Evangelion Creator, Gackt, Tezuka's Son, 2channel & Niconico Founders Tease New Social Media Service

Popopo to Unveil New Social Media Service with Prominent Figures

Popopo, a company in the technology sector, recently announced its plans to introduce a new social media service. The official unveiling is scheduled for March 18 at noon Japan time, which corresponds to March 17 at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Popopo has labeled this forthcoming service as “the last social media service made by humans before the AI era.” This statement positions the service as a significant human-driven project amidst growing advancements in artificial intelligence.

Details Emerge for an Unconventional Platform

Although Popopo has maintained secrecy regarding the full specifics of its new service, several defining characteristics have been teased. The company describes it as “a video phone that doesn't need a camera.” This particular phrasing suggests a novel approach to visual communication. Additionally, the service is presented within “the last era in which humans build apps,” emphasizing its foundation in human development. Hideaki Anno, a key figure involved, offered his perspective, describing the service as “a video phone that feels like the future.” These descriptions hint at a unique and forward-thinking digital communication tool.

A Stellar Team Behind the Innovation

The unveiling event will feature a lineup of highly recognized individuals from various fields. Nobuo Kawakami, known as the founder of the Niconico online video service, is a central participant. Hideaki Anno, the acclaimed creator of the Evangelion franchise, is also part of the team. Musician Gackt, a prominent artist, will contribute to the announcement. Hiroyuki Nishimura, who founded the influential 2channel internet forum, also joins the group. Furthermore, Makoto Tezuka, a filmmaker and the son of Osamu Tezuka, completes this roster of creative and technological leaders. Their combined involvement underscores the project's ambition and potential impact.

Tracing Connections Among Key Collaborators

Many of the individuals associated with Popopo’s new service share established professional histories and collaborations. Nobuo Kawakami has an extensive record of working with several of the announced participants through his past roles with Dwango and other ventures. His career includes serving at or on the boards of directors for major companies such as Kadokawa, Khara, Virtual Cast, and Studio Ghibli. These roles highlight his broad influence across Japanese entertainment and technology.

Collaborative Foundations and Shared Ventures

The professional association between Hideaki Anno and Nobuo Kawakami is well-documented. They both served as executive producers for the Japan Animator Expo, a project they initiated in 2014. This long-standing working relationship points to a shared vision for innovation. Gackt’s involvement also stems from a prior connection, as he has provided services for multiple Dwango commercials since 2002. These existing professional ties suggest a strong collaborative framework among the core team, providing a solid foundation for the development and introduction of Popopo’s new human-made application. The collective experience from diverse media and technology backgrounds could shape a unique digital offering.

Emphasizing Human Creation Before the AI Era

Popopo's explicit emphasis on its service being “the last social media service made by humans before the AI era” is a defining aspect of its public presentation. This narrative places human creativity and development at the forefront, contrasting it with future applications potentially dominated by artificial intelligence. The company's messaging highlights the significance of human innovation in app design at this specific juncture. This stance aligns with the background of the featured creators, who have each contributed to human-driven artistic and technological advancements throughout their careers. Popopo positions its service as a testament to human ingenuity in the evolving digital landscape.