"We Want Everyone to Take Home the Best Memories" – Behind the Scenes of 'PJSK CREATORS FESTA 2026 powered by Google Play' and CyberE's Challenge

CyberE Inc., a subsidiary of CyberZ Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takahiro Yamauchi), produced and operated the event 'PJSK CREATORS FESTA 2026 powered by Google Play' over two days, May 30 (Sat) and 31 (Sun), 2026, at Makuhari Messe.

'PJSK CREATORS FESTA 2026 powered by Google Play' is an offline event for 'Project SEKAI COLORFUL STAGE! feat. Hatsune Miku' (hereinafter, 'PJSK'), a rhythm and adventure game for iOS and Android developed by SEGA Corporation (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President & COO: Fumifumi Uchiumi) and Colorful Palette Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yuichiro Kondo). This annual special event enables direct interaction between the creators who support PJSK and the fans who love it. This year, the event moved to Makuhari Messe, making it the largest-scale event to date.

This article explores the atmosphere of the venue and the intentions behind the event through an interview with CyberE's producer, who led the event.

What 'CREATORS FESTA' Aims to Achieve

— To begin with, could you please explain again the concept and purpose of this 'CREATORS FESTA'?

Sugawara: CREATORS FESTA is an event designed to connect the creators who support the Project SEKAI game every day with the fans. This year, in response to requests from creators and fans, we held our largest standalone event to date.

— How many times has this event been held now? And compared to previous editions, were there any updates or improvements this time?

Sugawara: This was the fourth time since the first event held at Akihabara UDX in 2023. While the core of the event remains the 'Doujin Market' featuring Vocaloid producers and illustrators who create MVs and other content, this year's standalone format allowed us to introduce a new stage segment: DJ live performances.

Booth Highlights: Area-by-Area Report

【Creators Market】

— The 'Creators Market,' one of the event's main attractions, was impressive with 121 participating booths. What aspects did you focus on during the planning?

Sugawara: After extensive discussions among the production team, we decided to use the spacious Makuhari Messe venue deliberately with ample room. Our priority was to ensure that creators could interact as easily as possible with fans, and above all, to provide safe queuing areas so fans wouldn't get injured.

We were delighted to hear from creators that 'this year's market was easier to participate in than before.' At the same time, due to the large number of attendees, some guests experienced long waits and congestion during entry, and we received various feedback. We take this feedback seriously and will continue discussing ways to provide a better experience in the future.

【Exhibition Area】

— The exhibition area had a powerful atmosphere, with fans deeply immersed in the world of the works. Could you share what you focused on in this area?

Sugawara: Since photos taken at the event become cherished memories for attendees, we paid special attention to creating spaces that were ideal for photography. We featured large key visuals, message boards where creators and fans could freely write notes, a '2DMV Exhibition' displaying comments from PJSK creators, and 26 original photo spots based on the official visuals of CREATORS FESTA 2026—each designed to immerse visitors in the world of Project SEKAI.

【Special Stage (CREATORS PLAYGROUND)】

— The excitement on stage was also incredible.

Sugawara: With the goal of letting every attendee take home the best possible memories, we hosted two special stage programs: 'Vocaloid Music no Sekai: Special Edition at CREATORS FESTA 2026' and 'CREATORS PLAYGROUND supported by NIGHT HIKE.'

At 'Vocaloid Music no Sekai,' Vocaloid producers and PJSK voice cast members shared behind-the-scenes stories about composing original songs and recording sessions—exclusive insights that fans greatly appreciated.

For 'CREATORS PLAYGROUND supported by NIGHT HIKE,' we wanted attendees to experience and discover new culture. I personally reached out to Mr. Araki, producer of the music art festival 'NIGHT HIKE,' whom I'm a fan of, and invited him to collaborate. This stage had two goals: first, to let PJSK fans experience and enjoy 'DJ live' culture firsthand; and second, to let fans see Vocaloid producers themselves perform on stage, deepening their connection. From opening to closing, the DJs' performances were spectacular. With VJs and live drawing artists, the stage showcased a powerful fusion of music and art, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

— Were you nervous about introducing such new elements on stage?

Sugawara: Initially, I was certainly concerned about whether fans would accept 'DJ live' and high-energy bass-heavy performances. But at the same time, I had confidence that if the content was truly good, attendees would definitely enjoy it.

The success of this new challenge was only possible thanks to the deep understanding and support from IP holders SEGA Corporation, Colorful Palette Co., Ltd., and Crypton Future Media, Inc., who accepted our proposals. I'm also deeply grateful to the DJs and creators who generously delivered their performances, and to NIGHT HIKE for their collaboration.

※ About NIGHT HIKE

NIGHT HIKE is a music art festival where internet culture (music, illustration, video) comes together. It features live music, live drawing, creator talk sessions, dance battles, and more—an event where attendees can experience music and art born from internet culture.

【Sponsor Booths】

— The sponsor booths also left a strong impression. How did you feel about them overall?

Sugawara: We are deeply grateful to Google Play, our title sponsor, as well as CELSYS Inc., Bushiroad Inc., and Wacom Co., Ltd., which provided equipment. The support from our sponsors enables us to offer better experiences and environments for fans and creators alike, making them indispensable to the event.

We were also thrilled to have MC Hyakka Ryoran energizing the stage. The attendees were warm and welcoming, and I truly felt that we all came together to make CREATORS FESTA a success.

"We Want Everyone to Take Home the Best Memories" – Insights from the Venue and Future Outlook

— Now that the two-day event has concluded successfully, what are your honest thoughts?

Sugawara: The standalone format meant a larger scale, which brought various challenges. However, seeing attendees genuinely enjoy the new DJ live performances made all of us at CyberE incredibly happy. We were also relieved to hear that Colorful Palette expressed their satisfaction after the event.

— During the event, were there any particular moments or insights that stood out to you?

Sugawara: The closing stage moment stands out. During the second day's performance, I urgently negotiated with various parties to allow photography at the final stage, saying, 'Let's allow fans to take photos and share them on social media.' Originally, stage photography and recording were prohibited. But as the event progressed, I realized that to let attendees take home 'the best memories,' we absolutely needed something tangible and shareable. Seeing attendees point their cameras and post photos with heartfelt comments on social media made me feel deeply that we made the right decision. I'm also grateful to all involved parties who accommodated this last-minute request.

Another moment that struck me deeply happened while walking the venue. A fan attending alone asked me, 'I want to take a full-body photo with the panel, but I can't do it by myself—could you take it for me?' It reminded me that when someone wants to capture a memory, being alone can sometimes feel lonely.

Hearing such direct feedback from attendees gave us concrete ideas for future improvements—such as possibly assigning dedicated staff to assist with photo-taking next time. These two days reaffirmed how crucial it is to always stay grounded in the attendees' perspective.

Over the two days, creators and fans interacted directly, filling Makuhari Messe with incredible energy. Behind the success of this large-scale event lies deep respect for the creators who support the project and the immense passion of the fans who gathered at the venue.

CyberE Inc. will continue to create entertainment spaces that honor the worldviews of IPs and the expressions of creators, ensuring that everyone who participates can genuinely enjoy themselves.

Event Overview

· Event Name: PJSK CREATORS FESTA 2026 powered by Google Play

· Dates: May 30 (Sat) – 31 (Sun), 2026, 10:00–18:00

· Venue: Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Halls 1 & 2 (2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture 261-8550)

· Organizer: CyberE Inc.

About CyberE Inc.

CyberE Inc. is an event production and planning company within the CyberAgent Group, specializing in the planning, production, and operation of entertainment events. The company has a rich track record in diverse entertainment fields, including Japan's largest esports event 'RAGE,' gaming events, exhibitions, pop-ups, and stage events.

From large-scale arena and dome events at venues such as Tokyo Dome, Saitama Super Arena, and Yokohama Arena, to small-scale fan events, CyberE handles events of all scales. The company also plans and operates real-world events leveraging various IPs, including exhibition planning for events like Tokyo Game Show and collaborations with VTubers, streamers, and esports teams, providing end-to-end services from concept development to production, operations, and promotion.

Building on its past achievements, CyberE will continue creating diverse entertainment events domestically and internationally, spanning games, anime, music, VTubers, exhibitions, pop-ups, and community events.

· Company Name: CyberE Inc.

· Tokyo Headquarters: Shibuya Scramble Square, 23rd Floor, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo