As one of the most tech-driven countries in the world, Japan now pioneers the use of AI to create virtual influencers on social media. Influencer marketing has always been a hit in Japan, with its spending rising to $780 million in 2023. That's a 13% increase from the previous year!
Virtual influencers are digitally-created humans who possess their own personalities, characteristics, and preferences. Virtual influencers are a hit among teenagers in Japan, especially as interest in the metaverse industry also grows. These virtual humans vary in platform, with some inhabiting Instagram and TikTok, while others dominating YouTube. These content creators also have their own advocacies, hobbies, and niches.
If you stumbled upon this list, it means you’re interested in becoming part of this new world inside social media. Virtual influencers are great for spicing up your daily scrolls, or for promoting your brand to a tech-advanced audience. Working with virtual influencers is also increasingly becoming a great digital marketing strategy by companies in Japan.
Below, we curated a list of the best virtual influencers in Japan for you to follow or work with.
The Top Virtual Influencers in Japan are ⬇️
10. Myra Keiko
Followers: 3.1K
Have you heard of Myra Keiko? She's not your ordinary singer. She's actually a virtual singer from Japan who has made a name for herself with her unique signature look - gray hair and baggy pants. Myra started as an anime character, but she's evolved into a 3D sensation after launching her debut single titled "Believe." Her songs are available on popular music streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, so be sure to check her out!
9. Ella
Followers: 7.4K
Meet Ella, the virtual influencer who's taking the fashion world by storm! Based in Tokyo, Japan, Ella is not just any influencer. She's actually the official Disney virtual girl created by Disney Japan. Aside from modeling chic clothing and having fun adventures with Mickey Mouse, Ella is also an architecture enthusiast.
On her social media accounts, you can find her sharing her trendy outfits, her exciting trips to Disneyland, and even her favorite beauty and skincare products. Trust us, you won't want to miss out on following her stylish and whimsical journey!
8. Aoi Prism
Followers: 10.6K
Are you ready to meet the ultimate representation of Gen Z Japanese virtual models? Look no further than Aoi Prism! Aoi's fashion sense is a mix of kawaii (cute) and Harajuku street fashion, making her stand out from the crowd. Her fun and colorful personality shines through in every post, where she strikes trendy poses and hangs out with her virtual and human friends. If you're searching for a virtual influencer who embodies Japan's latest cultural trends, Aoi is the perfect fit for you!
7. Liam Nikuro
Followers: 12K
If you're on the lookout for a Japanese-American virtual influencer who's talented in music production and modeling, you gotta check out Liam Nikuro! When he's not busy creating amazing tunes and working with clothing brands, you can catch him shooting hoops or slurping on some delicious ramen. Liam loves sharing behind-the-scenes photos of his music production process, as well as snaps with popular basketball icons like Rui Hachimura and the Wizards. So, come join Liam's world and vibe with his cool, laid-back style!
6. Teresa
Followers: 32.8K
Instagram: @virtual_teresa
Meet Teresa, the virtual singer who's making waves in the music industry! This 17-year-old YouTuber has released several hits on YouTube, including 9 original songs and 7 music videos. Her talent and popularity even led her to star in Chinese commercials, cementing her status as a rising star in the virtual world. And if that's not enough, you can follow her on Instagram, where she shares her stunning outfits and lifestyle photos. So, come jam with Teresa and her infectious energy!
5. Ria
Followers: 36.2K
Looking for a virtual model with a clean aesthetic? Ria might be for you. Ria was created by the first virtual human company in Japan, Aww Inc. Ria loves posting about modeling, lifestyle, beauty, and fashion. Ria also has a virtual influencer boyfriend named Zinn, a.k.a. @plusticboy.
Ria shows her followers that she is committed to learning to understand the world. She doesn’t stay idle for too long, and chooses to explore and always try new things. Since Ria’s first appearance, she has been sought after by fashion magazines in and out of Japan.
4. Zinn
Followers: 45.8K
Zinn is a virtual male model who was also produced by Aww Inc. Aside from being Ria’s boyfriend, Zinn is also the brother of another famous Japanese virtual influencer named Imma. Zinn’s aesthetic is cool, mysterious, and reserved. He doesn’t share too much about his personal life, making him more interesting for people trying to read his mind.
Zinn loves listening to music, going to concerts, looking at pieces in art museums, and occasionally modeling. Zinn has already worked for the SLY x PUMA collection campaign, and has been featured on Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo 2020.
3. Imma
Followers: 391K
Imma surely comes to mind at the first mention of Japanese virtual influencers. Imma is a fashion model known for her iconic pink bob hair with full bangs. Due to her ultra fine fashion taste, Imma has been featured on numerous fashion and business magazines, TV shows, and online articles.
Imma’s popularity also caught the attention of brands such as Porsche Japan, IKEA, Dior, Puma, Nike, Valentino, Amazon, Calvin Klein, Valentino, and many more. Aside from posting fashion content, Imma also loves to talk about art, films, and social issues.
2. KAF
Followers: 951K
KAF is a 17-year old, next-generation virtual singer who started her career in 2018. She is an anime character who also has signature pink hair, making her stand out from the crowd. KAF’s songs are melancholic and relatable, mostly about addressing a lost lover. She loves hanging around the city at night, singing her somber music to passersby.
In addition to creating original songs, KAF uploads a lot of cover videos of songs from other popular artists. KAF’s videos are also eye-catching, since the destinations she uses are from real life places. KAF has had previous virtual music events, concerts, and full-length CD albums.
1. Hatsune Miku
Followers: 2.93M
Instagram: @cfm_miku_official
Have you heard of Hatsune Miku, the influencer who's leading the charge in tech innovation? What started as a simple vocal synthesizer product has turned into a worldwide phenomenon, with Hatsune Miku becoming a 16-year-old anime celebrity with long, blue hair and a one-of-a-kind voice. Her fame has even led her to collaborate with big-name artists like Lady Gaga and Pharrell Williams!
What makes Hatsune so unique is her use of computer-generated voice and 3D graphics to perform on stage, making her a true trailblazer in the music industry. So, come join the digital revolution and see why Hatsune Miku is a force to be reckoned with!
Conclusion
Japan is always one of the firsts when it comes to developing new technology. Naturally, Japan also places at the forefront of developing virtual humans who dominate social media today. The influencer list above shows us that virtual influencers in Japan are commonly fashion models and musicians. Some of them are also lifestyle content creators, while others are more focused on beauty.
If you’re a brand falling under the industries mentioned above, then it might be best for you to work with virtual influencers in Japan. This can show that your brand is taking the leap into the new world, is open to progress, and is not stuck with traditional marketing techniques.
We hope that you were able to find a new online personality to follow or to collaborate with on your next marketing campaign.
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