Sony’s latest news makes a lot of sense for anime fans, with Aniplex owned by Sony will open a major VR anime content facility in Japan in fall 2024. Demon Slayer was announced as the first anime to join the featured lineup. The VR center will be 1200 square meters and located in a tourist hotspot, 5 minutes from Tokyo Station. It was also revealed that it will include the latest in audio and VR technology, such as real-time vibrating floors with visuals and interactive weather conditions similar to 4D technology such as gentle breezes. Sony’s Intellectual Property management company, Sony Creative Projects, will oversee the VR center. Admission price will be announced later.
Aniplex is also currently seeking cooperation from broadcasters, publishers and other companies handling content outside of the Sony group to contribute titles to their new VR facility. This suggests that fans can expect some surprising titles to be revealed soon. It is worth noting that Aniplex publishes Demon Slayer games, soundtracks, and films (along with Toho), with Aniplex participating in the production of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train and >Go to the Swordsmithing Village along with Ufotable and Shueisha. Aniplex of America also licenses all films and anime series in the United States.
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Sony’s new VR Center will join Universal Studios Japan in providing interactive VR content to capitalize on the growing content industry in Japan. The Japan Digital Content Association reported that Japan’s content industry in 2022 grew 4.5% over 2021, reaching a record 13.2 trillion yen. The company also seems ready to expand its influence on the anime industry following its acquisition of Crunchyroll on August 9, 2021. Sony recently revealed the news that in its first quarter report, the number Paid Crunchyroll members have exceeded 12 million.
Upcoming titles under the Aniplex banner
Winter 2023 will see Aniplex’s continued involvement in several major titles. It is set to produce the Japanese dub of Heaven Official’s Blessing, while through its subsidiary A-1 Pictures, will animate the upcoming Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Arc and Solo Leveling anime. Through Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Sony’s involvement in anime even extends to anisongs (anime songs), with YOASOBI’s chart-topping “Idol” being a great sign of its potential. The great potential of anime.
Source: Nikkei
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