VirtuaReal



VirtuaReal (aka VR or 维阿) is a Virtual UP (VUP) project created as a joint venture between Bilibili and ANYCOLOR. It comprises three groups: VirtuaReal Project, VirtuaReal Star, and VirtuaReal Link. VirtuaReal Project is considered the Chinese branch of NIJISANJI, while the other two groups are partnership programs for independent VUPs. Due to this relationship, VirtuaReal members may stream with the NIJISANJI App, receive technical support from ANYCOLOR, and are occasionally invited to collaborations with members of NIJISANJI branches.

As of January 2023, there are 70 members across the three groups in total, 47 in VirtuaReal Project, 6 in VirtuaReal Star and 17 in VirtuaReal Link, mainly conducting activities on bilibili and Weibo. Hanser and Lingyuan yousa, two members of VirtuaReal Star, are the first and second most subscribed VUPs worldwide respectively with over 3 million followers each. VirtuaReal members have over 12 million followers in total on bilibili and are the most popular corporate VUP group in China as of June 2022.

2019
On 19 April, VirtuaReal's official account posted the initial recruitment information on bilibili, the audition period lasting until 24 April. At the same time, VirtuaReal also announced the opening of long-term auditions.

On 6 May, VirtuaReal announced their first wave of Livers and officially started their activities on the same day. The first wave of VirtuaReal Project started their streaming activities with Eine on 14 May followed by Ruki on 15 May.

On 7 June, the first wave participated in the 24th COMICUP convention in Shanghai. It was VirtuaReal's first off-stream event.

From 15 June through 19 June, Nanami, Ichigo and Kouichi from the second wave made their first streams.

29 June marked the first large collaboration between NIJISANJI and VirtuaReal where participants were asked real questions from Chinese college entrance exams. The participants were Eine, Ruki, Nanami, Ichigo, Mononobe Alice, Lize Helesta and Ryushen.

On 19 July, VirtuaReal announced the commencement of VirtuaReal Link and VirtuaReal Star. In particular, VirtuaReal Link is a partnership program where members are given technical support, operational support, and shared experiences. Lingyuan yousa, a prolific bilibili singer and VOCALOID producer, was announced as the first talent to join VirtuaReal Star.

On 8 August, a NIJISANJI and VirtuaReal joint fan contest was held. Andou Inari was announced to be the first independent VUP to join VirtuaReal Link on the same day.

On 21 August, Muri from the third wave made her first stream.

On 29 September, the fourth wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay.

On 31 August, VirtuaReal launched the first episode of VRFM, an official regular program where selected talents would act out various life situations. The first guests were Nanami, Lize Helesta and Ruki.

On 21 September, VirtuaReal announced its participation in Bilibili World Shanghai in a joint booth with NIJISANJI.

On 5 October, Sakura Haruka was announced to have joined VirtuaReal Star.

On 12 October, KINGSK and Mitsusa were announced to have joined VirtuaReal Link.

On 14 October, Super Virtual High School, a 4-person idol group, was announced to have joined VirtuaReal Link.

On 19 October, Hanon was revealed. On 1 November she made her first stream.

On 9 November, the fifth wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay.

On 1 December, the sixth wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay.

On 28 December, Sumire Hina, Suzuka and Mama Mara were announced to have joined VirtuaReal Link.

2020
On 21 January, the seventh wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay.

On 31 January, VirtuaReal announced a collaboration with Kagura Nana to create an original VUP design.

On 24 February, Ruki reached 100,000 fans on her bilibili channel, making her the first overseas Liver to reach 100,000 followers on any streaming platform.

On 25 April, Samael and Karu from the eighth wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay followed by Mimoi, Shiki and Pax on 26 April.

On 6 May, VirtuaReal released a Chinese cover of "Virtual to LIVE" to celebrate their first anniversary with fan-submitted lyrics performed by 12 members. A music video version of the cover would later be released on 19 June.

On 2 June, VirtuaReal opened auditions for the VUP avatar Isabella, jointly created by VirtuaReal and the Burst Witch mobile game. The audition period lasted until 15 June.

On 3 July, Nanako was announced to have joined VirtuaReal Star.

On 18 July, Zuya Naxi was announced to have joined VirtuaReal Star.

On 27 July, Prime Star was announced to have joined VirtuaReal Link.

On 31 July, the ninth wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay.

On 19 September, Karon was announced to have joined VirtuaReal Link.

On 25 September, Isabella was announced to have joined VirtuaReal Link.

On 30 September, the tenth wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay along with Karon and Isabella.

On 18 December, the eleventh wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay.

On 20 December, hanser was announced to have joined VirtuaReal Star.

2021
On 2 January, VirtuaReal held the 1st VirtuaReal Music MIX UP!! concert featuring 8 VirtuaReal performers in 3D with guest performances by hanser and Zuya Naxi.

On 20 January, six members of Deng Yue Plan V, Azusa, Kero, Jinxy, Ruruna, Mori, Rin Miyazono and Syo, were announced to have joined VirtuaReal Link.

On 13 March, the twelfth wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay.

On 15 March, three members of Deng Yue Plan V, Susam, Noi and Nox, were announced to have joined VirtuaReal Link.

On 9 May, Tocci, Kiti and Qilou from the thirteenth wave held their debut relay along with Joi, an indie VUP who joined VirtuaReal Link.

On 5 June, VirtuaReal held a solo concert for Nanami, Zhège hǎo ei (这个好诶), with guest performances by Ruki, hanser, Aza, Roi, and NIJISANJI's Lize Helesta and Makaino Ririmu.

On 29 July, Hakuja and Koxia from the 14th wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay, followed by Yomiya, Rhea and Miyu on 30 July.

On 8 August, VirtuaReal held the "APEX夏日娱乐赛" (APEX Summertime Casual) with guests from NIJISANJI KR and Gwelu Os Gar from the main NIJISANJI branch.

Over 23-25 August, VirtuaReal held the "夏日合唱ProMax" (Summertime Chorus ProMax) performance featuring 14 VirtuaReal performers in 3D.

On 4 October, the fifteenth wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay.

2022
On 8 January, VirtuaReal held the 2nd VirtuaReal Music MIX UP!! 3D live concert featuring 12 VirtuaReal members.

On 11 January, Ureme was announced to have joined VirtuaReal Star.

On 12 January, the sixteenth wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay.

On 5 August, VirtuaReal held the first issue of its new program VR PARTY, where five VirtuaReal members in 3D play various party games together, featuring Chiharu, Kouichi, Eine, Karon and Mari.

On 4 September, the seventeenth wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay.

Over 19-23 September, VirtuaReal held the "夏日合唱Super" (Summertime Chorus Super) 3D live performance featuring 17 VirtuaReal members.

2023
On 3 February, the eighteenth wave started their streaming activities with a debut relay.

It is announced that on 15 April, VirtuaReal will hold the VirtuaReal 3RD MUSIC MIX UP!! 3D live concert featuring 17 VirtuaReal members. The concert is to be held at the Majestic Theater, Shanghai.

Milestone illustrations
The VirtuaReal bilibili account posts special illustrations to celebrate VirtuaReal Project and Link members who reached 100,000 or higher milestone numbers pf subscribers on bilibili. See the following gallery for some examples.

Music videos
See also List of VirtuaReal Songs for the full list

Anniversary songs Summer theme songs
 * Virtual to LIVE - covered by VirtuaReal - 1st Anniversary Chinese cover of NIJISANJI's Virtual to LIVE
 * 星海 (Star Sea) - 2nd Anniversary song
 * 七色回响 (Rainbow Echoes) - 3rd Anniversary song
 * We are in Summer - 2020 summer theme song
 * 梦幻岛 (Neverland) - first appeared on Summer Chorus ProMax concert, 2021 Summer theme song
 * Shake the World! - first appeared on Summer Chorus Super concert, 2022 Summer theme song

Other

 * 虚拟主播高能放送 (Virtual Streamer Hyper Broadcast) - Weekly compilations of clips. Odd weeks are fan-submitted, even weeks are staff-selected.

VirtuaReal Project
The main group that's commonly referred to as just "VirtuaReal" (e.g., on the official NIJISANJI website). Unlike the main NIJISANJI branch after Ranunculus and NIJISANJI EN, VirtuaReal Project does not brand its individual generations as units. They are usually referred to with their generation number.

First Generation
Debuted on 14 and 15 May 2019 respectively.

Second Generation
Debuted on 15, 19 and 18 June 2019 respectively.

Third Generation
Debuted on 21 August and 1 November 2019 respectively. Despite being announced and debuting after the fourth wave, Hanon is considered a member of the third wave due to the silhouette of her model already having been revealed alongside Muri.

Fourth Generation
Debuted on 29 September 2019.

Also known as "VR Sān Fei Rén" (VR三fei人).

Fifth Generation
Debuted on 9 November 2019.

Sixth Generation
Debuted on 1 December 2019.

Also known as "VRF4", a reference to the boy band F4. The first all-male generation.

Seventh Generation
Debuted on 21 January 2020.

Eighth Generation
Debuted on 25 and 26 April 2020, it is the first wave in NIJISANJI to include five Livers.

After Karu's graduation, it became the first generation to have all of its members retire.

Ninth Generation
Debuted on 31 July 2020. Prime Star, who joined VirtuaReal Link around the same time as the ninth wave's debut, was considered an honorary member.

Also known as 973.

Tenth Generation
Debuted on 30 September 2020. Karon and Isabella, who participated in a debut relay alongside them, are considered honorary members.

Also known as 1076, as including Karon and Isabella there are six members.

Eleventh Generation
Debuted on 18 December 2020.

Also known as "Rén Wài Tiān Guó" (人外天国), which translates to "Monster-Human Heaven", or 117.

Twelfth Generation
Debuted on 13 March 2021.

Also known as 127.

Thirteenth Generation
Debuted on 9 May 2021. Even though Joi joined under VirtuaReal Link, she's generally considered by viewers to be a part of the 13th Gen due to being revealed and having a debut relay alongside them. By early 2022, Joi was listed under VirtuaReal Project rather than Link on the official VirtuaReal website.

Also known as 137.

Fourteenth Generation
Debuted on 29 and 30 July 2021.

Also known as 147.

Fifteenth Generation
Debuted on 4 October 2021.

Also known as 157.

Sixteenth Generation
Debuted on 12 January 2022.

Also known as 167.

Seventeenth Generation
Debuted on 4 September 2022, it is the first mixed wave of VirtuaReal where there are not more female than male Livers.

Also known as 177.

Eighteenth Generation
Debuted on 3 February 2023.

Also known as 187.

VirtuaReal Star
Members of VirtuaReal Star are the Virtual personas of popular, established content creators or celebrities. They are generally not considered part of NIJISANJI.

VirtuaReal Link
VirtuaReal Link is similar to the former NIJISANJI NetWORK partnership program such that independent VUPs are given technical and operational support and shared experiences from VirtuaReal. Although there is now less operational distinction between VR Link and VR Project members, they are not considered official members of NIJISANJI or listed on the NIJISANJI website. They are not required to use the NIJISANJI App for stream, and can freely use third-party products with their models, such as VRChat.

Super Virtual High School
A four-person idol group with their own bilibili channel: 超V学园.

Joined September 2020
Debuted as VirtuaReal members alongside the tenth generation on 19 and 20 October 2020 respectively.

Joined 20 January 2021
Debuted as VirtuaReal members on 22 January 2021, all four were originally affiliated with Deng Yue Plan V.

JRM Project
Debuted as VirtuaReal members on 22 January 2021. A three-person unit originally affiliated with Deng Yue Plan V with their own bilibili channel: JRM_Project.

Joined 15 March 2021
Debuted as VirtuaReal members on 20 March 2021, all three were originally affiliated with Deng Yue Plan V.

Joined 2 May 2021
Debuted as a VirtuaReal member alongside the thirteenth generation on 9 May 2021.

Known Staff
VirtuaReal staffs tend to be a lot more easily identified. Some of the management can be identified because they join the membership or reblog posts for their managed livers. Many of the staffs are part-time and have other responsibilities within Bilibili. On 23 November, 2023, an account was created to handle community communication, using the mascot VR-bro that Karon drew as the avatar.

Trivia

 * VirtuaReal refers to itself as a "虚拟艺人团体" (virtual t group).
 * The VirtuaReal headquarters are located in virtual Shanghai. Applicants who pass the second round of the audition process are invited for an in-person interview. Being located in China is not a requirement to be a member; quite a few VirtuaReal members live elsewhere.
 * Unlike Livers in other NIJISANJI branches that require both a Youtube channel and Twitter account, Weibo accounts are not compulsory for VirtuaReal members.
 * VirtuaReal members are allowed to design and distribute their own merchandise, usually as rewards for their captains (i.e. members).
 * VirtuaReal members typically receive new outfits once they reach 30k fans (i.e. followers) on bilibili, and 3D models once they reach 100k.
 * As the VirtuaReal bilibili account is active in interacting with VirtuaReal Livers and appearing in their livestream chats, it has been personified with the nickname "VR哥" (VR-bro). The official Live2D mascot model was drawn by Karon and rigged by Tanoshiba. The NIJISANJI bilibili account, which similarly interacts with VR Livers, is personified as "彩虹哥" (Niji-bro).
 * The sixth wave is the first wave of VirtuaReal to receive an official announcement trailer, which would not be done again until the fourteenth wave. The sixth wave is also the only wave to be teased individually before they were announced with images of their silhouettes accompanied by a passage hinting at their character settings. Group silhouette teasers have been done consistently from Rén Wài Tiān Guó onward.
 * From the announcement of 973 onward, VirtuaReal has used this image featuring Tokimori Seisa and Nebula for recruitment.
 * VirtuaReal has its own Minecraft server that is separate from the main NIJISANJI Minecraft server. It also has a second server for modded Minecraft. The main server has secrets added in with the use of command blocks e.g. naming a pig "时守星沙" (Tokimori Seisa) will teleport the player to a hidden area just above bedrock layer.
 * VirtuaReal has three unused VUP avatars.

Official Websites

 * VirtuaReal Website
 * VirtuaReal under the NIJISANJI Website

Official Channels

 * VirtuaReal bilibili channel
 * VirtuaReal bilibili live room
 * VirtuaReal零号机 - Account that handles communication with community
 * 超V学园 - Super Virtual High School bilibili channel
 * JRM_Project - JRM Project bilibili channel

Official Social Media Accounts

 * @virtuareal - Weibo account
 * @Virtua_Real - Twitter account
 * JRM_Project - JRM Project Douyin account

Official Stores

 * @VirtuaReal - VirtuaReal Afdian account
 * VirtuaReal category under the NIJISANJI Taobao shop
 * VirtuaReal - VirtuaReal's bilibili mall