Bandai Namco Music Live is actively expanding into VTuber and narrative audio drama content, partnering with Bandai Namco Research for motion-capture technology and producing SZNO's first serialized audio drama.
Bandai Namco Music Live has moved into two new content areas in 2026. In May, the company and MusicRay'n announced 'Mirror Shibuya,' a six-episode illustrated audio drama starring the multidimensional artist SZNO. The series premiered on SZNO's YouTube channel on March 21, 2026, and follows Yuno, an idol group member who wakes up in a mirrored version of Shibuya after an attack. The project features setting and character design concept by Jin, character design by Ritao, and music direction by Seiji Mizushima. Voice actress Eriko Nakamura plays a mysterious bat character. Seven VTubers from Bandai Namco Music Live's MEWLIVE production also appear in the drama.
In June, Bandai Namco Music Live and Bandai Namco Research Inc. announced a business partnership agreement for the VTuber business. The alliance combines Bandai Namco Music Live's content production capabilities, including its VTuber project MEWLIVE PROJECT, with Bandai Namco Research's portable motion capture system ELMIRAIVE CX. The first initiative under the partnership was a 3D fishing location video featuring MEWLIVE PROJECT VTuber Kumanō Beatrice, shot at Asakawa International Trout Fishing Ground using ELMIRAIVE CX to fuse 3D footage with real-time live-action backgrounds on-site. The video was scheduled for release on Kumanō Beatrice's YouTube channel on June 23 at 12:00. The partnership aims to create next-generation virtual experiences as the VTuber market matures.
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Jun 23
Bandai Namco Music Live and Bandai Namco Research Inc., both part of the Bandai Namco Group, announced a business partnership agreement for the VTuber business on June 23. The alliance combines Bandai Namco Music Live's content production capabilities, including its VTuber project MEWLIVE PROJECT, with Bandai Namco Research's advanced technologies, such as the portable motion capture system ELMIRAIVE CX. As the first initiative under the partnership, a 3D fishing location video featuring MEWLIVE PROJECT VTuber Kumanō Beatrice was produced. The shoot took place at Asakawa International Trout Fishing Ground in Hachioji, Tokyo, using ELMIRAIVE CX to fuse 3D footage with real-time live-action backgrounds on-site, rather than the conventional method of compositing separately recorded 3D footage later. The video is scheduled for release on Kumanō Beatrice's YouTube channel on June 23 at 12:00. The partnership aims to create next-generation virtual experiences as the VTuber market matures and demand for immersive technology grows. New developments for MEWLIVE PROJECT based on this alliance are expected to begin this summer, with details on content updates and events to be announced later.
May 30
Bandai Namco Music Live and MusicRay'n announced that 'Mirror Shibuya,' an illustrated audio drama starring the multidimensional artist SZNO, will begin streaming on SZNO's YouTube channel on March 21, 2026. The six-episode story follows Yuno, a member of the idol group Spark★Twinkle, who is attacked and falls unconscious, then wakes up in a mirrored version of Shibuya where she meets a mysterious girl named SZNO. The series is described as an urban fantasy work combining music, subculture, and urban legends, centered on two versions of Shibuya: one of shadow and one of light. The project features a notable creative team: setting and character design concept by Jin (creator of Kagerou Project), character design by Ritao (who contributed to KAF and Project SEKAI: Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku), and music direction by Seiji Mizushima (director of Mobile Suit Gundam 00). Voice actress Eriko Nakamura (Haruka Amami from THE iDOLM@STER) plays the mysterious bat character. Seven VTubers from the MEWLIVE production also appear, including Yuno Mihanada, BearTrice Kumano, and Kurone Yousagi. New music from SZNO will be released every Saturday through the end of April.