In September 2023, the "Nikkei Noh" event in Paris marked a significant moment in blending traditional Japanese performing arts with modern technology. Nikkei transported an authentic, full-scale Noh stage from Japan to Paris, emphasizing the rich heritage of Noh, a revered Japanese art form with a history spanning over 600 years. This event featured a performance by a renowned contemporary artist, aiming to create an unparalleled brand experience on an international stage.

The highlight of this event was the innovative fusion of the ancient art of Noh with Nikkei's latest AI-generated animation technology. The classical Noh play 'Funabenkei' was reimagined through AI, transforming it into a captivating 10-minute animated format. This AI-driven interpretation offered the audience a unique, emotionally engaging experience, showcasing a harmonious blend of tradition and modern innovation, and underscoring Nikkei's commitment to bridging historical art forms with cutting-edge advancements.

The innovative essence of this project was in reinterpreting traditional Noh through the lens of modern media and technology, transforming it into an animated format. This approach allowed the timeless beauty and narrative of Noh to be accessible to audiences unfamiliar with the Japanese language, broadening its appeal. By leveraging generative AI, we showcased our commitment to harnessing technology and innovation in order to bring a classical performing art to life in a new, visually captivating way.

Great care was taken in authentically replicating the intricate costumes and settings, as well as in accurately depicting the performers' movements, reflecting a profound respect and understanding for the art of Noh. Additionally, the creation of a comprehensive video content exclusively using generative AI is a rarity in the field, positioning this project as an exceptionally advanced and creative endeavor from a technological perspective.

In the "Nikkei Noh" event in Paris, our objective was to engage audiences and organizations interested in Japanese culture and Noh, while introducing them to the Nikkei brand's innovative capabilities. To this end, we used generative AI to create animations that capture the essence of Noh.

This approach aimed to enrich the understanding of Japanese culture, offer a fresh brand experience, and highlight Nikkei's commitment to innovation. Crucially, we employed bespoke AI models developed by Nikkei's researchers, avoiding generic AI solutions.

From model development to final video creation, each step was meticulously executed by our team. This strategy effectively combined the ancient art of Noh with Nikkei's cutting-edge AI technology in animation, attracting new audiences and establishing Nikkei as a leader in merging traditional arts with modern technology.

In summer 2023, Nikkei-affiliated researchers began producing an AI-generated animation, delving into extensive research and developing custom models for this endeavor. This phase, at the cutting-edge of technology, involved navigating the rapidly evolving field of AI animation, selecting the most effective techniques from a constantly updating pool of research and methods. The team focused on creating a generative AI model to reenact scenes from the traditional Noh play 'Funabenkei.' This intensive process culminated in a captivating 10-minute animation.

In September 2023, the animation debuted in Paris at the Cité de la Musique and other venues, coinciding with live Noh performances. It attracted over 5,000 visitors, enhancing their experience and appreciation of Noh through its unique visual storytelling and emotional depth.

This project not only showcased the ancient art of Noh in a new light but also highlighted Nikkei's innovative approach in blending traditional arts with modern technology.

The video produced through this project significantly augmented the understanding of Japanese culture by leveraging technological innovation, thus boosting the Nikkei brand's recognition and highlighting its innovative prowess. It played a crucial role in reinforcing Nikkei's global presence, simultaneously amplifying cultural outreach and social impact.

Specifically, the audience was treated to an immersive experience of traditional performing arts presented through a contemporary medium. This project exemplified the successful fusion of Noh, recognized as the world's oldest performing art, with Nikkei's specially developed state-of-the-art animation-generating AI. Such an endeavor marked a notable achievement in both cultural evolution and social contribution. It showcased how the Nikkei has significantly contributed to enriching the brand experience, aligning technological advancements with cultural heritage to create a unique and memorable impact.