At the PONYCANYON USA INC. launch press conference held on July 3 at Japan House in Los Angeles, ASOBISYSTEM (Head office: Shibuya, Tokyo; Representative Director Yusuke Nakagawa), Activ 8 (Head office: Shibuya, Tokyo, Representative Director Takeshi Osaka), and Pony Canyon (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President Takashi Yoshimura) announced that the three companies would launch a new joint project titled ‘W KAWAII.’ 

■What is the W KAWAII Project?

The W KAWAII Project aims to create an idol group that will be active in both the real world and the virtual world, aiming for world domination. The project is a joint venture between three companies: ASOBISYSTEM, known for managing Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Atarashii Gakko!; Activ8, known for its virtual IP like Kizuna Ai; and Pony Canyon, aiming for global expansion with the relaunch of PONYCANYON USA INC.
PONYCANYON USA INC. will serve as the overseas strategic contact point.

■Company Roles

ASOBISYSTEM: Talent acquisition, real-world production and management
Activ8: Development of IP, production of virtual-world planning and content production
Pony Canyon: Music production, promotion

■About Talent Auditions

The project is recruiting talents who can work globally.
More information will be posted on the official ‘W KAWAII’ X account linked below.
Official X: https://x.com/W__KAWAII

■Comments from Company Representatives

ASOBISYSTEM Holdings
Representative Director Yusuke Nakagawa
“Since Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s debut in 2011, she has taken on many international challenges.
Some things went well, and some things didn’t. But through these experiences, I realized that a company can have certain limitations. I’m so excited to have these friends eager to take on new challenges with the same spirit of adventure.
We hope to make the most of each of our strengths to delight people around the world with new MADE IN JAPAN content.”

Activ8
Representative Director Takeshi Osaka
“We’ve been working on making virtual IP since 2016 when we created Kizuna AI.
Nowadays, virtual talents and the use of digital avatars have become common sights in the entertainment industry. This technology is highly compatible with Japanese pop culture and the creation of new IPs, and Kizuna AI has nearly 10 million followers outside Japan.
For this reason, we believe that utilizing virtual IP technology is incredibly useful for global expansion. However, technology is only a means to an end. What is truly important to us is to support real people, such as creators and actors, and to maximize their talents.
I’m excited to take on this new challenge with ASOBISYSTEM and Pony Canyon, who both have proven track records in the entertainment world.”

Pony Canyon USA
Chief Strategy Officer Gabriel Bloch
“The collaboration combines Pony Canyon USA’s international network and music knowledge, ASOBISYSTEM’s insight into pop culture, and Activ8’s cutting-edge virtual technology to deliver an unparalleled entertainment experience.
The idol group we’ll create will perform both as live artists and through digital avatars to captivate people around the world and redefine the future of entertainment.