Client ········· Japanese Broadcasting Company
Medium ········· TV show, World building, VR design, Character Design
Location ······· Tokyo

In this time of division caused by issues of race, nationality, gender, wealth, etc., how can people with different values and beliefs understand each other? This program is a social experiment documentary that considers the nature of a society for all. The show was pitched by me based on the previous alien project, and has aired 5 episodes so far on the most know broadcasting channel in Japan.

Four strangers, each with their own circumstances, volunteer to use space-alien avatars and interact in virtual reality. With their rea appearances and attributes hidden, they aim to travel to the moon together. In the process, they gradually learn about each other. Can they overcome their differences in background and values and come to an understanding? Multiple cameras placed in the VR space and in the real world document the entire interaction.

With the idea that shifts in perspective can make anyone appear to be an “alien”, we used non-human space-alien avatars. The contributors participated in the shoot from the familiarity of their own rooms, interacting on a VR platform uniquely developed for TV production by NHK. Anonymity allowed the participants to communicate honestly, uninfluenced by each other’s real appearance. The characteristics of VR (psychological safety and the stirring of the imagination to know more about the other person) enabled us to craft a documentary technique suited to the platform.

https://www.nhk.jp/p/ts/NZR75ZP3LL/

All the visuals are designed and directed by me, starting with basic sketchs for the world building. All the characters were designed based on the interview with the participants where they choose the shapes, colors, and eye placements.