Acclaimed Creator Toshiki Aoki, Two-Time Winner of "COLOTEK," Appointed CCO and Producer of Nippon Columbia Group!
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 04:19 (371h 31m after Collected)
Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Shunsuke Sato; hereinafter referred to as "NCG") is pleased to announce that on April 1, 2026, emerging video creator Toshiki Aoki (AoKi¹⁰⁴) will assume the position of NCG's Chief Creative Officer (CCO) and Producer of the AI-specialized label "NCG ENTERTAINMENT™".
■Background of Appointment
Mr. Aoki has continued to work independently as a freelance creator without belonging to any specific organization. He specializes in cutting-edge video production using generative AI and has an overwhelming track record in numerous awards, including achieving a double Grand Prix at NCG's AI creative contest "COLOTEK" and the Grand Prize at the Osaka AI Culture Expo AI EXPO 2026. His creative prowess is highly regarded from various perspectives.
This time, the fusion of Mr. Aoki's exceptional creative knowledge and production skills into our business has been realized through his participation in NCG. Moving forward, he will oversee NCG's overall creative direction as CCO and, as Producer of "NCG ENTERTAINMENT™," he will lead the creation of new entertainment expressions where humans and AI co-create. Furthermore, he will strongly promote the expansion of the AI creative contest "COLOTEK," which discovers new talents contributing to next-generation creativity, and the practical co-creation project "COLOWORKS," which connects AI creators with companies, thereby accelerating the multifaceted growth of a next-generation creative production company.
■Comment from Toshiki Aoki
I never dreamed that I, who have weathered the storms of the field as a freelancer for over 20 years without ever belonging to a company, would be entrusted with such a significant role as CCO (sweat drop). This is precisely why I can bring about change unconstrained by organizational norms. What I aim for is not a world where AI replaces creators, but a world where the boundaries of expression are broken through by AI. Under the belief that "AI is a wing," NCG will build a stage where next-generation creators can thrive, and I will lead innovative entertainment originating from Japan.
■Comment from Shunsuke Sato, Representative Director and President CEO of Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.
We are very encouraged by the appointment of Mr. Aoki, who achieved a double win in the AI creative contest "Colotech," as our CCO. AI is rapidly democratizing the creative world, but exceptional producing and team-building capabilities are essential to create "authentic" works that move people's hearts. Mr. Aoki has a proven track record of creating numerous wonderful works with many partners and is truly indispensable for NCG ENTERTAINMENT. He will undoubtedly be a strong support for those aspiring to become AI artists from now on. Please look forward to future developments.
■Profile of Toshiki Aoki (AoKi¹⁰⁴) AI Video Director / Creator
No professional work experience.
A video creator who has maintained a freelance career at the forefront of the TV and advertising industries.
Possessing on-site, hard-earned production skills ranging from direction, editing, compositing, to 3DCG, he has pioneered the cutting edge of expression.
Leveraging his past production capabilities and the latest AI as his weapons, he is active in various creative fields.
【Activities】
Webinar lecturer for VIDEO SALON's special feature "Accelerating Generative AI"
Official speaker at AIBB Tokyo 2025 Winter
Speaker at HISTORICA (Kyoto Historica International Film Festival Executive Committee)
Appeared on InterFM897's FUTURE ICONS featuring emerging artists who will lead the next generation.
Special lecturer at NUA Nagoya University of Arts
【Production Achievements】
Participated in TYO's "TOKYO STORIES" as one of 14 directors.
25th Anniversary video for NGO HOPE International.
Participated in Inter BEE exhibition "NFT2026_SS_Nature Meets Innovation".
Opening video for EXPO2025 Kansai, Osaka Expo KIDS EXPO U-18.
Opening video for the Educational AI Utilization Association's AI Summit, sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
【Awards】
2026.02.22 Grand Prize at COLOTEK, Generative AI Creative Contest, hosted by Nippon Columbia.
2026.01.24 Grand Prize at Osaka AI Culture Expo AI EXPO 2026.
2025.10.31 VGT2025 Motion Award Finalist.
2025.09.14 Grand Prize at COLOTEK, Generative AI Creative Contest, hosted by Nippon Columbia.
2025.07.04 Silver Grand Prize at IVS2025 NEOCREA AI Creative Contest.
2025.04.28 Runway Gen:48 Finalist.
■About "NCG ENTERTAINMENT™" https://ncg-entertainment.com/
"NCG ENTERTAINMENT™" is a new entertainment label operated by NCG, with a global outlook, specializing in creators and artists focused on AI. It supports creators in various fields utilizing AI technology, providing comprehensive support from product release, distribution, promotion, karaoke deployment, to physical releases. It operates as a hub for creation and challenge in an era where humans and AI co-create entertainment.
■About "COLOWORKS"
This is a co-creation project for practical production cases, newly launched within the "COLOTEK" community. While "COLOTEK" is a contest (a place for learning and interaction), "COLOWORKS" provides concrete production projects (a place for work and practice). It creates a cycle where artists and companies seeking new expressions utilizing AI, and AI creators belonging to the community, co-create on equal footing to produce new music and video expressions. In the future, it is planned to gradually expand to include projects for other companies' artists and corporate projects, developing as a foundation to support AI creative production not only in the music industry but also in many creative industries.
■About Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.
Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd. (NCG) is a next-generation creative production company centered on AI. Inheriting the DNA of Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd., Japan's first record company, and Face Co., Ltd., which created the world's first ringtone, it leads innovation in music and technology. Through AI-driven IP creation, creator ecosystem building, and AX promotion, it delivers new entertainment that shakes up society with "the now."
Company Name: Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.
Location: Jingumae M-SQUARE, 1-4-16 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Shunsuke Sato, Representative Director and President
Business Content: Development of content distribution platforms centered on AI and construction of business models.
Capital: 358,123,550 Yen
URL: https://www.columbia.co.jp
■Background of Appointment
Mr. Aoki has continued to work independently as a freelance creator without belonging to any specific organization. He specializes in cutting-edge video production using generative AI and has an overwhelming track record in numerous awards, including achieving a double Grand Prix at NCG's AI creative contest "COLOTEK" and the Grand Prize at the Osaka AI Culture Expo AI EXPO 2026. His creative prowess is highly regarded from various perspectives.
This time, the fusion of Mr. Aoki's exceptional creative knowledge and production skills into our business has been realized through his participation in NCG. Moving forward, he will oversee NCG's overall creative direction as CCO and, as Producer of "NCG ENTERTAINMENT™," he will lead the creation of new entertainment expressions where humans and AI co-create. Furthermore, he will strongly promote the expansion of the AI creative contest "COLOTEK," which discovers new talents contributing to next-generation creativity, and the practical co-creation project "COLOWORKS," which connects AI creators with companies, thereby accelerating the multifaceted growth of a next-generation creative production company.
■Comment from Toshiki Aoki
I never dreamed that I, who have weathered the storms of the field as a freelancer for over 20 years without ever belonging to a company, would be entrusted with such a significant role as CCO (sweat drop). This is precisely why I can bring about change unconstrained by organizational norms. What I aim for is not a world where AI replaces creators, but a world where the boundaries of expression are broken through by AI. Under the belief that "AI is a wing," NCG will build a stage where next-generation creators can thrive, and I will lead innovative entertainment originating from Japan.
■Comment from Shunsuke Sato, Representative Director and President CEO of Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.
We are very encouraged by the appointment of Mr. Aoki, who achieved a double win in the AI creative contest "Colotech," as our CCO. AI is rapidly democratizing the creative world, but exceptional producing and team-building capabilities are essential to create "authentic" works that move people's hearts. Mr. Aoki has a proven track record of creating numerous wonderful works with many partners and is truly indispensable for NCG ENTERTAINMENT. He will undoubtedly be a strong support for those aspiring to become AI artists from now on. Please look forward to future developments.
■Profile of Toshiki Aoki (AoKi¹⁰⁴) AI Video Director / Creator
No professional work experience.
A video creator who has maintained a freelance career at the forefront of the TV and advertising industries.
Possessing on-site, hard-earned production skills ranging from direction, editing, compositing, to 3DCG, he has pioneered the cutting edge of expression.
Leveraging his past production capabilities and the latest AI as his weapons, he is active in various creative fields.
【Activities】
Webinar lecturer for VIDEO SALON's special feature "Accelerating Generative AI"
Official speaker at AIBB Tokyo 2025 Winter
Speaker at HISTORICA (Kyoto Historica International Film Festival Executive Committee)
Appeared on InterFM897's FUTURE ICONS featuring emerging artists who will lead the next generation.
Special lecturer at NUA Nagoya University of Arts
【Production Achievements】
Participated in TYO's "TOKYO STORIES" as one of 14 directors.
25th Anniversary video for NGO HOPE International.
Participated in Inter BEE exhibition "NFT2026_SS_Nature Meets Innovation".
Opening video for EXPO2025 Kansai, Osaka Expo KIDS EXPO U-18.
Opening video for the Educational AI Utilization Association's AI Summit, sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
【Awards】
2026.02.22 Grand Prize at COLOTEK, Generative AI Creative Contest, hosted by Nippon Columbia.
2026.01.24 Grand Prize at Osaka AI Culture Expo AI EXPO 2026.
2025.10.31 VGT2025 Motion Award Finalist.
2025.09.14 Grand Prize at COLOTEK, Generative AI Creative Contest, hosted by Nippon Columbia.
2025.07.04 Silver Grand Prize at IVS2025 NEOCREA AI Creative Contest.
2025.04.28 Runway Gen:48 Finalist.
■About "NCG ENTERTAINMENT™" https://ncg-entertainment.com/
"NCG ENTERTAINMENT™" is a new entertainment label operated by NCG, with a global outlook, specializing in creators and artists focused on AI. It supports creators in various fields utilizing AI technology, providing comprehensive support from product release, distribution, promotion, karaoke deployment, to physical releases. It operates as a hub for creation and challenge in an era where humans and AI co-create entertainment.
■About "COLOWORKS"
This is a co-creation project for practical production cases, newly launched within the "COLOTEK" community. While "COLOTEK" is a contest (a place for learning and interaction), "COLOWORKS" provides concrete production projects (a place for work and practice). It creates a cycle where artists and companies seeking new expressions utilizing AI, and AI creators belonging to the community, co-create on equal footing to produce new music and video expressions. In the future, it is planned to gradually expand to include projects for other companies' artists and corporate projects, developing as a foundation to support AI creative production not only in the music industry but also in many creative industries.
■About Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.
Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd. (NCG) is a next-generation creative production company centered on AI. Inheriting the DNA of Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd., Japan's first record company, and Face Co., Ltd., which created the world's first ringtone, it leads innovation in music and technology. Through AI-driven IP creation, creator ecosystem building, and AX promotion, it delivers new entertainment that shakes up society with "the now."
Company Name: Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.
Location: Jingumae M-SQUARE, 1-4-16 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Shunsuke Sato, Representative Director and President
Business Content: Development of content distribution platforms centered on AI and construction of business models.
Capital: 358,123,550 Yen
URL: https://www.columbia.co.jp