upd8

upd8 (read as "update"; Japanese: アップデート appudēto) was a project started in June 2018 by Activ8 (the same company who was behind the creation of Kizuna Ai). It supports "Virtual Talents" such as Virtual YouTubers (but not restricted to them) by offering entertainment industry-related contacts and services, in exchange for a portion of the talents' earnings.

History

Closure

On 1 November 2020, upd8 official Twitter account announced that the company would stop its activities at 31 December 2020 apologizing to the fans but stating that VTubers under the company would continue their activities after the company's closure.

Members

A sample of upd8's roster of Virtual talents (in 2019): Center, Kizuna AI; Upper Left, Laki, Nobuhime, Neu, Zombiko and Nora; Bottom Left, MonsterZ MATE, Ao, HoneyStrap and Mei; Upper Right, Mari, AniMare and YuNi; Bottom Right, Omega Sisters, Dela and Hadou, Kerin and Virtual Neko

Former Members

• Kizuna Ai (withdrew 30 April 2020)
• Oda Nobuhime (retired 30 April 2020)
• AyaMina Games (retired 31 December 2018)
• Cafeno Zombi-ko (retired 13 March 2020)
• AniMare (joined 30 August 2018, withdrew 30 April 2020)
  • Inaba Haneru
  • Umori Hinako (retired 29 December 2018)
  • Souya Ichika
  • Inari Kuromu (retired 9 October 2019)
  • Hinokuma Ran
  • Kazami Kuku
  • Yunohara Izumi
• HoneyStrap (joined 30 August 2018, withdrew 30 April 2020)
  • Suou Patra
  • Sougetsu Eli (retired 22 May 2019)
  • Shimamura Charlotte
  • Saionji Mary
  • Sekishiro Mico
• Otonashi Rhythm (joined 31 May 2018, withdrawal date unknown)
• YuNi (joined 31 May 2018, withdrew August 14, 2020)
• Osanai Mei (joined 31 May 2018) and Osanai Ichika (joined 28 November 2018)
• Omega Sisters (Omega Rei and Omega Rio) (joined 31 May 2018)
• Kemogamidanshi (けも神男子 / けもがみだんし) (joined 31 May 2018, withdrawal date unknown)
• Virtual Neko (joined 28 September 2018)
• Tsunohane Akagi (joined 31 May 2018)
• Moscow Mule (joined 31 May 2018)
• Nora Cat (joined 17 August 2018)
• Mituki Neu (joined 20 July 2018, withdrew September 30, 2019)
• Kashiko Mari (joined 6 July 2018)
• Nijikawa Laki (joined 29 June 2018, retired 19 November 2020)
• Hibiki Ao (joined 20 July 2018)
• Fukuya Master (joined 28 November 2018)
• Yamikumo Kerin (joined 12 October 2018)
• Icotsu (joined 28 September 2018)
• Kasukabe Tsukushi (joined 20 July 2018)
• Dela and Hadou (joined 6 July 2018)
• Utai Meika (joined 28 September 2018)
• Virtual Diva AZKi (joined 14 February 2019)
• Yoruno Neon (joined 14 February 2019)
• Eve (joined 28 September 2018)
• MonsterZ MATE (joined 12 October 2018)
• Miya Kimino (joined 31 May 2019)
• Otohane Lara (joined 28 November 2018)
• Tomari Mari (joined 26 September 2019)
• Shibuya Hal (joined 31 May 2019)
• CocoTsuki
  • Suzuyo Cocone (joined 31 May 2019)
  • Suzuyo Tsukine (joined 31 May 2019, retired 30 September 2020)
  • Hibiki Kasane (joined October 2019)
• Magrona (joined 26 September 2019)

External links

• upd8 official site
• @project_upd8 - upd8 official Twitter account.
• Explaining the upd8 project to the English-speaking VTuber community. by Otonashi Rhythm
• upd8 - Nicovideo Encyclopedia
• upd8 - Japanese Wikipedia