Experience Japanese Kabuki Culture With AR Technology

TOKYO, March 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Renowned Japanese theatre and entertainment company Shochiku Co., Ltd. has announced the release of “INTO by Shochiku,” an application based on the theme of “the entertainment experience of the future.”

In doing so, Shochiku has created an AR application with the aim of achieving open innovation in Kabuki and realizing a world in which people of all ages can enjoy watching a performance at any time and any place, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A special video will also be distributed to present a stunning AR performance using three-dimensional effects.

This “first” Augmented Reality (AR) Kabuki performance will utilize the features of AR technology to create a completely new and exciting Kabuki experience, and by combining this app with a special video, a lion spirit played by Kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke will appear through the camera of a smartphone or tablet, as peonies and water spray appears in 3D, moving with the sound.

For the performance of the Kabuki actor, volumetric capture technology (technical cooperation: Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and Sony Corporation) is used to generate 3D data from video footage of actual Kabuki actors.

The video streaming schedule will be announced on the official website (link below).with access to the performances requiring two devices: a smartphone or tablet with the “INTO by Shochiku” app downloaded, and a PC or tablet to play the dedicated video.

The App name is INTO by Shochiku with the service available in Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, U.K., and the U.S.A. – in English and / or Japanese

(iOS) https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kabuki-rr-into-by-shochiku/id1539636207

(Android) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shochiku.INTO

Official website: https://intobyshochiku.com/reverse-reality/en/