Commentary: “The Important Thing is Not to Forget” hololive SUPER EXPO 2025 & hololive 6th fes. Color Rise Harmony

2025年3月12日2025年3月13日

“hololive SUPER EXPO 2025 & hololive 6th fes. Color Rise Harmony," a large-scale event and live by hololive Production (ホロライブプロダクション), a VTuber agency operated by COVER Corporation, was held on March 8~9 (JST). As one of the biggest events in VTuber industry, hololisteners (ホロリス / hololive fans) from all over the world gathered at Makuhari Messe (幕張メッセ) and the stream.

Overflowing Enthusiasm, Inside and Outside Makuhari

The number of EXPO visitors continues to grow each year as the popularity of hololive production expands. The range of visitors is widening each year, regardless of gender, age, or nationality. Large numbers of “Kaigainik" (海外ニキ / overseas hololisteners)" have become a common sight.

One difference from last year was that the Oshi (推し) holomem (ホロメン) ratio of visitors was more dispersed. Last year, Sakura Miko (さくらみこ) and Hoshimachi Suisei (星街すいせい)’s Oshi stood out, but this year, in addition to the large number of both Oshi, there were many Oshi in all holomems. This means that the range of popularity is widening. This may also mean that the number of “HakoOshi (箱推し / Agency Oshi)," which was originally large, is increasing.

The enthusiasm overflowed outside the venue as well. A holomems Itasha (痛車 / painted car) in the Makuhari Messe parking lot. off-line meetings and photo sessions among guessers in the Messe area. Three-hour wait at the official hololive production official store at Tokyo Station on a weekday Monday, the first day of the week. At the Akihabara stores, there was a wait for admission at the regular hololive merchs sales area without events. Great excitement at the get-together, etc. And it is worth mentioning that despite all the heat, no noticeable manners violations or troubles were observed.

On the other hand, there must have been many people who wanted to enter the venue but could not. The fierce competition was evident at the time of ticket sales, and it is undeniable that we have not been able to adequately respond to the rapid increase in popularity of the event. For next year’s EXPO and fes, if Makuhari Messe is to remain the venue, it will be necessary to extend the duration of the event and consider larger venues such as Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center) or Tokyo Dome. Whatever the form of the event, we hope that it will continue to be an event that more and more people can come to and enjoy.

The Sad Part is Not Graduation, But being Forgotten

What was particularly impressive this time was that holomems, who graduated from hololive Production (including Conclusion of Streaming Activities), were still alive and well.

It was not only that Watson Amelia (ワトソン・アメリア), who finished her streaming activities last year, “Appeared" as a booth exhibit or as a “Smol Ame". Many Oshi fans, including Watson Amelia, Ceres Fauna (セレス・ファウナ), who graduated in January, Tsukumo Sana (九十九作命 / Graduated on July 31, 2022), and Sakamata Chloe (沙花叉クロヱ), who finished her streaming activities, were among the visitors, and there was a lot of interaction among these holomems fans in the vicinity of the venue.

We were taken aback by these scenes. Even though they have graduated, they will never be forgotten and continue to be a part of hololive, just as Kiryu Coco (桐生ココ) laid the foundation for hololive’s breakthrough and is still adored today, and Minato Aqua (湊あくあ) became a legend who had a great impact on hololive’s idol line.

People are not AI and their time to shine is limited. But that is why that finite time will live on as something unforgettable in the hearts of many and will be passed down to future generations. As Tsukumo Sana said, “I am Not Alone". As Minato Aqua said, “Don’t forget about me". “What is Really Sad is Not that Graduate (Retire), But that I will be Forgotten."

This was evident from the fact that Murasaki Shion (紫咲シオン), who announced her graduation just before the event, received the loudest cheers at the fes. She will finish her nearly 7 year career as a hololive talent, which has supported the group since its early days, despite the difficulties it has faced, including a prolonged hiatus. Perhaps she is fully wounded. Graduation itself is not something to get used to, but I think it is a blessing that she will be able to go through to her graduation without any problems, rather than being forgotten as a “Forgotten existence" due to termination of her contract.

And like Minato Aqua, who was a close friend of Murasaki Shion’s, Kiryu Coco, and others, these feelings will live on in the hololive, among fans, and as part of the holomems after graduation.

Last year, the rapid growth of hololive production and the accompanying changes in direction (so-called “directional differences") seemed to have coincided with a succession of holomen’s graduation and conclusion of streaming activities. However, this time, We are once again convinced that there is no need to be groundlessly worried about this. Respect their colleagues who have embarked on new paths, and they will continue to live on as hololive talents, unforgotten. To be “No One in Indispensable (Shiny Smily Story and SUPERNOVA’s lyric)" does not mean to never graduate, but to “Never Forget Anyone“.

Today’s VTuber are born from the inclusion of various contents such as Hatsune Miku (初音ミク) and other vocaloid culture, net streams, and games. On the other hand, many of the talents are human actors, and because of this, they are sometimes ridiculed as if they are finite entities that will one day graduate and disappear, “Degenerate" in comparison to Hatsune Miku and AI. Last year, when the holomems announced their graduation one after the other, some people even said, “I don’t know why people support holomems when they don’t know who will graduate next," and “hololive will not be around much longer if the magic is broken of fans".

However, what we certainly saw at EXPO and fes was the enthusiasm of the hololisteners themselves, who respected Oshi’s choice to graduate, never forgot them after graduation, and wanted to support holomems even more!

It is because they are finite that they shine brightly, are fervently supported, remain unforgotten in people’s hearts even after graduation, and are passed on to the next generation in succession. This is proven by the fact that singers, entertainers, and athletes who have retired or passed away continue to be loved beyond generations.

With the introduction of “Conclusion of Streaming Activities," hololive Production is beginning to challenge the definition of graduation for VTubers, and this attitude is beginning to change fans attitudes as well.

If holomems’ graduation is perceived more positively as a new beginning rather than an end, its impact will spread to the entire VTuber industry, which will lead to next year’s EXPO and fes!

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