VirVox Project

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## General Information

### Website

* Official VirVox Project Blog
* Official VirVox Project Website

## Additional Product Information

### Affiliations

* Animen
* VOLOR

**VirVox Project** (VirVoxプロジェクト) is a small *doujin* circle focused on the marketing and development of male vocal synthesis characters.

## History

Operating under the direction of VOLOR in May 2021, VirVox Project began its first collaboration with the Synthesizer V vocal GENBU, providing him a new name (now known as Kurono Takehiro "玄野武宏") for use in the project. VirVox plans to develop male voice synthesis characters and with permission from VOLOR, VirVox hopes to provide various character-related merchandise such as badges, keychains, 3D models, and even physical copies of software such as GENBU.

On May 5, VirVox Project released the full artwork previously used by AH-Software Co. Ltd. on their product page for GENBU.

Official profiles for all four characters were revealed on the VirVox Project website on June 18, and a survey was conducted inquiring fans about merchandise, voice materials, and requests for future projects. All four of the characters have acrylic figures available for purchase on the Japanese doujin marketplace BOOTH.

On November 26, VirVox Project opened a new official website that covers each of their characters, terms of use, news, and promotional uploads. The website also hinted at the addition of two more characters, with one of them having a full silhouette teased on the website itself.

On November 7, 2022, new stats (favorite foods, likes, dislikes, and hobbies) were added for each character. On December 20, onidaruman posted some initial concepts and ideas for the VirVox Project cast. Prior to settling on the four auspicious beasts theme, other concepts included cyber, sea creatures (specifically mentioned orca, seal, and penguin), and gems (specifically mentioned diamond, iolite, and tanzanite). He noted that the order of creation was GENBU, Takuto, Takehiro, the white tiger concept, the azure dragon concept, the vermillion bird concept, and Sourin. By September 4, 2023, all five members have been revealed.

## Characters

### Synthesizer V Characters

#### Kurono Takehiro

**Kurono Takehiro** (玄野武宏) also known as **GENBU** (ゲンブ) is the first character revealed from VirVox Project. He is represented by the color green. VirVox Project released a text-to-speech voice for him using the software TALQu, along with a bundle of exVOICE samples and variations on his standing art.

> “When you say that to my face I actually get kinda embarassed...
>
> ... Well, I don't feel bad about it though.
> ”
>
>

##### Stats

* **Height:** 177cm
* **Weight:** 66kg
* **Birthday:** December 24
* **Age:** Around his 20s
* **CV:** Gallo
* **Favorite food:** Whitefish sashimi (not picky about food)
* **Likes:** Singing, musical instruments, aquariums
* **Dislikes:** High temperatures, hot foods and drinks ("nekojita")
* **Hobbies:** Singing and playing instruments, water sports (such as surfing)

### Other Characters

#### Shirakami Kotarou

*For more info on Shirakami Kotarou, see Vocal Synthesizer Wiki.*
**Shirakami Kotarou** (白上虎太郎) also known as **Byakko**  (ビャッコ) is the second character revealed from VirVox Project. He is stated to be in his late teens and looks younger than he actually is. He is represented by the colors white/grey and yellow. A set of vocal samples labelled as "exVOICE" was released for him, along with variations of his standing art. His voice provider, kawaios, was not revealed until January 23, 2022.

> “I'm Shirakami Kotarou.
>  I might look younger than I am but I'm a handsome high-teen!
>  Huh? What's a "high-teen"...? Uh.. Well, anyway, it means I'm lively! Nice to meet you!
> ”
>
>

##### Stats

* **Height:** 146cm
* **Weight:** 42kg
* **Birthday:** September 30
* **Age:** 18
* **CV:** kawaios
* **Favorite food:** Omurice, cream soda
* **Likes:** Vehicles, games, clay
* **Dislikes:** Studying, horror movies, eggplants
* **Hobbies:** Watching anime, exercising, doodling in the corner of notebooks

#### Aoyama Ryusei

*For more info on Aoyama Ryusei, see Vocal Synthesizer Wiki.*
**Aoyama Ryusei** (青山龍星) also known as **Seiryuu** (セイリュウ) is the third character revealed from VirVox Project.  He is represented by the color blue. A set of vocal samples labelled as "exVOICE" were released for him on December 10, 2021. Due to reports that the eye color for Ryusei and Sourin were difficult to understand, it was added to their profiles.

> “Aoyama Ryusei. That's my name.
>
> ...is there anything else? No, sorry. Unfortunately nothing in particular.
> ”
>
>

##### Stats

* **Height:** 194cm
* **Weight:** 94kg
* **Birthday:** April 22
* **Age:** 24
* **Eye color:** Dark pink (#d3538f)
* **CV:** Mimic = Wonder Box
* **Favorite food:** Steak, coffee (less sugar)
* **Likes:** Stars, cameras, flora and fauna
* **Dislikes:** Confined spaces, being asked for witty words
* **Hobbies:** Gazing at the night sky, taking care of plants

#### Wakamatsu Akashi

*For more info on Wakamatsu Akashi, see Vocal Synthesizer Wiki.*
**Wakamatsu Akashi** (雀松朱司) also known as **Suzaku** (スザク) is the fourth character revealed from VirVox Project.  He is represented by the color red. On January 24, 2022, VirVox Project announced a delay in Akashi's voice and standing art due to the busy schedule of the voice provider, who was later revealed to be Kokuri Raku on July 17 when Akashi's "exVOICE" voice samples were released.

> “Nice to meet you. My name is Wakamatsu Akashi.
>
> Umm... Wakamatsu is written with "sparrow (雀)" and "pine (松)".
>  Akashi is written as in "to govern vermillion (朱色を司る)"... that's how it's read, I'd be glad if you could remember it.
> ”
>
>

##### Stats

* **Height:** 182cm
* **Weight:** 94kg
* **Birthday:** July 17
* **Age:** 26
* **CV:** Kokuri Raku
* **Favorite food:** Cocoa biscuits, tomato pasta
* **Likes:** Clothes, singing (likes both singing and listening)
* **Dislikes:** High places, forgetting where he put things
* **Hobbies:** Reading, cleaning, shopping

#### Kigashima Sourin

*For more info on Kigashima Sourin, see Vocal Synthesizer Wiki.*
**Kigashima Sourin** (麒ヶ島 宗麟) also known as **Kirin** (キリン) is the fifth character fully revealed from VirVox Project.

Sourin was initially introduced as an unknown sixth character that was hinted on the drop-down menu of VirVox Project's character list on their website, but no webpage or other information was available at the time. On January 24, 2022, his silhouette and quote were revealed along with his official webpage. Voice material, standing art, and CoeFont were to be expected in the near future. Sourin was revealed prior to the unknown "5th" character on January 25. He was originally meant to be revealed in May 2021, but VirVox Project could not find a good voice provider to suit him, thus abandoning the plan. The group was later introduced to someone with a good voice in late 2021, and after much negotiation, they were able to complete Sourin. His CoeFont was released on the same day. Due to reports that the eye color for Sourin and Ryusei were difficult to understand, it was added to their profiles.

A set of vocal samples labelled as "exVOICE" and his standing images were scheduled to release on February 19, 2022.

> “Well, I just happened to be passing by. I thought I'd take a look at the boys' faces.”
>
>

> “Yaay~! A Super Idol ☆ (Temporarily) Appears! ...Why, isn't that how it's done now?”
>
>

##### Stats

* **Height:** 175cm
* **Weight:** 79kg
* **Age:** Unknown (50s?)
* **Eye color:** Gray (#a8a3a1)
* **CV:** LeoBlack
* **Favorite food:** Beer, onsen tamago
* **Likes:** Hot springs, traveling, photography
* **Dislikes:** Hunger, to be restrained
* **Hobbies:** Visiting power spots (spiritual veins?), bathing, posting on SNS

#### Takuto

*For more info on Mizusawa Takuto, see Vocal Synthesizer Wiki.*
**Mizusawa Takuto** (瑞澤タクト) is the sixth character fully revealed by VirVox Project.

Takuto was introduced as an unknown fifth character who was shown as a silhouette on VirVox Project's website. Small parts of his design were teased in a height comparison illustration of the cast. On April 22, 2022, VirVox project tweeted that Shiki Rowen's exVOICE files mentioned the names of the VirVox Project characters, including the unknown male, confirming it to be "Takuto". He was also included in Shiki Taigen's exVOICE files as "Takuto-kun". On November 7, stats for Takuto were added but his surname was still unknown. On January 28, 2023, the first character of his surname, "瑞", was revealed. His personality was also updated, describing him as a cool and stoic young man who sees Takehiro as his rival. He is not good with women. His full information and illustration were revealed on September 4, and he was released with exVOICE files.

> “What a lame sound.
>
> Are you really satisfied with that?”
>
>

> “... Well, if you say so.
>
> I mean I'm fine with it I guess.”
>
>

##### Stats

* **Height:** 186cm
* **Weight:** 75kg
* **Age:** 18
* **Birthday:** September 4
* **CV:** Saka
* **Favorite food:** Strawberry-flavored convenience store sweets
* **Likes:** All sports, the library, Toksatsu
* **Not good with:** Bugs, women, strong lighting
* **Hobbies:** Working out, messing with Kotarou

## Gallery

For more illustrations related to VirVox Project's non-Synthesizer V characters, see VirVox Project/Gallery.

## Trivia

* The circle name "VirVox" is of Latin descent: **Vir** (from *viri*, "man") and **Vox** (from *vocis*, "voice"). *Vir* was also noted to be a portmanteau of the word *virtualis/e* (virtual).

* The initial four characters appear to be inspired by the Shijin (Four Guardians), sacred beasts of Chinese mythology said to rule over the four cardinal directions of heaven, with each having a representative color, animal and season. In January 2022, Kigashima Sourin was introduced and the cast seemed to reference the mythological creatures associated with Wuxing (also known as the "Five Phases"). In January 2023, part of Takuto's surname was revealed to mean "auspicious".
	+ Kurono Takehiro - Black Tortoise, Winter
	+ Shirakami Kotarou - White Tiger, Autumn
	+ Aoyama Ryusei - Azure Dragon, Spring
	+ Wakamatsu Akashi - Vermillion Bird, Summer
	+ Kigashima Sourin - Qilin (which replaces the Yellow Dragon in some forms of the myth), Changing of seasons

* Aoyama Ryusei's birthday was originally listed as "Born in Spring", but was changed to April 22 to coincide with his A.I.VOICE announcement.
* Wakamatsu Akashi's birthday was originally listed as "Born in Summer", but was changed to July 17, to coincide with his debut and Vol.1 release for exVOICE.
* Shirakami Kotarou's birthday was originally listed as "Born in Autumn", but was changed to September 30, likely referencing the release of his additional styles for VOICEVOX.
* Mizusawa Takuto's birthday was selected as September 4, the same day of his full reveal and the release of his exVOICE files.

## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1389914956678656005
2. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1389099399184224256
3. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1390187729636315137
4. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1390633870903496704
5. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1389908128351854593
6. ↑ https://note.com/virvoxproject/n/n21022d55631f
7. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1405844859005534208
8. ↑ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmvnh3ocAFryREF1TCUKyw6Y6AqjBazPcd4PZsSQDSwVTg8g/viewform
9. ↑ https://virvox.booth.pm
10. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1464172106241826818
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1589612022240784385
12. ↑ https://twitter.com/onidaruman/status/1605129076347240448
13. ↑ https://twitter.com/onidaruman/status/1605124536768532480
14. ↑ https://twitter.com/onidaruman/status/1605122652934672385
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1698621930180395422
16. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1400391819733655552
17. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1390200783082196992
18. ↑ https://virvox.booth.pm/items/3076890
19. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1390200783082196992
20. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1400391819733655552
21. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1390200783082196992
22. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1400391819733655552
23. ↑ https://virvox.booth.pm/items/3324334
24. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1485228977304539138
25. ↑ Kotarou's birthday was originally listed as "Born in Autumn". This was since changed to a solid date.
26. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1403290918484996096
27. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1390200783082196992
28. ↑ https://youtu.be/KKF9dsncEAI
29. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1490618175586979840
30. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1517434584375640065 - Ryusei's birthday was originally listed as "Born in Spring". This was since changed to a solid date.
31. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1469260604724559875
32. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1405827635339481096
33. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1390200783082196992
34. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1485601659292372995
35. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1548608476150001665
36. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1548611398975901703 - Akashi's birthday was originally listed as "Born in Summer". This was since changed to a solid date.
37. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1405827635339481096
38. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1485598264271388674
39. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1485599441386373125
40. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1485600505821032451
41. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1485930452108017665
42. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1485935906846511109
43. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1485936080134103043
44. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1494678329944805377
45. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1485941682843443200
46. ↑ https://virvoxproject.wixsite.com/official/blank
47. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1405841016318353408
48. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1517413707642327040
49. ↑ https://twitter.com/pheodore/status/1535439042539835392
50. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1619322785981140999
51. ↑ https://twitter.com/uchuuzentai/status/1698622382334746886 - English translation provided by @uchuuzentai
52. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1698622495979721020
53. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1402954201697640453
54. ↑ https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/瑞#Definitions
55. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1517504604766076929
56. ↑ https://twitter.com/VirVox\_pjt/status/1548605181759148032

## External links

* Official VirVox Project Blog
* Official VirVox Project Booth Page
* Official VirVox Project BowlRoll
* Official VirVox Project Niconico
* Official VirVox Project Pixiv
* Official VirVox Project Twitter
* Official VirVox Project Website
* Official VirVox Project YouTube