Hello! I've been a VR user since 2022 once I got my Quest 2. Since then, I regularly use it for flight simulation, but only that. I wanted to use it for social VR for a while, but didn't have the time to do it, though I have used VRChat a few times. I also studied computer engineering in college, and have experience in coding and IT. Recently, I've been participating in the Japanese anime production space, and started on a new path.
Back in 2024, I started writing an original anime project that involves mixed reality and long distance relationships set in a near-futuristic Japan. Progress on the anime is going smoothly, as I have finished the reference sheets, part of the main story, and animation storyboards. Trips to Tokyo, Okinawa, and Osaka were made in order to experience the cities, and take photos of the areas I want depicted in the anime. I also have people working for me as animators. This story resonates with my personal experience with digital loneliness, and being in a long-distance relationship, that I wanted to make it into an emotional story. Being with someone who is far away from you, and being able to communicate on a device makes a relationship feel more separated because you can’t feel their physical presence. The story will go beyond VR, and will explore deeper topics.
Synopsis
The main character is a computer engineering student who moves to Tokyo, but has been socially isolated for a couple years after the death of his mother. He finds comfort in virtual reality as escapism, and starts developing an app that projects a holographic image of the user into a mixed reality space, as if the user is there in-person, despite being far away. While in Tokyo, he buys a smaller mixed-reality headset with passthrough (headset is based on Bigscreen Beyond 2, but with passthrough, wireless, an OS, and universal cushion) and full body motion trackers, in which he uses to further develop the project as a practical communication tool for himself, so he can learn how to socialize again. His first tester is a girl from Okinawa, who he met on a multiplayer VR game and he sends a copy of the headset and trackers for her to set up. They eventually start talking through mixed-reality, as if they were next to each other, when in reality, they are distant.
Theme
The theme focuses on healing and bridging the gap between isolation and connection by longing for true romance. The long distance connection creates a tension between the characters, as they go through their days without truly being with each other; both with struggles of their own go through a slow, emotional healing journey that culminates in their first true connection.
Unique perspective
Each interaction between the two characters happens in a first-person POV through a VR headset. They are never shown together, until they eventually meet in person.
Concept Art
Inspiration
The concept was inspired by a lot of things throughout the two years of development, but what solidified the idea of the mixed-reality long distance relationships were the face tracking videos made by HashEdits like this one for example, except way more advanced, and implemented using augmented-reality, so that the user can communicate with someone in the real world.
What I'm looking for
I'm looking for developers who I can personally consult in regards to accuracy when it comes to developing VR/AR apps for various platforms. If anyone here develops mods for VRChat, rigs models with motion tracking, can implement social VR into augmented reality like the Quest 3, or any other useful information, please let me know, and I'll be glad to respond to you and connect. I'd love to make friends with people in this community, and your help is greatly appreciated.
extra note: if you can speak Japanese, please let me know :>