This groundbreaking collaboration between a traditional Japanese festival and popular virtual IP exceeded all expectations!
Report Announcement:
Tokyo, August… 2022– Brave group, a Metaverse company with a focus on virtual IP based in Japan, announced the results of their Vspo! x Kanda Myojin Summer Festival 4-day collaborative live event taking place from August 11~14 2022, which broke boundaries by fusing traditional Japanese culture with the future-facing Vspo! IP project to great reception.
■Why this collaboration was historic from the start!
Being just a five minute stroll away Akihabara, The Kanda Myojin Summer Festival is no stranger to the otaku crowd, Held every summer since 2016, this summer festival has often collaborated with popular anime franchises and incorporated anime songs into their ‘bon odori,’ an age-old cultural dance that’s often a main event of Japanese festivals. It’s collaboration with Vspo! however, the virtual IP unit normally found livestreaming when they’re not winning esports tournaments, marks not only the festival’s first entwining with the virtual IP phenomenon but also Vspo!’s first major foray into offline space: A novel concept, but what really shocked everyone was just how many fans showed up to take part in this groundbreaking moment!
■Over 50,000 Attendees Came Down To The Festival, Despite Some Rainfall!
The opening night of the festival alone, a Thursday night that previewed what was to come for the next three days, saw over 10,000 visitors despite most having to go to work early the next day. Friday saw that number double with attendance hovering around the 20,000 mark, particularly impressive considering that as the night went on, rain started to fall. Unfortunately said rain was caused by the arrival of a typhoon, a common occurrence in Japan but, with safety always taking precedence the festival didn’t open Saturday August 13. Skies and winds calm the Sunday after though, with another 20,000 people showing up to participate in the final day of the Kanda Myojin Summer Festival.
Some came to simply enjoy the festivities but the Vspo! fans were out in full force, with more and more of the many Vspo! character-specific ‘happi,’ traditional Japanese light-jackets often worn at festivals, popping up in the dense crowds throughout the weekend.
■The Event-Exclusive Vspo! x Kanda Myojin Summer Festival Goods Were A Huge Hit!
Virtual Entertainment, a Brave group subsidiary who manage the Vspo!, labored to provide fans not just exclusive but thoughtful and appropriate merchandise fitting for a traditional Japanese festival. In addition to the “happi” fans could, and did, use to proudly declare their favorite Vspo! members, a large variety of quintessential Japanese goods were available; Japanese style fans and tea cups, protective amulets known as ‘ema’ that doubled as key holders, and even traditional cloth towels all featuring the Vspo! clan in iconic shrine maiden garb. These goods were so in-demand from the outset that Thursday evening alone a line of over 2,000 devoted fans patiently waited for their chance. Exceeding expectations, the team called in back-up throughout the rest of the weekend to make sure fans could be accommodated in as timely a manner as possible. Thankfully, they had plenty to do after shopping!
■Attendees Participated In Traditional Festival Activities Along With Vspo!
When one thinks of Japanese festivals, the delicious food, the nostalgic games, and the bustling atmosphere all come to mind like one big ‘bon odori’ dance! Pre-established Vspo! fans and those first introduced at the festival were welcome to eat treats prepared by the Vspo! girls and engage in some recreational fair-activities.
They ate ‘yakitori’, Japanese chicken-skewers, prepared by Noah Kurumi and partook in chocolate-covered bananas courtesy of Beni Yakumo, amongst the other 13 out of 15 food stalls each “operated” by one of the girls. Attendees got to practice their marksmanship and try their hand at ‘smart ball,’ a traditional analog Japanese game that resembles pin-ball without the bumpers. The Vspo! squad even cameoed during the festival’s signature dance, though they weren’t the only virtual ladies present during the event.
■Palette Project’s Live Performance Wooed Many
Palette Project, a virtual idol group produced by Matereal a Brave group subsidiary, performed on Sunday in Kanda Myojin’s event hall to a crowd of almost 3,000 people. The concert was free for event attendees, and while two were originally scheduled, one was unfortunately canceled due to the typhoon. Perhaps that’s what led to Palette Project’s fans coming through hard on Sunday in a size bigger than initial forecasts. Audiences cheered-on the group with the same fervor and iconic light-batons they woul for any non-virtual idol. The group’s sub-units, such as the City Pop flavored Sputrip, also dazzled fans with the variety they introduced.
■In Conclusion, A Great Summer Festival!
With a combined attendance of over 50,000 across the weekend, and that’s factoring in that the event was canceled on Saturday August 13 due to severe weather conditions, it’s safe to say the Vspo! x Kanda Myojin Summer Festival the experience was a big success. Diehard fans and local attendees alike enjoyed the traditional festivities throughout the weekend, while taking plenty of breaks to watch the Vspo! team live streaming throughout the event broadcasted on giant screens throughout the shrine-grounds. Takoyaki and candied apples “made” by Vspo! were eaten, colorful yukata and Vspo! happi were worn, and the crowds danced to ‘bon’ renditions of anime song classics; A groundbreaking and unforgettable festival experience!
■About The “Kanda Myojin Summer Festival”:
A festival held at The Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo’s Chiyoda district since 2016. Not only does this one of a kind Japanese matsuri provide staples like food stalls and traditional bon dancing, but collaborates with famous characters and employs beloved anime songs alike! Many here enjoy “Ani-song Bon Dancing,” a fusion of old and new. This year saw famed Japanese dancer Ukon Kofuji return to the festival to top his 2019 performance. People of all ages braved the heat and came down to Kanda!
■About Vspo!:
A next generation virtual character IP meets esports project with a fanbase of millions, Vspo! brings together those who take gaming seriously to spread the glory of esports across the world. Utilizing an innovative mixed media approach, Vspo! participates in a variety of real esports tournaments in addition to production of VTubing content.
〈Links〉
Official Site：https://vspo.jp/
Twitter：https://twitter.com/Vspo77
Youtube：https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuI5XaO-6VkOEhHao6ij7JA
■About Palette Project:
Palette Project is a virtual idol group guided by the idea of “Adding color to the virtual to give it more life!“ established in 2018. The group’s sub-units include the classically-idol “Altimate!!,” the heavy metal incarnates at “REGALILIA,” and the city pop flavored “Sputrip.” They perform as a group and as individual units.
〈Links〉
Official Site：https://matereal.jp/
Twitter：https://twitter.com/PaletteProject_
Youtube：https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cCW1xmXwRFp1tX-RD2X1Q
