A place where stars of the digital kind are born.
Virtual idols in Japan have achieved tremendous commercial success in the real world. Even Lady Gaga herself onced teamed up with Miku to perform a concert.
And now Japanese company Iwamotocho Entertainment hopes expand the industry even further by creating a digital theater specifically catered to live performances from virtual idols, which will be the first of its kind.
The venue, called Iwamotocho Theater, exists only in the virtual realm, welcoming budding digital singers or existing powerhouses like Hatsune Miku, Idolmaster, or Love Live! to host live performances. It essentially allows anyone with an Internet connection and a VR headset to enjoy the show as if they were there, simultaneously with other users from the comfort from their own home.
▼ Iwamotocho Theater is a work in progress slated for a 2018 release.
【本日の重大発表】
— えのぐ / enogu (@rbc_geino) October 19, 2017
岩本町芸能社は現在、岩本町劇場を建設中です!
バーチャルライブでの年間動員観客数で世界一を目指します!
#あんたま #岩本町芸能社 https://t.co/qcq041zCjP pic.twitter.com/OZ2kAEiiD0
Iwamotocho Theater has also produced their very own two-member virtual idol group Antama. Often found streaming talk shows online, the pair have also worked hard through the past few months to release their debut CD album.
▼ Pictured here is Antama, comprised of the characters Anzu Suzuki and Tamaki
Shirafuji. They have been signed on by Japanese record company Universal Music.
うああ!ついにフォロワー1万人達成しました!
— えのぐ / enogu (@rbc_geino) September 24, 2017
皆様本当にありがとうございます!
コミケの大失敗から皆様に支えられてここまで来ることができました。
これから皆様に二人から恩返ししていきたいです!引き続きよろしくお願いします!!!#岩本町芸能社#あんたま#CDデビュー決定 pic.twitter.com/Zh6NX0pYgo
Let’s hope Iwamotocho Entertainment manages to lay the groundwork for future virtual idol performances, and propel Antama towards stardom while they’re at it. The virtual idol scene is sorely in need of a shared platform for us virtual concert-goers to wave our virtual glowsticks together.
Source: Kai-you
Featured image: Twitter/@rbc_geino

Cafe in Japan will hook diners up with a virtual girlfriend to keep them company while they eat
Introducing Virtual Currency Girls, the new electronic money-themed, educational idol group
Say I do with Hatsune Miku! Virtual idol now gracing Japanese marriage certificates
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku to act in kabuki play with human co-star【Photos】
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
New cherry blossom party picnic essential: This super-handy folding cardboard table
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
How to speak Japanese like a gyaru【2024 edition】
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku’s new stage costume inspires gorgeous shoes in the real world【Photos】
Pokémon teams up with Hatsune Miku for first time, 18 new Poké-songs coming from virtual idol
Virtual YouTuber cast as anime voice actress in new anime TV series in industry-first move【Video】
Japan’s number-one cosplayer revs fans’ engines by cosplaying as Japan’s number-one virtual idol
Soon, Japanese kids will be learning about virtual idol Hatsune Miku in their school textbooks
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku announces seven-city U.S., Canadian concert tour
Japanese anime girl virtual YouTuber also speaks perfect English!【Video】
Babymetal set to appear in new anime series debuting in the U.S.!
85-year-old great-grandmother from Hiroshima is Japan’s newest virtual YouTuber/idol【Video】
Japanese idol creates kawaii Gunpla, the world’s cutest Gundam models【Photos】