#Japan #Chiyoda #Kids Pavilion #Metaverse Mall #Benelic

Benelic Digital Entertainment Unveils a New Metaverse Destination for Kids

In an exciting development for the younger generation, Benelic Digital Entertainment has announced the opening of the Kids Pavilion as the sixth building of the Sora no Ue Shopping Mall on August 21, 2025. Designed primarily for elementary school students, this innovative metaverse shopping experience aims to provide a safe and engaging environment for children in the digital world.

Why Target Elementary School Students?

Initially, the Sora no Ue Shopping Mall, which debuted on April 1, 2022, focused on attracting Generation Z shoppers in their 20s and 30s during the pandemic. The idea was to simulate the feel of physically browsing stores while being confined to homes. The mall provided unique online shopping experiences without the mere act of buying, featuring events with VTubers where avatars could interact in real time, such as waving concert lights and cheering during performances.

As time has passed, there's been a notable increase in elementary school students visiting the mall. Staff members frequently discuss how these young visitors engage with them through chat and voice features. Children have even taken to sneaking into meetings and sharing personal stories, demonstrating their comfort within the virtual space, and treating it as a gathering place with friends.

A Safe Space for Interactions

Amid these developments, it became evident that a secure environment for children was paramount. Acknowledging concerns about adult interactions with minors online, Benelic is committed to creating a wholesome atmosphere. The company is implementing measures such as:

• - Areas accessible only to kids with parental consent.
• - Regular security staff monitoring to ensure safety.
• - Custom-designed avatars aimed at resonating with elementary school students.

Diverse Spaces for Learning and Fun

The layout of the mall is uniquely designed with various levels intended to cater to multiple activities. The underground floor features a maze themed around underwater exploration, where kids must solve puzzles to emerge. The second level offers an active area for games like tag and dodgeball, while the third level combines fun with knowledge through quizzes that align with school curriculum subjects.

Discussions with educational institutions and publishing companies are underway for establishing spaces dedicated to learning, which may include libraries, English conversation classrooms, and rooms for job training, all while ensuring the enjoyment of learning through activities like game programming and CG design.

The Impacts of the Virtual Gathering Space

The current generation of schoolchildren is entrenched in a digitally connected world unlike any before, often missing the opportunities for physical playtime that previous generations enjoyed. As they navigate a landscape where physical stores like candy shops are disappearing and free time is limited due to extracurricular commitments, the Sora no Ue Shopping Mall offers a refuge where they can socialize and engage in shared activities from the comfort of their homes.

School tablets and PCs have already integrated visits to the mall into education, emphasizing its role in forming social connections among kids. The children’s ability to coordinate meeting times online showcases how the metaverse might redefine social interactions, bridging gaps caused by geographic or financial disparities.

About the Sora no Ue Shopping Mall

The Sora no Ue Shopping Mall operates seamlessly from smartphones, tablets, and PCs without the need for additional applications. Spanning a variety of unique shops—including character merchandise, local VTuber outlets, and gaming stores—the mall features over 250 businesses and hosts events and exhibitions. It stands not just as a shopping venue but as a thriving community space designed to foster connections in a virtual age.

For more details, visit Benelic's Official Website and Sora no Ue Shopping Mall.