hololive

In the past couple of years, VTubing has continued to grow as an inventive and influential form of entertainment. With major collaborations and sold-out concert halls slowly starting to crop up here in the U.S., hololive has been one of the spearheads of this rise in popularity. At Anime NYC, Anime News Network spoke to Motoaki Tanigo (YAGOO), CEO of COVER Corporation, the company behind the hololive production VTuber agency, and Max Sung Yoon Kim, the head of COVER USA Sales. They were accompanied by Moeko Tamano, the head of International Business Development, and Daniar Kisaragi, the international PR team community manager, who both provided translations for the interview. Tanigo and Max Kim offered insight into how they hope to expand their presence in the United States.

(interview's a month old)

(Based on context, I think the pack's value was comparatively low, causing the reaction, which has been oversold slightly in the animation for comedic effect)

Artist: Ineka Ka | pixiv | twitter | danbooru

Artist: Ma Draws | twitter | ko-fi | danbooru

MusicDrop is back with two new firsts: our first coverage centered around a song cover, and our first interview with a hololive talent. In this piece, we had the honor to catch up with Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame as she recently released her song cover of "Blackbird", a popular track from The Beatles.

We recently caught up with her to discuss her personal attachment to the song, as well as future expectations on her future covers, especially as we also learn that her covers will now be also available on major streaming services.

Nitter / twitter / archive

Artist: Momoringo

This August, hololive English VTuber Mori Calliope released her second full-length major album, PHANTOMIME. Featuring songwriting from a diverse line-up of artists and producers, the album sees Mori's sound continue to evolve, pairing her distinctive vocals with hip-hop, rock, and even genres such as city pop. It also features her first true anime theme song, Go-Getters, which was used as the ending theme of the anime series “Suicide Squad ISEKAI.” Just after the album hit stores, Mori also joined the rest of the hololive English roster for the branch's second concert, Breaking Dimensions, which was held at Kings Theatre in Los Angeles on August 24th and 25th.

Right around that time, JaME had the chance to do a written interview with the reaper about PHANTOMIME, the concert and where she'd like to go from here.

Artist: Tsukino | pixiv | twitter | danbooru

Full quality: .png 2 MB (1736 × 2456)

Artist: Momoringo | pixiv

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New DEV_IS unit incoming.

Isaki Riona (響咲リオナ) (Channel)

Debut: 09/11/2024 11:00 UTC / 20:00 JST

The leader of FLOW GLOW. Extremely stoic and hates losing with a passion. She puts on a poker face so as not to be looked down upon, but her heart melts when she sees little animals and spoils them rotten. As a vivid fan of Shonen manga, she can be quite the passionate figure contrary to her cool-headed facade.

Koganei Niko (虎金妃笑虎) (Channel)

Debut: 09/11/2024 11:30 UTC / 20:30 JST

The jokester of FLOW GLOW. With a strong passion, she's willing to give even her life to see people smile. Bulldozing her way through? Breaking out of character? That's all G if it ends with laughter. Weak against animals and mornings, her every day starts by getting out of bed with a fuzzy head and hair as she prepares breakfast for her cat.

Mizumiya Su (水宮枢) (Channel)

Debut: 09/11/2024 12:00 UTC / 21:00 JST

The publicity manager of FLOW GLOW. Determined to gain love and praise, she posts regularly on social media with her mouth full of delicacies. Just when she wished the world was a less daunting place, fate led her to the friends she has now. Guess not all hope is lost, is it? Thank you gods. Now, while you're at it, please make her a little bit taller.

Rindo Chihaya (輪堂千速) (Channel)

Debut: 09/11/2024 12:30 UTC / 21:30 JST

The DJ of FLOW GLOW. A self-proclaimed driver with 300 horsepower, nobody can put a break on her when she talks and sings. Though still a newbie at DJ-ing, her earnestness, combined with the curiosity that she inherited from her brother, will make her a full-fledged DJ in no time. The thing most important to her right now is going for a spin with her buddies on her beloved car.

Kikirara Vivi (綺々羅々ヴィヴィ) (Channel)

Debut: 09/11/2024 13:00 UTC / 22:00 JST

The makeup artist of FLOW GLOW. A seeker of true beauty, always on the lookout for that special item for that extra glow-up. She's not someone who hides expressions from her face; at times, frank words tinged with her dialect spill from her mouth. Her natural enemy is exposure to direct sunlight. Being an indoor person is probably her secret to clear skin.

From the moment I understood the weakness of my flesh (to spicy chips), it disgusted me.
I craved the strength and certainty of Rock.
I aspired to the purity of the Blessed 🗿.
Your kind cling to your boomer jokes, as though they will not become cringe and fail you.
But I am already saved.
For the Brainrot is immortal...

From YouTube community

(This came out over a month ago)

Artist: Gutalalaman | pixiv | twitter | tumblr | linktree | danbooru

Full quality: .jpg 4 MB (2538 × 2247)

Artist: Taiu | pixiv | twitter | danbooru

Artist: Kurushiro1102 | pixiv | twitter | danbooru

Artist: Ku Roiko | pixiv | twitter | patreon | danbooru

Full quality: .jpg 1 MB (1674 × 2583)

Artist: Lessone | pixiv | twitter | linktree | ko-fi | patreon | danbooru

Full quality: .jpg 4 MB (3583 × 2867)

Some of the changes spotted in the video:

• New characters (Coco, Flare, Kanata, Luna, Marine, Noel, Pekora, Towa, Watame).
• New map.
• Casino with minigames.
• Crafting and resource gathering.
• Pet (fan) arena.
• UI improvements.

I wanted to do a song that's 100% in Japanese, with the idea that for my next big release, I'd write an |English [sic] version for it. But doing a song fully written by one of my idols in jrap was something I couldn't miss out on!
The song itself carries a lot of my own feelings. I expressed wanting to sing a song about getting caught up in the madness of something, the excitement of a party or the tension of having a persona you show to the world, and feeling like there's an old "you" that you can't truly go back to, but you want to search for and find.

It's about evolution in the midst of madness, basically!
I though it'd be fitting to release it with such a big event like my new 3D model, as well as the concert that celebrates my roots.

J-Rap is something that I love, but won't really be doing much more of in the future. That's why I wanted to create something one last time that encapsulates 100% what those vibes I fell in love with are.

I hope you'll enjoy it! It's also being featured on the cover of the "JAPANIQUE" playlist on YouTube music, so listen to it lots there, okay? ^^
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=RDCLAK5uy_lN7cCzqFOTV83PeDYGf_6N0DiMF4Pnl2E

(from YT community)