Last reviewed: October 25, 2026
Fan art, clips, fan games, cosplay and cover songs are a big part of VTuber culture, and the two largest Japanese agencies publish written rules for them. This guide summarizes what the official guidelines of hololive production (COVER Corporation) and NIJISANJI (ANYCOLOR) say, with a focus on what applies to fans living outside Japan. It is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. The guidelines can change without notice, so read the current official text before you publish anything.
The short version
- Both agencies allow fan-made work that adds your own creative input, without asking permission first, as long as you follow their rules.
- Both prohibit work that could be mistaken for official material, work that harms reputations, and political, religious or other ideological content.
- Both treat derivative works as a fan or hobby activity, not as a business.
- Both apply their rules to overseas fans, and neither promises to answer individual questions about how a rule is interpreted.
The video above is the PV for hololive’s March 2026 7th fes. at Makuhari Messe, one of the large official events that fan communities build their own meetups and artwork around.
hololive production: Derivative Works Guidelines
COVER’s guidelines, which the page shows as updated on August 31, 2026, set general rules plus separate sections for digital games, clips, fan-hosted events, cosplay, activity outside Japan, fan support advertising and music. Content used as-is, or changed without any creative input, is not treated as a derivative work and is not covered.
What is allowed. Fan art and other creative works made on your own responsibility, video clips under the clip rules, cover songs, arrangements and remixes of listed hololive songs under the music rules, and goods such as figures and garage kits if you follow the rights-clearing steps the page describes. Free fan games are allowed, while paid games must go through COVER’s holo Indie program.
What is not allowed. Work that could be mistaken for official content, content that breaches public order or morals or ties the talents to ideology, belief, religion or politics, content that seriously harms reputations or third parties, adult content in games, and sexually suggestive cosplay. Business use is prohibited, including work run or funded by a company even under an individual’s name.
Clips. Clips must not use paid content such as members-only videos or concert footage without prior permission. The description should begin with a link to the source and its title, and clips should not go up until the source stream has ended and the archive is public. COVER can request takedowns, and clip creators can register to be notified before a takedown and to request voluntary deletion. If a deletion request is not met within seven days, COVER may take the clip down. Registering clips or covers with Content ID or similar systems as your own work is forbidden. Clips and covers may be monetized through platform partner programs if all rules are followed.
Overseas fans. The page says activities abroad should generally follow the same rules as in Japan, that local laws always apply and may be stricter, and that commercial activity is prohibited. If it is unclear whether something counts as commercial, contact COVER first. Fan events abroad must not reserve a venue exclusively for hololive IP without authorization, although small non-commercial gatherings are generally fine. A separate guideline covers derivative works and fan activity outside Japan.
NIJISANJI: ANYCOLOR’s Guidelines for Secondary Creation
ANYCOLOR’s English guidelines, last updated on May 23, 2025, cover derivative works based on official characters that the company owns exclusively. They apply to individuals and groups without legal personality worldwide, and Japanese law governs, with the Tokyo District Court or Tokyo Summary Court as the court of first instance. Member-only content such as channel memberships is excluded, and the company says it will take legal action against unauthorized reproduction of it.
What is allowed. Original fan art, which you may publish and which ANYCOLOR may reuse on its own channels. Clip videos are allowed under the clip rules. Fan zines and derivative goods may be sold at comic markets or online within the scope of fan activity, while figures and garage kits may be sold only at events where the company has granted day-of rights to the organizer. Using the hashtag #NijisanjiCreators is encouraged but not required.
What is not allowed. Reposting exact copies of characters as goods, work that could be confused with official products, using works to advertise another business, content that damages the characters’ image, antisocial expression, and political or religious messages. Monetizing beyond the scope set in the guidelines requires prior approval.
Clips. Before posting a clip of a NIJISANJI stream, you are asked to register through the official clip registration form, which ANYCOLOR announced on May 31, 2023. Registration does not guarantee permission. Include a link to the source, avoid edits that misrepresent what a liver said or did, avoid misleading thumbnails, and delete a clip immediately if the company or a platform asks, even if no reason is given.
Where the two sets of rules differ
- Games: hololive has a dedicated section and the holo Indie route for paid games; ANYCOLOR’s guidelines do not mention games.
- Monetization: hololive explicitly allows clips and covers to earn through platform programs; ANYCOLOR says monetization beyond the stated scope needs prior approval.
- Clip registration: both offer registration, but ANYCOLOR asks you to register before posting.
- Last updated: hololive’s page shows August 31, 2026; ANYCOLOR’s English page shows May 23, 2025.
FAQ
Can I post clips with ads on them? hololive allows monetization through platform programs if every rule is met; ANYCOLOR requires approval beyond its stated scope. Check the exact current wording.
Can I send fan mail from abroad? hololive’s FAQ says international fan mail is accepted but that the company cannot guarantee shipping fees or delivery times, and that you should inquire in advance before sending drawings; gifts are not accepted.
Sources
- Derivative Works Guidelines – COVER Corporation / hololive production | https://hololivepro.com/en/terms/
- FAQ – hololive production | https://hololivepro.com/en/question/
- Guidelines for Secondary Creation – ANYCOLOR | https://www.anycolor.co.jp/guidelines/en/
- Registration Form for YouTube channels uploading video clips – ANYCOLOR | https://www.anycolor.co.jp/en/news/p3jj6oym14
- hololive 7th fes. Ridin’ on Dreams PV – hololive / YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRVsQZmdF1Y
Reviewed by WVR Inoue on October 24, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Thumbnail: 《hololive 7th fes. Ridin' on Dreams》PV by hololive ホロライブ - VTuber Group on YouTube. Shown via YouTube; all rights belong to their owners.
