Karaoke Manekineko to Hold 2nd 'Manechare' Audition: "From a Place to Sing to a Place to Fulfill Dreams!" Song Provision by Root-san of "Sutopuri"!
Karaoke Manekineko is holding its second 'Manechare' audition project to discover the next generation of stars. Root-san from the popular entertainment unit "Sutopuri" will provide the songs. The project aims to evolve karaoke venues from "places to sing" to "places to fulfill dreams."
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 21:09
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 13:00 (1431h 50m after Published)
Koshidaka Amusement Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Koshidaka Holdings Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroshi Koshidaka), is pleased to announce the second 'Manechare' audition project, an initiative to discover the next generation of stars, which will be held at "Karaoke Manekineko" locations nationwide.
This project is a vocal audition from the industry's leading company, evolving karaoke venues from "places to sing" into "places to fulfill dreams." For the second edition, "Root," a member of the entertainment unit "Sutopuri," who garners immense support from young audiences and is active as a music producer, will be providing the songs.
**Special Page URL**
https://www.karaokemanekineko.jp/service/lv/manechalle/vocal2026/
**■ Overview of Manechare 2nd Edition**
* Entry Period: April 17th - May 17th
* Eligibility: Anyone who loves to sing (Ages 15-29)
* How to Apply: Enter through the dedicated page
* Winner's Prize: Provision of an original song by Root, plus subscription release and karaoke distribution
**■ Reception and Results of the 1st 'Manechare'**
* Number of Applications: Approx. 1,200 people (2,000 registered)
* Winner: 1 person
* Contracted Artists: 5 people
* Participating Judging Companies (Previous): Sony Music Entertainment/Victor Entertainment/Pony Canyon/KING RECORD/CE Music Creative Co., Ltd./B-ZONE/upcoming Inc./HoneyWorks
**■ Introduction to Root-san**
Root is a member of the 2.5D idol group "Sutopuri," supported by STPR Inc. He is the yellow-member. He has gained popularity primarily through internet video streaming, with 1.02 million YouTube channel subscribers, 700,000 TikTok followers, and a total of 5.34 million followers across all SNS platforms (as of February 2026).
He is also expanding his activities as a music creator responsible for music production, providing songs for "Sutopuri" and various other creators, having produced over 100 songs to date. His first full album, "Kimi to Boku no Himitsu Kichi," for which he wrote all lyrics and composed all music himself, surpassed 70,000 copies in its first week. He held a solo live concert at Zepp DiverCity(TOKYO) in January 2020. In April 2025, he was in charge of the theme song for the popular children's program "Oha Suta." In February 2026, he held a solo concert at the National Yoyogi Stadium First Gymnasium (10,000 capacity).
**Root (Sutopuri) Official Links**
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@root_stpr
Official X: https://x.com/root_nico
Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@root_stpr
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/root_nico
Official LINE: https://page.line.me/455sirmz
Sutopuri Official Website: https://strawberryprince.stpr.com/
**■ About Karaoke Manekineko**
"Karaoke Manekineko," recognizable by its large "Manekineko" sign, is a karaoke chain with industry-leading store numbers, spanning from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. It has also expanded internationally to four countries: South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, steadily increasing its brand recognition with the same "safe and secure," "reasonable," and "friendly" store environment as in Japan. Its distinctive feature is the pursuit of considerate service to delight customers. In addition to unique services pioneered in the industry, such as "Bringing in Food and Drinks Allowed" and "All Rooms Non-Smoking," future developments include using karaoke rooms for live viewings, as theater rooms, game rooms, or for remote work, evolving into new entertainment hubs (Entertainment as Infrastructure) beyond just karaoke.
With high-quality customer service and new services, we aim to become a store loved by more people. Please enjoy a fun time at the ever-growing "Karaoke Manekineko."
**■ About Koshidaka Holdings Co., Ltd.**
Koshidaka Holdings Co., Ltd. is an entertainment company that develops entertainment businesses, primarily the karaoke business of "Karaoke Manekineko," with the vision of "Entertainment as Infrastructure." Through industry-first initiatives such as allowing food and drink brought in and all rooms being non-smoking, we have provided a venue for "everyday entertainment" that anyone can easily enjoy. By continuing to provide evolved and meaningful services and products to people worldwide, we aim to contribute to the realization of affluent leisure lifestyles and the construction of a peaceful world full of hope.
**■ About Koshidaka Amusement Co., Ltd.**
Koshidaka Amusement Co., Ltd. develops entertainment businesses that provide new value and experiences to our customers through the store spaces and content of "Karaoke Manekineko."
Karaoke rooms are evolving beyond mere singing spaces into environments that enable diverse ways of enjoyment under the concept of "Hobbies/Interests x Karaoke." Through unique projects that integrate various genres such as anime, music, games, and sports, we aim to create special moments that can only be experienced at "Manekineko."
Furthermore, we develop and operate projects officially licensed by content holders, implementing original menus and limited merchandise. We maximize the use of "Karaoke Manekineko" stores nationwide as promotional media, establishing a system where the appeal of content can be experienced in real spaces.
We will continue to drive the creation of new value and market expansion while responding to diversifying customer needs.
**■ Company Profile**
Company Name: Koshidaka Holdings Co., Ltd. Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime (Securities Code: 2157)
Representative: Hiroshi Koshidaka, President and CEO
Tokyo Headquarters: Dogenzaka-dori 10F, 2-25-12 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043
Established: March 1967
Capital: 2.57 billion JPY (As of the end of February 2025)
Number of Stores: 813 stores in 5 countries including Japan (As of the end of January 2026)
Sales: 69.387 billion JPY (Consolidated, Fiscal Year ending August 2025)
**■ Related Links**
Koshidaka Holdings Official Website: https://www.koshidakaholdings.co.jp/ja/index.html
Koshidaka Co., Ltd. Official Website: https://www.koshidaka.co.jp/
Karaoke Manekineko Official Website: https://www.karaokemanekineko.jp/
Karaoke Manekineko Official X: https://x.com/maneki_official
Karaoke Manekineko Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maneki_official
Koshidaka Amusement Co., Ltd. Official Website: https://www.koshidaka-amusement.co.jp/
This project is a vocal audition from the industry's leading company, evolving karaoke venues from "places to sing" into "places to fulfill dreams." For the second edition, "Root," a member of the entertainment unit "Sutopuri," who garners immense support from young audiences and is active as a music producer, will be providing the songs.
**Special Page URL**
https://www.karaokemanekineko.jp/service/lv/manechalle/vocal2026/
**■ Overview of Manechare 2nd Edition**
* Entry Period: April 17th - May 17th
* Eligibility: Anyone who loves to sing (Ages 15-29)
* How to Apply: Enter through the dedicated page
* Winner's Prize: Provision of an original song by Root, plus subscription release and karaoke distribution
**■ Reception and Results of the 1st 'Manechare'**
* Number of Applications: Approx. 1,200 people (2,000 registered)
* Winner: 1 person
* Contracted Artists: 5 people
* Participating Judging Companies (Previous): Sony Music Entertainment/Victor Entertainment/Pony Canyon/KING RECORD/CE Music Creative Co., Ltd./B-ZONE/upcoming Inc./HoneyWorks
**■ Introduction to Root-san**
Root is a member of the 2.5D idol group "Sutopuri," supported by STPR Inc. He is the yellow-member. He has gained popularity primarily through internet video streaming, with 1.02 million YouTube channel subscribers, 700,000 TikTok followers, and a total of 5.34 million followers across all SNS platforms (as of February 2026).
He is also expanding his activities as a music creator responsible for music production, providing songs for "Sutopuri" and various other creators, having produced over 100 songs to date. His first full album, "Kimi to Boku no Himitsu Kichi," for which he wrote all lyrics and composed all music himself, surpassed 70,000 copies in its first week. He held a solo live concert at Zepp DiverCity(TOKYO) in January 2020. In April 2025, he was in charge of the theme song for the popular children's program "Oha Suta." In February 2026, he held a solo concert at the National Yoyogi Stadium First Gymnasium (10,000 capacity).
**Root (Sutopuri) Official Links**
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@root_stpr
Official X: https://x.com/root_nico
Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@root_stpr
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/root_nico
Official LINE: https://page.line.me/455sirmz
Sutopuri Official Website: https://strawberryprince.stpr.com/
**■ About Karaoke Manekineko**
"Karaoke Manekineko," recognizable by its large "Manekineko" sign, is a karaoke chain with industry-leading store numbers, spanning from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. It has also expanded internationally to four countries: South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, steadily increasing its brand recognition with the same "safe and secure," "reasonable," and "friendly" store environment as in Japan. Its distinctive feature is the pursuit of considerate service to delight customers. In addition to unique services pioneered in the industry, such as "Bringing in Food and Drinks Allowed" and "All Rooms Non-Smoking," future developments include using karaoke rooms for live viewings, as theater rooms, game rooms, or for remote work, evolving into new entertainment hubs (Entertainment as Infrastructure) beyond just karaoke.
With high-quality customer service and new services, we aim to become a store loved by more people. Please enjoy a fun time at the ever-growing "Karaoke Manekineko."
**■ About Koshidaka Holdings Co., Ltd.**
Koshidaka Holdings Co., Ltd. is an entertainment company that develops entertainment businesses, primarily the karaoke business of "Karaoke Manekineko," with the vision of "Entertainment as Infrastructure." Through industry-first initiatives such as allowing food and drink brought in and all rooms being non-smoking, we have provided a venue for "everyday entertainment" that anyone can easily enjoy. By continuing to provide evolved and meaningful services and products to people worldwide, we aim to contribute to the realization of affluent leisure lifestyles and the construction of a peaceful world full of hope.
**■ About Koshidaka Amusement Co., Ltd.**
Koshidaka Amusement Co., Ltd. develops entertainment businesses that provide new value and experiences to our customers through the store spaces and content of "Karaoke Manekineko."
Karaoke rooms are evolving beyond mere singing spaces into environments that enable diverse ways of enjoyment under the concept of "Hobbies/Interests x Karaoke." Through unique projects that integrate various genres such as anime, music, games, and sports, we aim to create special moments that can only be experienced at "Manekineko."
Furthermore, we develop and operate projects officially licensed by content holders, implementing original menus and limited merchandise. We maximize the use of "Karaoke Manekineko" stores nationwide as promotional media, establishing a system where the appeal of content can be experienced in real spaces.
We will continue to drive the creation of new value and market expansion while responding to diversifying customer needs.
**■ Company Profile**
Company Name: Koshidaka Holdings Co., Ltd. Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime (Securities Code: 2157)
Representative: Hiroshi Koshidaka, President and CEO
Tokyo Headquarters: Dogenzaka-dori 10F, 2-25-12 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043
Established: March 1967
Capital: 2.57 billion JPY (As of the end of February 2025)
Number of Stores: 813 stores in 5 countries including Japan (As of the end of January 2026)
Sales: 69.387 billion JPY (Consolidated, Fiscal Year ending August 2025)
**■ Related Links**
Koshidaka Holdings Official Website: https://www.koshidakaholdings.co.jp/ja/index.html
Koshidaka Co., Ltd. Official Website: https://www.koshidaka.co.jp/
Karaoke Manekineko Official Website: https://www.karaokemanekineko.jp/
Karaoke Manekineko Official X: https://x.com/maneki_official
Karaoke Manekineko Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maneki_official
Koshidaka Amusement Co., Ltd. Official Website: https://www.koshidaka-amusement.co.jp/
FAQ
What is the 2nd 'Manechare'?
It is a vocal audition project by Karaoke Manekineko to discover the next generation of stars, with songs provided by Root from 'Sutopuri.'
Who can apply and when?
Applicants must be 15-29 years old and love singing. The entry period is from April 17th to May 17th.
What are the prizes for the winner?
The winner will receive an original song from Root, a subscription release, and karaoke distribution opportunities.