You stream every live. You clip every funny moment. You send superchats across time zones. But there is one more way fans celebrate their oshi: a real, physical advertisement in the streets of Tokyo, lit up with your favorite VTuber's face.
VTuber support ads — known in Japanese as ouen koukoku (応援広告) — have exploded in popularity. International viewer communities are pooling money, navigating guidelines, and placing digital signage in Akihabara and Ikebukuro. This guide explains agency guidelines, Tokyo locations, costs, and how to apply via Oshi-Ad (#推しアド) even if you live outside Japan.
The Rise of VTuber Support Ads
According to Cover Corp's research arm COVERedge, hololive support ads grew from 4 reported campaigns in April 2024 to 29 in April 2025 — nearly fivefold growth in a year. International fans are a growing share of organizers.
Hololive (Cover Corp) Guidelines
Cover Corp publishes Fan Support Advertisement Guidelines. Key points:
- Use fan-created derivative works with genuine creative input — not simple copies of official artwork
- The ad must clearly state it is fan-operated
- The ad must not infringe third-party rights
- Submit your planned ad via Cover Corp's form before posting
Contact: cheeringsupport@cover-corp.com. Recommendation: begin contact 1–2 months before display date.
Nijisanji (ANYCOLOR) Guidelines
All Nijisanji cheering advertisements in Japan must be submitted through Cheering AD Online operated by Jeki (JR East Planning).
- Applications go through the Jeki Support Advertising Secretariat
- Official illustrations and NIJISANJI logos provided by Jeki
- Derivative works following ANYCOLOR's secondary creation guidelines may be used (only your own works)
- Every ad must display YouTube channel URL or QR code, plus ©ANYCOLOR, Inc. notice
- Applicants must be 18+
Full terms: anycolor.co.jp
Best Tokyo Locations for VTuber Support Ads
Akihabara — the sacred site
The undisputed center of VTuber ad culture in Japan. Digital signage near JR Akihabara Station sees dense foot traffic from fans already primed for VTuber content. Default choice for most campaigns.
Ikebukuro — female-fan and idol-adjacent culture
Strong tradition as a hub for female fans of male VTubers and voice actors. Hosted hololive's official Minase Rio 4th Anniversary campaign (March 2026).
Shibuya — high visibility, broader audience
Large outdoor screens and dense pedestrian traffic. Suits high-impact campaigns where broad awareness is the goal.
Cost Breakdown
| Ad Type | Starting Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Digital signage (indoor, small) | From ¥30,000 | 1 week |
| Outdoor digital screen (mid-size) | ¥50,000–¥100,000 | 1–2 weeks |
| Station poster | ¥100,000+ | 7 days |
| Ad truck | ¥80,000+ | Per day |
Crowdfunding changes the math. Each supporter contributes from ¥500. A ¥30,000 digital signage campaign becomes accessible to 60 people each contributing ¥500. 10% platform fee — lowest in industry.
Station Posters vs Digital Signage for VTuber Ads
Station posters: prestige factor; ¥100,000+ minimum; 4–6 week lead time; Cheering AD dominates this format.
Digital signage: from ¥30,000; lead time as short as 1 week; individual applications accepted; supports video; easier for international applicants.
Verdict: for most overseas fans, digital signage via Oshi-Ad is the practical starting point.
How to Run a VTuber Support Ad on Oshi-Ad (5 Steps)
STEP 1 — Check your agency's guidelines
Hololive: en.hololive.tv and cheeringsupport@cover-corp.com. Nijisanji: anycolor.co.jp via Jeki.
STEP 2 — Choose your ad format and location
Browse on #推しアド. Filter by location and format.
STEP 3 — Set up your campaign
Apply as individual or launch a crowdfunding campaign. 10% platform fee.
STEP 4 — Prepare creative assets
Upload artwork. Ensure compliance with agency guidelines. For Nijisanji, official illustrations come through Jeki.
STEP 5 — Confirm, pay, and share
Once campaign reaches goal, confirm. You receive display confirmation and photo proof.
Crowdfunding for International Fan Groups
The crowdfunding feature is what makes Oshi-Ad especially well-suited for international VTuber fan communities. No single person needs to afford a ¥50,000 ad slot — 100 people each contributing ¥500 can fund it with room to spare.
- Fans join from ¥500 per person (~$3 USD)
- Platform fee: 10%
- If goal not reached, contributors are not charged
What Is Oshi-Ad?
Oshi-Ad is operated by Curio Inc. Launched February 2026.
- Individual applications accepted
- From ~¥30,000 for digital signage
- Lead time as short as 1 week
- Crowdfunding built in (¥500/person)
- 10% crowdfunding fee — lowest in market
- Agency guideline support
Oshi-Ad specializes in digital signage with faster turnaround and individual-friendly pricing — for overseas fans, that difference is significant.
FAQ
Q: Can I apply for a VTuber support ad from outside Japan?
A: Yes. Oshi-Ad accepts applications from fans outside Japan. Payment in JPY. For Nijisanji specifically, formal applications go through Jeki's portal — Oshi-Ad's team can advise.
Q: Which agency guidelines apply to my campaign?
A: Hololive: en.hololive.tv/terms and cheeringsupport@cover-corp.com. Nijisanji: anycolor.co.jp/en/terms-of-cheering-ad via Jeki portal. For independents, check the talent's official site.
Q: How much does a VTuber support ad cost in Tokyo?
A: Digital signage from ¥30,000 (1 week). Outdoor screens ¥50,000–¥100,000. Station posters ¥100,000+. Ad trucks ¥80,000+/day. Crowdfunding splits to ¥500/person.
Q: What artwork can I use in a Hololive support ad?
A: Fan-created derivative works with genuine creative input following hololive's Derivative Works Guidelines. Submit to cheeringsupport@cover-corp.com before booking when in doubt.
Q: What's the difference between Oshi-Ad and Cheering AD?
A: Cheering AD focuses on station posters with official agency partnerships including Nijisanji. Required for formal Nijisanji ads. Oshi-Ad focuses on digital signage with faster lead times, lower starting costs (from ¥30,000), and individual-friendly applications.
Start Your VTuber Support Ad Campaign
Check available ad slots at #推しアド
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