NIJISANJI



Nijisanji (にじさんじ) is a group of mostly 2D-only Virtual YouTubers who are also known as "Virtual Livers" (バーチャルライバー Bācharu Raibā) when posting on sites outside of YouTube, such as NicoNico Douga and Bilibili. The term Liver, coined by mixing Japanese and English, is a heteronym for calling Nijisanji's streamers.

Managed by Ichikara Inc., the group started in Japan in early 2018 and has since expanded to other countries as an international project. As of March 2021, there are 103 active Japanese Nijisanji members, 39 active VirtuaReal members, 16 active NIJISANJI ID members and 17 active NIJISANJI KR members. There are also 5 VirtuaReal Star members and 22 VirtuaReal Link members who are independent VTubers, not considered part of Nijisanji and are only in a network partner system.

There are a large number of Nijisanji Livers in the Top 100 Virtual YouTubers. Kuzuha has the highest number of subscribers in Nijisanji with Tsukino Mito, Kanae and Honma Himawari following close behind.

For the list of original songs released by Nijisanji members and musical units, refer to the following Wiki page: List of Nijisanji Songs.

Technology
Nijisanji Livers usually stream with iPhoneX facial motion capture technology, Live2D models, and the Nijisanji app (commercially unavailable). Although this method is technically simpler and much less expensive than full-body 3D motion tracking equipment, the resulting motion is mostly limited to facial features and has been noted to suffer from stuttering and accuracy issues.

After debuting, Livers are able to receive 2.0 and 3.0 brushups that allow them to expand their range of movement and make more facial expressions. 2.0 and 3.0 brushups are announced through Twitter and are distributed in batches at random times. Those with 3D models are also eligible to receive 3D brushups, which are also announced through Twitter. Updates of any kind are tagged with #にじあぷで on Twitter.

As of May 2021, 95 Livers from Nijisanji's main branch have received 2.0 brushups and 3 have received 3.0 brushups. 3 Livers from Nijisanji ID have received 2.0 brushups and are the only Livers from foreign branches to have received brushups.

In addition to Live2D and conventional full-body 3D motion capture, Nijisanji also supports "Niji 3D" (にじ3D), which allows Livers to stream using their 3D models without a studio. The range of motion for Niji 3D is limited to the upper body and hand tracking.

As of May 2021, 62 Livers from Nijisanji's main branch have received 3D models (including Livers who have used their models in events but haven't had their YouTube debut yet) and 4 have received 3D brushups. 8 Livers from VirtuaReal have received 3D models as well and are the only foreign branch to have received 3D models (not including members from VirtuaReal Link or Star).

2018
On 17 July, Nijisanji announced Chinese and Taiwanese Vtubers as an expansion into those markets. However, they are no longer active within Nijisanji and on April 2019, were transferred to another virtual group called "VEgo" which only lasted for a month before retiring from Youtube entirely.

2019
In April 2019, a new branch of the Nijisanji Project in China called "VirtuaReal" officially began their activities.

On 10 May, they announced the commencement of their Nijisanji NetWORK (にじさんじネットワーク Nijisanji NETTOWAAKU) partnership program which is aimed towards giving support to other virtual talents. The first VTubers to participate in the program were Tenkai Tukasa and Fairys Chan. It was first hinted at on 8 May. Since 31 December 2019, it is no longer operational.

On 19 July, Nijisanji's parent company Ichikara Inc. announced a new branch of the Nijisanji Project in Indonesia called "NIJISANJI ID." Auditions for four initial virtual YouTuber positions were open from 19 July until 4 August, and the selected candidates officially began their activities in September 2019.

On 18 November, Ichikara Inc. announced a new branch of the Nijisanji Project in India called "NIJISANJI IN." Auditions for three initial virtual YouTuber positions were open from 18 November until 2 December, and the selected candidates officially began their activities in January 2020.

On 17 December, Ichikara Inc. announced a new branch of the Nijisanji Project in South Korea called "NIJISANJI KR." Auditions for five virtual YouTuber positions were open from 20 December until 6 January 2020, and the selected candidates officially began their activities in late January 2020.

2020
A 6-show national music concert tour called "Nijisanji JAPAN TOUR 2020 Shout in the Rainbow!" took place between 9 February and 5 April. A total of 29 Nijisanji members performed across 5 Zepp venues (Sapporo, Fukuoka, Namba, Nagoya, and DiverCity Tokyo). Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Zepp DiverCity Tokyo show was entirely cancelled and the second Zepp Namba show was exclusively streamed online.

On 22 June, NIJISANJI IN rebranded and changed the name of their branch to "NIJISANJI EN." Additionally, Nijisanji launched their official English YouTube channel on this day too.

On 27 November, it was announced that Aadya, Noor, and Vihaan would continue streaming as "NIJISANJI IN" once again.

On 30 November, Ichikara Inc. announced that they were launching the first wave auditions for English speaking countries. The auditions were open until 15 December.

On December 25, Ichikara Inc. announced that the previously unofficial Nijisanji subreddit, r/Nijisanji, would become officially run by Ichikara Inc. Many of Nijisanji's Livers joined as moderators for the subreddit as well.

2021
On 28 February, it was announced at the Nijisanji annversary fesitval that 3.0 brushups would be implemented, which allow for Live2D models to have more movement and facial expressions. JK Gumi (Tsukino Mito, Higuchi Kaede, Shizuka Rin) will be the first to receive 3.0 brushups in April 2021. Nijisanji ID's first wave, Hana Macchia, ZEA Cornelia, and Taka Radjiman received 2.0 brushups during the festival as well, making them the first members of any foreign branch to receive 2.0 brush ups.

In 3 March, Kuzuha became the most subscribed Nijisanji liver, surpassing Tsukino Mito who was the most subscribed vtuber in the agency since Nijisanji was established in early 2018.

On 13 April, it was announced on Twitter that Nijisanji IN will be temporarily suspended at 30 April 2021, 23:59 JST, as well as the coming graduation of the branch's livers, Aadya, Noor, and Vihaan.

On 14 April, Tsukino Mito, Higuchi Kaede, Shizuka Rin received their 3.0 brushups.

On 30 April, all members of NIJISANJI IN graduated and the branch was suspended.

On 2 May, it was announced on Twitter that 3D brushups would be implemented. JK Gumi, as well as Utako Suzuka, will be the first to receive 3D brushups, with Utako's scheduled to be held on 6 May at 21:00 JST.

Members
The current members endorsed by Nijisanji include:

Gamers (former members; now part of the main Nijisanji group)
The Nijisanji Gamers group was later dissolved and merged into the main Nijisanji group in December 2018.

SEEDs (former members; now part of the main Nijisanji group)
The Nijisanji SEEDS group was later dissolved and merged into the main Nijisanji group in December 2018.

VOIZ
Originally a four Virtual Liver ensemble that was part of Nijisanji SEEDs. Only two members of the VOIZ group are continuing with their activities:

Nijisanji NetWORK (former members; program terminated)
These two are still active VTubers but they are no longer officially affiliated with Nijisanji. Refer to Category:Nijisanji Network for more information on this program.

First Wave
Also known as 3SetBBQ.

Second Wave
Also known as Clover McOver.

Third Wave
Also known as LAN_NEE3S.

Fourth Wave
Also known as 3FicLite.

Fifth Wave
Also known as 53Renade.

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

VirtuaReal (China)
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, whose BiliBili page can be found here and Twitter can be found here.

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

VirtuaReal Link (China)
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. JRM Project is another unit composed of three members that joined VirtuaReal Link.

Trivia

 * Nijisanji can be represented as the number 2434, so this is sometimes seen in their material. Also during live-streams, fans sometimes donate 2434 yen (~$21 USD).
 * NIjisanji is also often represented using the rainbow emoji (niji) and 3 o'clock emoji (sanji). Livers use this to represent their affiliation with Nijisanji while fans use it to show that they are fans of Nijisanji.
 * Ichikara Inc. is run by Tazumi Riku, the CEO of the company. He has made appearances on the Nijisanji YouTube channel and is even the inpiration behind some of the membership emojis. He has his own Twitter and YouTube channel.
 * Nijisanji is run by Tazumi Riku, the CEO of Ichikara.
 * Nijisanji used to be run the by Iwanaga Taiki, the former COO of Ichikara. He switched to running SLEE, an idol group that used to be under Ichikara, after he started undergoing treatment for cancer. He has now gone into remission and has left Ichikara to become the president of Yokaze Inc, where he will continue to run SLEE. His Twitter is here. He sometimes does live-streams as a female-looking VTuber named Iwanaga-chan whose Twitter is here.
 * Nijisanji's app has a mascot called Yugamin. Livers can stream as Yugamin instead of their usual forms as Yugamin has a Live2D model. Yugamin was designed by ほーじろ, who also designed Shibuya Hajime, Kenmochi Toya, Fushimi Gaku, Sister Cleaire, Amemori Sayo, Todoroki Kyoko, and Yumeoi Kakeru.

Video Clips

 * Virtual to LIVE - NIJISANJI 1st Anniversary Song
 * Sanbaka (さんばか) Cover
 * Ex-Gamers Cover
 * Nijisanji ID Cover (3SetBBQ Ver.)
 * VirtuaReal Cover
 * Nijisanji ID Cover (CloverMcOver Ver.)
 * Wonder NeverLand - NIJISANJI 3rd Anniversary Song
 * 虹色の Puddle - NIJISANJI 3rd Anniversary Song
 * PUCHISANJI (ぷちさんじ, PetitSanji) - Short illustrated videos of moments clipped from Nijisanji Liver streams. English translations are in the Closed Captions. As of July 2020, PUCHISANJI clips with English hardsub translations are simulcasted on the official Nijisanji English YouTube channel. Chinese hard-subbed versions are uploaded to the official Bilibili channel.
 * CHOKOSANJI (ちょこさんじ, Snack Time!) - Short stories that are presented using 3D animations. English hard-subbed versions are posted simutaniously onto the official English channel with Indonesian subtitles accessable in the closed captions. Chinese hard-subbed versions are uploaded to the official Bilibili channel.
 * into reality - NIJISANJI ID 1st Anniversary Song

Official stores

 * Nijisanji Official Store
 * にじさんじ公式 nijisanji.booth.pm - Official Booth store
 * NIJISANJI ID nijisanji-id.booth.pm - Nijisanji ID's official Booth store
 * nijisanji-kr nijisanji-kr.booth.pm - Nijisanji KR's official Booth store

Official channels

 * にじさんじ - Main channel (Japanese)
 * にじさんじオフィシャル ニコニコチャンネル - Official Niconico channel (Japanese)
 * NIJISANJI English Official - Official English channel (English)
 * にじさんじ [公式サブch ] - Sub channel (Japanese)
 * にじさんじ公式切り抜きチャンネル【NIJISANJI Official Best Moments】 - Official Clip channel (Japanese)
 * NIJISANJI ID Official - Official Indonesian channel (Indonesian)
 * NIJISANJI KR Official - Official South Korean channel (South Korean)
 * VirtuaReal - Official VirtuaReal channel on bilibili (Chinese)

Official Twitter accounts

 * @nijisanji_app - Main Nijisanji account (Japanese)
 * @NIJISANJI_World - International Nijisanji (English)
 * @NIJISANJI_IN - Nijisanji IN (formerly Nijisanji EN with former Twitter handle @NIJISANJI_EN) (English)
 * @NIJISANJI_ID - Nijisanji ID (Indonesian)
 * @NIJISANJI_KR - Nijisanji KR (Korean)
 * @NIJISANJI_staff- Nijisanji staff contact account (English)
 * @Virtua_Real - VirtuaReal (Chinese)

Official Facebook pages

 * @nijisanji.indonesia - Nijisanji ID
 * @NIJISANJI.KR - Nijisanji KR

Other

 * r/Nijisanji - Official Nijisanji Subreddit
 * Nijisanji - on Simple English Wikipedia