11 members profiled, with auditions being held for new addition

Square Enix producer Yōsuke Saitō (Dragon Quest X, NieR) confirmed during the live-streamed "[Squa-Eni Shin PJ] Saitō-P no Game Dewanai Nanika o Hirō-me Suru Hōsō." program on Saturday that his company is collaborating with the talent agency Dearstage (Dempagumi.inc) on a virtual idol group named Gems Company.

Saturday's program introduced each of the 11 current members complete with voices, although the staff did not reveal the voice cast members' identities. The members already have YouTube channels and Twitter accounts that have been active for up to four months.

In addition, Dearstage is accepting applications for new member auditions from August 18 to September 4. The final audition round will be in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on September 8, with the results announced in mid-October. The auditions are open to female applicants, between the ages of 15 and 22, who are not affiliated with a talent production agency as of this month.

Saitō noted that Square Enix rolled out this project this past April. He also noted that "Gems Company" is the name of the idol group, not the overall project.

Source: "[Squa-Eni Shin PJ] Saitō-P no Game Dewanai Nanika o Hirō-me Suru Hōsō." program

Update: MONACA (Aikatsu!) is working on the music for the group. [Via Panora, Hachima Kikō]