Limited release of the world's first*1 'kikippa earphones' featuring Gamma Wave Sound™, and the 'kikippa earphones HERALBONY model' created in collaboration with Heralbony.
Pixie Dust Technologies (PxDT) and Heralbony have collaborated to launch a limited edition of 'kikippa Earphones HERALBONY Model,' featuring the world's first Gamma Wave Sound™ technology to support brain health. These open-ear earphones, co-developed with Shionogi & Co., Ltd., are designed to stimulate the brain with 40Hz amplitude modulation. The limited release includes 3,000 units across three unique art designs by Heralbony-contracted artists, with early purchasers receiving a special neoprene pouch.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 3, 2026 at 12:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 02:26 (349h 55m after Collected)
Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and Chairman: Yoichi Ochiai; Representative Director and President: Taiichiro Murakami; hereinafter "PxDT"), in collaboration with HERALBONY Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture; Representative Directors Co-CEO: Takaya Matsuda, Fumito Matsuda; hereinafter "Heralbony"), will begin selling the open-ear earphones "kikippa Earphones HERALBONY Model" from Friday, April 3, 2026. These earphones are equipped with "Gamma Wave Sound™," the world's first*1 technology developed jointly with Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Shionogi Pharmaceutical") to support brain health habits. This model is a limited production of 3,000 units in total, with 1,000 units for each of the three art designs. In the process of transferring the artists' original data to the earphone body, each unit develops a unique expression. We deliver a one-of-a-kind device that is truly yours.
Furthermore, customers who purchase during April 2026 will receive a limited-edition pouch (neoprene material, estimated retail price of 5,500 yen including tax) featuring art by Heralbony-contracted artists as an early purchase bonus.
*1: Technology that processes audio by applying 40Hz amplitude modulation to partial signals included in the input audio (Patented).
Background of the Collaboration
kikippa earphones are open-ear earphones equipped with "Gamma Wave Sound™," developed jointly by PxDT and Shionogi Pharmaceutical to support brain health habits. They propose a new habit to support brain health, allowing users to continue being themselves as they age.
Heralbony is a creative company with the mission "Radiate Your Extraordinary." They hold IP license agreements primarily with artists with intellectual disabilities, working to transform the image of "disability" and create new culture. Together with 293 artists from 79 welfare facilities in Japan and abroad, they operate businesses that deliver "extraordinary" talents to society in various forms.
PxDT continues to create socially meaningful products through technology, while Heralbony challenges social norms and culture through welfare. The two companies' visions aligned, leading to this collaboration. We aim to add a new daily habit through sound—an entry point to returning to the "self" that defines one's individuality amidst the fluctuations of daily life.
▼ Special Site Here ▼
https://kikippa-meets-heralbony.com/
Product Overview and Early Purchase Bonus
Product Name: kikippa Earphones HERALBONY Model
Product Type: Wireless Earphones
Suggested Retail Price: 34,900 yen (tax included) *Includes canvas pouch, charging stand, and cable set
Sales Start Date: Friday, April 3, 2026 *Scheduled for delivery in late April 2026.
Quantity: Limited production of 3,000 units (1,000 units x 3 art designs)
Early Purchase Bonus: Customers purchasing in April 2026 will receive a limited-edition pouch (neoprene material, estimated retail price of 5,500 yen including tax) featuring art by Heralbony-contracted artists.
*Note: The bonus neoprene pouch will be shipped separately from the earphones, scheduled for delivery in May.
*Note: The early purchase bonus is only applicable to orders from the official website. Orders from Amazon sales channels are not eligible.
*Note: The pouch design will match the art design of the earphones ordered.
Featured Works and Artists
This model features works by three Heralbony-contracted artists who embody the concept "The Multi-layered Colors of Me," expressing themselves without being confined to a single color. Their creative process of layering colors and motifs mirrors the act of "layering days to wear one's own individuality."
Artist: fuco: (Saga Prefecture)
Her creative journey began when her mother gave her paper and a pen, saying "Draw a circle," during a time she couldn't go to school. The circle motif clicked with her, and she became absorbed in it. Recently, she has expanded to drawing motifs other than circles, tirelessly drawing circles, triangles, and squares on large canvases every day. While she speaks few words, she often repeats words that come to mind, and works are sometimes born alongside these words.
Artist: Yu Takada (Ibaraki Prefecture, Jinenjo Club)
Possessing rich sensitivity and imagination, he expresses himself through drumming, painting, and dance. His main motifs are Disneyland and mazes. A true Disney fan, his works are inspired by parades and magic carpets. His multi-layered mazes, created by slowly connecting lines, invite viewers into a labyrinth. He moves at his own pace, with time flowing gently around him, and enjoys arranging his favorite books in his room.
Artist: Kaoru Iga (Tokyo)
Began serious production after exhibiting at Art Brut Tachikawa in 2015. He uses various materials like paint, pastels, and colored pencils, and even creates 3D works using his own paintings as materials. He loves music and travel, having studied cello for over 20 years, and enjoys experiencing new cultures. While conversation is difficult for him, he never hesitates to join a circle of people. He served as the model for the 2023 HERALBONY key visual.
Features of kikippa Earphones
■ World's First Earphones with Gamma Wave Sound™
Brain waves around 40Hz, known as "Gamma Waves," are related to memory and concentration and are reported to weaken with age*2. kikippa is the world's first*1 open-ear earphone that can easily stimulate the brain by modulating music or programs at the same frequency as these gamma waves. By simply incorporating kikippa into daily life—during study, housework, or exercise—you can easily stimulate your brain. The mode can be turned off to use them as standard earphones.
*2: Trends in Neurosciences 30, 317-324 (2007)., Clinical Neurophysiology 116, 2719-2733 (2005).
■ Open-Ear Design for "Ambient Listening"
The open-ear style allows you to catch environmental sounds and conversations naturally while wearing the earphones. This ensures safety and comfort for "ambient listening" during commutes or housework.
■ Advanced Acoustic Technology for Immersive High-Quality Sound
Features a custom-designed 16mm large-diameter driver with a hybrid structure diaphragm. It reproduces everything from rich bass to clear highs, providing an immersive sound experience.
■ kikippa Earphones Dedicated App
The app includes the "CogEvo®" cognitive function check tool, used by over 400 companies, to check brain status. It also allows for functional updates based on the latest research. Users can adjust the intensity of Gamma Wave Sound™ and check their listening time. (Some features require a fee).
Brain Power® Trainer CogEvo®
https://cog-evo.com/about/
● Comfortable Fit
The unique "Flex Ear Support" mechanism balances stability and comfort. It fits the line behind the ear to prevent slipping even during movement, providing secure support.
● Easy Charging
No need to plug in a cable every time. Simply place the earphones on the dedicated stand after use for smart, effortless charging.
Integration with ROUTINE RECORDS
This collaboration also links with Heralbony's music project, "ROUTINE RECORDS."
ROUTINE RECORDS focuses on the "sounds" repeated by people with intellectual disabilities in their daily lives, delivering them to society as music. These actions and wordplays, which may seem incomprehensible at first glance, are meaningful and essential rhythms to them. By opening these routines to the world through music, the project aims to transform the image of "disability" and create new culture through welfare. An exhibition at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa in 2022 recorded approximately 83,962 visitors over 143 days.
For this collaboration, musician haruka nakamura has created an original track using sounds from the daily routines and musical activities of people with intellectual disabilities. Listening to this track with kikippa earphones provides a musical experience that accompanies "time for self-reflection."
Podcast Program: "A Breath Before Sleep"
We will release a podcast titled "A Breath Before Sleep" (Oyasumi mae no, hitokiki) based on the theme "Cherishing individuality while layering days," which is conveyed through the concept of "The Multi-layered Colors of Me."
The program features literary critic Kaho Miyake and essayist/food director Sakiko Hirano. Over three episodes, they will discuss small daily events, aging gracefully, and their thoughts on kikippa earphones and this collaboration. It aims to provide a moment of reflection at the end of the day to prepare for tomorrow. Episodes will be released sequentially starting April 9 (Thursday). *Release dates are subject to change.
Kaho Miyake
Literary critic. Born in Kochi Prefecture. She handles criticism and commentary in a wide range of fields, including novels, classical literature, and entertainment. Her numerous books include "Why You Can't Read Books When You're Working" and "The Art of Articulating What You Like." In 2025, she received the "New Book Award" as the youngest recipient ever. She was a guest judge for the 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen.
Sakiko Hirano, Essayist/Food Director
She started keeping a food diary in elementary school, and her blog about her daily eating habits became popular during her university years, leading to her writing career. Currently, her activities are diverse, including serving as the representative of the confectionery brand "(NO) RAISIN SANDWICH" and as a personality for the radio/podcast program "Ajina Fukuonsei." Her books include "Born Al Dente" and "Shortcake from the Back."
Limited-Time Pop-up Store
To celebrate the launch of the kikippa Earphones HERALBONY Model, a pop-up store will open for a limited time on the 1st floor of Hankyu Men's Tokyo. In addition to the kikippa Earphones HERALBONY Model, other Pixie Dust Technologies products such as SonoRepro will be exhibited and sold. This is a rare opportunity to experience the products, so please come and visit. *The kikippa Earphones HERALBONY Model will not be sold on-site, but will be on display from April 15.
Location: Hankyu Men's Tokyo 1F Pop-up Area
Period: April 15 (Wednesday) - April 28 (Tuesday), 2026
Hours: 12:00 - 20:00 *Subject to Hankyu Men's Tokyo business hours
About HERALBONY Co., Ltd.
A creative company with the mission "Radiate Your Extraordinary," aiming to transform the image of disability and create new culture through welfare. They manage over 2,000 artworks by artists with disabilities as IP licenses, building a sustainable business model by paying fair royalties. They operate their own brand "HERALBONY," collaborate with corporations, plan and produce through creative work, provide employee training programs, and host the international art award "HERALBONY Art Prize," developing diverse businesses centered on art. In July 2024, they established "HERALBONY EUROPE" in Paris as their first overseas subsidiary.
URL: https://store.heralbony.jp/
About Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc.
Pixie Dust Technologies envisions the arrival of "Digital Nature," where computers and non-computers are inseparable, by merging computer science with proprietary wave control technology (manipulating sound, light, etc.). We currently focus on two main areas for product development: "Healthcare & Diversity," which involves mechanobiology and intervention/assistance for visual, auditory, and tactile senses, and "Workspace & Digital Transformation," which applies metamaterials (technology that creates properties through structure rather than material) and solves issues in offices and construction sites. While computers are rapidly evolving, the evolution of our biological bodies (hardware) is very slow, and the gap between them is widening. Pixie Dust Technologies aims to mediate between these two and continue to create better value for life.
Company Name: Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc.
Company Establishment: May 2017
Representative Directors: Yoichi Ochiai, Taiichiro Murakami
Location: 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://pixiedusttech.com/
- Gamma Wave Sound™, kikippa, and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc.
- Company names, logos, system names, product names, brand names, etc., mentioned are trade names, registered trademarks, or trademarks of their respective companies.