The Virtual Shibuya Halloween Executive Committee (KDDI Corporation, Future Design Shibuya, General Incorporated Foundation Shibuya City Tourism Association) has announced the “Virtual Shibuya au 5G Halloween Festival 2022” (hereinafter referred to as “Virtual Halloween”) on the Shibuya Ward official distribution platform. It was held from October 26th (Wednesday) to 31st (Monday) in "Virtual Shibuya".
This year, the third year of the event, the theme is "Culture Crossing - Shibuya and the world intersect", and together with 16 partners who have agreed, new entertainment that fuses Japanese pop culture and technology from Shibuya. sent to the world.
Furthermore, as a new initiative this year, we also conducted a demonstration experiment at "Digital Twin Shibuya" with the cooperation of "SUMADORI-BAR SHIBUYA", which promotes safe and secure drinking in Shibuya during Halloween.
This year, as attractions that can be enjoyed every day, a huge bathtub of Bub MONSTER BUBBLE, the latest Toyota Corolla Sports appeared in the city for Halloween, a Sadako avatar that wanders around the city, Blackbeard's crisis, etc. provided the crazy experience of
In addition, about 10,000 people board the cable car "Hibari-go" reproduced on "Virtual Shibuya". Continuing from last year, part of the profits from the virtual Halloween including "Hibari" will be donated to the "Children's Table Project" through the children's fund of the Social Welfare Corporation Shibuya Ward Council of Social Welfare.
In addition, this year's "official staff" avatar by "Metajob!" will appear in the virtual space. This time, we recruited general concierges who can speak Japanese and English, and staff who participated from Japan and overseas supported the participants so that they could enjoy the virtual space more.
At the daily event, we will hold a music live by “Moka Sato” and a virtual talk live of idols and VTubers such as “FRUITS ZIPPER” and “Nijisanji”. In addition, participants enjoyed events unique to virtual space, such as a fan meeting of the popular work “Paripi Komei” set in Shibuya. On the final day, a live broadcast of the TV anime "Tokyo Revengers" Halloween Special!!
Through this event, the Virtual Shibuya Halloween Executive Committee has presented a model case of "city-linked metaverse" in which local governments and virtual spaces collaborate, in addition to solving social issues facing Shibuya. Furthermore, as a new initiative this year, in order to aim for a new urban experience in the city of Shibuya during the Halloween season, we will cooperate with "SUMADORI-BAR SHIBUYA", which is conducting drinking enlightenment for use cases in customer service experiences that fuse real and virtual. We also conducted a demonstration experiment at "Digital Twin Shibuya".
In the future, KDDI Corporation, Future Design Shibuya, General Incorporated Association, and Shibuya Ward Tourism Association, including "Virtual Shibuya" and "Digital Twin Shibuya", will continue to stage the "Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project" in Shibuya. We will combine entertainment and communication technology to contribute to next-generation entertainment and urban development of Shibuya.
Comment from Ken Hasebe, mayor of Shibuya Ward
After the tragic accident in Itaewon, South Korea, the number of people in Shibuya increased from the 29th, and I was worried that a similar accident might occur, but thanks to everyone's cooperation, we were able to finish without any major confusion. .
Many people visited Shibuya this Halloween, and while some people deviated from the rules and manners, some groups volunteered to clean up the city. People are the people who protect Shibuya.”
“Virtual Shibuya”, which was created in 2020, is one of them, and Halloween at “Virtual Shibuya” has reached its third year this year, and has ended with great success. People from all over the world, not just Japan, came to the virtual space, and I feel that it has become established as a Shibuya-like Halloween event.
It is expected that the flow of people will recover in the future, and more people will visit Shibuya not only from Japan but from all over the world, but Shibuya will continue to challenge new ways to enjoy the city.
Various event reports
October 26th (Wednesday) "Satomoka Virtual LIVE"
A music live “Satomoka Virtual LIVE” will be held by the singer-songwriter “Satomoka”, who is rapidly gaining popularity mainly on SNS such as TikTok. The live started with "Magic", which was also the opening song of the serial drama. In the second song "Cupid's arrow", the tension rises in the middle and the microphone is muted involuntarily. This was followed by "melt summer" and "permanent magic" performed live by the instrumentalist. At the end, the popular song "melt bitter" came off the stage and performed. The audience was deeply moved by the performance, which felt like a live performance on the street.
October 27th (Thursday) "FRUITS ZIPPER Presents TRICK or FRUITS?"
Three members from the 7-member idol group FRUITS ZIPPER, Amane Tsukiashi, Suzuka Chinzei, and Noel Hayase, will appear for the first time in "Virtual Shibuya". The three people who got off with avatars strolled around the city of Shibuya freely. Fans from overseas commented how happy they were to be able to participate from a faraway country. In the Q&A corner, when asked, "If you're going to dress up for Halloween, do you want this member to wear this costume?" Comment on the costumes that look good on each of them. At the end, they took a group photo with the gathered fans and danced to their signature song “Watashi no Ichiban Kawaii Kokoro”, creating a sense of unity throughout the venue.
October 28th (Friday) Sister Claire x Frenn E. Rustario Two Halloween Party
From the virtual liver group Nijisanji, two people, Sister Claire, who participated for the second time following last year, and Frenn E. Lustario, who appeared for the first time this year, appeared. During the Q&A corner, Frenn announced that she would like to try out a “cheongsam dress” as a cosplay, and the audience commented, “It definitely fits!!” and “I’ve seen it too much!” He also announced the progress of “V Harokos 2022” and gave various impressions to the avatars at the venue, such as “There are really cute girls.” Running around the venue and waving, the fans were excited from beginning to end to interact with the two with a sense of distance that would never be possible in normal times.
October 29th (Sat) "Paripi Komei Halloween Party Eiko Tsukimi x Nanami Kuon"
Kaede Hondo, who plays Eiko Tsukimi, and Hibiki Yamamura, who plays Nanami Kuon, appear as avatars of their respective characters from the popular work "Parapi Komei" set in Shibuya. In the part where he talks about his affection for the character, Mr. Hondo said, "Eiko, who I thought was strong, was struggling to express her sensitivity even during dubbing." , Yamamura commented, "I think Kaede is perfect for the role of Eiko." Yamamura, who also sings songs himself, confessed his strong feelings at the time of the audition, saying, "There are parts that overlap with Nanami, so I definitely wanted to play this role." In addition, the fans at the venue were thrilled with the live dubbing, which was full of presence, and in the "Popular Song Voting" using the questionnaire function, "Dreamer" received the most votes from about half of the fans at the venue. I was. At the end, the two of them descended from the stage to the scramble crossing and danced to the show's opening theme, "Chiki Chiki Bang Bang", together with the participating fans.
October 31st (Monday) TV anime “Tokyo Revengers” Halloween special!
TV anime "Tokyo Revengers" Halloween special! ! was broadcast live on the event stage at the virtual Shibuya scramble crossing. Fans gathered in Shibuya, which is also the stage of the work, and the broadcast was a great excitement. Furthermore, during the event, a photo spot of members of the Tokyo Revengers appeared, and many fans enjoyed taking pictures.
Over 700 entries for the avatar costume contest! Unique avatars enjoy virtual Halloween!
Participants who visited “Virtual Shibuya” with their favorite avatars, such as Halloween costumes and animals, enjoyed playing with their friends and taking pictures. The annual popular avatar costume contest was also held, with more than 700 entries, and the winner was given a luxurious gift.
Virtual Shibuya Overview
"Virtual Shibuya", which celebrates its 3rd anniversary this year, is Japan's first local government-approved city-linked city launched in May 2020 by the "Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project", which is composed mainly of KDDI, Future Design Shibuya, and Shibuya Ward Tourism Association. It is a type metaverse. Since its launch in May 2020, we have regularly held virtual events such as "#Shibuya Ghost in the Shell NIGHT by au 5G", "Virtual Shibuya au 5G Halloween Festival", and "Shibuharu Festival".
More than 1 million people from all over the world have participated and won various awards such as the 7th JACE Event Award Grand Prize, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award and London International Awards 2022 Creativity In The Metaverse Gold.
URL: https://vcity.au5g.jp/shibuya/
List of partner companies
Asahi Breweries, Ltd., Asobisystem Co., Ltd., ASPR Co., Ltd., NHK WORLD JAPAN, Kao Corporation (Bubu MONSTER BUBBLE), KADOKAWA Co., Ltd. (Sadako DX), KAYAC Co., Ltd., Cluster Co., Ltd., Psychic VR Lab (STYLY) ), Smadori Co., Ltd., Takara Tomy Co., Ltd., Tokyu Co., Ltd., Toyoshima Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation, Pal Co., Ltd., Moon Creative Lab Inc. (Metajob!) (in alphabetical order)
