MotionPortrait
MotionPortrait builds patented facial animation technology that generates 3D face models and lip-sync from a single photo, serving cosmetics, eyewear, advertising, automotive, and entertainment enterprises via an SDK and consumer apps. Now a division of Axell Corporation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What MotionPortrait does
MotionPortrait, Inc. is a Japanese facial-animation technology company founded in July 2007 and headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo. Its core capability is generating a fully rigged 3D face model — including expression, aging, and lip-sync animation — from a single 2D photograph. The underlying technology was developed at Sony Kihara Research Center beginning April 2005 and is protected by patents; core algorithms combine computer vision and machine learning trained on large proprietary facial image datasets accumulated over 15+ years.
The product portfolio spans the MP SDK (available as server and embedded licenses across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, HTML5/WebGL, and Unity), the MP Face Analyzer attribute engine (~90% accuracy on gender/age/expression), and a suite of consumer applications including ZombieBooth (10M+ downloads), PhotoSpeak, MakeMeUp, ChatMe, and NinjaMe. The MP Full3D and MP Chatbot product lines extend the technology into VR/AR and conversational avatar use cases. The company cites 80+ enterprise deployments across cosmetics (FANCL, Kose), eyewear (JINS, Eyecity/HOYA, Aderans, BicCamera, Tokyo Optical), beverage (Kirin, Lotte, Coca-Cola), consumer goods (P&G), automotive (Toyota), gaming (GREE), and advertising (Hakuhodo).
The business model combines SDK licensing (server and embedded, quotation-based), custom development services, and consumer app sales via App Store and Google Play. A watermarked evaluation version of the SDK supports self-service developer onboarding. MotionPortrait was acquired by ax Inc. in August 2019 and absorbed into Axell Corporation via merger in December 2020, and the entity now operates as a division of the parent group.
MotionPortrait firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MotionPortrait
- Legal name
- MotionPortrait, Inc.
- Website
- https://motionportrait.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MotionPortrait builds patented facial animation technology that generates 3D face models and lip-sync from a single photo, serving cosmetics, eyewear, advertising, automotive, and entertainment enterprises via an SDK and consumer apps. Now a division of Axell Corporation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where MotionPortrait is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
MotionPortrait business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- SDK Licensing: Enterprise licensing of MotionPortrait SDK for integration into third-party applications. License types include server license and embedded license. Developer environment and sample code provided within 5 business days of contract signing.
- Smartphone App Sales: Direct consumer sales of entertainment apps through App Store and Google Play including ZombieBooth, PhotoSpeak, ChatMe, and other avatar/animation applications.
- Custom Development Services: Turnkey development services from requirements definition to commercial product level across various platforms with commercial implementation track record.
- Solution Packages: Complete solution packages for specific use cases including MP Animation, MP Makeover, MP Movie, MP Nigaoe, MP Face Analyzer, and MP Aging technologies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Evaluation SDK - Free with watermarks |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Server License |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Embedded License |
| Subscription | Monthly | Standard Glasses Simulator Platform |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
MotionPortrait product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MotionPortrait develops facial animation technology that reconstructs a 3D face model from a single photograph, enabling real-time facial animation and attribute editing. The company sells an enterprise SDK for developers and integrators, supplies branded virtual try-on simulators for cosmetics and eyewear retailers, and publishes a portfolio of consumer mobile apps that bring the same facial-animation engine to end users.
Product overview
MotionPortrait offers a comprehensive facial animation technology platform consisting of core technologies (MP Animation, MP Makeover, MP Movie, MP Nigaoe, MP Face Analyzer, MP Aging, MP Full3D, MP Chatbot), virtual try-on simulators (Glasses, Color Contacts, Cosmetics), and a developer SDK. The platform enables creation of 3D animated avatars from single photos with capabilities including face detection, expression generation, lip-sync, and virtual try-on. MotionPortrait provides these technologies through software licensing, SDK distribution, and consumer mobile applications. The company spun out of Sony Kihara Research Center in 2007 and specializes in real-time rendered computer graphics facial animation technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MP Animation: Base technology for facial animation from a single photo
- MP Makeover
- MP Movie
- MP Nigaoe
- MP Face Analyzer
- MP Aging
- MP Full3D
- MP Chatbot
- MP Cosmetics Simulator
- MP Glasses Simulator
- MP Contact-lens Simulator
Products and services
- MP Animation Core facial animation engine that reconstructs a 3D face model from a single still photo and drives it in real time; licensed to enterprise developers and integrators.
- MP Makeover Virtual cosmetics try-on technology that maps makeup, hairstyle, and skin effects onto a reconstructed face for retail and beauty applications.
- MP Movie Automated video generation tool that animates a still portrait into a short movie clip with lip-sync and motion cues.
- MP Nigaoe Portrait-style illustration rendering engine that converts photographs into stylized illustrated avatars.
- MP Face Analyzer Face analytics module that estimates facial attributes such as age, gender, expression, and gaze from a single image.
- MP Aging Age-progression and age-regression simulation engine that synthesizes older or younger versions of an input face.
- MP Full3D Full 3D face reconstruction module that generates a textured 3D mesh suitable for game and CG pipelines.
- MP Chatbot Chatbot platform that uses MotionPortrait's animated 3D avatars as conversational front-ends for enterprise customer engagement.
- MP Glasses Simulator Branded virtual eyewear try-on simulator for eyeglass retailers and opticians; allows customers to preview frames on their own face.
- MP Color Contacts Simulator Virtual color contact lens try-on simulator for contact lens manufacturers and retailers.
- MP Cosmetics Simulator Virtual cosmetics try-on simulator targeted at beauty brands and cosmetics retailers for in-store and online deployment.
- MotionPortrait SDK Enterprise software development kit bundling the company's facial animation, reconstruction, and analytics modules for integration into third-party applications.
- ChatMe Consumer mobile app that turns a user's portrait into an animated talking avatar for messaging.
- MotionPortrait (mobile app) Branded consumer mobile app that animates a single photograph into a short talking portrait clip.
- PhotoSpeak Consumer mobile app that animates a still photo to lip-sync with the user's recorded or typed speech.
- ZombieBooth Consumer mobile app that transforms the user's portrait into a zombie-style animated avatar.
- ChouChou Consumer mobile app featuring stylized face-animation effects built on the MotionPortrait engine.
- HourFace Consumer mobile app that morphs a user's face through a sequence of age stages.
- NinjaMe Consumer mobile app that overlays ninja-style facial animation effects on a portrait.
- ZombieMe Consumer mobile app that animates the user's portrait as a zombie-themed avatar.
- MustacheBooth Consumer mobile app that overlays animated facial-hair effects on a user's portrait.
- AnimateAnything Consumer mobile app that applies MotionPortrait facial animation to any uploaded image.
- PhotoAvatar Consumer mobile app that converts a portrait photograph into a stylized animated avatar.
- FaceMaker Consumer mobile app that allows users to build and animate custom avatar faces.
- MakeMeUp Consumer mobile app that applies virtual makeup effects to a user's portrait.
Quantifiable outcome
- Real-time face animation generation in only a few seconds on standard PC with 1GHz CPU
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use MotionPortrait
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MotionPortrait technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature7 records
MotionPortrait partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Silicon Studio CorporationcoreSilicon Studio serves as the middleware distribution partner for MotionPortrait technology, specifically serving game developers. They handle inquiries and provide MotionPortrait solutions for game production middleware needs.
- Hakuhodo Products Inc.coreMajor advertising agency subsidiary offering comprehensive advertising and promotion services. Provides content planning and proposal services leveraging MotionPortrait technology for campaigns.
- 4COLORS CorporationsupportingProvides innovative communication tools including PIP-Maker solution for easy avatar creation using PowerPoint, targeting the 'transmission market' with revolutionary services.
- ManpowerGroup JapansupportingGlobal staffing and recruitment company with 60+ years of experience providing comprehensive HR solutions including recruitment, evaluation, training, and career management.
- U-Glad CorporationsupportingJoint development partner for Photo2Cinema bridal video service that synthesizes bride and groom photos into wedding videos.
- LeovationsupportingPartner for 3D Glasses Fitter virtual try-on solution and exhibition at international eyewear shows including China's Shanghai International Optronics Exhibition and opti'12 Munich.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MotionPortrait competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Perfect Corp (YouCam): Provides AR and AI beauty try-on SDK (YouCam Makeup) and enterprise SaaS across cosmetics, skincare, and eyewear. Directly competes with MotionPortrait's MP Cosmetics/Glasses Simulators in the same virtual try-on verticals with a much larger global enterprise footprint.
- Revieve: Beauty and skincare AI platform offering AR try-on, virtual advisors, and personalized recommendations to beauty brands. Comparable to MotionPortrait's virtual try-on + face analytics bundle for cosmetics retail.
- Banuba: Provides AR face-tracking, face-AR effects, and avatar SDKs for mobile apps and web. Closely mirrors MotionPortrait's MP Animation SDK and 3D avatar-from-photo capabilities with broader consumer app deployment.
- Holition: Augmented reality studio specializing in beauty, jewelry, and eyewear virtual try-on. Direct competitor in the cosmetics/eyewear AR try-on segment where MotionPortrait has its strongest enterprise footprint.
- Avatar SDK / Itseez (Intel): 3D avatar generation SDK producing realistic 3D head/face models from a single selfie photo. Directly comparable to MotionPortrait's MP Full3D technology with similar single-input avatar generation approach.
- Fittingbox: Specializes in AR/3D virtual try-on specifically for eyewear, with a large frame database and enterprise platform. Direct competitor to MotionPortrait's MP Glasses Simulator and Contact Lens Simulator in the eyecare vertical.
Broad incumbents
- ModiFace (L'Oréal): AR beauty technology acquired by L'Oréal, offering face detection, skin diagnostics, and virtual try-on. Overlaps directly with MotionPortrait's MP Cosmetics Simulator capabilities but with the backing of a global beauty conglomerate and broader skincare diagnostics scope.
- Snap Inc. Operates Snapchat's AR Lens platform with massive face-tracking and AR try-on capabilities. Indirect competitor via commoditized AR face tools used by brands that might otherwise license MotionPortrait SDK.
Emerging players
- ZERO10: AR try-on platform focused on fashion and accessories with real-time AR overlay. Comparable in the virtual try-on category but focused on physical retail mirror experiences rather than SDK licensing.
- Zugara: Pioneer in web-based AR virtual try-on for apparel, eyewear, and accessories. Overlaps with MotionPortrait's virtual try-on category with a focus on web-based deployment.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MotionPortrait social profiles
Digital presenceMotionPortrait compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
MotionPortrait financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MotionPortrait leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
MotionPortrait funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MotionPortrait M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MotionPortrait
What does MotionPortrait do?
MotionPortrait develops facial animation technology that reconstructs a 3D face model from a single photograph, enabling real-time facial animation and attribute editing. The company sells an enterprise SDK for developers and integrators, supplies branded virtual try-on simulators for cosmetics and eyewear retailers, and publishes a portfolio of consumer mobile apps that bring the same facial-animation engine to end users.
Is MotionPortrait a public or private company?
MotionPortrait is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was MotionPortrait founded?
MotionPortrait was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MotionPortrait based?
MotionPortrait is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does MotionPortrait make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. SDK Licensing is the primary driver. The others are smartphone App Sales, custom Development Services and solution Packages.
Who are MotionPortrait's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Perfect Corp (YouCam), Revieve, Banuba, Holition, Avatar SDK / Itseez (Intel) and Fittingbox. Broad incumbents are ModiFace (L'Oréal) and Snap Inc.. Emerging players are ZERO10 and Zugara.
Does MotionPortrait have an API?
No public API is recorded for MotionPortrait.