Kodansha VR Lab, Ltd.

Kodansha VR Lab, Ltd. (株式会社講談社VRラボ) is a Japanese digital content studio established in October 2017 as a subsidiary of the publishing house Kodansha Ltd. Headquartered in Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, the company describes itself as a "lab" where people with ideas, technology, and planning can gather freely to explore what content — specifically storytelling — can be when the latest technology is used to its fullest, and to shape that into works released to the world. Its stated mission is to "pursue the optimal storytelling for the newest media." The company's business scope is broad: planning, production, manufacturing, wholesale, leasing, sales, rights business, and import/export of virtual reality content, video, games, audio, music, and other digital content; planning and development of character merchandise; and management, licensing, assignment, and brokerage of copyrights, design rights, and trademarks. Kenji Ishimaru (石丸健二) serves as representative director. Kodansha VR Lab is best known for its original VR works, particularly the Hop Step Sing! franchise — a VR idol project with titles such as Hop Step Sing! Everywhere!, Hop Step Sing! VR Live Hop Summer 3rd, and Hop Step Sing! Kimi wo Soba ni. The studio also produces VR films, including director Jun Wada's "If You See a Cat" (猫が見えたら), which has been selected and awarded at international festivals and released on Steam and Meta platforms, and "列" (Retu/Line). Its works have appeared at events including Hungary's Primanima festival (Immersive Competition), the Kaohsiung Film Festival, SXSW London 2026, and the Telly Awards, where "If You See a Cat" won a Silver Award in the VR category. In addition to original works, the studio takes on client work, such as motion logo direction for "Magnet" and for the "Attack on Titan Exhibition FINAL × SKY DECK" collaboration. The company continues to recruit for roles including CG designer, line producer, and production manager, signaling ongoing project development.

Kodansha VR Lab, Ltd. was established in October 2017 (Heisei 29) as a subsidiary of Kodansha Ltd., one of Japan's largest publishing houses. The company was set up in the Tsukiji district of Chuo-ku, Tokyo, and describes itself as a "lab" — a place where people with ideas, technology, and planning can gather casually to explore what content and storytelling can be when the latest technology is used to its fullest, and to give that form and send it out to the world. Its mission statement is to "pursue the optimal storytelling for the newest media." The studio's business scope spans virtual reality content, video, games, audio, music, and other digital content — covering planning, production, manufacturing, wholesale, leasing, sales, rights business, and import/export — as well as character merchandise planning and development, and the management, licensing, assignment, and brokerage of copyrights, design rights, and trademarks. Kenji Ishimaru serves as representative director. Among its original works, the Hop Step Sing! franchise is a central VR idol project, with entries including Hop Step Sing! Everywhere!, Hop Step Sing! VR Live Hop Summer 3rd, and Hop Step Sing! Kimi wo Soba ni. The studio has also produced VR films, notably director Jun Wada's "If You See a Cat" (猫が見えたら) and "列" (Retu). These works have circulated on the international festival circuit: "If You See a Cat" was selected for the Immersive Competition at Hungary's Primanima animation festival, was double-nominated alongside "列" at the Kaohsiung Film Festival, was an official selection at SXSW London 2026, and won a Silver Award in the VR category at the Telly Awards. In April 2026 the film began distribution on Steam and Meta platforms. Beyond original works, Kodansha VR Lab undertakes client projects, including motion logo direction for "Magnet" and for the "Attack on Titan Exhibition FINAL × SKY DECK" collaboration. The company has continued to hire, advertising for CG designers in June 2025 and for line producers and production managers in July 2024 in connection with new project launches.

• Kodansha VR Lab, Ltd. is established in Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, as a subsidiary of Kodansha Ltd.

• The studio advertises openings for line producers and production managers tied to new project launches.

• The studio advertises openings for CG designers.

• VR film "If You See a Cat" begins distribution on Steam and Meta.

• "If You See a Cat" is selected as an official selection at SXSW London 2026.

• "If You See a Cat" wins a Silver Award in the VR category of the Telly Awards.

• "列" and "If You See a Cat" are double-nominated at the Kaohsiung Film Festival.

• "If You See a Cat" is selected for the Immersive Competition at Hungary's Primanima festival.

A Kodansha-group R&D-style studio exploring storytelling for the newest media through VR, video, games and digital content.

• Hop Step Sing! Everywhere!

• Hop Step Sing! VR Live Hop Summer 3rd

• Hop Step Sing! Kimi wo Soba ni

• If You See a Cat (猫が見えたら)

• 列 (Retu)

1. 1講談社VRラボ｜Kodansha VR Lab, Ltd. official websitekodanshavrlab.com
2. 2Kodansha VR Lab on Wikidatawikidata.org