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VRChat

VRChat Inc. is enforcing a Creator Guidelines update that bars misleading thumbnails, whether or not AI generated them, and has opened a seven-day user survey on where to draw the line for AI content. Its Tokyo Game Show booth and Tokyo-based events ran through 2026, and an official large-scale offline meetup is set for Akihabara in May 2027.

Synthesized from 22 Yomimono stories · updated 1d ago

VRChat Inc.'s year has been organized around Japan. On July 31, 2026 the company announced its first Tokyo Game Show exhibit, and the booth at Makuhari Messe ran September 17 to 21 under the theme "See, Touch, Experience." The stage timetable split the pitch: business days September 17 and 18 covered how companies and brands use the platform, while public days from September 19 to 21 brought a Hatsune Miku greeting, a hands-on demo of the joint pixiv world Avatar x Dress-Up Tutorial, and sessions for Love Live! Sunshine!! and My Hero Academia. A stage program at the booth on September 21 with Kizuna AI and creator Tokoroba was cancelled as Typhoon No. 25 approached; the two streamed the collab in VRChat instead, visiting a makeup world, the Hatsune Miku Yozora Program 2026 venue, and a purikura world.

The Japan push has a commercial frame. Pixiv invested in VRChat Inc. on September 9 and formed a capital and business alliance, with joint promotions, events, and gradual technical integration planned. Head of Japan Growth Hideo Kitashoji says Japan is VRChat's second-largest market by players and its largest by creators. The alliance builds on BOOTH's 3D model category, which reached about 10.4 billion yen in 2025 annual transaction value, and the two companies are preparing jointly released VRChat worlds while remaining open to game companies bringing IP proposals.

Off-platform, the platform is branching into physical events and hardware. VRChat will hold OFFKAI2027 across two days on May 22 and 23, 2027 at Akihabara UDX with Skeb and Polygon Tailor Consulting; programming includes a creator sales event, a VR device exhibition, and a social gathering for around 800 people. Unitcom's PC Kobo brand released VRChat recommended spec PCs on August 20, starting at 404,800 yen.

The most recent change is a content rule. On October 7 VRChat published its position on AI use and updated its Creator Guidelines, prohibiting thumbnail images that do not match the actual content of a world, whether or not AI generated them. World names, tags, and descriptions are covered. A user survey on where to draw the line for AI content runs seven days from October 7, and labeling AI content remains undecided.

Key facts

Creator Guidelines update
On October 7, VRChat Inc. updated its Creator Guidelines to prohibit thumbnail images that do not match the actual content of a world, whether or not the image was generated with AI. World names, tags, and descriptions are also covered. ↗
AI labeling survey
A user survey on where to draw the line for AI content runs for seven days from October 7. Labeling AI content remains undecided. ↗
Platform availability
VRChat is free to play on Steam, Viveport, Meta Quest, Pico, iOS, and Android, and does not require a VR headset. ↗
Tokyo Game Show 2026 exhibit
VRChat Inc. exhibited at Tokyo Game Show 2026 for the first time, running September 17 to 21 at Makuhari Messe, with a booth at 08-N08 in Hall 8. ↗
Pixiv alliance
Pixiv Inc. announced on September 9, 2026 that it invested in VRChat Inc. and formed a capital and business alliance. The investment amount and stake were not disclosed. ↗
Japan market position
Head of Japan Growth Hideo Kitashoji says Japan is VRChat's second-largest market by players and its largest by creators. ↗
OFFKAI2027 offline meetup
VRChat will hold OFFKAI2027 across two days on May 22 and 23, 2027 at Akihabara UDX in Tokyo, organized with Skeb Inc. and Polygon Tailor Consulting Inc. ↗
Recommended spec PCs
Unitcom's PC Kobo brand released VRChat recommended spec PCs from its LEVEL∞ gaming line on August 20, with prices starting at 404,800 yen and built-to-order configuration. ↗
Kizuna AI collab after cancellation
Kizuna AI and VRChat creator Tokoroba streamed a collab in VRChat on Monday, September 21, after their Tokyo Game Show 2026 stage program that day was called off as Typhoon No. 25 approached. ↗
Masahiro Inoue VRChat drama
Masahiro Inoue, the actor who played Tsukasa Kadoya in Kamen Rider Decade, is filming a tokusatsu drama inside VRChat and took part in Virtual Market 2026 Summer. ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Noted
platform hosting Virtual Sanrio Puroland, tickets for viewing inside VRChat planned · 2026-10-23
Noted
first 3D models of Sakayori Iroha and Tsukimi Yachiyo shown for the first time · 2026-09-17
Noted
survey of 1,129 VRChat users on how virtual life shapes real-world spending · 2026-09-16
Noted
Participation in company-run worlds reached 60.9% · 2026-09-16
Noted
Business days on September 17 and 18 feature VRChat Talk Session panels on how companies and brands use the platform · 2026-09-14
Noted
V Inc. supported a Taiko Odori experience event hosted by Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture on VRChat on Saturday, August 29, 2026. · 2026-09-10
Noted
VRChat bar event Succubus Tavern LILITH continues to operate nearly five years after its start, with entry free of charge. · 2026-09-07
Noted
Over 130 cast members participate, and weekly sessions set up six or more instances, often attracting more guests than can enter. · 2026-09-07
Noted
Unitcom's PC Kobo brand released VRChat recommended spec PCs from its LEVEL∞ gaming line on August 20. · 2026-08-21
Noted
Cho Meta Fes 2026, a real-world flea market and exhibition for VRChat users · 2026-05-28
Announced
updated its creator guidelines to ban misleading thumbnails, AI-generated ones included · 2026-10-07
Announced
capital and business alliance with pixiv including an investment · 2026-10-03
Announced
booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026 (Tokyo Game Show 2026) · 2026-10-03
Announced
exhibiting at Tokyo Game Show 2026 for the first time, with a booth in Hall 8 (Tokyo Game Show 2026) · 2026-09-19
Announced
Japan is VRChat's second-largest market by players and its largest by creators · 2026-09-19
Announced
official VRChat world for the Netflix film Chō Kaguya-hime opens early at midnight on Friday, September 25, in the tutorial area · 2026-09-17
Announced
Tsukuyomi Thanksgiving Festival ~Super Delicious Pancake Party~ online live set for 21:00 on Saturday, December 26 · 2026-09-17
Announced
stage timetable for its booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026 (Tokyo Game Show 2026) · 2026-09-14
Announced
sale of Love Live! Sunshine!! Guilty Kiss related items on the VRChat official store · 2026-07-04
Announced
free talk event 'Creator Talk Show' on June 27, 2026 · 2026-06-23
Release
live_action · 2026-09-21 · 2026-09-21

Connections

Produces
love live sunshine
Produces of
vrchat inc, netflix, v inc, hakuhodo

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/vrchat. CC BY 4.0.

Claim activity

When a claim about VRChat was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.

  • Confirmed updated its creator guidelines to ban misleading thumbnails, AI-generated ones included Oct 7 · source
  • Confirmed Japan is VRChat's second-largest market by players and its largest by creators Sep 20 · source

All coverage

1d ago

ASTERISK VTuber Music Event Returns After 6 Years at Virtual Sanrio Puroland

Up Land, the operator of VTuber agencies including .LIVE, will hold "*ASTERISK in Virtual Sanrio Puroland" on Saturday, December 12, 2026, six years after the original *ASTERISK online live in 2020. This edition happens inside Virtual Sanrio Puroland, the permanent virtual theme park Sanrio runs on VRChat, with 10 VTubers split across two shows. The first show features Dennou Shoujo Shiro, Carlo Pino, Tooboe Kyan, Zakuro Shiro and Yoshika. The second features Kagura Suzu, Mokota Mememe, Gurenbatsu Maru, Kagura Nana and Jinsei Tsumiko. Performers come from .LIVE and Vpi plus four VTubers outside Up Land. Sanrio and its subsidiary Gugenka, the XR company, are cooperating on the production. Part of the park will be rearranged with an *ASTERISK theme, and an original stage built for the day will be installed. Some performances will use outfits from wearverse, Up Land's metaverse apparel brand. Tickets for viewing inside VRChat and separate online streaming tickets are planned, with prices and sales dates to be announced on the official X account and the special website.

3d ago

TOKYO AVATAR GATE Releases Re:Zero VRChat Fashion in Two Waves

ARROVA Inc. will sell VRChat-compatible digital fashion based on the TV anime Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- through its digital fashion marketplace TOKYO AVATAR GATE. The first wave, six apparel items, goes on sale October 28, 2026 at 12:00. The second wave, six accessories and goods, follows on November 4 at 12:00. All six apparel pieces cost 3,300 yen tax included, including an Emilia print T-shirt, Rem denim pants, a Ram ruffled turtleneck knit top, a Beatrice short zip-up parka, an Echidna leather skirt, and Natsuki Subaru wool wide short pants with layered tops. The goods line runs from 1,650 yen to 2,200 yen, covering an Emilia ita-bag, a Subaru memorial capsule and tag necklace, a Rem collar choker, a Ram tag bangle, Beatrice slip-on sandals, and an Echidna ring. ARROVA handled planning, production, and design; V Inc. handled VRChat costume support and data adjustment and produced some items.

Oct 7

VRChat Bans Misleading Thumbnails, Including AI-Made, In Guidelines Update

VRChat Inc. published its position on AI use and updated its Creator Guidelines on October 7, prohibiting thumbnail images that do not match the actual content of a world. The rule applies whether or not the image was generated with AI. World names, tags, and descriptions are also covered. The company framed misleading presentation as a problem that predates generative AI, and said it undermines the person-to-person connections the platform values. VRChat is free to play on Steam, Viveport, Meta Quest, Pico, iOS, and Android, and does not require a VR headset. The update followed pressure from creators B1G and Patroll, who called for a stated position; a related community group has more than 6,000 members. A user survey on where to draw the line for AI content runs for seven days from October 7. Meanwhile, labeling AI content remains undecided.

Oct 5

Masahiro Inoue Builds A Tokusatsu Drama Inside VRChat

Masahiro Inoue, the actor who played Tsukasa Kadoya in Kamen Rider Decade, posted on X on February 28, 2026 asking for help with VRChat worlds and avatars. He formed a VRChat group in March, launched a joint world project, held a two-day music live in May that lost its first day and ran two hours late on the second, then staged the Masahiro Inoue Debug Festival in July as a one-day rematch. He is now filming a tokusatsu drama inside VRChat and took part in Virtual Market 2026 Summer.

Oct 5

CastSpace Opens VRChat Concept Cafe Hoshifuru Chakai ~Eternal Stella~

CastSpace Inc. will open Hoshifuru Chakai ~Eternal Stella~, a virtual concept cafe run inside VRChat, on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 24:00. The company's affiliated livers act as cafe cast members, greeting visitors, guiding them to seats, serving drinks and food, posing for cheki-style commemorative photos and a group photo before the session ends. Each session runs about one hour. The first run is planned for roughly 12 visitors and 4 staff members in the world. Entry is through a VRChat Group Instance tied to group ETST.3074, and the participation fee is free. The venue is an original world built for the event, where the sky and surroundings change with the time of day and seasonal decorations shift across repeats. CastSpace plans to run the cafe about once a month after launch, timed to character anniversaries and seasonal events, and will use it as a test bed for its and U-Stella Group Holdings' future VRChat productions.

Oct 4

Pixiv And VRChat Detail Partnership At Tokyo Game Show 2026

Tokyo Game Show 2026 ran from Thursday, September 17 to Sunday, September 20 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. At the VRChat booth (08-N08), stage talks were held on each business day. On the first business day, three Pixiv Inc. employees spoke in a session titled "How Was the Frenzied 3D Culture Born? BOOTH & Pixiv 3D Business Managers Discuss the History and Future of the '3D Creator Economy.'" BOOTH manager Shinichiro Sugimoto and VRoid and 3D business manager Kazuki Koga spoke, with VRoid producer Akihiro Ito moderating. On Friday, September 18, a second talk covered the pixiv and VRChat partnership, with VRChat Inc. Head of Japan Growth Hideo Kitashoji and Pixiv 3D Business Office's Shingo Iwata, facilitated by writer Kazura Asada. Pixiv and VRChat announced a capital and business alliance on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Pixiv supported the VRChat booth as the alliance's first step.

Oct 3

VRChat And pixiv Formalize Capital Alliance After Years Of BOOTH Collaboration

In September 2026, VRChat Inc. and pixiv announced a capital and business alliance that includes an investment, with the two companies saying they will deepen cooperation on the creator ecosystem around 3D avatar culture. VRChat also ran a booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026, where the pixiv collaboration appeared, marking the platform's first TGS exhibit. Japan is VRChat's second-largest market and has a higher share of creators among users than other regions, according to the company. The two firms have worked together for about three or four years, including a 2022 VRChat and BOOTH partnership to surface VRChat-related products on the marketplace. pixiv handles creation tools and distribution, while VRChat provides the place where avatars are used. The companies say they are preparing jointly released VRChat worlds and are open to game companies bringing IP proposals.

Sep 25

VRChat Sets First Official Offline Meetup for Akihabara in May 2027

VRChat will hold OFFKAI2027, described by KAI-YOU as its first official large-scale offline event for users, across two days on May 22 and 23, 2027, at Akihabara UDX in Tokyo. VRChat Inc., the United States company that runs the social VR platform, organized the event with Skeb Inc., the operator of the commission platform Skeb, and Polygon Tailor Consulting Inc., which supports companies entering the metaverse. Programming includes a creator sales event, an exhibition of VR devices, and a social gathering for around 800 people. VRChat Inc. CEO Graham Gaylor is named in the announcement. Both cluster articles published on September 25, 2026, with KAI-YOU posting at 10:07 and PANORA at 09:22. No ticket prices, application windows, or stated attendance cap for the venue itself appear in either article.

Sep 21

Kizuna AI And Tokoroba Hold VRChat Collab After Tokyo Game Show Cancellation

Kizuna AI and VRChat creator Tokoroba streamed a collab in VRChat on Monday, September 21. The two had been set to appear in a stage program at the VRChat booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026 that day, but the real-world event was cancelled as Typhoon No. 25 approached, and the program was called off. They visited a makeup world, the Hatsune Miku Yozora Program 2026 venue, and a purikura world.

Sep 19

VRChat Turns to Japan as Second Market and Creator Base

VRChat is exhibiting at Tokyo Game Show 2026 for the first time, with a booth in Hall 8 hosting talk sessions, live screenings, and world tours from September 17 to 21. Pixiv, which announced a capital and business alliance with VRChat, appeared at the booth's business day talk session. Head of Japan Growth Hideo Kitashoji says Japan is VRChat's second-largest market by players and its largest by creators.

Sep 17

Chō Kaguya-hime VRChat World Opens Early On September 25

The official VRChat world for the Netflix film Chō Kaguya-hime will open early at midnight on Friday, September 25, in the tutorial area, as part of the Tsukuyomi Thanksgiving Festival. The first 3D models of Sakayori Iroha and Tsukimi Yachiyo were shown for the first time. An online live, Tsukuyomi Thanksgiving Festival ~Super Delicious Pancake Party~, is set for 21:00 on Saturday, December 26.

Sep 16

V Inc. And Hakuhodo Report VRChat Spending Tied To Real-World Moves

V Inc. and Hakuhodo's Metaverse Consumer Lab released a survey of 1,129 VRChat users on how virtual life shapes real-world spending. Avatars and costumes (84.1%) and PCs and VR devices (78.1%) topped purchases, while 15.6% spent on real-world travel and events. Participation in company-run worlds reached 60.9%, but recall for company and brand names stayed near 20%.

Sep 14

VRChat Sets Stage Timetable For Its TGS2026 Booth

VRChat Inc. released the stage timetable for its booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026, held at Makuhari Messe from September 17 to 21. Business days on September 17 and 18 feature VRChat Talk Session panels on how companies and brands use the platform. Public days from September 19 to 21 include a Hatsune Miku VR greeting, a hands-on demo of the joint pixiv world Avatar x Dress-Up Tutorial, and stage sessions for Love Live! Sunshine!! and My Hero Academia.

Sep 10

Hioki City Took Its Taiko Odori Worlds To VRChat For An Overseas Audience

V Inc. supported a Taiko Odori experience event hosted by Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture on VRChat on Saturday, August 29, 2026. The event ran inside the Taiko Odori world released in January 2026 and was staged with VRC EN-JP, a language exchange community. Participants in Japan and abroad used avatars to try the dance's movements, heard about the local festival Myoenji Mairi, and received guidance in Japanese and English. Organizers gathered participant impressions and interest in visiting.

Sep 9

Pixiv Invests in VRChat Inc. in Capital and Business Alliance

Pixiv Inc. announced on September 9 that it has invested in VRChat Inc., the San Francisco-based operator of the social VR platform VRChat, and formed a capital and business alliance. The two companies plan to collaborate over several years to develop the creator ecosystem around 3D avatar culture, with joint promotions, events, and gradual technical integration between their platforms. The first initiative is Pixiv supporting VRChat's booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026, held September 17-21 at Makuhari Messe, including a guest session. The second is a new VRChat world, 'Avatar x Dress-up Tutorial' (working title), developed by Pixiv with full promotional support from VRChat, aimed at beginners and planned for release this fall. The alliance builds on existing ties: BOOTH's 3D model category reached about 10.4 billion yen in 2025 annual transaction value, up about 179 percent from the prior year, and VRChat reports more than 250,000 active communities with average daily concurrent connections of 100,000. The investment amount and stake were not disclosed.

Sep 7

VRChat Bar Event Succubus Tavern LILITH Marks Five Years of Free Service

VRChat bar event Succubus Tavern LILITH continues to operate nearly five years after its start, with entry free of charge. Over 130 cast members participate, and weekly sessions set up six or more instances, often attracting more guests than can enter. Organizer LUMI*Rumi* attributes the event's longevity to the enjoyment of role-play.

Sep 4

VRChat Inc. to Exhibit at Tokyo Game Show 2026 With Miku, Kaguya-hime Stage Program

VRChat Inc. will exhibit at Tokyo Game Show 2026 for the first time, running September 17-21 at Makuhari Messe. The booth, 08-N08 in Hall 8, hosts a stage program built around VRChat content: an official greeting with Hatsune Miku from the Yozora Program 2026, a re-screening of the Chou Kaguya-hime! live performance from Sanrio Virtual Festival 2026, a Love Live! Sunshine!! segment previewing the Guilty Kiss VRChat broadcast, and appearances by Koga-ryuu Ninja Ponpoko, Tokoroba/105ro8, and Kizuna AI.

Aug 21

VRChat Recommended Spec PCs Launch From Unitcom Starting at 404,800 Yen

Unitcom's PC Kobo brand released VRChat recommended spec PCs from its LEVEL∞ gaming line on August 20. Prices start at 404,800 yen. The cheapest model pairs a Ryzen 7 7800X3D with a GeForce RTX 5070, 16GB memory, and 1TB NVMe SSD. Higher-end versions reach 579,800 yen with a Ryzen 9 9950X3D and RTX 5080. All are built-to-order.

Aug 10

Doko Demo Issho Developer BeXide Sells VRChat Avatars

BeXide, the Tokyo game developer behind the Doko Demo Issho series, has entered the VRChat avatar market. The company released two avatars through its BOOTH shop: Kokoro, a fox shrine maiden from its game Kitsune no Kaerimichi, and Nuit, an original character. Both cost 5,000 yen, discounted to 4,000 yen until August 16. A VRChat trial world, BeXide Avatar Trial World, is also live.

Aug 1

VRChat to Exhibit for First Time at Tokyo Game Show 2026

VRChat Inc., the US-based operator of the social VR platform VRChat, announced on July 31, 2026, that it will exhibit at Tokyo Game Show 2026 for the first time. The event runs from September 17 to 21 at Makuhari Messe, with September 17 and 18 as business days and September 19 to 21 as public days. The company's booth, located in Hall 8 at number 08-N08, will operate under the theme "See, Touch, Experience," offering daily stage events on the main stage featuring guests such as streamers, creators, and collaborative IPs. A hands-on corner will let first-time visitors try VRChat on the spot without bringing VR equipment, with staff on hand to assist. The company also plans venue-exclusive novelties and special content for booth visitors. Details on performers, stage programs, and booth content will be released in two future announcements. VRChat Inc. CEO Graham Gaylor said the appearance is an opportunity to thank Japanese users and creators and to welcome newcomers. The company is also recruiting a small number of sponsor companies for the exhibition.

Jul 22

Kizuna AI Launches Real-Time VRChat Hide-and-Seek Event

VTuber Kizuna AI announced a live VRChat event called "Kizuna AI Escape" on July 21, giving active VTubers one hour to find her in the virtual space and collaborate on the spot. She moved locations multiple times during the event as participants found her.

Jul 4

VRChat Official Store to Sell Love Live Sunshine Guilty Kiss Items

VRChat Inc. announced it will sell Love Live! Sunshine!! Guilty Kiss related items on the VRChat official store, commemorating the streaming of the musical performance Guilty Kiss Musical Performance: Pitch-Black Wanted Ghost on November 22-23, 2026. The performance will be held locally and streamed on VRChat and SPWN.

May 28

Cho Meta Fes 2026 Uses Digital Numbered Tickets to Eliminate Queues

Cho Meta Fes 2026, a real-world flea market and exhibition for VRChat users, was held May 23 at Akihabara UDX. The event used a digital numbered ticket system tied to VRChat IDs, letting attendees roam the corporate area while waiting for circle entry. The corporate area featured trials of VR devices including the EOZ VR Glove prototype and FluxPose magnetic full-body tracking.