EXPO 2025 LIVE EARTH JOURNEY produced by KAWAMORI Shoji Deep Vision: “499 Seconds -My Gattai” Theme Song Collaboration with Yoko Kanno Announced

“The Window of the Universe” Projects a Near Real-Time Image of Earth!
Unveiling Original “INOCHI – DAMA” Designs by Diverse Partner Companies

Vector Vision Inc. (Setagaya, Tokyo), led by director and mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori of the Macross series, will hold an experience session for “499 Seconds – My Gattai” at the Deep Vision within the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 theme project “LIVE EARTH JOURNEY,” produced by Kawamori. Additionally, the company announced a collaboration with world-renowned music producer Yoko Kanno.

At the same time, the colossal screen “The Window of the Universe,” overlooking the LIFE PARK at the Expo venue, will showcase an in-depth analysis of space content. A mid-term presentation of the joint project and ecosystem observation quest “Searching for Life is Deculture!” was also held.

The one-of-a-kind music created by the ultimate duo of Yoko Kanno and Shoji Kawamori can only be heard in its entirety at the Deep Vision’s “499 Seconds – My Gattai.” The title of the main theme song is “499 Seconds” offering an unprecedented synchronized experience of original storytelling, visuals, and music.

・”499 Seconds” Details
Lyrics: Yoko Kanno, Shoji Kawamori
English Lyrics: Yoko Kanno, Tim Jensen
Composition & Arrangement: Yoko Kanno
Part 1: “Wakantanka” Performed by Haoto
Part 2: “499 Seconds” Performed by Megumi Nakajima

What is the Deep Vision: “499 Seconds – My Gattai”?

Deep Vision is an immersive exhibition where 30 participants wear VR headsets with built-in cameras, experiencing the cosmic-scale food chain while transitioning between VR and MR. This one-of-a-kind attraction allows visitors to fully grasp the concept of “Life is a combination and a transformation!” as envisioned by Shoji Kawamori, a master of sci-fi storytelling.

The visual production is led by IMAGICA EEX, with direction by Isao Nishigori, a pioneer in immersive video. The sound design, developed by SoVeC Corporation. and Sony PCL Inc., creates an advanced spatial audio experience by integrating sound from VR headsets and venue speakers. This cutting-edge fusion of technology and creativity was planned by Bascule Inc., also known for its work on the Japan Pavilion at the Dubai Expo.

The narrator for the Deep Vision Theater experience is Maaya Sakamoto.

▼ Deep Vision: “499 Seconds -My Gattai”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zlbRZ1PS0M

What is ANIMA!?

A full-body immersive musical of life where visuals, music, and vibrations synchronize.

ANIMA! is a world-first immersive experience combining Yoko Kanno’s musical world with interactive vibrations, spatial audio, and visuals projected on translucent screens. Developed in collaboration with SoVeC Corporation and Sony PCL Inc., this sensory entertainment experience utilizes Sony’s floor haptics, which provide diverse vibration feedback in sync with human movement.

By merging Sony’s advanced spatial audio and haptics technologies, ANIMA! creates an unprecedented, enveloping experience of visuals, sound, and vibration. Each performance is unique, shaped by the participation of the audience—an ever-changing “Musical of Life.”

(*Please check the official website for experience details and precautions.)
　https://shojikawamori.jp/expo2025/attention/

What is The Window of the Universe?

A real-time, ultra-high-resolution view of Earth from space!

The Window of the Universe is a live exhibit featuring a 4.5m x 4.5m ultra-high-definition LED screen that showcases diverse perspectives of “life”—from micro-level phenomena smaller than a millimeter to macro-scale events spanning millions of kilometers.

The highlight is the near real-time ultra-high-resolution image of Earth, developed by Bascule Inc. Using AI technology, satellite images from the “Himawari” weather satellite (updated every 10 minutes) are enhanced to 22K resolution, creating an unprecedentedly smooth depiction of our planet. This project was made possible through collaboration with the Japan Meteorological Agency, NICT, and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, among other specialized institutions.

Additionally, visitors can witness awe-inspiring content, such as close-up footage of the Sun, the miracle of life forming within an egg, pristine spring water sources, and the mysterious world of moss beneath our feet—phenomena that the human eye alone cannot fully capture.

Diverse Partner “INOCHI – DAMA” Designs Featuring Various Life Forms

The “INOCHI – DAMA” symbolizes the fusion and transformation of biodiversity, with no hierarchy among living things. Shoji Kawamori has designed unique INOCHI – DAMA representations for each sponsoring partner, incorporating living beings that reflect their commitment to biodiversity and their shared vision with the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

KAWAMORI Shoji Designed Partner INOCHI – DAMA

“Searching for Life is Deculture!” Surpasses 2 Million Entries! The World’s Largest Ecosystem Survey Continues!

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc., TOPPAN Holdings Inc., and Kura Sushi Inc., in collaboration with Biome Inc., have reported that their ecosystem observation project “Searching for Life is Deculture!” has surpassed 2 million recorded entries. They have reaffirmed their goal to collect 10 million ecological data points moving forward.

■Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025: Shoji Kawamori Presents “LIVE EARTH JOURNEY” OFFICIAL SITE
https://shojikawamori.jp/expo2025/

■Yoko Kanno – Profile
Composer / Arranger / Performer / Music Producer
Yoko Kanno has worked extensively in songwriting and production for artists such as SMAP and Maaya Sakamoto, as well as composing for anime, films, TV dramas, commercials, and video games. Her notable works include “COWBOY BEBOP” (winner of the 13th Japan Gold Disc Award), “Genesis of Aquarion” (2008 JASRAC Silver Award), “Macross F,” and “Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C.” She has received the Tokyo Anime Award for Best Music five times.

She also composed “Flowers Will Bloom,” the NHK song for the Great East Japan Earthquake recovery, which was featured in the 63rd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and led her to serve as a judge. Other major works include music for the NHK Taiga drama “Onna Jōsyu Naotora” and the national celebration for the enthronement of the Emperor in 2019, where she composed and conducted “Ray of Water.”

■Collaborating Organizations
Japan Meteorological Agency
National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)
Solar Radiation Consortium
National Institutes of Natural Sciences, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA)

■Content & Exhibition Partners
Bascule Inc.　https://bascule.co.jp/
IMAGICA EEX Inc.　https://eex.co.jp/
SoVeC Corporation　https://www.sovec.net/
Sony PCL Inc.　https://www.sonypcl.jp/

■Partners
Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc.　https://www.ccbji.co.jp/
TOPPAN Holdings Inc.　https://www.holdings.toppan.com/
Kura Sushi, Inc.　https://www.kurasushi.co.jp/
SECOM CO., LTD.　https://www.secom.co.jp/
Daido Life Insurance Company　https://www.daido-life.co.jp/
Boxyz Inc.　https://boxyz.com/
Satelight Inc.　https://www.satelight.co.jp/
Biome Inc.　https://biome.co.jp/
Minami Metal Co., Ltd.　https://minami-kinzoku.co.jp/
Hakuichi Co., Ltd.　https://www.hakuichi.co.jp/
Kouken Co., Ltd.   https://www.kouken.co.jp/