Located Companies

BALS Inc. is dedicated to creating entertainment spaces using XR (cross reality) technology. Their live performances in virtual 3D spaces, distributed through their unique distribution platform "SPWN," have been highly praised, and the number of users is steadily increasing. Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, was the first place the company chose to set up as its regional base. We spoke with Takase Nozomi, General Manager of the Content Planning Division, about the company's history from its expansion to the present day.

Please tell us about the content business your company is involved in.

Our company has developed its business around two pillars: the "SPWN business" through the paid distribution platform "SPWN," and the "XR Live business" that realizes 3D live performances by VTubers. As VTuber live streaming expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have one of the largest motion capture studios in the industry and have been involved in the production of new entertainment content. Meanwhile, as the business of introducing video-first IP to the world, such as VTubers, has begun to mature while still leaving room for growth, we wanted to take on a new challenge and have entered the animation production business.

Japanese anime is highly praised around the world.

There is much talk about the enormous costs and lack of manpower involved in anime production, but our company is aiming to create a production structure that allows for significant cost reductions by using techniques such as 3D motion capture. At our newly established base in Beppu, we are primarily involved in the work of shooting and processing motion capture videos, compositing them with backgrounds, and finishing touches. This will be our first foray into a regional area outside of our head office.

Please tell us why you chose Beppu City, Oita Prefecture.

When I was looking for a prefecture that was proactive in attracting businesses, Oita Prefecture caught my eye. When I inquired, a person in charge came to our office right away and gave us a detailed explanation of the local area and support system. This was in November 2023, but a new anime series was scheduled to air in the fall of the following year, so when I told them I wanted to recruit staff and start the business by spring, things moved quickly from there (laughs). I immediately went to Oita, was shown around several candidate locations, and ended up deciding on Beppu, where I started my business in March 2024. Since this is an industry where you can start working immediately as long as you have a computer and an internet connection, I renovated part of the tenant office that was introduced to me and started my business quickly.

In Kyushu, Fukuoka, where many IT-related companies are concentrated, may also have been a candidate.

Fukuoka is a city with well-developed urban functions and a rich living environment, so it is certainly home to many IT-related companies, but it is also a place with a lot of competition when it comes to securing human resources. There are also many companies that are primarily involved in entertainment-related businesses, such as game development. Meanwhile, Oita Prefecture has systems development companies, but no companies that handle entertainment content, so we thought that our company would be at an advantage. In terms of human resources, there is no difference compared to when we are recruiting at our Tokyo headquarters. In fact, I feel that there are a lot of motivated people here because there are no entertainment-related industries in the area.

How many people does Beppu currently have?

Are there any differences between the work system and the head office?

The Beppu office is basically a full-time office with a flexible working system. Most people come to work at 11am, and some start as early as 10am, and then work eight hours. Also, since most of the people working here don't have much experience at the moment, technical guidance directors come to the prefecture on a rotating basis. There are no permanent management members assigned to the office, so I come to Beppu about once every two months.

What kind of impressions do people from outside the prefecture have after actually starting to live in Oita?

The first members to apply, originally from Yokohama, seem to be satisfied with life in Beppu, including the hot springs and food. The Tokyo headquarters, where the studio facilities are located, remains the main business location, but the company also rents a property with a hot spring, and some employees even request business trips as if they were doing a workcation (laughs).

Are you considering accepting new graduates from your local area?

As the facility only just opened in March this year, it does not currently have any new graduates, but it does accept interns. There are universities, technical colleges, and vocational schools in Oita Prefecture where you can learn IT skills, so the facility is hoping to become a place for local students interested in entertainment, and it actively participates in job fairs and networking events. Some of the interns have studied film, and were also interested in the Tokyo head office where the studio is located. Some vocational schools gave the opportunity to introduce the BALS production site as part of their classes, and the participating students listened intently.

What would you like to try in Oita?

Considering what we can do as a company, we have been discussing the possibility of one day producing an anime set in Beppu. We are proactive in our approach to collaborations with local governments and businesses, and for an anime set in Shinjuku, we were allowed to use the space of Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. "If this leads to a pilgrimage to sacred sites through media mix, then it will expand the meaning of establishing a base in Beppu," we are talking to our director team.

Do you have any advice for people in charge of companies considering expanding into Oita?

This was our company's first regional base, and the person in charge was very kind and helpful in helping us with everything from support measures to finding an office. Above all, since we were unfamiliar with the area, there were many things we couldn't understand with just maps and photos, so we were grateful for the accurate advice they gave us. They continued to provide consultation even after we started our business, and we are very grateful for that.