Hololive Production and its parent company, Cover Corporation, are helping Vtubers inch closer to reality with its recent partnerships and announcements. From changing the norms on talent management with the launch of Suisei Hoshimachi’s own talent agency to in-person concerts, Cover Corp. is taking steps to expand their foothold in the entertainment industry both in Japan and abroad. Hololive is a Vtuber agency, which manages global talents who are represented by 2D and 3D anime models characters. They stream games, sing, and essentially perform for an audience the same way a flesh person would—except they do it through an anime avatar.
Earlier this month, DOCOMO—a Japanese telecommunications company—announced a partnership with hololive’s English Vtuber group, hololive -Myth-. Through its FEEL TECH haptic technology, an orb that provides fans a new experience with sensations timed and transmitted from their favorite artist.
The idea is to create a stronger direct connection to their idols, which DOCOMO gave a special, immersive opportunity to those at SXSW. Those select few were able to experience an enhanced version of “oshi-katsu” culture, also known as stan culture, where a fan can devote time and money towards an idol or character (real or fictional). One attendee mentioned they were given a kiss by Ina, a member of hololive -Myth-, likely through the haptic technology in DOCOMO’s FEEL TECH ball. DOCOMO’s website described the technology’s selling point as giving fans the ability to “experience physical sensations synchronized to on-screen actions, including dynamic movements such as dancing and high-fives, as well as subtler sensations like heartbeats.”
Two members from hololive -Myth-, Kiara Takanashi and Ina’nis Ninomae, will soon perform their first concert together. “Drawn to Dawn” held a kickoff party at Dodgers Stadium for a select few fans. The bar sized venue held a nearly two hour event where the two women played bingo and sang a couple of tracks for their fans there. Of course, their concert at the Wiltern will have a different production as hololive has brought its technology from Japan to the US. Sunday’s pre-concert party was similar to a collaboration live stream, but with a private group of Takodachis and KFPs in person.
Dodger Stadium staff were treated to a first hand show of light sticks and wotagei culture. Given the energy and fervor for the two Vtubers, it’s clear hololive is eyeing the ability to bring more in-person standalone events for individual members. After the success of hololive EN’s first solo concert in 2024, as well as two successful Dodger Stadium collaborations, hololive will be bringing a fourth English wave concert on July 3rd and 4th.
As the latest major development in the world of Japanese pop culture, Cover Corp. announced a first in the Vtubing industry: the launch of Suisei Hoshimachi’s personal agency to support “her efforts as an artist.” Hoshimachi has been a talent under hololive production since 2018, and typically Vtubers either graduate—leaving the company permanently and retiring their model—or enter an agreement where the talent will occasionally come back and participate in hololive related activities, such as concerts or product collaborations.
Now, Hoshimachi will operate as a “solo artist,” and her “music activities, streaming activities, new merchandise sales, and fan club management, will be transitioned to her personal agency, ‘Studio STELLAR.'” She’ll still take part in group activities as an affiliate, but all of her individual events will be overseen by NERD inc. through Studio STELLAR. This way, she maintains her identity that she’s built together with hololive and Cover Corp while allowing her creative freedom to focus on her own pursuits. The disclosure notice from Cover Corp. for its investment in NERD inc. is linked here.
The company has made an investment in and concluded a joint business agreement with NERD Inc., which operates the personal agency “Studio STELLAR” established to strengthen the artist activities of its affiliated VTuber, Hoshimachi Suisei.
