I-O DATA DEVICE, Inc., familiar to gamers for GigaCrysta, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year!
We were invited to the I-O DATA DEVICE 50th Anniversary Press Conference, so we are bringing you a report on the event!
I-O DATA DEVICE 50th Anniversary Press Conference Held!
I-O DATA DEVICE, Inc. will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
At the I-O DATA DEVICE 50th Anniversary Press Conference, the founder and Chairman Akio Hosono led a group of speakers, including developers from the era who created groundbreaking products and Yumiko Shaku, who was active in PR as an I-O Girl.
While looking back on those days, they also discussed their outlook for the future.
Chairman Hosono's Greeting (Summary)
I believe this 50th anniversary is by no means a goal, but rather a beginning that leads to the next 50 years.
Our founding year of 1976 was around the start of what we now call the PC, with Apple starting in the US during that era, and PCs beginning to spread in earnest in Japan from around 1980.
In modern times, AI has spread even into personal lives, and for our company, we are approaching it through our main business of storage, and we hope to incorporate it into our lineup within this year.Also, I feel a great attraction to open source, where the sovereignty of versioning lies with the user side.
In June 2024, we announced a partnership with Canonical Group, Ltd. (UK), which provides the Linux OS Ubuntu.
While there is a trend in the Japanese IT industry where open source tends to be avoided, I want our company to play a role in increasing choices by considering the user's perspective.
To be honest, we are struggling, but I am looking forward to providing products and services that utilize open source.The recent AI boom has led to massive investments, and while we are currently in negotiations with hard drive and flash memory vendors, our company intends to continue proposing new ways of application through the combination of cloud and on-premises solutions.
(Translated from Japanese)
The 50th Anniversary Concept is YOU-Action
The 50th anniversary concept, YOU-Action, was announced by Naohiro Nishidaya.
The 50th anniversary concept logo is modeled after Kaga Mizuhiki, a traditional craft of Ishikawa Prefecture.
Along with positioning the 50th anniversary not as a goal but as a new start, it also carries the sentiment of yuu (tying) further connections with users and society.
GigaCrysta to Expand Into Three New Series
GigaCrysta Brand Manager Sei Yamagata announced the new expansion of the GigaCrysta series.
GigaCrysta, which has frequent exposure at various events including Tokyo Game Show, celebrated its 10th anniversary on Wednesday, October 15, 2024.
In addition to the release of 10th anniversary commemorative models such as the LCD-GCQ271UD and LCD-GD242UD series, they rolled out collaborations with the manga Matagi Gunner and the Kanazawa-based pressed sushi seller Shiba Sushi.
They successfully completed their 10th anniversary year.
Starting in 2026, the GigaCrysta brand will expand as follows:
- GigaCrysta S Series
- GigaCrysta Series
- GCF Series
The GigaCrysta S Series is planned to serve as the flagship model of the GigaCrysta brand, utilizing Mini LED and OLED technologies.
The LCD-GDU271JLADQ, currently under development as the first product in the series, is a 27-inch 4K gaming monitor employing Mini LED.
The GigaCrysta Series is once again expanding its high-grade product line.
In addition to conventional products, the 320Hz compatible 27-inch WQHD gaming monitor LCD-GDQ271RA and the 27-inch gaming monitor LCD-GDQ271JAWOS equipped with WebOS are under development.
While meeting the specs required for gaming monitors, such as high refresh rates and response speeds, they provide various options to users.
The GCF Series was introduced with the tagline another answer focused on speed.
The product line will focus entirely on speed and responsiveness while emphasizing cost-performance. The EX-GD251UH and EX-GDQ271UA already on sale will be assigned to this series, and series-original products are planned for development in the future.
Best I-O PRODUCT Decided!
Saiga NAK
Opinions were gathered from 2,906 I-O users in a survey conducted beforehand, and the Best I-O PRODUCT was decided.
The product lineup of I-O DATA DEVICE boasts a 50-year history.
Are there any products that hold memories for you?
User Edition
- 1st Place: HDD
- 2nd Place: LCD Display
- 3rd Place: Memory (RAM)
Employee Edition
- 1st Place: CD Reco
- 2nd Place: REC-ON Series
- 3rd Place: HyperHyde Series
Asking the Developers of the Time
Saiga NAK
Those who developed products back then and continue to be on the front lines today appeared on stage to look back at memories from that time, including the following:
- Koichi Teramae, Executive Officer, Head of Display Business and 1st Business Division Manager
- Mitsukane Kato, Director, Executive Officer, and 3rd Business Division Manager
- Shinichi Jounouchi, 3rd Business Division, Development Section 3, Chief Engineer
Saiga NAK
After a careful disclaimer saying, of course it is different now, the audience buzzed with surprise at stories such as "I enjoyed development so much that I would go home at 7:00 AM and come to work a little after noon."
It is thanks to the support of such predecessors that I-O DATA DEVICE was able to reach its 50th anniversary.
Special Talk Program Featuring Yumiko Shaku!
Hisashi Yamada (@yamadamic), a special advisor for I-O DATA DEVICE, served as the MC.
Then Yumiko Shaku (@yumikoshaku), who served as the HyperHyde Image Girl I-O Girl from 1999 to 2000, appeared!
The two had experience co-starring on a radio program and had a lively conversation reminiscing about those days.
Hisashi Yamada abruptly pulled out an actual HyperHyde unit.
He says it still runs on a single AAA battery.
Yumiko Shaku, who was in her early 20s at the time, shared a story about listening to aiko's Kabutomushi on her HyperHyde.
In addition to showing interest in monitoring cameras as a mother of one, she also revealed that her 9-year-old son has mastered the PC with touch typing.
Throughout the special talk program, the depth of knowledge shown by MC Hisashi Yamada was striking.
I felt an affection for I-O DATA products that wouldn't lose to any enthusiast out there.
In the memory-themed quiz, there were nostalgic questions for the older... distinguished guests gathered at the venue.
Do you all know the name of the drama Shaku starred in in 2003?
The hint is...
"Oikinasai!"
Successive Products and Ishikawa Specialties Lined Up at the Networking Event
A networking event was held after the special talk program.
I-O DATA DEVICE was founded in Chairman Hosono's home garage in 1976.
It has supported the Japanese IT industry until 2026 and will likely continue to take on further challenges.
Saiga NAK
Nostalgic products such as the HyperHyde, HDD recorders, displays, and the movie camera MotionPix were exhibited.
At the venue, Shiba Sushi's Sasa-zushi and Noto sake were served, and the event closed amidst great excitement.
The author also ate to their heart's content.
Extra: Souvenirs Also Full of Ishikawa!
We also received goods derived from Ishikawa as souvenirs for the event.
This is a mini towel using the 50th anniversary concept logo!
It feels like a waste to use it, but I plan to use it until it's worn out while showing it off.
NOTOHIBAKARA is a 100% natural component essential water made only from Noto Hiba distilled water that grows in the Noto region.
It has recognized antibacterial, disinfecting, and antiviral effects, and has a healing scent like wood! Forest!! For more information, please check the “NOTOHIBAKARA Official Website.”
The dorayaki with branded stamps of I-O DATA and the 50th anniversary logo is a souvenir specially made by Sakakobo Taro, which has its main store in Kanazawa.
The name is clearly IODATA Dorayaki.
The refined sweetness of the peanut butter soaks into the body after the interview...
So, that concludes the on-site report for the I-O DATA DEVICE 50th Anniversary Press Conference!
We look forward to working with you again this year!