MARINA LYRICA Event Returns to Karaoke Manekineko Shibuya in August
The event pairs a major karaoke chain with Sony's XR technology, signaling a push to turn ordinary karaoke rooms into paid venues for direct VTuber fan engagement, a model that could expand beyond this single event.
Key Facts
- The MARINA LYRICA second store event will be held on August 22 and 23, 2026, at Karaoke Manekineko Shibuya Honten.
- The event features three VTubers: Hatsuha Pūru, Suzunami Hitode, and Tamami Uruma.
- Each session lasts 20 minutes and costs 3,300 yen, with advance ticket reservation required.
- Sony Corporation provides technical support for the XR technology used in the event.
- The event is organized by Koshidaka Holdings and PANDORA, with the goal of transforming karaoke rooms into immersive fan spaces.
Reporting from 2 sources: MoguLive, PANORA.
The second installment of the MARINA LYRICA event, which uses XR technology to let fans meet and talk with VTubers in person, will take place on August 22 and 23 at Karaoke Manekineko Shibuya Honten. The event is organized by Koshidaka Holdings, the operator of the karaoke chain, and PANDORA, with technical support from Sony. Three VTubers will appear: Hatsuha Pūru, Suzunami Hitode, and Tamami Uruma. Each session lasts 20 minutes and costs 3,300 yen, with tickets available through advance reservation. During the session, participants can converse one-on-one with the VTuber, enjoy a drink together, and, if they order a drink, may experience a special "magic" effect. At the end, they can take a two-shot cheki photo. The event is part of a broader effort by Koshidaka to transform karaoke rooms into immersive entertainment spaces, moving beyond singing to offer direct interaction with virtual idols.
- 初波ぷうる, 涼波ヒトデ, and 玉波うるま appear in order from left to right in the event's promotional material.
- Each character has a different session time slot across the two days, with sessions starting from 12:00 each day.
- The event is organized by Koshidaka Holdings and PANDORA, with Sony providing technical cooperation.
- Koshidaka Holdings is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime market (securities code 2157), with representative director and president 腰髙博.
- The company reports 813 stores across 5 countries including Japan as of January 2026, and operates in South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia overseas.
- Koshidaka frames the event as part of its "Entertainment as Infrastructure" concept, which also includes plans for karaoke rooms to serve as live-viewing venues, theater rooms, game rooms, and remote work spaces.
- The company cites growing fan demand for "more real contact" beyond screens as the background for the event, per the PANORA release.
- Tickets are purchased in advance through a dedicated site on asoview, with attendees selecting their preferred date and time.
- Koshidaka previously introduced industry-first practices including allowing outside food and drinks and making all rooms non-smoking.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.