when she’s backed into a corner!”

Bea’s Gym

Bea is exclusive to Pokemon: Sword Version.

In Pokemon: Shield Version, trainers will face off against the Ghost-type Expert Allister.

From the official Pokemon: Sword and Shield website:

“Allister is a talented Trainer of Ghost-type Pokémon who has taken on the mantle of the Ghost-type Gym Leader at a young age.

He’s extremely shy and fearful, and he always hides his face with a mask when around other people.

He rarely makes public appearances and apparently spends most of his time around ruins or in cemeteries.”

Allister’s Gym

“We’re here to keep you up to date on all aspects of otaku culture, as well as shine a spotlight on some of our favorite artists.”

EDITOR

At nitrotaku, one of our goals is to find and spotlight artists that we feel produce stunning work, and make this hobby what it is.

To this end, we’ve decided to feature some of these artists and their artwork on our website.

At its core, “art” is one of the main factors that make up “otaku culture,” and we hope you appreciate these artists and enjoy their artwork as much as we do.

---

“VR allows the player to truly experience this game’s mystery and suspense.”

Last month we had the opportunity to attend BitSummit 7 Spirits, an indie games festival held in Kyoto, Japan. At BitSummit, attendees can play the newest indie games from around the world, as well as talk with up-and-coming indie developers.

We were eager to talk with the minds behind the indie games that, in our opinion, stood out from the rest. Among these talented developers is a man named Kento Kishigami.

Mr. Kishigami is not only the Executive Producer of the VR mystery visual novel TOKYO CHRONOS, he’s also the CEO of the company behind the game’s development—MyDearest Inc.

Kishigami-san answered a few questions relating to the characters of TOKYO CHRONOS, designed by illustrator LAM, as well as his opinion on the trajectory of VR games.

We hope you enjoy!

This interview was conducted in Japanese and subsequently translated into English.

Check out our original Japanese interview here.

I read that you really pushed for this game to be made. Why did you choose VR as the medium for telling the story of TOKYO CHRONOS?

“VR allows the player to truly experience this game’s mystery and suspense.”

Do you think the future of visual novels, or the future of all games, lies in Virtual Reality?

“I believe VR is, without a doubt, the future of Visual Novels.

I also feel that VR will soon be a popular genre among games in general.”

The characters of TOKYO CHRONOS are really beautiful! Did you have any input when it comes to character design?

“The director, Mr. Haruki Kashiwakura, was the one who instructed LAM. But, for the most part, LAM was able to draw freely.

In VR, you’re able to really “look” at the characters, so LAM’s extraordinary character design skills are on full display.”

The game’s mystery writer went from writing books to writing for a visual novel. Are there challenges that arise when writing a video game that don’t arise when writing a book, such as writing for multiple endings?

“There were times when it was difficult to move freely in a VR scenario.

Also, because we didn’t want large blocks of text, we made the lines shorter than in novels.”

Lastly, is there anything you would like to tell your players in the west?

“We made this game for everyone to enjoy. I encourage all who like story-oriented games to play TOKYO CHRONOS.

Of course it’s a new step for Visual Novels, but I believe it also sets a new standard for all story-oriented VR games.

The game supports English, and we plan to add other languages, such as German, in the future.”

Kento Kishigami is the CEO of MyDearest Inc., a company that specializes in developing games for Virtual Reality. These VR experiences, which they dub “FullDive,” allow players to live within a story if they were the characters themselves.

MyDearest currently has has three VR games under their belt, each themed after a different Japanese medium of entertainment.

1. FullDive LIGHT NOVEL: Innocent Forest

Visual Novels meets Virtual Reality in this ultimate immersive reading experience.
With character dialogue voiced by high-profile voice actors, and illustrated pages turning into 360-degree VR animated scenes, you will be absorbed in the story, and feel as one with the protagonist.

“When you step into this forest, you lose one memory…”
Innocent Forest is fantasy story about a girl called Luclei and the memories of her visitors.
The forest of lost memories: a place where they say you can forget one painful occurrence.
Kei, (voiced by Yusuke Kobayashi) a young man lost in the forest, encounters a mysterious girl named Luclei (voiced by Rina Hidaka) who lives among the woods and gathers a flock of birds.

It is through these birds the past, present and future of lost memories unfolds.

2. FullDive MANGA: The Dream Clinic

An ultimate immersive reading experience based on the concept of “VR x Manga.”
It is a VR manga in which the readers immerse the world of the story as if they become a main character.
All characters are fully voiced by high-profile voice actors so that the readers can also enjoy FullDive MANGA like audio books.
There are two viewer types.

“If you have a scary dream, come back again.”
One day, an innocent little girl, Miki (CV. Aoi Yuki) who has been troubled with nightmares gets a strange flyer.
The flyer guides her into the dream.
There are dream clinics run by tapirs who loves dreams.

Miki courageously gets into the one with the old sign and meets Notte (cv. Hanae Natsuki). He keeps Miki’s nightmare but he doesn’t seem to eat it. Notte just meaningfully smiles. And then they step into Miki’s nightmare again.

Scary dreams. Dreams you do not want to see. And “dreams you do not want to forget”.

Have you had a “nightmare” that you do not want to forget?

3. FullDive ADVENTURE: TOKYO CHRONOS

“The next Visual Novel awaits beyond the screen.” TOKYO CHRONOS is a VR Mystery Visual Novel told in an immersive 360° world. Characters with personality come to life right before your eyes ─ their fate lies in your hands.

An empty, deserted Shibuya where time has frozen over. A suspenseful mystery woven by 8 childhood friends trapped inside. Lost memories; A strange message: “I am dead. Who killed me?”

An empty, deserted Shibuya where time has frozen over. A suspenseful mystery woven by 8 childhood friends trapped inside. Lost memories; A strange message: “I am dead. Who killed me?”

Who is “I”?

Why did we lose our memory?

Who is the killer?

Fragments shattered like a broken mirror. Where does the truth lie?

To kill, or not to kill ─ YOU decide.

# Features

– All-new Visual Novel designed for VR from the ground up

– Engrossing storyline with story duration of est. 15-20 hours

– Over 5,000 lines of professionally voice-acted dialogue

– Multiple routes and endings

# Staff

Director：Haruki Kashiwakura (Expelled from Paradise)

Script：Kou Segawa (Nazozuki Otome)

Producer：Kazuma Miki (Sword Art Online)

Character Design：LAM (Illustrator)

Theme Song：UNLIMITED / Eir Aoi

---