State of The VTuber World - Rest of December (well, kind of)

 What?

If I thought objectively, Sakamata Chloe really did... nothing. I had no idea what Chloe was going to do...

But the thing is that... when you see someone in that state, the agency usually puts you somewhere. Rion-sama wanted to leave but the agency asked her for do more projects and hang out with people, or they go for a six month break (which is what Shion and Nene has done in Hololive)...

But just to leave... (provisionally) feels like a failure. It doesn't feel like Chloe had any ill will to the company, unlike what I could see from Aqua or Ame. It feels like she left due to boredom.

I mean I know Chloe very little, but I feel like her graduation is even bigger indictment against Hololive than the previous two. Difference in career could describe the previous, but this is more like 'lack'.

I am... reeling right now. This is... bad. Like, seriously bad.

Also the Affiliate thing... I suddenly feel a sense of gratitude for Sasaki Saku, because of what she did, graduated in Nijisanji feels a lot lighter (coming back will always be a joke now) and they don't have to change words or anything, and graduation is used in the flexibility to word is trying to take.

I'm going to put a new section, because I'm want to go in depth about... things.

Why Am I Worried?

2024 was the year where Hololive arose from the co-dominance into sole dominance. In some sense, this was a long time coming. Ever since Nijisanji became big in Spring of 2018, there was a hope for an idol approach company to rise up - at first it was .LIVE and Game-bu but they all faltered in late 2019, Hololive took its place in 2020, but Hololive struggled actually move up to the next stage until this year.

Since it took Hololive 4 years to get to their destiny, I supposed, Nijisanji has been preparing to be second-hand for a while now. People see Nijisanji's strategy with question marks, but to me, it's clear Nijisanji sees themselves as a mature company which aren't going to expand (except for talents) any more.

They basically outsourced the actual expansion to Hololive, and that's due to Hololive wanting to be close with Nijisanji... they feel a sense of gratitude for 2019 when Hololive was seen as a sister company to Nijisanji and ultimately many old talents see that time with fondness, and now that COVID is over, they are actively searching for that relationship and this beneficial to Nijisanji, especially.

But Triple A and now the extra C (because this is apparently an integral operation) point to a growing pain that is a lot worse than I would like it to be. I think there is a kind of a strange inequality happening within Hololive that is uncomfortable.

People complain a lot about the inequality in Nijisanji, but how does Nijisanji combat is through their tight net of connections and various hako events that makes small talents have their limelight. There is a lot less of that in Hololive and lot less interest in those hako projects. So, inequality hurts... a lot.

I think back to Akirose. It really is back to 2020. Akirose is down at the bottom, she is the most neglected, especially so since Cover is so metric focused. Um, I just want to see an Akirose 3D concert, right? Or Flare's or people are down at the bottom, because they can bring the audience and creativity and people will flock to them if they make that happen, or at least I think so.

But to that, you need to have a workable foundation and Cover has been slipping, and I don't like that. There needs to be a sense of trust. Hopefully the February concerts and 6th Fes will change my mind, but seriously, screw this decision. This departure is a serious failing in part to Cover. Absolutely.

Consolation and Streamlining

This spate of departures reminds of me of the Rushia incident. Rushia incident happened few weeks before 3rd Fes and it left the audience in a sour mood. 3rd Fes and the introduction of AREA15 and HoloMyth in 3D form swept all that worry aside. February is a very good month for Hololive, so I expect something similar to happen then. All the graduations will be done by then.

But now for more speculation. I think what is happening here is streamlining. Cover has basically tighten the purse to include only people who wants to pursue kind of 3D concert heavy career. I think with that in mind, I would like to list the current members... this is kind of new.

Tokino Sora - Idol incarnate. Just getting started, like she always is. Least Concern.

Hoshimachi Suisei - Artist incarnate. One of the Crown Jewels. Least Concern.

Roboco - I... don't know. She... hasn't streamed much and I'm going to be aggressive. Endangered.

Sakura Miko - Probably has one of the best times she has ever faced. Least Concern.

AZKi - I mean she is up for anything, but would Cover provide? Near Threatened.

Aki Rosenthal - I really hope she gets her chance to perform. Near Threatened.

Shirakami Fubuki - Has a concert in February, seems to just be starting. Least Concern.

Natsuiro Matsuri - She's been wavering for... years now. We'll see. Near Threatened.

Akai Haato - She is in a better place now, but would that change? Near Threatened.

Murasaki Shion - Had a long break, seems to be fine now, but she could slip again. Vulnerable.

Nakiri Ayame - The Part-Timer. But for how long? Near Threatened.

Yuzuki Choco - I think she wants to pursue an idol career. She wants it. Least Concern.

Oozora Subaru - She is ambitious but I'm not sure she would get help, but... Least Concern.

Ookami Mio - She is not going to leave until she has like 3 Lives on her belt. Least Concern.

Nekomata Okayu - Kind of the Ryushen of Hololive. Solid career. Least Concern.

Inugami Korone - Korone is exactly the person who might just want to leave. Vulnerable.

Usada Pekora - Had a big 3D Live, has pretty big ambition which is aligned. Least Concern.

Shiranui Flare - I think she want to reap what she had sowed. Least Concern.

Shirogane Noel - I don't know, man, she is a lot of different places. Least Concern.

Houshou Marine - One of the Crown Jewels. Has a 3D Live coming up. Least Concern.

Amane Kanata - She has buried her bones to Cover. She will be the last one to go. Least Concern.

Tsunomaki Watame - Has a pretty good career, album will be easy to procure. Least Concern.

Tokoyami Towa - She is out after her second album and live. She is just waiting. Near Threatened.

Himemori Luna - She can be like Shizuka Rin. I don't know. Near Threatened.

Yukihana Lamy - I think she wants to pursue the idol dream. I really think so. Least Concern.

Shishiro Botan - She is very easy at getting what she wants and she can oblige. Least Concern.

Momosuzu Nene - She says she's not leaving, but I heard too many alarms. Vulnerable.

Omaru Polka - She is perfectly happy with where she is. She might not get help though. Least Concern.

La+ Darknesss - She has found herself a nice niche. When Towa leave, though... Least Concern.

Takane Lui - Still puts out covers and making relationship with people. Least Concern.

Hakui Koyori - I think she is starting to be more of a star for Hololive. Least Concern.

Kazama Iroha - She hasn't been doing much, hasn't she? She has health problems too. Near Threatened.

Hiodoshi Ao - She is trying, but if things become even harder... Near Threatened.

Otonose Kanade - She is the farthest behind, but she really does not care. Least Concern.

Ichijou Ririka - I think she has made a nice niche for herself and wants to spread out. Least Concern.

Juufuutei Raden - Maybe she would start rethinking her decision to stay... Near Threatened.

Todoroki Hajime - She is kind of having the spotlight, so I think she is fine. Least Concern.

Nothing for Flow Glow as they are simply too new. ID as a whole is Near Threatened, because I think Cover might be letting the talents go, much like what they did in CN. I hope I'm wrong, though.

Mori Calliope - Still the Crown Jewel, despite everything. Least Concern.

Takanashi Kiara - She is just getting started. She is perfect for Hololive. Least Concern.

Ninomae Ina'ins - I think the whole application presents a sign for her. Endangered.

Gawr Gura - You know how she is. Critically Endangered.

IRyS - I think she is starting to get more prominence once again. Least Concern.

Ouro Kronii - I think out of all the EN people, she fits the profile the most. Vulnerable.

Nanashi Mumei - Despite what people think. She wants to be an idol. Least Concern.

Hakos Baelz - Probably will get a live after Calli. She is going places. Least Concern.

Shiori Novella - I guess she's the EN version of Polka in a way? Least Concern.

Nerissa Ravencroft - If she has to interact with Japan a lot more, maybe... Least Concern.

Koseki Bijou - Will leave when ID leaves, if they ever happens. Least Concern.

Fuwamoco - Bau bau. Don't worry. Just bau bau. Least Concern.

Justice are too new, so they are going to be N/A for now.

That was a really quick look at everyone, at least for Hololive. Uh, maybe this won't matter.

Bifurcation Update

Back in September, one of the main points that I was talking about was regarding the seeming bifurcation of the EN sphere. 

Thanks to Amelia Watson and Ceres Fauna, the bifurcation has become complete.

So, what we are seeing is a split. We have people like Doki and Mint and Dooby plus VShojo and Phase Connect and so on, which slowly blending with the general EN streamer community, and we have much smaller land which is what I'm focusing on, featuring most of the talents which were laid off this year plus people who are still alive in those corps. Then there's HoloEN which is stuck in the middle.

This is a nice split, a clear split of ideologies and whatnot. Sure, there will be crap-flinging but the KSJ movement ultimately did not take on Hololive and amassed a mass protest, and instead turned against them and the movement has become a general anti-corpo movement which always existed.

Worries I am having has kind of all melted and now I'm in clear place. I might return.