Live2D

Live2D is a proprietary 2D animation library developed by the Japanese software company Live2D Ltd. (formerly Cyber Noise). The format allows the creation of rigged character models—usually in an anime art style—consisting of two-dimensional textures divided into layers. These layers can then be tweened and warped in order to allow 2.5D motion. Live2D models can be integrated into software via an SDK, while a program known as Live2D Cubism serves as its authoring environment for importing and rigging models.

Live2D has been primarily used as part of video games—including in particular visual novels such as Nekopara, and mobile gacha games such as Azur Lane and Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! among others. Live2D models can also be used by facial motion capture software such as FaceRig and VTube Studio, allowing a model's head movement and expressions to be puppeted using input from a webcam or phone camera; this technique is used most prominently by VTubers

Live2D typically refers to the Live2D Ltd. software, but has sometimes been used as a generic trademark to refer to similar tween-based animation techniques, even if they do not use the software.

History Background Live2D was first introduced in 2008 to resolve the need for interactive media. Since then, the technology has also changed how games enhance user experience through lively characters and expressions.

In 2009, Cybernoids Co. Ltd. (now Live2D Ltd.) released their very first Live2D application, Live2D Vector. The application transforms vector graphics to make flat character images achieve three-dimensional head turning and moving effects. Although such characters can only perform limited activities, they perform much better than static pictures or slideshows. Users can also customize their moving character by adjusting parameters through software or collecting materials such as images of different angles of a character. Although the occupied capacity resources are reduced, the rendering of complex images consumes a lot of CPU and RAM. Also, while it can be difficult to work with more traditional art styles such as oil painting or gouache styles, creators have been experimenting with these styles with success.

The first application of the Live2D technique is HibikiDokei, released by sandwichproject (株式会社レジストプランニング), an alarm app released in 2010. The alarm app has a girl character named "Hibiki" who talks and moves.

In 2011, Live2D adopted PSP game Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai Portable released by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. became the first game of the O.I.U. A system derived from Live2D technology was applied in a game, where the character moves and changes positions and expression while talking to the player. Characters moved expressively on the screen and seamlessly like a traditionally-animated anime, which interested players and contributed to popularity of Live2D.

Software Live2D Ltd.

Software developer Tetsuya Nakashiro had been independently developing Live2D software and founded the company Cyber Noise (or Cybernoids, Japanese:サイバーノイズ) in 2006 with support from the Exploratory IT Human Resources Project of the Japanese Information Technology Promotion Agency (IPA). Because of its novelty and lack of uptake, Cyber Noise was unsuccessful.

In 2011, Live2D software received attention after its use in the PSP game Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai Portable. It subsequently received interest as a library for Android and iOS. Following this success, in 2014, Cyber Noise subsequently renamed itself to Live2D Ltd., unifying with its product name. Sales of Live2D have had significant growth since then. In 2021, 70% of Live2D Cubism Pro users are or create Vtubers, followed by games/app developers and animation/video creators.

Live2D Ltd. provides its software and SDKs under both commercial licenses and as freeware.

Software Live2D Cubism Live2D Cubism Editor Live2D Euclid (released in April 2017, no longer available from October 16, 2018) Live2D CubismM Live2DViewerEX

Official marketplace nizima: nizima is a platform where users can buy and sell illustrations, Live2D data, or make-to-order transactions. Illustrators and Live2D creators are able to work together on a character and share sales on the platform. The platform also provides a Live2D preview for users to see and move the model before purchasing. nizima LIVE: nizima LIVE is a PC application that allows anyone to easily move a Live2D model by recognizing and tracking facial expressions. From beginners who are new to the tracking app to intermediate and above who are already familiar with Live2D, you can enjoy it for various purposes, such as VTuber activities and avatars for calls and meetings. nizima Action: nizima Action is an online video editor specifically designed for creating short-form Live2D content, allowing users to easily create rich video edits in their browser, and it's perfect for producing short videos of about 1 to 5 minutes.

Other Live2D Animation Software Animation software is able to combine with the Live2D system to create real-time animated avatars through motion capture, character animation and computer-generated imagery, including:

Animation software TitlePlatformAdobe Character AnimatorWindows, MacOS CrazyTalk Windows FaceRig Windows Motion Live 2D Windows Toon Boom Harmony Windows, MacOS

Face-tracking software TitlePlatform Hololive iOS Nijisanji Android, iOS

Works using Live2D

Visual novels TitlePlatformOriginal release date Mashiroiro Symphony Windows, PSP Ensemble Girls! Android, iOS Tokimeki Restaurant Android, iOS Nekopara Windows, macOS City of Love: Paris Android, iOS Date A Live: Rio Reincarnation Windows, PS4 Crystalline Android, iOS Kaori After Story Android, iOS Runa's School Story Windows, macOS Ethereal Enigma Android, iOS Sophistry Windows, Linux, macOS Heartbeat! -After the Summer- Windows, macOS Anonymous;Code Nintendo Switch, PS4, Windows OPPAI Ero App Academy Bigger, Better, Electric Boobaloo! Windows The Fox Awaits Me HANA Windows

Mobile games TitlePlatformOriginal release date Battle Girl High School Android, iOS BraveSword×BlazeSoul Android, iOS Ensemble Stars! Android, iOS Potion Maker Android, iOS YUMEIRO CAST Android, iOS Moe Girl Cafe 2 Android, iOS Destiny Child Android, iOS Girls' Frontline Android, iOS Azur Lane Android, iOS Brave Nine Android, iOS BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch Depose Girls (Houchi Shoujo) Android, iOS Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Android, iOS Neptunia & Friends Android, iOS Dream Girlfriend Android, iOS Project Tokyo Dolls Android, iOS Raramagi Android, iOS Uta no Prince-sama: Shining Live Android, iOS Epic Seven Android, iOS Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight-Re LIVE Android, iOS Mashiro Witch: Marchen of Midnight Android, iOS Ayakashi: Romance Reborn Android, iOS Promise of Wizard Android, iOS Girl Cafe Gun Android, iOS Counter:Side Android, iOS Mirage Memorial Android, iOS Palette Parade Android, iOS My Stella Knights Android, iOS Disney: Twisted-Wonderland Android, iOS Goddess Kiss: OVE Generation Android, iOS Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! Android, iOS D4DJ Groovy Mix Android, iOS Illusion Connect Android, iOS SINoALICE Android, iOS Zgirls3 Android, iOS Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World: Lost in Memories Android, iOS Assault Lily: Last Bullet Android, iOS KonoSuba: Fantastic Days Android, iOS Artery Gear: Fusion Android, iOS Metal Waltz Android, iOS Alchemy Stars Android, iOS B-PROJECT Ryūsei*Fantasia Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch Blue Archive Android, iOS Revived Witch Android, iOS Destiny Girl Android, iOS Dynasty Heroes: Romance Samkok Android, iOS Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel Android, iOS Idle Princess Android, iOS Girls Academy Android, iOS Clover Theater Android, iOS Date A Live: Spirit Pledge HD Android, iOS Echocalypse Android, iOS MementoMori Android, iOS Goddess of Victory: Nikke Android, iOS Counter:Side Android, iOS Path to Nowhere Android, iOS Cherry Tale Android, iOS The Tale of Food Android, iOS Takt Op. Symphony Android, iOS Love Live! School Idol Festival 2: Miracle Live! Android, iOS Crazy Ones Android, iOS Reverse: 1999 Android, iOS Trickcal Revive Android, iOS Phantom of the Kill -Alternative Imitation- Android, iOS Tokyo Debunker Android, iOS Ride Kamens Android, iOS 18TRIP Android, iOS STARSEED: Asnia Trigger Android, iOS Echocalypse: The Scarlet Covenant Android, iOS Die Neue Saga Android, iOS Emberstoria Android, iOS Jujutsu Kaisen: Phantom Parade Android, iOS Journey Renewed: Fate Fantasy Android, iOS Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Magia Exedra Android, iOS Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond Android, iOS

Console games TitlePlatformOriginal release date Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai (Haganai) PSP Fire Emblem Fates 3DS Kancolle Kai PS Vita Akiba's Beat PS4, PS Vita Dark Rose Valkyrie PS4, PS Vita Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris PS4, Xbox One Azur Lane Crosswave PS4, Nintendo Switch Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox TOKYO PSYCHODEMIC PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch

PC games TitleOriginal release date Herald: An Interactive Period Drama Namu Amida Butsu! -UTENA-

Live2D

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