In an exciting development for anime and music enthusiasts, Genies, a pioneering AI avatar technology firm, has partnered with King Records, the prominent entertainment branch of Japan's Kodansha. This new collaboration aims to turn King Records' beloved characters into interactive AI companions, allowing fans to form unique, personalized relationships with their favorite figures from the vibrant world of anime and music.
This partnership represents a bold stride towards modernizing how fans interact with animated characters, enhancing their engagement beyond mere passive observation. By utilizing advanced AI technology, fans will now have the opportunity to engage in real-time, interactive communications with meticulously crafted characters, preserving the essence and personality of the originals. Each 3D model and its expressions will be developed under the careful supervision of human artists, ensuring that the characters maintain their authentic aesthetic and storytelling roots.
At the forefront of this innovative project is King Records' flagship franchise, "HYPNOSISMIC -Division Rap Battle-". This multimedia entertainment juggernaut seamlessly integrates hip-hop, character-centric narratives, music, anime, manga, and live performances, encapsulating the essence of contemporary fandom. With a rich roster of 21 central characters, this franchise showcases the creative synergies that arise when traditional storytelling meets cutting-edge interactive technology.
The engagement with these characters goes beyond simple content consumption; it invites audiences to develop meaningful connections and foster dynamic interactions, thereby revolutionizing how fans experience character storytelling. King Records maintains complete oversight throughout the creative process, ensuring that each character embodies the authenticity that fans have come to love.
As a part of this multifaceted collaboration, King Records continues to expand its global footprint, having recently entered feature film production. The first interactive movie from the "HYPNOSISMIC" franchise is set to premiere in the U.S. on February 27, 2026. The movie engages audiences by allowing them to influence the narrative through live voting, which has proven to be a game-changer for viewer engagement. Following its premiere in Japan, where it exceeded over one million ticket sales, the film showcases the dynamic storytelling potential available when utilizing innovative technology in entertainment.
Akash Nigam, the CEO and founder of Genies, emphasized Japan's esteemed legacy in character-driven narratives, stating that this collaboration aims to redefine fan interactions through richly detailed, intelligent 3D representations of fondly recognized figures. With Genies’ robust technology infrastructure, they can elevate the reach and scope of these beloved characters into interactive, game-ready assets while honoring the artistic integrity of each franchise.
The Genies technology stack enables an efficient creation process for character development that was once time-consuming and resource-intensive. This efficiency allows creators to dive into various stylistic domains, creating characters that resonate with fans across diverse visual preferences—from realistic depictions to classic anime forms. The focus on safety and control ensures that creators maintain the authenticity of character interactions, providing a secure environment where innovation meets fan expectations.
King Records, led by President and CEO Kohei Furukawa, perceives this partnership as a groundbreaking opportunity to enhance fan connections through innovative experiences. As the collaboration progresses, it stands poised to usher in a new era for their global IP ecosystem, encouraging deeper ties with fans.
With character-driven relationships firmly entrenched in Japanese culture, this partnership likely capitalizes on existing consumer behaviors while bridging boundaries with emerging technology. Genies has repeatedly demonstrated its potential to redefine fan engagements through collaborations with various entertainment properties, underscoring the vibrancy and charm found within character-driven narratives. This project not only highlights the potential of AI companions but also demonstrates how merging traditional storytelling with contemporary technology can yield unprecedented connections and involvement among audiences worldwide.
For further details about this groundbreaking initiative, you can visit
genies.com.