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Live2D
Live2D is shipping regular updates to its animated model products while also appearing in the production credits of the original TV anime Kaze wo Tsugu Mono. Its free browser editor nizima ACTION!! added character models through September 2026, and its tracking app nizima LIVE received an AI assistant and voice-only model control in August 2026.
Synthesized from 7
Yomimono stories · updated
Sep 16
Live2D's recent activity runs in two directions. Through its model products it spent 2026 adding official characters to the free browser editor nizima ACTION!!, and through its tracking app it pushed model control toward automation. The editor's build-out started with the May 27 update adding a Subtitles and Speech Synthesis feature built on the text-to-speech system VOICEVOX, plus a Zundamon model and eight other models from the Tohoku Zunko and Zundamon Project. On July 28 the editor added Shikoku Metan and Ankomon, each with over 50 expressions and motions and hand tracking, following the Zundamon model added in May. A Kasukabe Tsumugi model arrived on September 10 with over 40 expressions and motions, free to use and able to run through tracking apps including nizima LIVE and VTube Studio.
The tracking app moved on August 12 with nizima LIVE version 2.7. That update added an AI assistant that links a model to a chat service such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or a local LLM, with speech output using VOICEVOX voices and mouth and body movement synced to the speech, plus a voice tracking function that moves the model without a camera. The AI assistant function is available only in Japanese.
Live2D also runs the annual Live2D Creative Awards, which opened entries for the 13th edition on June 5 with a September 30 deadline and a Grand Prix of 300,000 yen. On a separate track, the original TV anime Kaze wo Tsugu Mono is produced by Aniplex, Live2D, and Drive. Its second cast reveal PV came out on September 12, adding five voices: Ryohei Kimura as Shinshichi Nagakura, Ayumu Murase as Heisuke Todo, Shinba Tsuchiya as Sanosuke Harada, Takeo Otsuka as Keisuke Yamanami, and Yasuyuki Kase as Kamo Serizawa. Live2D is also one of five companies hosting Creator Connect Booths at Tokyo Anim Unite 2026 on September 26 and 27 at Bellesalle Shinjuku Grand.
Key facts
- Kaze wo Tsugu Mono production companies
- Produced by Aniplex, Live2D, and Drive; directed by Tomohiro Kawamura with scripts by Yutaka Nari and music by Shigeru Kishida ↗
- Second cast reveal PV voices
- Ryohei Kimura as Shinshichi Nagakura, Ayumu Murase as Heisuke Todo, Shinba Tsuchiya as Sanosuke Harada, Takeo Otsuka as Keisuke Yamanami, Yasuyuki Kase as Kamo Serizawa ↗
- Kasukabe Tsumugi model in nizima ACTION!!
- Announced September 10, 2026; illustrated by Sakamoto Ahiru, more than 40 expressions and motions, free to use, supports hand tracking and VOICEVOX, also distributed free on KASUKABEproject's Booth ↗
- Tokyo Anim Unite 2026
- Set for September 26 to 27 at Bellesalle Shinjuku Grand; Live2D is one of five companies hosting Creator Connect Booths ↗
- nizima LIVE 2.7
- Released August 12, 2026; adds an AI assistant linking a model to a chat service such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or a local LLM, plus a voice tracking function that moves the model without a camera ↗
- nizima LIVE AI assistant limits
- Available only in Japanese; speech output uses the VOICEVOX series with 31 characters and 82 voices ↗
- Shikoku Metan and Ankomon models
- Released July 28, 2026 for nizima ACTION!!, illustrated by Sakamoto Ahiru, each with over 50 facial expressions and motions and hand tracking ↗
- Planned Tohoku Three Sisters models
- Live2D plans to add models for Tohoku Zunko, Tohoku Kiritan, and Tohoku Itako, illustrated by Sakamoto Ahiru ↗
- 13th Live2D Creative Awards
- Entries opened June 5, 2026 with a September 30 deadline; Grand Prix is 300,000 yen and a trophy, results scheduled for December 2026 ↗
- nizima ACTION!! VOICEVOX integration
- Announced May 27; the Subtitles and Speech Synthesis feature integrates VOICEVOX, and a Zundamon model plus eight other models from the Tohoku Zunko and Zundamon Project were added ↗
Timeline
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Announced
- A Live2D model of Kasukabe Tsumugi is now available in the browser-based online video editor nizima ACTION!! β version · 2026-09-10
- Announced
- plans to add models for Tohoku Zunko, Tohoku Kiritan, and Tohoku Itako · 2026-08-04
- Noted
- A desktop version and collaborative editing features are in development. · 2026-09-10
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Claim activity
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- Confirmed live2d produces nizima action May 28 · source
All coverage
Sep 12
The second cast reveal PV for the original TV anime Kaze wo Tsugu Mono has been released, debuting character voices for five newly announced cast members: Ryohei Kimura as Shinshichi Nagakura, Ayumu Murase as Heisuke Todo, Shinba Tsuchiya as Sanosuke Harada, Takeo Otsuka as Keisuke Yamanami, and Yasuyuki Kase as Kamo Serizawa. The series, directed by Tomohiro Kawamura with scripts by Yutaka Nari and music by Shigeru Kishida, is produced by Aniplex, Live2D, and Drive.
Sep 10
Live2D Inc. announced on September 10, 2026 that a Live2D model of Kasukabe Tsumugi, illustrated by Sakamoto Ahiru, is now available in the browser-based online video editor "nizima ACTION!! β version." The model includes more than 40 types of expressions and motions and can be used for free. It can be operated through tracking apps such as nizima LIVE and VTube Studio, and it supports hand tracking. The model also works with the text-to-speech system VOICEVOX, which was added to the editor in May, so text input, voice synthesis, and lip sync can be completed inside nizima ACTION!!. The same model is also being distributed free on KASUKABEproject's Booth. Use requires compliance with the character's terms of use and credit notation such as "VOICEVOX: Kasukabe Tsumugi." The editor is free for anyone with a nizima account. A desktop version and collaborative editing features are in development.
Sep 9
Wacom announced the finalized program, participating companies, and timetable for Tokyo Anim Unite 2026, set for September 26-27 at Bellesalle Shinjuku Grand. Five companies, including Live2D and Orange, will host Creator Connect Booths. The event also began distributing the TAU Guide to ticket buyers, with 98.7% of prior participants reporting satisfaction.
Aug 13
Live2D Inc. released version 2.7 of its VTuber tracking app nizima LIVE on August 12, 2026. The update adds an AI assistant feature that links a Live2D model to a chat AI service such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or a local LLM, allowing users to converse with the model by text or voice. The assistant's speech output uses the VOICEVOX series, with 31 characters and 82 total voices including Zundamon and Shikoku Metan. The model's mouth and body move in sync with the speech, and emotions estimated from the conversation are reflected in facial expressions. Responses can be output as subtitles to OBS for display on a streaming screen. The AI assistant function is currently available only in Japanese. The update also adds a voice tracking function that moves the model using only voice input, without a camera, for eye blinks, mouth movements, and full-body motion. Other additions include a time parameter function linked to real-world time, lip sync support for all models on macOS, mouse click assignment to shortcuts, and Google account login. New sample models for Zundamon and Shikoku Metan are included, illustrated by Sakamoto Ahiru.
Aug 4
Live2D Inc. released new Live2D models of Shikoku Metan and Ankomon for its free online video editor nizima ACTION!! on July 28, 2026. The models, illustrated by Sakamoto Ahiru, follow the Zundamon model added in May of the same year. Each model includes over 50 facial expressions and motions, supports hand tracking, and can be driven in real time through tracking apps such as nizima LIVE and VTube Studio. The editor also integrates with the text-to-speech software VOICEVOX, allowing users to generate character voices and sync them with the models' lip movements entirely within the browser-based tool. The models are available as sample assets in the material collection and are also distributed free on the Tohoku Zunko and Zundamon Project's official site. Live2D plans to add models for Tohoku Zunko, Tohoku Kiritan, and Tohoku Itako, collectively known as the Tohoku Three Sisters, also illustrated by Sakamoto Ahiru. Users must comply with each character's terms of use and include credit notation, such as "VOICEVOX: Shikoku Metan."
Jun 5
Live2D Inc. opened entries for the 13th Live2D Creative Awards on June 5, 2026, with a deadline of September 30. The annual contest accepts original works in any genre using Live2D, including videos, games, characters, and interfaces. Prizes include a Grand Prix of 300,000 yen and a trophy, along with category awards for visual expression, interactive works, models, and student entries. Results are scheduled for December 2026.
May 27
Live2D announced on May 27 a major update to its free browser-based video editor nizima ACTION!! β. The new Subtitles and Speech Synthesis feature now integrates the text-to-speech system VOICEVOX, allowing users to generate character voices including Zundamon by inputting text. Users can adjust speech speed, pitch, volume, and intonation, and add the audio to the timeline with one click. The update also includes a Live2D model of Zundamon illustrated by Ahiru Sakamoto in the asset library. The model supports lip-sync with VOICEVOX, preset motions and expressions, hand tracking, and can connect with tracking apps like nizima LIVE and VTube Studio. Eight other Live2D models from the Tohoku Zunko and Zundamon Project shop, including Tohoku Zunko, Tohoku Kiritan, and Shikoku Metan, were also added. VOICEVOX currently supports 37 characters, with usage requiring compliance with each character's terms and credit attribution. Live2D plans to release a desktop version with offline startup and local saving, and is developing collaborative editing, drawing, and user template distribution features. The beta version is free with a nizima account.