Gugenka Provides MR Content at Sanrio Fest 2026, 4,300 Attend
Gugenka's deployment of two distinct MR attractions at a major Sanrio fan event shows the company scaling its XR expertise from single-character greetings to multiplayer interactive games, testing mass-audience appetite for location-based mixed reality.
Key Facts
- Sanrio Fest 2026 in Minato Mirai was held June 27-28, 2026, at Pacifico Yokohama.
- Gugenka's two MR experiences attracted approximately 4,300 total participants over two days.
- The Hello Kitty MR Character Greeting had about 2,200 participants; the Pochacco MR shooting game had about 2,100 participants.
- The event overall recorded over 20,000 in-person visitors and over 1 million online views.
- The Hello Kitty greeting used Brother Industries' ROOMDIVE immersive space creation system.
Reporting from 1 source: PANORA.
Gugenka, a Sanrio group company specializing in XR content, produced and operated two mixed-reality experiences at Sanrio Fest 2026 in Minato Mirai, held June 27-28 at Pacifico Yokohama. Over the two days, approximately 4,300 visitors participated in the company's MR offerings. The first, "Hello Kitty MR Character Greeting," allowed attendees to pet and high-five a virtual Hello Kitty who appeared in front of them through VR headsets, using Brother Industries' immersive space creation system ROOMDIVE. About 2,200 people experienced this greeting. The second, "Pochacco's Pakupaku Daisakusen -Share the ice cream love!-", was an MR shooting game where participants split into two teams, scooped virtual ice cream, and threw it at opponents alongside characters Pochacco, Hangyodon, and My Melody. Approximately 2,100 people played this game. The event overall drew over 20,000 in-person visitors and more than 1 million online views. Gugenka's CEO is Masafumi Mikami.
Brother Industries' ROOMDIVE system, a curved panoramic screen that fills the field of view, was used for the Hello Kitty greeting. The software development was handled by Gugenka. Brother and Gugenka collaborated to pursue a more realistic space. The system is designed for easy introduction without large-scale equipment.
For the Pochacco shooting game, visitors were divided into Strawberry Team and Mint Team. They scooped virtual ice cream with a spoon and threw it at the opposing team. Surprised voices were heard at the effect of ice cream appearing, and cheers spread especially at the moment when ice cream appeared in the palm of the hand.
Participants in the Hello Kitty greeting commented, "I got excited seeing Sanrio characters moving right in front of me," and loud cheers erupted when the characters popped out of the screen. The immersive effects combined sound, wind, and video. The large screen was visible from a distance, attracting visitors' interest as they approached.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.