From over 115 years of achievements to creating anime loved for the next 100 years. Nippon Columbia Group holds the AI contest 'COLOTEK' with a total prize of 10 million yen, accepting participant registrations starting today.
Nippon Columbia Group announced the AI creative contest 'COLOTEK' with a total prize of 10 million yen, aiming to create anime loved for the next 100 years. Registration starts today.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 16:35
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 20:16 (147h 41m after Collected)
Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Shunsuke Sato, Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter "NCG") will hold the AI creative contest "COLOTEK". In conjunction with this, we will start accepting participant registrations for creators from today.
Through the fusion of the latest AI technology and entertainment, this contest aims to discover and support new talents who will contribute to the creation of the next generation. This time, COLOTEK has changed from a conventional "two-day venue-gathered hackathon" to a "pre-production/submission format" with a set production period. By shifting from a conventional style of gathering at a site and producing in a short period to a format that removes location and time constraints, it will take a form where more creators can take on the challenge. We envision spreading the circle of participation freely according to various forms, such as individual participation, new teams formed for COLOTEK, and entries by corporate units.
The concept this time is "Anime loved for the next 100 years." NCG inherits the DNA of Nippon Columbia, which has a history of over 115 years as Japan's first record company, and hopes to broadcast "unseen anime" born from the passion and thirst of creators from Japan to the world.
Rather than the skillfulness of AI technology, we place the highest importance on the charm of the idea, worldview, and story, and we are looking for works that make people feel the entrance to a story.
This contest offers a total prize pool of 10 million yen, and on Thursday, July 30, 2026, we will hold a premiere screening event and an award ceremony to show the final selection passing works on a large screen. On the day, in addition to the screening and award ceremony, we will also hold a networking event where industry professionals and creators will gather.
Furthermore, we will broadly support next-generation talent by jointly considering musical developments such as theme songs and background music leveraging NCG's strengths for the winning works. We sincerely look forward to applications from many creators who will create the entertainment of the future.
Special Site https://colo-tek.com/
■ Contest Overview
Contest Name: COLOTEK
Screening Event / Award Ceremony Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Venue: To be announced later
■ How to participate in the contest
We are accepting participant registrations from the special page (https://colo-tek.com/).
* The work submission form will only be guided to those who have registered to participate.
Submission Deadline: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 23:59
■ Eligibility
- Both individuals and teams can participate (no limit on the number of people)
- Participation by corporations/organizations is also possible
- Professionals and amateurs are welcome
- Applications from overseas are also welcome
- Those under 18 require parental consent
■ Work Rules
- Original anime work utilizing AI for the visual expression of the work
- Work duration is between 1 minute and 15 minutes
- A work that anticipates a sequel
- Multiple works can be submitted
- 16:9 horizontal / Full HD or higher recommended / Stereo audio
- Japanese audio, or with Japanese subtitles
- The applicant must hold all rights
- Works with no award history
- Unpublished works are welcome, published works can also be submitted
■ What is COLOTEK
This is a creative contest combining the latest AI technology and music, hosted by NCG, which has Nippon Columbia with a history of over 115 years under its umbrella.
In recent years, rapidly evolving AI technology has brought major innovations to the music industry, such as composition, arrangement, performance, and video production. COLOTEK provides an opportunity to utilize this innovative technology and experience cutting-edge creative works where music and AI fuse.
We will discover new talents and contribute to the creation of next-generation entertainment.
■ About Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.
Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd. (NCG) is a next-generation creative production company with AI at its core.
Inheriting the DNA of Japan's first record company, Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd., and Faith, Inc., which created the world's first ringtones, we lead the innovation of music and technology.
Through IP creation utilizing AI, creator ecosystem building, and AX promotion, we will deliver new entertainment that shakes the "now" to society.
Company Name: Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.
Through the fusion of the latest AI technology and entertainment, this contest aims to discover and support new talents who will contribute to the creation of the next generation. This time, COLOTEK has changed from a conventional "two-day venue-gathered hackathon" to a "pre-production/submission format" with a set production period. By shifting from a conventional style of gathering at a site and producing in a short period to a format that removes location and time constraints, it will take a form where more creators can take on the challenge. We envision spreading the circle of participation freely according to various forms, such as individual participation, new teams formed for COLOTEK, and entries by corporate units.
The concept this time is "Anime loved for the next 100 years." NCG inherits the DNA of Nippon Columbia, which has a history of over 115 years as Japan's first record company, and hopes to broadcast "unseen anime" born from the passion and thirst of creators from Japan to the world.
Rather than the skillfulness of AI technology, we place the highest importance on the charm of the idea, worldview, and story, and we are looking for works that make people feel the entrance to a story.
This contest offers a total prize pool of 10 million yen, and on Thursday, July 30, 2026, we will hold a premiere screening event and an award ceremony to show the final selection passing works on a large screen. On the day, in addition to the screening and award ceremony, we will also hold a networking event where industry professionals and creators will gather.
Furthermore, we will broadly support next-generation talent by jointly considering musical developments such as theme songs and background music leveraging NCG's strengths for the winning works. We sincerely look forward to applications from many creators who will create the entertainment of the future.
Special Site https://colo-tek.com/
■ Contest Overview
Contest Name: COLOTEK
Screening Event / Award Ceremony Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Venue: To be announced later
■ How to participate in the contest
We are accepting participant registrations from the special page (https://colo-tek.com/).
* The work submission form will only be guided to those who have registered to participate.
Submission Deadline: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 23:59
■ Eligibility
- Both individuals and teams can participate (no limit on the number of people)
- Participation by corporations/organizations is also possible
- Professionals and amateurs are welcome
- Applications from overseas are also welcome
- Those under 18 require parental consent
■ Work Rules
- Original anime work utilizing AI for the visual expression of the work
- Work duration is between 1 minute and 15 minutes
- A work that anticipates a sequel
- Multiple works can be submitted
- 16:9 horizontal / Full HD or higher recommended / Stereo audio
- Japanese audio, or with Japanese subtitles
- The applicant must hold all rights
- Works with no award history
- Unpublished works are welcome, published works can also be submitted
■ What is COLOTEK
This is a creative contest combining the latest AI technology and music, hosted by NCG, which has Nippon Columbia with a history of over 115 years under its umbrella.
In recent years, rapidly evolving AI technology has brought major innovations to the music industry, such as composition, arrangement, performance, and video production. COLOTEK provides an opportunity to utilize this innovative technology and experience cutting-edge creative works where music and AI fuse.
We will discover new talents and contribute to the creation of next-generation entertainment.
■ About Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.
Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd. (NCG) is a next-generation creative production company with AI at its core.
Inheriting the DNA of Japan's first record company, Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd., and Faith, Inc., which created the world's first ringtones, we lead the innovation of music and technology.
Through IP creation utilizing AI, creator ecosystem building, and AX promotion, we will deliver new entertainment that shakes the "now" to society.
Company Name: Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.