Live2D Cubism

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Live2D Cubism is software that animates original 2D drawings directly so illustrated characters can move for games, apps and VTuber content, with FREE and PRO Editor editions and SDK runtimes.

Our take

Last updated 6 November 2026

Live2D Cubism turns layered 2D illustrations into deformable character models for games, apps and VTubers, with SDK runtimes for real-time use. The FREE Editor is always free with part/parameter limits and commercial use for small creators under ¥10M sales; PRO removes limits after a 42-day trial, with indie plans from ¥2,288 a month or ¥15,708 for the first year. It is the usual choice when your characters start as drawings rather than skeletal sprite rigs like Spine.

Best for Illustrators and studios animating drawn characters for games or live avatars.

Pros

  • FREE tier usable commercially for small creators.
  • Industry standard for VTuber and illustrated characters.
  • SDK path into games and apps.

Cons

  • PRO is a subscription priced in yen.
  • FREE limits hit complex models quickly.
  • Different workflow than bone-based tools like Spine.

Written from the vendor's official site and docs, not a hands-on benchmark. How we review tools.

CategoryAnimation & Mocap
PricingFREE Editor always free (feature limits; commercial use allowed for general users and small-scale enterprises under ¥10M annual sales); 42-day PRO trial; PRO for indie (under ¥10M sales) from ¥2,288/mo or ¥15,708 for year one annually (¥12,936 year two, ¥11,748 year three+; 3-year plan ¥40,392); PRO for business (¥10M+ sales) from ¥10,582/mo or ¥72,600 year one annually; student/faculty 3-year plan ¥8,078; prices from the official Live2D Store (JPY, tax included as shown) — official pricing
Websitehttps://www.live2d.com/en/
Last checked2026-11-06

Description summarized from the official website; pricing from the official Live2D Store and FREE vs PRO comparison page.

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