ViviON

What ViviON does

ViviON (株式会社viviON) is a Tokyo-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of GEO Holdings Corporation that operates a vertically integrated 2D (anime/manga/otaku) content ecosystem connecting independent creators with end consumers. Founded in October 2021 through an absorption-type split from Eisys Inc., ViviON runs the long-standing DLsite marketplace (approximately 1.9 million registered works of doujinshi, doujin games, audio, and e-books), the comipo manga reader app with voice comics, the Manga Hub (まんがハブ) consignment distribution service that simultaneously publishes works to 100+ e-book stores, the Minna de Hon'yaku fan-translation platform covering 13 languages, and the viviON JCB co-branded credit card launched in May 2026 with Nudge Inc.

The company's monetization spans marketplace commissions on creator sales, per-page manuscript fees plus royalties for commercial manga published under labels including comipo comics, forcs, viviON THOTH, and viviON enter, merchandise sales through the viviON BLUE online and physical retail channel (leveraging GEO Holdings' 1,000+ store footprint), transaction fees on the credit card, and a planned per-title buy-to-own cloud gaming service called viviON GAMES, scheduled for 2026 launch and built on the OOParts Engine acquired from Black Inc. ViviON also operates three VTuber production agencies — Aogiri High School (1M+ YouTube subscribers), Yugiri High School (established June 2026), and Vebop High School (acquired October 2025 from REALITY Studios) — anchored by VHS City, a cross-agency virtual creator community launched in June 2026.

According to the company's March 2025 infographic, ViviON Group reported total sales of 520億円, employed 694 people across four core subsidiaries (AISIS, forcs, zowieQ, trisys), served 510万 service registrations (with DLsite alone exceeding 1,685万 registered users), and supported 51,000+ registered creators and business partners handling 51万 distributed works. Approximately 40% of access to major services originates from overseas, indicating meaningful international reach despite the Japan-centric operations and headquarters.

Name

ViviON

Legal name

株式会社viviON

Website

https://vivion.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ViviON is a Tokyo-based GEO Holdings subsidiary operating a vertically integrated 2D content ecosystem, running the DLsite marketplace, comipo manga app, VTuber production agencies, merchandise retail, and a planned cloud gaming service for creators and otaku consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Content Marketplace

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (513120), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Comics, Manga & Serialized Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual Influencers, VTubers & Avatar/Face-Tracking (Gaming Creators) (MPAFAEAK), Outsourced Art/Audio Production Services (2D/3D, Animation, VFX, Audio/VO) (MPAFAKAM), Creator Monetization & Fan Funding (Subscriptions, Tips, Memberships, Patronage) (MPAFAEAB)

Keywords

• Digital content marketplace
• Manga publishing platform
• VTuber production agency
• Cloud gaming services
• Anime merchandise retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Digital Content Sales (DLsite): ViviON operates DLsite, a major 2D content download platform (~190万 registered works) where creators sell doujinshi, games, audio, and manga. The platform charges commission on sales, generating marketplace-style revenue. Additionally, viviON earns commissions from distributing creator works via まんがハブ to 100+ e-book stores.
2. E-book and Comic Publishing: ViviON publishes manga through multiple labels: comipo comics, forcs (TL/BL), viviON THOTH (paper books), and viviON enter (new label). Revenue comes from sales of digital and paper comics, with page-based manuscript fees paid to creators plus royalties.
3. VTuber Production and Merchandise: ViviON operates multiple VTuber groups (Aogiri High School with 100万+ YouTube subscribers, Yugiri High School, Vebop High School) and generates revenue from live streams, super chats, merchandise sales (via viviON BLUE and physical retail at GEO stores), and official goods.
4. Merchandise and Goods Sales (viviON BLUE): viviON BLUE is a general merchandise store handling 2D collaborative products and original goods. Revenue is generated through online sales and physical retail events (POP UP CORNERs) at GEO stores. The company also operates an online lottery service (viviON BLUEくじ) for limited-edition goods.
5. viviON JCB Card: A co-branded credit card issued in partnership with Nudge Inc. (JCB brand), offering cashback and discounts on ViviON group services. Revenue comes from transaction fees paid by merchants on card payments.
6. viviON GAMES (Cloud Gaming): A planned cloud gaming service (2026 launch) enabling smartphone users to play PC games via browser using the OOParts Engine. Revenue model is per-game purchase (buy-to-own), not subscription-based, allowing game developers to earn per sale without requiring porting.
7. ASMR Production Studio: ViviON operates an ASMR production studio providing end-to-end services including scenario writing, casting, recording, editing, and distribution via DLsite. Revenue includes both original ASMR productions and collaborations with IP holders (e.g., Blue Archive × ASMR with Yostar).
8. Group Companies (Subsidiaries): ViviON Group includes subsidiaries that contribute to overall group revenue: AISIS (DLsite operator), forcs (electronic comics), zowieQ (audio/voice production), and trisys (game/content production). Group total revenue is stated at ~520億円.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ViviON operates a multi-platform 2D (otaku) content ecosystem anchored by DLsite, a digital marketplace with ~1.9 million registered works where independent creators sell doujinshi, games, audio, and manga. The company distributes manga and e-books through まんがハブ (Manga Hub) to 100+ e-book stores, produces VTuber content through agencies such as Aogiri High School within the VHS City virtual creator community, sells merchandise via viviON BLUE, publishes manga through labels such as viviON THOTH and comipo comics, produces ASMR content through a dedicated studio, and operates a co-branded credit card (viviON JCB Card). A planned viviON GAMES service will use the OOParts Engine to enable PC gaming on smartphones via cloud streaming.

Product overview

ViviON operates a multi-platform entertainment ecosystem centered on 2D (二次元) otaku content, connecting creators and users. The portfolio spans: content platforms (DLsite as the flagship 2D download marketplace, comipo for e-comics, and 大家一起翻譯 for global 13-language translation); creator support services (GENSEKI, DLsite Studio, まんがハブ consignment to 100+ stores, and manga creator recruitment); merchandise and goods (viviON BLUE retail stores and viviON BLUEくじ online lottery); media and publishing (viviON enter, comipo comics, viviON THOTH paper books, GIRLSMANIAX, ASMR studio); VTuber production (あおぎり高校, ゆうぎり高校, ビバップ高校 under VHS City virtual creator community); games (viviON Lab indie label, viviON GAMES cloud gaming, オズの原罪 mobile puzzle game, ADICE analog games, Clock over ORQUESTA music project); and payment services (viviON JCB Card with partner Nudge Inc.). The company also recruits manga creators with page-based compensation and adaptation services including paper comics, voice comics, and TV drama adaptations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DLsite
• comipo
• viviON BLUE
• viviON JCB Card
• まんがハブ (Manga Hub)
• viviON GAMES
• VHS City (Vtuber High School City)
• Aogiri High School VTuber Production
• Yugiri High School VTuber Production
• viviON THOTH
• viviON Lab Indie game publishing label on Steam, discovering and supporting indie game creators.
• ASMR Production Service End-to-end ASMR production service using professional sound experts, including scenario writing, casting, recording, editing, and distribution via DLsite, with both original works and IP collaborations.
• みんなで翻訳 (Minna de Hon'yaku) Translation platform enabling works to reach global audiences in 13 languages through fan translators, supporting DLsite creators' international reach.
• viviON BLUEくじ (Online Lottery) Online gashapon/lottery service with no-lose guaranteed prizes featuring 2D collaboration merchandise, with single draws at 770 JPY and complete sets at 38,500 JPY.
• comipo comics Electronic comic-only label recruiting and publishing manga creators with page-based manuscript fees and adaptation support including voice comics and TV drama adaptations.
• GIRLSMANIAX Voice drama and situation voice production label targeting female and otome audiences.
• Vebop High School VTuber production agency rebranded from Vebop Project, participating in VHS City virtual creator community.
• Oz no Genza -Sin of OZ- Smartphone puzzle adventure game themed on 'The Wizard of Oz', available on iOS and Android.

Quantifiable outcome

• 51万作品 distributed across platforms; 51,000+ registered creators and business partners
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Shueisha (集英社)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 May 2026ViviON obtained licensing rights to produce and sell official Gintama merchandise (新劇場版 銀魂 -吉原大炎上-) featuring original illustrations. Products sold at 100 GEO stores nationwide through June 19, 2026. Shueisha holds the copyright to the Gintama manga by Akira Toriyama.
• Studio Chizu (スタジオ地図)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 May 2026ViviON produced and sold official merchandise for Studio Chizu films including 'The Colors Within' (果てしなきスカーレット) and past works (Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, etc.) at 50 GEO stores to celebrate the rental release.
• Tokyo Communication Art College (東京コミュニケーションアート専門学校)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2023ViviON established a WEBTOON industry-academia collaboration project with Tokyo Communication Art College, providing WEBTOON production training to students and recruiting talent from the program. Part of ViviON's strategy to develop WEBTOON as a content format.
• ImagineVR Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVR sales platform operator acquired through M&A into the ViviON group. Part of ViviON's portfolio of entertainment domain acquisitions targeting VR/immersive content companies.
• Yellow Tail LLC (有限会社はろーている)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoice actor production company acquired through M&A. ViviON expanded into voice actor management and production as part of its entertainment content strategy.
• SUIHEI Inc. (すいへい株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASMR viewing app ZOWA operator acquired through business transfer from AISIS. ViviON has extensive ASMR content operations and this acquisition added a mobile ASMR viewing app to the portfolio.
• Trident Works Inc. (株式会社トライデントワークス)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContent production and web development company acquired via business transfer. Operates as part of the ViviON group, contributing to content production capabilities.
• GEO Interactive Inc. (株式会社ゲオインタラクティブ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectronic comic publishing business operated within the ViviON group via GEO Holdings. Part of the vertical integration of the manga publishing pipeline.
• GENSEKI Inc. (株式会社GENSEKI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreator support platform service business acquired by ViviON. GENSEKI operates a platform that helps creators find work and career guidance, complementing ViviON's creator ecosystem.
• Create-Ring Inc. (株式会社minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVTuber production agency that was merged into ViviON in April 2023, bringing the Aogiri High School VTuber group under ViviON's direct management.
• ICT Inc. (株式会社ICT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMotion capture studio operator and VTuber-related business acquired through M&A. Expands ViviON's VTuber production infrastructure with professional motion capture capabilities.
• Black Inc. (株式会社ブラック)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCloud gaming engine 'OOParts Engine' and related patent technology transferred to ViviON. This acquisition is strategic as it forms the technological foundation of the planned viviON GAMES service, enabling PC games to run on smartphone browsers via cloud servers.
• REALITY Studios Inc. (REALITYスタジオ株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVTuber production 'Vebop Project' operations transferred to ViviON in October 2025. Now rebranded as 'Vebop High School' under the VHS City virtual creator community.
• Brave group Inc. (株式会社Brave group)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerViviON entered a business partnership with Brave group in January 2023, resulting in the Aogiri High School VTuber group transferring to ViviON while maintaining a business partnership with Brave group for collaborative content.
• Nudge Inc. (ナッジ株式会社)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNudge is ViviON's partner for the viviON JCB Card, a co-branded credit card. Nudge provides the card infrastructure (Nudge Platform) and JCB brand licensing while ViviON provides the customer base and branded design (Aogiri High School etc.). The card launched May 18, 2026 with 13 original card designs.
• Yostar Inc. (ユースター株式会社)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerYostar partnered with ViviON's ASMR studio to produce and distribute Blue Archive ASMR content via DLsite. Characters Nonomi and Tsuraki received official ASMR productions, distributed as premium digital content.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Piccoma (Kakao Piccoma): Piccoma is Japan's largest manga app by revenue, distributing via the App Store with a freemium model and manga-first catalog. It competes head-to-head with comipo for free-to-paid manga reading and is a comparable distribution channel partner via まんがハブ.
• LINE Manga (LINE Yahoo): LINE Manga is a leading manga reading platform with hundreds of titles and is one of the 100+ partner stores in ViviON's まんがハブ distribution network. Comparable in market positioning and target consumer (mobile-first manga readers) to comipo and DLsite.
• Cover Corporation (Hololive Production): Cover Corp operates Hololive Production, the largest VTuber agency in Japan and globally. It is the primary competitive counterpart to ViviON's Aogiri/Yugiri/Vebop High School agencies and VHS City community platform, competing for talent, sponsors, and fan engagement.
• Brave Group Inc. Brave Group is a VTuber production company and existing ViviON partner (formerly operated Aogiri High School before the 2023 transfer). It now collaborates with ViviON on co-produced content while operating parallel VTuber groups, making it the closest direct comparable in the VTuber agency segment.
• ANYCOLOR (Nijisanji): ANYCOLOR operates the Nijisanji VTuber network, one of the two largest VTuber agencies in Japan. It is a direct competitor to ViviON's VTuber production agencies in talent acquisition, livestreaming, and merchandise economics, with a similar multi-group roster strategy.
• BookWalker (Kadokawa): BookWalker is Kadokawa's flagship manga/e-book direct-to-consumer platform and competes most directly with comipo and まんがハブ for electronic comics distribution and manga creators. Both operate owned ebook storefronts with creator-payout economics.
• Pixiv Inc. Pixiv operates pixiv (illustration), pixiv Comic, and Booth (creator marketplace) - adjacent creator economy platforms. The Booth-style creator marketplace and pixiv Comic are competitive mirrors of DLsite's doujinshi and manga distribution.
• DMM.com: DMM is Japan's largest digital content marketplace and operator of FANZA (adult content), directly competing with DLsite in 2D digital downloads, indie creator publishing, and VTuber/streaming verticals. Both operate creator-to-consumer pipelines with similar marketplace economics and adjacent streaming services.

Broad incumbents

• KADOKAWA Corporation: KADOKAWA is a major Japanese publishing conglomerate with manga, light novels, anime, games, and BookWalker e-book platform. It is a broader incumbent that competes across multiple ViviON verticals simultaneously (publishing, animation, gaming) at much larger scale.

Regional players

• NHN Japan (Comico): NHN Japan operates Comico, an early Japanese webtoon/manga platform and a competitor in 2D content distribution and creator recruitment. It is comparable in vertical but smaller in scale and primarily Japan/Korea focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vivion_info
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@VtuberHighSchoolCity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vivioninc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 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 ViviON