What Appland does

Appland (株式会社アップランド) is a Tokyo-based entertainment company founded in 2017 that specializes in the development and management of virtual talent (VTuber) IPs and related content creation. The company operates two primary VTuber properties: the .LIVE (どっとライブ) agency, which manages original characters including pioneering VTuber Denso Shironu (電脳少女シロ) since 2017, and the VPI (ぶいぱい) group with three generations totaling 19 members launched between 2023-2025. Talents distribute content primarily via YouTube live streaming, supported by Fanbox premium subscriptions, Twitter/X engagement, and Discord community channels.

The company monetizes through a diversified fan-engagement model: physical merchandise (acrylic panels, badges, Blu-ray BOX sets priced 500-45,000 yen) sold via APPLAND OFFICIAL SHOP (4693.live) and BOOTH; digital voice products (binaural audio, VR-compatible video voice content at 1,000-3,000 yen) sold via dotlive.booth.pm; event tickets (5,000-29,500 yen) for solo lives and fan festivals; corporate partnership tie-ups; and the newly launched wearverse metaverse apparel brand (3,000-6,000 yen) selling VRChat avatar clothing through BOOTH. A proprietary software library, Verse Engine, supports web metaverse content publishing. Since April 2023, Appland has operated as a subsidiary of MBS Group (Mainichi Broadcasting System), with founder Naoya Murata serving as Representative Director. The company employs 11-50 staff and is actively expanding into new product lines including a 2026 stage musical adaptation (白爪草) with China tour.

Name

Appland

Legal name

株式会社アップランド

Website

https://appland.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Appland is a Tokyo-based VTuber entertainment company managing two talent groups (.LIVE and VPI with 40+ members) and the wearverse VRChat apparel brand, monetizing through merchandise, digital voice content, events, and metaverse products since 2017 under MBS Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Virtual Entertainment Services

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (711410)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Immersive/Interactive Animation (AR/VR/Real-Time) (MPAHACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interactive & Immersive Content Production (AR/VR/3D) (BPAFAIAL), Mobile/Digital Experiential (AR/VR, Interactive Installations) (MPAAAGAI), VR/AR Gaming Platforms (BPAMAKAG)

Keywords

• VTuber talent management
• Virtual entertainment streaming
• Voice content production
• Metaverse avatar apparel
• Live event production

Headquarters

HQ city

Shibuya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Physical Goods Sales: Sale of merchandise including acrylic panels, metal graphs, badges, clothing, and collectible items through APPLAND OFFICIAL SHOP and BOOTH platforms. Products range from 500 yen (badges) to 45,000 yen (complete Blu-ray BOX sets).
2. Voice Content Sales: Bilateral and video voice content sales featuring talent members. Standard voices priced at 1,000 yen, bilateral voices at 1,500 yen, VR-compatible video voices at 3,000 yen. Completion sets available at 5,500 yen.
3. Event Tickets: Revenue from venue events including solo lives, fan festivals, and meetup events. Ticket prices range from 5,000 yen to 29,500 yen depending on event type and package.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Enterprise tie-up products and co-branded merchandise developed with partner companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Appland is a Japanese VTuber entertainment company that develops, manages, and operates virtual talent IPs including the .LIVE (どっとライブ) agency and the ぶいぱい (VPI) talent group across multiple generations. The company produces YouTube live streaming content, designs and sells physical merchandise (acrylic panels, Blu-rays, apparel) and digital voice products (binaural audio), plans and operates live events such as solo lives and fan festivals, and operates the wearverse metaverse apparel brand for VRChat avatars.

Product overview

Appland operates a multi-faceted VTuber entertainment business centered on two talent groups (.LIVE and ぶいぱい) and a metaverse apparel brand (wearverse). The core offering is talent IP development and management through YouTube streaming, supported by physical merchandise (acrylic goods, apparel, Blu-rays) sold via official shops, and digital voice products (binaural audio, VR-compatible video voice content) through BOOTH. The portfolio also includes event production (concerts, festivals), stage productions like the 白爪草 musical, and proprietary technology (Verse Engine for web metaverse). Notable products include the 1st Generation Blu-ray BOX, multiple apparel lines (アプランウェア physical, wearverse digital), and various voice product series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• .LIVE: VTuber agency/production operated by Appland, managing talents including 電脳少女シロ and other virtual YouTubers.
• ぶいぱい
• wearverse

Products and services

• .LIVE (どっとライブ) VTuber Agency VTuber talent agency operation that manages and develops virtual YouTuber performers, streams content on YouTube, and supports music releases and merchandise sales for the agency's roster.
• ぶいぱい (VPI) VTuber Group VTuber group under Appland with three generations totaling 19 members as of 2025 (Gen 1: 6, Gen 2: 5-6, Gen 3: 7). Members stream games and entertainment content on YouTube.
• wearverse Metaverse Apparel Brand Social VR metaverse apparel brand selling avatar clothing items for VRChat, including uniform, kimono-inspired (Shuka), military, and magical themed outfits. Supports 9 avatar types with products priced 3,000-6,000 yen.
• Appland Wear (アプランヴェア) Physical Apparel Line Talent-inspired casual apparel line featuring T-shirts bundled with acrylic keychain accessories, sold across multiple volumes (at least 5 volumes as of 2026) through APPLAND OFFICIAL SHOP.
• Binaural Voice Products (バイノーラルボイス) Scenario-based audio content featuring VTuber talents in romantic and intimate situations, available in standard and binaural versions. Standard voice content priced at 1,000 yen, bilateral at 1,500 yen, VR-compatible video voices at 3,000 yen.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO: Operates virtual artists (KAF, RIM, etc.) under the THINKR umbrella. Comparable as a Japanese virtual talent agency with strong focus on music, live events, and digital content IP development.
• Brave Group: Operates multiple VTuber and virtual IP projects (Riot Music, etc.). Comparable to Appland as a multi-group Japanese VTuber operator investing in metaverse and AI-driven virtual talent.
• 774 Inc. Mid-size Japanese VTuber agency behind Hanafusa Sakurako and other notable talents. Directly comparable as a talent-management and merchandise-driven VTuber operator competing for the same Japanese fan base.
• ANYCOLOR (Nijisanji): Listed operator of the Nijisanji VTuber network. Closely comparable to Appland in talent management, merchandise, and live event monetization, with comparable multi-language and corporate partnership ambitions.
• Cover Corp (Hololive Production): Japan's largest VTuber agency operating Hololive Production. Direct competitor to Appland's .LIVE and VPI groups, with a similar model of YouTube streaming, merchandise, concerts, and corporate tie-ups, but at significantly larger scale.
• NoriZou (Nori Pro): Long-running Japanese VTuber production known for humor-focused streaming and merchandise. Closely comparable in business model (YouTube streaming, events, goods) and target Japanese fan base.
• Re:AcT: Japanese VTuber agency (Hoshirube, etc.) with similar YouTube-centric talent management and merchandise monetization. Comparable mid-size peer competing for Japanese VTuber share.
• Production Kawaii: Japanese VTuber production agency. Comparable mid-tier competitor in YouTube-driven virtual talent management, merchandise, and live event activities targeting the Japanese otaku market.

Broad incumbents

• VRChat: Social VR platform on which Appland's wearverse brand sells avatar apparel. Closely tied ecosystem partner and the underlying distribution venue for Appland's metaverse fashion initiative.

Emerging players

• Phase Connect: English-language VTuber agency with comparable multi-generation talent model and merchandise focus. Comparable in operating approach, but serves the Western VTuber market rather than Japan.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dotliveyoutuber
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAZ_LA7f0sjuZ1Ni8L2uITw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Appland