THINKR Opens First Cross-Studio Audition With Virtual And Real Artist Categories
The audition opens THINKR's formerly KAMITSUBAKI-only talent pipeline to its three other labels, so the Real Artist Category now draws from three studios that did not run a joint search before.
Key Facts
- THINKR opened applications for "THINKR AUDITION 2026" on Monday, October 5, and the entry period ends Tuesday, December 8 at 23:59.
- The audition accepts applicants in two categories, the Virtual Artist Category led by KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO and the Real Artist Category run jointly by ALLT STUDIO, KYOKAI STUDIO, and UNKNOWN LAB.
- KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO General Producer PIEDPIPER and members from all four areas take part in the judging, and outstanding applicants receive support including song production and lessons toward a debut.
- THINKR founded in 2007, began producing virtual singer Kaf in 2018, and established KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO in October 2019.
Reporting from 2 sources: KAI-YOU, PANORA.
THINKR, the company behind KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO, opened applications for "THINKR AUDITION 2026" on Monday, October 5. The application period runs until Tuesday, December 8 at 23:59. The audition is the company's first across its studios and accepts entries in two categories: the Virtual Artist Category and the Real Artist Category. The Virtual Artist Category is led by KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO, which has held auditions three times so far, and this round is the fourth. The Real Artist Category is run jointly by ALLT STUDIO, the newly established KYOKAI STUDIO, and UNKNOWN LAB. There are no age, gender, or nationality limits as long as the applicant lives in Japan. Applicants must not hold an exclusive contract with a production company or record label, and minors need parental consent. KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO General Producer PIEDPIPER and members from all four areas join the judging panel. Outstanding applicants receive proposals and support for activity plans, including song production and lessons toward a debut.
THINKR began accepting entries for "THINKR AUDITION 2026" on October 5, with the window closing December 8 at 23:59. Applications run through the two categories, and entry requires only that the applicant lives in Japan; there are no age, gender, or nationality limits, though minors need parental consent and anyone under an exclusive contract with a production company or record label is excluded.
The company traces its virtual artist work to 2018, when it began producing the virtual singer Kaf, and it established KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO in October 2019. That studio is home to Kaf, Rim, Harusaruhi, Isekai Joucho, and Koko, and since a reorganization in September 2026 it has specialized in producing virtual artists. ALLT STUDIO spun off from KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO in May 2024 as a label for alternative artists from the internet and counts DUSTCELL, Guiano, Onuma Parser, and Sasagawa Mao among its roster. The reorganization in September 2026 also produced KYOKAI STUDIO, which houses Azusagawa, the music unit Empty old City, and Megurika, and UNKNOWN LAB, an R&D division centered on PIEDPIPER that works on new artists, IP, games, and experiential content.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.