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 ANYCOLOR Inc. (formerly known as Ichikara Inc. until May 16, 2021), the group started in Japan in early 2018 and has since expanded to other countries as an international project. As of July 2021, there are 190 members in Nijisanji for all of its branches: 107 active Japanese Nijisanji members, 19 active NIJISANJI ID members, 16 active NIJISANJI KR members, 6 active NIJISANJI EN members and 42 active VirtuaReal members. There are also 5 VirtuaReal Star members and 22 VirtuaReal Link members who are independent VTubers, not considered part of Nijisanji per se and are only in a network partner system.

Kuzuha has the highest number of subscribers in Nijisanji with Kanae, Tsukino Mito, Honma Himawari and Sasaki Saku following in order in the top 5.

As of 2021, the group has 30 million subscribers on YouTube for all of the 148 members (JP/ID/KR/EN) who have it as their main platform. VirtuaReal members aren't included as they have bilibili as its main platform.

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). This method is technically simpler and much less expensive than full-body 3D motion tracking equipment but the resulting motion is mostly limited to facial features, rotation of the head, and limited movement of the upper body. These models suffered from many stuttering and accuracy issues in the early days of Nijisanji but less of these issues are seen today as their technology has improved.

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).

History

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

On 12 May, Nijisanji EN's first wave, Lazulight was revealed. Their debuts happened on 16 May (according to JST) and were accompanied by a separate debut program hosted by Nijisanji ID livers Hana Macchia and Bonnivier Pranaja.

On 12 May, the English version of Nijisanji's Official website was released.

On 13 May, it was announced that an official Nijisanji TikTok account had been started.

In 18 June, Anycolor announced new auditions for Nijisanji EN. Unlike the first audition, this audition has a separation between male and female vtubers, with the male ending the audition in August and the female one in July.

In July 14, Anycolor announced Nijisanji EN's second wave called Obsydia. This second wave was part of the first audition done by the company, instead of the second audition opened. The wave shares themes and ideas with Lazulight, being a "darker" version of the group.

In July 19, it was announced that a new wave was coming for the japanese branch with 5 new members after almost one year without any debuts in the branch. All of them would debut in the same day on July 22.

Members

Nijisanji's entire roster of Japanese Virtual Livers as of February 2021. For the list of names in order, click "More Info" on the image.

First Wave

Tsukino Mito	Yuki Chihiro	Elu	Higuchi Kaede	Shizuka Rin	Shibuya Hajime	Suzuya Aki	Moira

Second Wave

Mononobe Alice	Fushimi Gaku	Ienaga Mugi	Morinaka Kazaki	Suzuka Utako	Ushimi Ichigo	Yuuhi Riri	Kenmochi Toya
Gilzaren III	Fumino Tamaki

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.

Kanae	Akabane Youko	Sasaki Saku	Yamiyono Moruru (retired)	Honma Himawari	Makaino Ririmu	Kuzuha	Setsuna (retired)
Shiina Yuika

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.

Dola	Hanabatake Chaika	Hassaku Yuzu (retired)	Izumo Kasumi (retired)	Azuchi Momo	Nakao Azuma (retired)	Naruto Kogane (retired)	Ryushen
Sister Cleaire	Suzuki Masaru	Todoroki Kyoko	Umiyashano Kami (retired)	Uzuki Kou	Yashiro Kizuku	Kanda Shoichi	Amemori Sayo
Takamiya Rion	Asuka Hina	Maimoto Keisuke	Debidebi Debiru	Rindou Mikoto	Joe Rikiichi	Machita Chima	Tsukimi Shizuku (retired)
Sakura Ritsuki	Achikita Chinami (retired)	Belmond Banderas	Yaguruma Rine	Yumeoi Kakeru	Kuroi Shiba

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:

Harusaki Air	Naruse Naru

2019 Wave

Warabeda Meiji	Kudo Chitose (retired)	Gundo Mirei	Yuzuki Roa	Onomachi Haruka	Kataribe Tsumugu	Seto Miyako	Shindo Raito (suspended)
Otogibara Era (retired)	Inui Toko	Ange Katrina	Lize Helesta	Saegusa Akina	Aizono Manami	Suzuhara Lulu (retired)	Yukishiro Mahiro
Ex Albio	Levi Elipha	Hayama Marin	Nui Sociere	Hakase Fuyuki	Kagami Hayato	Yorumi Rena	Mayuzumi Kai
Ars Almal	Aiba Uiha	Amamiya Kokoro	Eli Conifer	Ratna Petit	Hayase Sou	Sukoya Kana	Shellin Burgundy
Fumi	Hoshikawa Sara	Yamagami Karuta	Matsukai Mao	Emma★August	Luis Cammy	Fuwa Minato	Shirayuki Tomoe
Gwelu Os Gar	Mashiro	Naraka	Kurusu Natsume

2020 Wave

Furen E Lustario	Melissa Kinrenka	Ibrahim	Nagao Kei	Genzuki Tojiro	Kaida Haru	Kingyozaka Meiro (suspended)	Sorahoshi Kirame
Asahina Akane	Suo Sango	Todo Kohaku	Kitakoji Hisui	Nishizono Chigusa

2021 Wave

Axia Krone	Lauren Iroas	Leos Vincent	Oliver Evans	Lain Paterson

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.

Tenkai Tukasa	Fairys-chan

NIJISANJI ID (Indonesia)

First Wave

Also known as 3SetBBQ.

Hana Macchia	ZEA Cornelia	Taka Radjiman

Second Wave

Also known as CloverMcOver.

Rai Galilei	Riksa Dhirendra	Amicia Michella	Miyu Ottavia

Third Wave

Also known as LAN_NEE3S.

Azura Cecillia	Layla Alstroemeria	Nara Haramaung

Fourth Wave

Also known as 3FicLite.

Etna Crimson	Bonnivier Pranaja	Siska Leontyne

Fifth Wave

Also known as 53Renade.

Nagisa Arcinia	Derem Kado	Reza Avanluna

Sixth Wave

Hyona Elatiora	Xia Ekavira	Mika Melatika
70x70px	70x70px	70x70px

NIJISANJI KR (South Korea)

First Wave

Wiffy (retired)	Yu Ruri (retired)	Shin Yuya (retired)	Min Suha

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 (retired)	Gaon	Kaen (retired)	Lorou (retired)	Han Chiho	Hakuren (retired)

Second Wave

Lee Siu	So Nagi	Chae Ara

Third Wave

Akira Ray	Lee Roha	Nun Bora

Fourth Wave

Oh Jiyu	Shin Kiru	Yang Nari	Ryu Hari

Fifth Wave

Seffyna	Ban Hada	Song Mia

NIJISANJI EN (English)

First Wave

Also known as LazuLight.

Elira Pendora	Pomu Rainpuff	Finana Ryugu

Second Wave

Also known as OBSYDIA.

Selen Tatsuki	Rosemi Lovelock	Petra Gurin

NIJISANJI IN (India) (Dissolved Branch)

Aadya (retired)	Noor (retired)	Vihaan (retired)

VirtuaReal (China)

VirtuaReal is a branch of Nijisanji that was created in partnership with the Chinese media site BiliBili as a joint venture between the two companies. 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.

First Wave

Eine	Ruki

Second Wave

Nanami	Ichigo (retired)	Kouichi

Third Wave

Muri	Hanon (retired)

Fourth Wave

Plus	Nyatsuki	Waku

Fifth Wave

Miki	Mahiru	Hoshimi

Sixth Wave

Aza	Yagi	Tabibito	Roi

Seventh Wave

Seiya	Saya	Yukie

Eighth Wave

Samael (retired)	Karu	Mimoi (retired)	Shiki (retired)	Pax (retired)

Ninth Wave

Chaos	Kiyora	Chiharu

Tenth Wave

Reve	Sirius	Yua	Shaun

Eleventh Wave

Tanoshiba	Mari	Chiyuu	Imi

Twelfth Wave

Mayumi	Kendou	Tsukumo	Remi

Thirteenth Wave

Tocci	Kiti	Qilou

VirtuaReal Star (China)

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

Ling Yuan Yousa	Sakura Haruka	Nanako	Zuya Naxi	Hanser
Identity: Ling Yuan Yousa, singer and Vocaloid producer	Identity: Ruanruanbing, MC and vlogger	Identity: Cai Ming, actress	Identity: Singer	Identity: Utaite, voice provider for Liliko (voicebank for Muta synthesizer)

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.

Andou Inari	KINGSK科科 (retired)	Mitsusa	Lynn (SVHS)	Eli (SVHS)	Muse (SVHS)	Seven (SVHS)	Sumire Hina	Suzukaze Suzuka (disbanded)
Mama Mara	Prime Star (retired)	Karon	Isabella	Azusa	Kero	Jinxy (JRM)	Ruruna (JRM)	Mori (JRM)
Miyazono Rin	Syo	Susam	Noi	Nox	Joi

Trivia

• Nijisanji can be represented as the number 2434, so this is sometimes seen in their material. During live-streams, fans sometimes donate 2434 yen (~$21 USD).
• NIjisanji is 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.
• ANYCOLOR Inc. is run by Tazumi Riku, the CEO of the company. He has made appearances on the Nijisanji YouTube channel and is even the inspiration behind some of the membership emojis. He has his own Twitter and YouTube channel.
• Nijisanji is run by Tazumi Riku, the CEO of ANYCOLOR Inc., after Iwanaga Taiki stepped down due to his cancer treatment.
  • Nijisanji used to be run the by Iwanaga Taiki, the former COO of ANYCOLOR Inc. He switched to running SLEE, an idol group that used to be under ANYCOLOR, after he started undergoing treatment for cancer. He has now gone into remission and has left ANYCOLOR 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.
• Whenever someone who isn't a Liver appears in a 3D stream, their avatar is that of a kuroko (黒衣, black-clad), a stagehand in traditional Japanese theater wearing black clothes that cover the entire body. The kuroko are usually ANYCOLOR staff.

Gallery

Nijisanji ID (February 2021)

Nijisanji IN (November 2020)

Nijisanji KR (February 2021)

VirtuaReal, VR Stars, and VR Link (February 2021)

Nijisanji EN's first group, LazuLight (May 2021)

Yugamin

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.)
• into reality - NIJISANJI ID 1st Anniversary Song
• Wonder NeverLand - NIJISANJI 3rd Anniversary Song
• 虹色の Puddle - NIJISANJI 3rd Anniversary Song
• Diamond City Lights - NIJISANJI EN Debut Song
• PUCHISANJI (ぷちさんじ, PetitSanji) - Short illustrated videos of moments clipped from Nijisanji Liver streams. Some English translations can be found 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.
• The official Nijisanji TikTok reposts short clips from the official clip channel on YouTube.

External Links

• Nijisanji's Official Website (Japanese)
• Nijisanji's Official Website (English)

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)
• 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)
• NIJISANJI English Official - Official English channel (English)
• NIJISANJI_EN - Official English Twitch channel (English)

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)
• @kirinuki_2434 - Nijisanji clip channel account (Japanese)

Official Facebook pages

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

Other official accounts

• r/Nijisanji - Official Nijisanji Subreddit (English)
• @nijisanji_official - Official Nijisanji TikTok account (Japanese)
• @nijisanji_en - Official Instagram account (English)

VirtuaReal (V T E)
1st Generation	Eine (🗝🎩) · Ruki
2nd Generation	Nanami (🦈) · Kouichi
	Retired	Ichigo (🍓)
3rd Generation	Muri (🌙)
	Retired	Hanon (🕊️)
4th Generation	Plus (🍭) · Nyatsuki (💦) · Waku (🐉)
5th Generation	Miki (🐋) · Hoshimi (⛱) · Mahiru (👿)
6th Generation	Aza (🐱) · Yagi · Tabibito · Roi (💎✨)
7th Generation	Seiya · Saya (💫) · Yukie
8th Generation	Karu (👒)
	Retired	Shiki · Samael · Mimoi · Pax
9th Generation	Chiharu · Chaos · Kiyora
10th Generation	Reve · Sirius · Yua · Shaun (🦷)
11th Generation	Tanoshiba · Mari · Chiyuu · Imi
12th Generation	Mayumi · Kendou (🦴) · Tsukumo · Remi (⚓)
13th Generation	Tocci · Kiti · Qilou
VirtuaReal Star
Ling Yuan Yousa · Sakura Haruka · Nanako · Zuya Naxi · Hanser
VirtuaReal Link
Andou Inari (🦊) · Mitsusa (🥕) · Lynn · Eli · Muse · Seven · Sumire Hina (🥟) · Mama Mara · Karon (🥐) · Isabella · Azusa · Kero · Jinxy · Ruruna · Mori · Miyazono Rin · Syo · Susam · Noi · Nox (⭐) · Joi (🍊)
Retired	Suzukaze Suzuka (🍩) · KINGSK · Prime Star

(V T E)
1st Generation	Min Suha (🌊)
	Retired	Yu Ruri (🎀🧸) · Wiffy (📶) · Shin Yuya (🌛🌱)
541 E&C	Gaon (👔) · Han Chiho (🦋)
	Retired	Moarin (💕) · Kaen (🦴🔔) · Lorou (🎵) · Hakuren (☁️)
2nd Generation	So Nagi (🌧) · Chae Ara (🌹💛) · Lee Siu (🐾)
3rd Generation	Nun Bora (❄️💜) · Akira Ray (😸) · Lee Roha (🔰)
4th Generation	Yang Nari (📌) · Ryu Hari (👁‍🗨) · Shin Kiru (🌫) · Oh Jiyu (⚜️)
5th Generation	Seffyna (💗🌕) · Ban Hada (🏴‍☠️) · Song Mia (🍡)