Crossing the boundaries between virtual and real, and even transcending “dimensions”—this groundbreaking entertainment event, “X VORDER RUNWAY,” was held at Makuhari Messe on September 27th.
This event, which combined a “fashion show” and “live music,” was a unique festival that brought together numerous VTubers, characters, and real artists. The concept, reminiscent of “FAVRIC” (details below), held seven years ago, also attracted the keen attention of VTuber fans. This article reports on the highlights of the event.
A live fashion show that transcends not only the boundaries between real and virtual, but even the barriers of “the world.”
([Official MV] Cross OMNIVERSE [X VORDER RUNWAY] – YouTube)
The most distinctive feature of X VORDER RUNWAY is its bold integration of a “fashion show” into a live music performance.
A long walkway extends from the main stage at Makuhari Messe, piercing through the audience. This walkway, which would normally be the “hanamichi” (runway) in a live concert, is transformed into a “runway” for this event. During the performance, performers in special costumes walk down the runway, striking poses close to the audience. A scene reminiscent of a fashion show unfolds before your eyes.
Another highlight of this event, which boasts a “cross-border” theme, is the diverse range of performers.
In addition to leading figures in the virtual scene such as Suisei Hoshimachi, Kaho, Sara Hoshikawa, Hinano Tachibana, Karubi Akami, Kawakura from KAWAII CLUB, and the two members of HIMEHINA, real artists such as Utaha and Akari Nanawo will also be participating.
Furthermore, the cast includes performers who transcend even “worlds,” such as Chun-Li (Fighter Street), Kujikawa Rise (Persona 4), Amami Haruka, Kisaragi Chihaya, Hoshii Miki (Idolmaster The), and the three members of B-Komachi (Oshi no Ko).
Singers, idols, and even martial artists from all walks of life will share the same stage, walking the runway in custom-made costumes created specifically for this day (with the exception of some guests). It is truly an unprecedented festival.
https://x.com/MikaPikaZo/status/2104135228818391047
Highlight ①: “A fashion show using a runway combined with live music”
The main attraction of this event is undoubtedly the “fusion of live music and a fashion show.”
The stage opened with HIMEHINA singing “V,” and then Suisei Hoshimachi appeared in the center. She rose up from below the stage and took a swift step down the runway.
Dressed in a jet-black base with striking red, blue, and cream accents, she gracefully walked towards the audience. As she struck a pose with her hands on her hips at the end of the runway, the venue erupted in thunderous applause.
After that, as if taking Suisei’s place, Sara Hoshikawa, Hinano Tachibana, and Karubi Akami appeared one after another, strutting down the runway. The two members of HIMEHINA also walked alongside them, and finally all six stood together on the stage.
In VTuber culture, the unveiling of a new outfit is a major event, but the “outfits” at X VORDER RUNWAY have a slightly different meaning. While highlighting the individuality of each performer, the outfits boldly incorporate novelty and unexpectedness precisely because it is a “fashion show.”
Some costumes, like those of Suisei and Karubi, were based on colors different from their own image colors, while others, like those of Hinano, Sara, and the two members of HIMEHINA, featured designs that incorporated new interpretations while highlighting their original individuality. These costumes were distinct from the “shared costumes” or “idol costumes” often seen at music live performances. The uniqueness of these custom-made costumes, designed “just to walk on this stage,” created a special feeling that was unique to this event.
You can enjoy the magnificent presence of the artists, clad in such special costumes, from up close. This fashion show-like approach, scattered throughout the live performance, is a major highlight of X VORDER RUNWAY.
Highlight ②: “A dream collaboration stage where idols, VTubers, and artists mingle.”
The pathways where artists walk function not only as a “runway” for a fashion show, but also as a “flower path” for a live music performance.
Therefore, this event featured a series of fresh performances that are rarely seen at real-life events, such as “VTubers singing while walking down a runway.”
What’s even more unmissable is the dream collaboration that transcends the boundaries of different communities.
Kaho appeared as the second performer, collaborating with KAWAII CLUB (Kawakura). She walked down the runway waving to the audience and passionately sang “Shandy Tokyo Rendezvous.”
In the second song, Kawakura stepped forward towards the audience as if receiving the baton. After singing near the audience, she returned to the stage, and the two performed facing each other for the finale.
The song “Out Reach To Truth The (Battle First) -Revival-” began with the shout of “Persona!”, and Rise Kujikawa walked the runway to the singing of Sara Hoshikawa.
During the subsequent MC segment, there was a moment when Sara was overwhelmed by the sheer idol aura of “Risechi” that she witnessed up close.
During B Komachi’s (Kana Arima, Ruby, MEMcho) performance of “POP IN 2,” a red curtain reminiscent of a theater descended midway through the song, and the three singers at the end of the runway instantly transformed into Hinano Tachibana and HIMEHINA, creating an illusion-like effect that thrilled the audience.
In addition, during “Mariage Fried,” Akami Karubi and Hoshimachi Suisei appeared riding on a “Fry French Train,” showing off their adorable appearance as they toddled towards the center while singing.
Karubi herself expressed her joy during the MC segment, saying that this dream collaboration with the virtual diva had made it “a special day.”
Tachibana Hinano’s “Dai♡Dai♡Dai♡Daisuki” had a strong anime song feel, and the venue was filled with excitement. She collaborated with Kujikawa Rise, and the audience’s energy soared as they asked, “Are our feelings reaching you!?” and the two of them repeatedly shouted “Daisuki” (I love you).
And the moment when the entire venue, filled with fans from a wide range of backgrounds, was enveloped in a sense of unity was during the “GO MY WAY!!” performance.
In addition to Amami Haruka, Kisaragi Chihaya, and Hoshii Miki, Kawakura, Akami Karubi, Tachibana Hinano, and Kaho joined them towards the end, bringing the audience’s excitement to a fever pitch.
Highlight ③：”Chun-Li’s performance, which defied the laws of physics with its explosive combo, left the audience in awe!”
While X VORDER RUNWAY generally gives the impression of being a “live show with a strong idol feel,” I would like to note that there was one performer who stood out from the rest.
In the venue, still buzzing with excitement from “GO MY WAY!!”, the familiar “Here comes a new challenger!” sequence from fighting games suddenly appeared on the monitor. Cutting through the murmurs from the audience, the intro to “Koishisa to Setsunasa to Tsuyosa Kokoro to 2023,” sung by Tachibana Hinano and Kawakura, rang out.
And then, a fighter appeared on stage. It was Chun-Li.
On a stage previously occupied by singers and idols from various fields, her presence was overwhelming. Her physique was different. Her core strength was different. Her demeanor was different.
As she stomped her powerful legs down the runway and struck a pose at the end, a murmur, cheer, and scream all rang out from the audience. She had performed a series of martial arts poses with incredibly sharp movements that were impossible for the average person to capture with their eyesight, unlike anything seen at a fashion show or a music concert.
But the surprises didn’t end there. After disappearing from the runway, she reappeared backstage a short while later.
I expected her to sing or dance with Hinano and Kawakura, but her performance was beyond imagination. She walked towards the two singing in the center of the stage and began unleashing her “techniques” at an incredible speed. Yes, “techniques.”
Accompanied by shockwave effects, she unleashed a barrage of moves including Spinning Bird Kick, Heavenly Rising Kick, and Hundred-Strike Kick. It was clear that she was stringing together combos. Her leaping ability was so incredible that at times it seemed as though she had soared to the highest point of the stage that she went out of frame.
(While the two singers fill the air, Chun-Li (in the background of the photo) advances towards the center of the stage, unleashing a series of techniques.)
While it’s true that some virtual VTubers possess special abilities like magic, it’s extremely rare to see a performance that defies the laws of physics to this extent on a real-world event stage.
Chun-Li’s performance was a truly cross-border experience that transcended “worlds,” where the real-world live space and the game world blended together like a glitch.
The lineage of “FAVRIC,” the origin of virtual reality x fashion.
When discussing this event, it’s impossible to ignore the existence of “FAVRIC (*)”, which was also held at Makuhari Messe in September 2019.
The event, themed “FASHION × VIRTUAL × MUSIC,” was held exactly seven years ago. It was a groundbreaking attempt at the time, featuring virtual artists walking a real runway in custom-made costumes, and it generated a great deal of buzz.
X VORDER RUNWAY can be said to be an event in a legitimate lineage, inheriting the spirit and format of FAVRIC while evolving to include real artists and idols who transcend the boundaries of “the world” (*). In fact, when the event was announced, there were many comments on social media from fans that reminded them of FAVRIC.
So, how did the X VORDER RUNWAY, which was finally held after a seven-year hiatus, differ from FAVRIC?
(※In fact, Award Co., Ltd., the organizer of X VORDER RUNWAY, was formerly known as GirlsAward Co., Ltd. and was involved in the planning of FAVRIC. FAVRIC was also scheduled to be held in 2020, but was canceled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.)
Crossborders with “reality” that transcend dimensional boundaries
The biggest difference is undoubtedly the inclusion of “real artists” in the lineup. While all the performers at FAVRIC were “virtual,” this time Utaha and Akari Nanawo are participating as representatives of the “real” side.
(The performance of “Tenshi Dadadada” began with Akari Nanawo appearing at the end of the runway closest to the audience. Sara Hoshikawa’s high notes and Suisei Hoshimachi’s low notes blended together, creating a pleasant harmony.)
What was particularly noteworthy was the absence of a distinction between “real” and “virtual” on stage. Utaha Both and Akari Nanawo wore custom-made costumes for the day, just like the VTubers, and sang side-by-side, walking the same runway.
In other words, there were no restrictions such as “VTubers can’t walk the runway” or “real artists can’t go to certain places,” and all performers performed under the same conditions (or at least that’s how it appeared from the audience’s perspective).
In this way, when you see VTubers and real artists standing side-by-side on the same stage, there are moments when you feel the virtual and the real blend together. Witnessing real beings walking the same runway further reinforces the sense of reality of the VTubers walking alongside them (Chun-Li, who transcended the laws of physics, is an exception).
(As soon as Utaha appeared on stage, cheers erupted, and she sang “Chateaubriand” while walking alongside Akami Karubi. There was also a scene where Utaha walked down a runway.)
From “making a path” to “preparing the legs”
(From [Live Performance] X VORDER RUNWAY [Free Opening Part] – YouTube)
At the front is the main stage, from which a single walkway-like stage—a runway—extends towards the audience. During the live performance, multiple LED monitors of various sizes installed on the main stage and panels directly above the runway light up, projecting images and effects that enhance the performance.
At first glance, the stage configurations for FAVRIC and X VORDER RUNWAY seemed similar, but there were also noticeable differences. Those who attended FAVRIC in 2019 might have tilted their heads in confusion upon entering the venue.
The crucial difference lay in the structure of the runway itself.
(FAVRIC’s runway. Countless panels are lined up.)
(At FAVRIC, a performance was seen where virtual space images displayed on monitors on stage were synchronized with real-world panels.)
At FAVRIC, countless panels were arranged on the runway to physically create a “pathway” for the VTubers to walk on. Images were projected onto the panels and synchronized with the movements on the monitor, making it appear as if the VTubers were actually walking there.
However, there were no such panels placed on the X VORDER RUNWAY runway. While there were the same decorative panels that we saw at FAVRIC directly above the runway, the crucial “walkway” panels were not provided.
(From [Live Performance] X VORDER RUNWAY [Free Opening Part] – YouTube)
How would they use the runway? The answer was revealed in the first song. The LED monitor that had been set up in the center of the stage began to move along the runway towards the audience.
What was initially thought to be a flat monitor turned out to be a mobile LED monitor that could display images from any angle in the audience. From my seat, I could only see almost directly in front of me, but after checking the live stream later, it appears to be a three-sided monitor shaped like a triangular prism.
Instead of creating “pathways” with countless panels, the monitors themselves were used as the VTubers’ “feet” to move around. This was the new solution that X VORDER RUNWAY presented.
FAVRIC’s method of creating “pathways” using countless panels had already made it possible to realize “VTubers walking down a runway.” However, due to the nature of the panels, there was a problem where the VTuber’s figure would appear flat depending on the viewing angle, or be cut off in the gaps between the panels.
On the other hand, with the adoption of a portable monitor this time, the sense of presence created by the “depth” was on a completely different level.
Because the VTubers physically move along the runway, you can clearly experience the sensation of them gradually getting bigger as they walk towards you. This sense of closeness—not just seeing them “walking” from a distance, but actually “approaching” them—was a new and exciting experience that wasn’t possible with FAVRIC.
The current state of “cross-border” technology, where expectations are high for the next innovation.
X VORDER RUNWAY was an event that strongly conveyed the spirit of FAVRIC, which was held seven years ago.
However, it was more than just a revival. It was an ambitious event that combined the concept of a “fashion show x live music” with the latest technology of 2026, while also offering the enjoyment of a “music festival where you can witness dream collaborations that transcend different fields.”
On the other hand, I don’t think this event is the final version. While the mobile LED monitors certainly created a sense of presence and depth, perhaps due to technical limitations, elements such as “artists passing each other on the runway” were omitted.
In previous FAVRIC events, it was possible to witness the unique spectacle of a fashion show: performers walking down the runway one after another, posing at the end, and passing each other as they walked back and forth along the aisle. However, in this event, while up to three artists walked side-by-side “simultaneously,” there were no instances of them “passing each other on the runway.”
However, with spatial design and live performance technology constantly evolving, if there is a “next” installment of this innovative event, it will surely show us an evolution that surpasses our imagination.
This article only covers a small part of the entire performance. The archived stream will be available for viewing until December 26th, so whether you want to relive the excitement of the day or take a closer look at the detailed production, be sure to check it out for yourself.
Related Links
- Official website: https://xvorder-runway.com
- Official X: https://x.com/X_VORDER_RUNWAY
- Streaming archive: https://xvorder-runway.spwn.jp/_events/evt_C1EeN6DGhTi4uO5GHRdg
Setlist
- 「V」HIMEHINA
- “Tokyo Shandy Rendezvous” by Kaho, KAWAII CLUB
- “One-World sensation” Kaho, Hoshimachi Suisei
- “Reach Out To The Truth (First Battle) -Revival-” Rise Kujikawa, Sara Hoshikawa
- “True Story -Revival-” Rise Kujikawa, Sara Hoshikawa
- “GO MY WAY!!” Haruka Amami, Chihaya Kisaragi, Miki Hoshii, KAWAII CLUB, Karubi Akami, Hinano Tachibana, Kaho
- “Longing, Sadness, and Strength 2023” Tachibana Hinano, KAWAII CLUB
- “Fried Mariage” by Karubi Akami and Suisei Hoshimachi
- “Chateaubriand” Utaha, Akami Karubi
- “Sign is B -Arrange New Ver.-” Kana Arima, Ruby, MEMcho
- “POP IN 2” Arima Kana, Ruby, MEMcho, Tachibana Hinano, HIMEHINA
- “Dadadada Angel” Nanawo Akari, Hoshikawa Sara, Hoshimachi Suisei
- “May good fortune be with me tomorrow” by Nanawo Akari, Akami Karubi, Kaho, Kujikawa Rise, and Tachibana Hinano
- “I love you so much!” Hinano Tachibana, Rise Kujikawa
- “Pushing Love” by Sara Hoshikawa and Karubi Akami
- “Ai Tsutsumi Dance Hall” HIMEHINA, KAFU
- “Bibbidi-ba” Hoshimachi Suisei, Utaha, Nanawo Akari, HIMEHINA
- “OMNIVERSE” Akami Karubi, Amami Haruka, Utaha, Kaho, Kisaragi Chihaya, Kujikawa Rise, Tachibana Hinano, Chun-Li, Nanawo Akari, HIMEHINA, Hoshii Miki, Hoshikawa Sara, Hoshimachi Suisei
©Akami Karubi / ©KAF/KTB / ©KAWAII CLUB / ©ATLUS. ©SEGA. / ©Vspo / ©CAPCOM / ©Nanawo Akari / ©LaRa Inc. / ©ANYCOLOR, Inc. / ©Studio STELLAR ©COVER / ©Toshiyuki Kubooka THE IDOLM@STER & ©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. / ©A x Y/S, OP / ©SM ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN
