by The popular anime franchise Monogatari Series is joining forces with hololive’s VTuber unit Secret Society holoX for a special interactive exhibition titled “X Monogatari -Batsumonogatari-.” The event will take place at BEAM Gallery in Shibuya, Tokyo, from January 3 to January 22, 2027. The collaboration will bring together characters from both franchises through exclusive illustrations, immersive storytelling, and limited-edition merchandise.
On November 11, 2026, the organizers revealed a newly drawn key visual created by SHAFT, the animation studio behind the Monogatari Series. Ticket information and the first wave of merchandise were also announced, giving fans a closer look at what they can expect from the upcoming exhibition.
SHAFT Reveals a Special Crossover Key Visual
The newly released key visual was specially illustrated by SHAFT, the animation studio responsible for adapting the Monogatari Series into anime. The artwork features 13 characters from the two franchises, arranged around the letter “X” to represent the merging of their respective worlds.
Nine characters from the Monogatari Series appear in the illustration:
- Hitagi Senjougahara
- Tsubasa Hanekawa
- Shinobu Oshino
- Mayoi Hachikuji
- Suruga Kanbaru
- Nadeko Sengoku
- Karen Araragi
- Tsukihi Araragi
- Yotsugi Ononoki
They are joined by all four members of hololive’s Secret Society holoX:
- La+ Darknesss
- Takane Lui
- Hakui Koyori
- Kazama Iroha
The composition places the characters at the intersection of the two fictional worlds, reflecting the exhibition’s central concept. Rather than presenting the characters as separate groups, the artwork visually suggests that they have entered a shared dimension.
SHAFT is well known for its distinctive animation style, creative visual compositions, expressive character poses, and unusual use of colour and typography. The studio has also worked on other notable anime productions, including Puella Magi Madoka Magica and March Comes in Like a Lion. Its involvement makes the key visual one of the major attractions of this collaboration.
What Is “X Monogatari -Batsumonogatari-” About?
The exhibition is built around an original crossover setting called Dimension X, a mysterious alternate dimension created when the worlds of the Monogatari Series and Secret Society holoX merge.
According to the event’s story, a series of mysterious bugs or anomalies has appeared in both worlds. If these problems are not resolved, the two worlds could eventually disappear.
Visitors will not simply walk through the gallery as spectators. Instead, they will take on the role of investigators who enter Dimension X to search for unusual occurrences hidden throughout the venue. Their task is to investigate these anomalies and uncover the cause of the disturbance.
The experience will combine several elements, including:
- Specially designed exhibition spaces
- Visual and video presentations
- Audio effects and sound-based storytelling
- Hidden anomalies for visitors to discover
- An interactive story that develops as visitors explore the venue
Visitors will use their own internet-connected smartphones to progress through the story. This means the exhibition is designed to be more than a traditional character-art display: attendees will actively participate in the crossover narrative.
The full story experience will depend on the ticket purchased. Visitors who want to follow the investigation through to its conclusion will need the special ticket, which provides access to every exhibition area.
Special Illustrations by Hajime Ueda and Kusaka Nmuri
In addition to SHAFT’s key visual, the exhibition will feature exclusive illustrations by two artists associated with the franchises.
Hajime Ueda, who has worked on ending illustrations for the Monogatari Series, will create new artwork featuring the members of Secret Society holoX. Ueda is known for a distinctive illustration style that has become closely associated with the anime franchise.
Meanwhile, Kusaka Nmuri, the artist behind holoX’s first key visual, will illustrate characters from the Monogatari Series.
This creative exchange is particularly fitting for an event built around two fictional worlds crossing over. Each artist will draw characters from the other franchise, offering fans a different interpretation of familiar characters.
The exhibition’s official website lists these special illustrations as part of the main artwork display. Further details and the illustrations themselves are scheduled to be revealed on November 25, 2026.
Ticket Sales Schedule
The announced ticket schedule is as follows:
- First lottery: November 25, 2026, at 7:00 PM to December 3, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
- First lottery results: December 8, 2026.
- Second lottery: December 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM to December 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
- Second lottery results: December 18, 2026.
- General sales: December 23, 2026, from 7:00 PM, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Same-day tickets may also be offered during the exhibition period if admission slots remain available. However, the number of tickets available for each time slot is limited.
Important Information for Visitors
Anyone planning to attend should check the exhibition’s entry rules before purchasing tickets.
The interactive story experience requires visitors to use their own internet-connected smartphones. The organizers recommend arriving with a sufficiently charged device. Visitors can receive their tickets electronically or collect paper tickets through FamilyMart, but a paper admission ticket does not replace the smartphone requirement for the story experience.
Other important rules include:
- Each ticket application can include up to four tickets.
- Preschool-aged children can enter free of charge when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Visitors cannot re-enter the venue after leaving.
- Photography and video recording are prohibited in the opening and ending areas, as well as in displays containing puzzle solutions.
- Smartphone photography and video recording are permitted in other designated areas, subject to the venue’s rules.
- Flash photography, tripods, and professional cameras are not permitted.
- The merchandise area is accessible only to exhibition ticket holders.
- Tickets cannot be refunded for personal reasons, except if the event is cancelled.
Visitors should check the official event website for any changes to the schedule, admission rules, or merchandise arrangements before travelling.
What Makes This Collaboration Special?
The Monogatari Series and Secret Society holoX come from different entertainment backgrounds, but both have distinctive characters and carefully developed fictional identities. The former is a supernatural anime franchise based on novels by Nisio Isin, while holoX is a VTuber unit from hololive, featuring four performers who portray members of a mysterious secret organization.
The crossover uses the idea of two worlds merging to bring these characters together in a new setting. The involvement of SHAFT, Hajime Ueda, and Kusaka Nmuri also gives the exhibition an artistic element beyond its interactive story.
For Monogatari Series fans, the event offers new illustrations of familiar characters. For holoX fans, it provides a chance to see the four VTubers reimagined through artwork and a crossover narrative connected to a major anime franchise. Visitors who enjoy both can experience the two worlds together through the investigation-style exhibition.
“X Monogatari -Batsumonogatari-” is shaping up to be an interesting collaboration between the Monogatari Series and hololive’s Secret Society holoX. With a new SHAFT key visual, exclusive illustrations by Hajime Ueda and Kusaka Nmuri, an interactive story set in Dimension X, and a collection of crossover merchandise, the exhibition offers several attractions for fans.
The event will run from January 3 to January 22, 2027, at BEAM Gallery in Shibuya, Tokyo. Tickets start at ¥1,100, while visitors who want to experience the complete story and receive the exclusive bonus item can choose the ¥2,750 special ticket.
More details, including the special-ticket bonus and additional artwork, are expected to be revealed on November 25, 2026.
