9:38 JST, September 1, 2023
The all-female VTuber group Hololive has scored fans around the world. Currently, group members can be seen in ‘Holive City’, an event held through September 3, where they bring new energy to the Tokyo Dome City entertainment complex.
VTubers, or virtual YouTubers, are entertainers on YouTube who use 3D or 2D avatars. Motion capture technology translates their real movements into data, which is used to animate the avatars. VTubers are also active on other social media and at music concerts.
During the Hololive City event, group members entertain visitors to Tokyo Dome City in collaboration with the complex’s regular attractions. At a festival site, panels are displayed depicting members in costumes designed for the event. A package tour was also available, where members could show guests around.
A Hololive concert at Tokyo Dome City Hall
On July 7, a concert by four Hololive members took place at the Tokyo Dome City Hall. On August 1, some group members appeared at a game for the Tokyo Dome-based Yomiuri Giants, appearing on screens and making announcements.
Hololive is popular for its visuals and diverse characters with talents, with one member being a cat, another a good singer and another a robot.
Recently, The Yomiuri Shimbun interviewed three members: Sakura Miko, Oozora Subaru, and Houshou Marine. Below are excerpts from the interview.
The Yomiuri Shimbun: The Hololive City event started in July.
Sakura Miko: I’m grateful that so many fans have come to Tokyo Dome City to see us so often.
Oozora Subaru: When I heard that we would collaborate with Tokyo Dome City, I was surprised and happy. I’ve been there many times.
Yomiuri: How do you feel after participating in the event?
Houshou Marine: I was part of a program related to the Ferris wheel, one of the attractions in Tokyo Dome City. Passengers may not have time to relax and enjoy the view outside while listening to us. Or maybe that’s what they like?
Miko: Don’t worry, they love it (laughs). I was part of a tour project to help people enjoy Hololive City. I was wearing a flight attendant costume. I liked it a lot.
Subaru: Mikochi [Miko] was very cute in the costume. I was part of the event for the Yomiuri Giants and Tokyo Yakult Swallows game [on Aug. 1].
Marine: I was so jealous you got to wear that baseball uniform.
Subaru: I had started playing baseball just before the event, thanks to Hololive member Nekomata okeu, who loves baseball. So it was perfect timing for me. I did research at the time, for example on the Giants’ mascot, Giabbit, and discovered that he is a perfect gentleman, so it was a very profound experience for me.
A Hololive character is seen on a screen during a Yomiuri Giants game.
Yomiuri: What do you think is the appeal of Hololive?
Subaru: First of all, anyone can easily watch our live broadcasts via the Internet. There is also a comments section so we can interact with viewers. It’s not a one-way street. I like it. The atmosphere of the live event is fun.
Marine: Because we have different members, we can undertake many different projects and collaborations.
Yomiuri: What do you want to do in the future?
Miko: I want to give a solo concert. Moreover, I want to be more active abroad, because I have the feeling that people there are also very enthusiastic about us.
Marine: That’s true. I feel more support from people abroad now that the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. The support from our fans, both in Japan and abroad, is what encourages us most. I want to reward their support. Of course I also want to do a solo concert and do something to attract new fans.
Subaru: I believe it was my fans that pulled me through the hard times. I also achieved a lot of my goals, so now I want to do something for the people who supported me, instead of thinking about what I want to do for myself. I want to be close to them forever.
