NILL

What NILL does

NILL Inc. (株式会社NILL) is a Tokyo-based creative technology studio founded in July 2020 by Representative Director Yusuke Shimizu, operating from Shinjuku, Tokyo with a registered capital of ¥3,000,000. The company specializes in VR/MR content development, virtual live production, 3DCG creation, motion-capture direction, and naked-eye stereoscopic media for entertainment IP holders, VTuber agencies, telecommunications providers, and exhibition organizers in the Japanese market. Its core technical platform spans Unity and Unreal Engine 5, augmented by specialized output pipelines for devices including ELF-SR2 and Looking Glass 65-inch autostereoscopic displays.

The studio's productized service offering includes nine named lines: VR/MR content development, virtual live development, 3DCG development, naked-eye stereoscopic content, Unity/UE-based development, AR live technology cooperation, live-streaming VR system development, stereoscopic/3D rendering, and supporting web design. Notable deliverables include the XR BASE facility inside Akihabara Station (with NTT QonQ), the CONNECT V and CONNECT VR platforms (NTT QonQ/Docomo), the Matrix Stream system (NTT QonQ), Aikatsu Academy! virtual concerts (Bandai), Shirakami Fubuki 1st Solo Live (Hololive Production), and Obey Me! 1st Virtual Concert staged at Anime Expo 2024 in Los Angeles.

NILL operates as a B2B professional services studio with project-based, quote-driven revenue derived from fixed-price contracts. Go-to-market relies on a publicly curated project portfolio on its website, participation in the XR Comprehensive Exhibition (booth presence at the 2nd edition), and PR Times press-release distribution. The company name derives from "Light Illuminate Nearby," reflecting its stated mission to act as a localized creative-technical partner for surrounding clients. All operations are concentrated in Japan, with no disclosed external investment, parent company, or public funding rounds.

Name

NILL

Legal name

株式会社NILL

Website

https://nill.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Tokyo-based VR/MR development studio providing virtual live production, 3DCG content, and naked-eye stereoscopic media using Unity and Unreal Engine 5. Serves Japanese entertainment IP holders, VTuber agencies, and telecom firms including NTT Docomo, Bandai, and MIXI.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Virtual Production and VR/MR Content Development Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Virtual Production & LED Volume Services (Stage Ops, ICVFX, Real-Time Camera/Tracking) (MPADAHAB)

Keywords

• VR content development
• Virtual live production
• MR content development
• 3DCG character modeling
• Naked-eye stereoscopic content

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Project-based Development Services: B2B custom development services for VR/MR content, virtual live events, and interactive experiences. Revenue is generated through fixed-price project contracts with entertainment companies, IP holders, and media organizations.
2. Technical Consulting and Supervision: Technical direction and supervision services for content development, including motion capture direction and system integration consulting.
3. Creative Production Services:

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

NILL is a B2B creative technology studio that develops VR and MR content, virtual live concert productions, 3DCG character and environment assets, and naked-eye stereoscopic exhibition content for Japanese entertainment IP holders, VTuber agencies, telecommunications operators, and event organizers. Production is executed using Unity and Unreal Engine 5, with specialized capability in motion capture direction and glasses-free 3D content for ELF-SR2 and Looking Glass displays.

Product overview

NILL Inc. is a VR/MR development studio offering a comprehensive suite of immersive content creation services centered around virtual concerts, 3DCG development, and stereoscopic content. The core offerings include VR/MR content development using Unity and Unreal Engine, virtual live development for real-time performances, and 3DCG character and environment creation. Specialized services encompass naked-eye stereoscopic content using ELF-SR2 and Looking Glass displays, AR live technology, live streaming VR systems, and motion capture direction. Supporting services include web development and design production. The company primarily serves entertainment brands, virtual idol/VTuber projects, music artists, and corporate clients for XR experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VR/MR Content Development Service (VR/MRコンテンツ開発サービス) Development of VR and MR content using Unity and Unreal Engine for entertainment, promotional, and commercial applications, serving entertainment IP holders and corporate clients.
• Virtual Live Development Service (バーチャルライブ開発サービス) End-to-end virtual concert and live event development, creating immersive real-time performances featuring virtual performers, 3DCG characters, and audience interaction capabilities for entertainment IP holders and VTuber agencies.
• 3DCG Development Service (3DCG開発サービス) Three-dimensional computer graphics development for virtual performances, character modeling, and stereoscopic content creation, supporting virtual concerts, exhibitions, and character-based IP activations.
• Naked-eye Stereoscopic Content Development Service (裸眼立体コンテンツ開発サービス) Glasses-free 3D content development for specialized displays including ELF-SR2 spatial reproduction displays and Looking Glass 65-inch autostereoscopic panels, enabling autostereoscopic viewing experiences for exhibitions and pop-up events.
• Unity and Unreal Engine Development Service (Unity・UE開発サービス) Custom development using Unity and Unreal Engine 5 platforms for game engine-based content, applications, and interactive experiences, providing dual-engine flexibility for different project requirements.
• AR Live Technology Cooperation Service (ARライブ技術協力サービス) Augmented Reality live technology cooperation services for hybrid in-person and virtual event experiences, including AR live production using Unreal Engine 5.
• Live Streaming VR System Development Service (生配信VRシステム開発サービス) Live streaming VR system development for real-time virtual events and broadcast productions, including platform system architecture and integration work such as NTT QonoQ's CONNECT V fan meeting infrastructure.
• Stereoscopic Vision Development and 3D Rendering Service (立体視開発・3Dレンダリングサービス) Stereoscopic vision development and 3D rendering services for entertainment and exhibition applications, including 3D映像 special performances and cinematic stereoscopic content.
• Motion Capture Direction Service Technical supervision and motion capture direction for music videos, virtual performances, and other content productions, leveraging Mocap implementation expertise for entertainment clients.
• Web Development and Design Production Service (WEB系開発・デザイン制作サービス) Web development and design production services for corporate websites and digital presence, including corporate site builds and logo design for clients such as ORGEL Inc.

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• NTT Docomo (株式会社NTTドーム)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor business partner for XR and VR content development. Collaborated on CONNECT VR and CONNECT V virtual live platforms, as well as docomo business Forum '23 CONN virtual human content production.
• NTT QonQ (株式会社NTTコノキュー)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey strategic partner for XR technology initiatives. Collaborated on XR BASE Akihabara station facility, Matrix Stream system, CONNECT V platform, and multiple virtual event productions.
• MIXI (株式会社MIXI)majorTechnology or IntegrationEntertainment platform partner for virtual live and VR content development projects.
• Bandai (株式会社バンダイ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Aikatsu Academy! (アイカツアカデミー！) virtual concert and live content, including multiple LIVE version productions and brand muse festival events.
• Gakken LX (株式会社Gakken LX)majorTechnology or IntegrationPartner for SKYPEAK LX powered by Gakken content development and ELF-SR2 naked-eye stereoscopic display content creation.
• LATEGRA (株式会社LATEGRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term virtual entertainment content development partner for various projects.
• Alice (株式会社Alice)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for virtual content development and creative production services.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cover Corp: Cover Corp operates Hololive Production and produces its own virtual live concerts, including projects NILL has worked on such as Shirakami Fubuki 1st Solo Live. A broad incumbent that both commissions studios like NILL and builds internal virtual live capabilities.
• ANYCOLOR Inc. ANYCOLOR operates the Nijisanji VTuber agency and produces virtual live events at scale, including the PICO LIVE VEYOND project where NILL contributed VR development. Acts as both client and direct in-house producer in the same virtual concert market.
• Bandai Namco Entertainment: Bandai Namco is a major Japanese entertainment conglomerate and IP holder (e.g., Aikatsu franchise) that engages external studios like NILL for virtual concerts while also operating large internal production capabilities. A broad incumbent both as a client category and as a competitor for premium virtual live work.

Emerging players

• Brave Group: Brave Group operates VTuber agencies and develops virtual entertainment IP including virtual live event production. Comparable as a Japanese emerging player in the virtual performer and XR entertainment space that NILL also serves.
• Activ8 (Hololive Production parent prior to Cover): Activ8 is a Japanese virtual entertainment and VTuber technology company that originated the Hololive Production franchise. Comparable as an emerging player in the virtual human and VTuber production ecosystem where NILL provides execution services.

Direct peers

• Psychic VR Lab: Psychic VR Lab operates the STYLY VR creation platform and produces immersive XR content and events. Comparable to NILL as a Japanese VR content creation studio, though with a stronger platform/authoring tool orientation.
• HIKKY: HIKKY is a Tokyo-based VR development company that builds virtual event spaces and hosts large-scale virtual live concerts in partnership with anime and entertainment IP holders. Directly comparable to NILL in the Japanese virtual live production and VR content development space.
• monoAI technology: monoAI technology provides VTuber and virtual human platforms with end-to-end live production tooling. Comparable to NILL in delivering virtual performer and VTuber live event infrastructure, though monoAI leans more toward platform tooling while NILL focuses on project execution.
• Kiteretsu Inc. Kiteretsu is a Japanese virtual live production studio that develops virtual concert experiences similar to NILL, including real-time 3DCG character rendering and VTuber event production for Japanese entertainment clients.

Others

• Dwango (Kadokawa): Dwango, part of the Kadokawa group, is a Japanese internet services and virtual live platform operator including the PICO LIVE VEYOND ecosystem. An ecosystem partner/platform layer adjacent to NILL's project-based virtual live production services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 NILL