Hololive Production

Japanese Virtual YouTuber agency

  • en.hololive.tv
  • hololive.hololivepro.com
Cover Corporation
Cover Corp wordmark and blue and white play button logo
Native name
カバー株式会社
Company typeKabushiki-gaisha
Traded as
TYO: 5253
ISINJP3218500001
Industry
  • Virtual Reality (former)
  • Streaming
  • Concert
  • Merchandising
  • Licensing
Founded13 June 2016; 7 years ago (2016-06-13)
FounderMotoaki Tanigo
Headquarters
Minato, Tokyo[1]
,
Japan
Key people
  • Motoaki Tanigo (President and CEO)
  • Kazuyuki Fukuda (Director and CTO)
Revenue¥20.451 billion[2] (FY2023)
¥3.417 billion[2] (FY2023)
Net income
¥2.508 billion[2] (FY2023)
Total assets¥15.887 billion[2] (FY2023)
Number of employees
480 [3] (Nov 2023)
SubsidiariesCover USA, inc.
Websitecover-corp.com

Hololive Production (Japanese: ホロライブプロダクション) (stylized in lowercase) is a virtual YouTuber agency owned by Japanese tech entertainment company Cover Corporation. In addition to acting as a multi-channel network, Hololive Production also handles licensing, merchandising, music production and concert organization. As of January 2024, the agency manages 86 VTubers in three target languages (Japanese, Indonesian and English), totalling over 80 million subscribers, including several of the most subscribed VTubers on YouTube and some of the most watched female streamers in the world.

The name "Hololive" was initially used for Cover's 3D stream distribution app, launched in December 2017, and later its female VTuber agency, whose first generation debuted from May to June 2018. In December 2019, Hololive was merged with Cover's male Holostars agency and INoNaKa music label under the unified "Hololive Production" brand.

History

2016–19: Beginnings and growth

See caption
Cover's logo from 2016 to 2019

Cover Corporation (カバー株式会社, Kabā Kabushiki-gaisha) was founded on 13 June 2016 by Motoaki "Yagoo" Tanigo,[a] an entrepreneur who had developed video game characters in collaboration with Sanrio at the content company Imagineer and founded various startup companies.[4][5] Cover at first focused on augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) software,[4] and received funding from incubator firms Tokyo VR Startups[6] and Recruit.[7]

At the end of March 2017, the company showcased a tech demo for a program enabling real-time avatar motion capture and interactive, two-way live streaming.[6] According to Tanigo, the idea for a "virtual idol" agency was inspired by other virtual characters, such as Hatsune Miku.[4] Kizuna AI, who began the virtual YouTuber trend in 2016, was another likely inspiration.[8]

Cover debuted Tokino Sora (ときのそら), the first VTuber using the company's avatar capture software, on 7 September 2017.[9] On 21 December, the company released hololive, a smartphone app for iOS and Android enabling users to view virtual character live streams using AR camera technology.[10] On 5 April 2018, Cover removed the application's AR features and changed it into a tool for mapping a user's facial movements onto animated avatars in real-time.[11] This update enabled at-home auditions using the iPhone X.[12] The first generation of Hololive VTubers debuted from May to June 2018, and a second generation followed in August and September. Hololive Gamers, a group specializing in let's plays, debuted in December 2018 and April 2019.

On 8 January 2019, Hololive announced that it had signed a contract with the Chinese video platform Bilibili, under which it would open 15 channels on the platform and simultaneously stream there and on YouTube. It would also begin collaborating with Chinese-speaking volunteers to translate Hololive videos, and start releasing original content for the Chinese market.[13] On 17 May, Cover opened permanent talent auditions in China and Japan.[14]

On 19 May, Cover formed an in-house music label, INoNaKa (INNK) Music, from AZKi and former independent VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei.[15] The 1st generation of Holostars, a new all-male VTuber agency,[16] began debuting in June 2019, followed by more in September and October of the same year. A 2nd generation of Holostars talents debuted in December 2019,[17] and a 3rd generation would later debut in May 2020.[18] A 3rd generation of Hololive, "Hololive Fantasy", debuted from July to August 2019. A first generation of Hololive China, a Chinese-speaking branch active on Bilibili, debuted from September 2019 to January 2020. A second generation of Hololive China later debuted in April 2020.[19]

On 2 December 2019, Cover consolidated its Hololive, INNK Music, and Holostars agencies under a unified brand named Hololive Production; the three entities continued to operate under their respective management teams.[20] On the same day, Hoshimachi Suisei transferred to Hololive from INNK, leaving AZKi as the label's only member.[21] A fourth generation of the original Hololive branch debuted late December 2019 and early January 2020.[22] The generation included VTuber Kiryu Coco who would later become the most superchatted channel on YouTube until her graduation from Hololive.[23]

2020–present: Expansion

Group of 23 female cartoon characters
Promotional artwork for the "Nonstop Story" concert featuring all VTubers of Hololive Japan up to Generation 3

On 24 January 2020, Cover held "hololive 1st fes. Nonstop Story", a concert at the Toyosu Pit in Kōtō, Tokyo, with AZKi and all 22 pre–4th generation Hololive members.[24] "Nonstop Story" was attended by 3000 people on site with "tens of thousands" more tuning in via livestream. On 21 and 22 December 2020, Cover held "hololive 2nd fes. Beyond the Stage", a two-day pay-per-view livestream follow-up to "Nonstop Story", featuring the same cast as well as the 4th generation members as an opening act, as a collaboration with the Japanese entertainment company Bushiroad (as their official partner).[25] At the concert's end, Cover announced Hololive's first original-only concert, titled "Hololive Idol Project 1st Live 'Bloom,'", which was held on 17 February 2021 at Tokyo Garden Theatre (in-person viewing was later cancelled).[26][27]

At the end of the concert, Cover announced a multimedia project entitled Hololive Alternative, releasing a promotional video.[28] On 8 August 2021, Hololive announced its horror project titled "Hololive ERROR" with a live-action teaser featuring Tokino Sora.[29] The project was revealed to be a horror game featuring Hololive members playing as in-game NPCs.[30] A demo was released for free on 7 January 2022 in Japanese[31] while the full version of the game was released on 16 September on Steam with both Japanese and English subtitles.[32]

A new branch of Hololive composed of Indonesian-speaking VTubers, named Hololive Indonesia, debuted its first generation in April 2020;[33] a second generation of the branch later debuted in December 2020;[34] A third generation of the branch debuted in March 2022.[35] A fifth generation of the main Hololive branch debuted in August 2020.[36] A new English-language Hololive branch, Hololive English, debuted in September 2020.[37] IRyS, an English-language "VSinger", debuted as part of "Project: Hope" on 11 July 2021.[38][39] Hololive Council, a second generation of English-language Vtubers, debuted on 22 August 2021.[40][41] The sixth generation of the main Hololive branch debuted in late November 2021.[42]

On 29 December 2021, Cover announced the transfer of AZKi from INNK into the main Hololive branch. As part of the transfer process, INNK would be dissolved and its founder Tsuranimizu would step down from the position of AZKi's manager. The process was completed in April 2022.[43]

On 24 February 2022, Cover Corporation announced the termination of their contract with Hololive Generation 3's Uruha Rushia, citing violations of her contract that "caused the company to take reputational damage".[44] At the moment of her termination, Uruha Rushia was the highest superchat earner on YouTube and within Hololive Production, the second to hold these titles after Kiryu Coco, who retired in 2021.[45]

In June 2022, Hololive GAMERS member Inugami Korone became the official brand ambassador for the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise in Japan. She would later appear in the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 film as the voice actress for one of the characters in the Japanese dub, and Korone-themed downloadable content would be released for the game Sonic Frontiers.[46][47]

On 12 July 2022, Cover announced that Hololive English member Tsukumo Sana would graduate at the end of the month, citing health reasons.[48]

On 18 July 2022, Cover revealed their first English-speaking male group, Holostars English Tempus, who were set to debut at the end of the same week.[49]

On 27 March 2023, Cover underwent an IPO and began trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.[50]

In July 2023, Hololive Production announced a joint imprint label, Holo-n, with Universal Music Japan sublabel EMI Records.[51]

On 15 November 2023, Cover announced an amendment of their community works guideline which allow the monetization of fanworks on video sharing platform such as YouTube. They also introduced a new set of guidelines specifically for fans games as well as unveiling their own publishing labels for fangames name "holo indie".[52] The announcement came in the wake of several popular Hololive fangames releasing on Steam throughout 2023 such as HoloCure and Idol Showdown.[53][54]

On 12 March 2024, Cover revealed their first overseas subsidiary Cover USA. The company is based in California, USA and will be responsible for facilitating their overseas expansion with focus on localized event planning and sales. The subsidiary is planned to begin operation by mid-2024.[55]

Taiwan controversy and suspensions

In September 2020, Kiryu Coco and Akai Haato each mentioned Taiwan on-stream while discussing YouTube channel analytics, which then listed Taiwan as a country in the Japanese interface.[8][56][57][58] Their comments sparked outrage among viewers in mainland China, and were followed by a statement from Cover in Japanese, English, and Chinese on 27 September.[59] In it, the company faulted the talents for "making statements insensitive to certain nationalities" and for "divulging confidential YouTube channel analytics information". Each received a three-week suspension from all activities.

In a separate Chinese-only statement posted earlier on Bilibili, Cover had stated that Coco and Haato's comments did not reflect its policy on China,[56] and reaffirmed its support for the One-China policy and its commitment to doing business in the country.[60][61] Three days later, the company released another statement addressing the discrepancies between the messages, stating that the Bilibili statement was released "due to the desire to adapt it to the needs of the audience".[62] Cover apologized for confusion it had caused, and announced changes in its procedure for releasing regional statements and the formation of a committee to prevent similar incidents.[8][63] On 19 October, both resumed their streaming activities, as scheduled.[64][65]

After a "rush of harassment, reports, and apparent boycotting on Bilibili",[8] all six members of Hololive China retired on different dates in late 2020.[66]

Business

Along with its major competitor Nijisanji, a VTuber agency owned by Anycolor, Inc., Hololive Production dominates the corporate VTuber market as of 2022. By "harness[ing] the entertainment value of both streaming and J-pop idol groups", Cover operates at a scale not possible for independent VTubers, and has used its funding to create merchandise, produce music, and host live 3D events.[8] As of 2021, Cover has held three major funding rounds:[67]

Most Hololive streamers work full-time, while others stream as a side job.[8] According to data collection site Playboard, the all-time top Super Chat earners in history are channels run by Hololive talents: Uruha Rushia, Kiryu Coco, Usada Pekora and Houshou Marine. Other talents featured in the all-time top 10 include Minato Aqua, Amane Kanata and Yukihana Lamy.[23]

By September 2020, Hololive channels had more than 10 million combined subscribers on YouTube, and 10 million additional combined subscribers on Chinese platform Bilibili.[4] As of December 2024[update], the agency has accumulated over 80 million subscribers across its 80+ channels on YouTube.[68] On 22 October 2021, English VTuber Gawr Gura became the first Hololive member to reach 1 million YouTube subscribers;[69] on 17 January 2021, she became the first Hololive member to reach 2 million subscribers on the platform and the second VTuber to do so, after Kizuna AI.[70] Gawr Gura became the first VTuber to reach 3 million subscribers on YouTube on 4 July 2021, having surpassed Kizuna AI at 2.97 million on 30 June.[71]

According to data analysis firm Steam Charts, Usada Pekora is one of the most popular female streamers globally by watch hours including in 2023 where she was number one. Alongside her, Hakui Koyori, Sakura Miko and Oozora Subaru was also among the top 10 for that year ranking.[72]

According to Tanigo, Hololive's primary audience are mostly males in their mid-teens to mid-thirties, with Japanese fans being mostly those who are interested in video games while overseas viewers are more likely to be anime fans specifically. Hololive's overseas audiences are primarily from North America and Asia, especially southeast Asia.[73]

CEO Motoaki Tanigo was selected as one of the Japan's Top 20 Entrepreneurs by Forbes Japan in its January 2022 issue.[68]

Studio

Cover Corp invested 2.7 billion yen for a new motion capture studio. The studio is equipped with state of the art motion capture and recording equipment. The recording equipment are capable of producing music industry standard audio capture.[74] With a space equivalent to ten tennis courts,[75] the studio stands as the world's largest vtuber office.[citation needed]

Talents

Below are all active and former talents of Hololive.[76] The agency also includes two VTubers who do not have their own personal channels but act as part of Hololive's "staff" instead, participating in streams on the company's official channel: Yuujin A (友人A, Friend A) (also known as A-chan) and Harusaki Nodoka (春先のどか).

Hololive Production Structure[77]
Hololive
Production
HololiveHolostars
Hololive
DEV_IS
HololiveHololive
English
Hololive
Indonesia
HolostarsHolostars
English
Branch Primary language
Hololive, Hololive DEV_IS, and Holostars Japanese
Hololive English and Holostars English English
Hololive Indonesia Indonesian

Hololive

Hololive (Japan)

Generation 0

  • Tokino Sora [ja] (ときのそら)
  • Roboco-san [ja] (ロボ子さん)
  • Sakura Miko [ja] (さくらみこ)
  • Hoshimachi Suisei (星街すいせい)
  • AZKi [ja] (アズキ)[b]

Generation 1

  • Aki Rosenthal [ja] (アキ・ローゼンタール)
  • Akai Haato (赤井はあと)
  • Shirakami Fubuki [ja] (白上フブキ)
  • Natsuiro Matsuri (夏色まつり)

Generation 2

  • Minato Aqua [ja] (湊あくあ)
  • Murasaki Shion [ja] (紫咲シオン)
  • Nakiri Ayame [ja] (百鬼あやめ)
  • Yuzuki Choco [ja] (癒月ちょこ)
  • Oozora Subaru [ja] (大空スバル)

Hololive GAMERS

  • Shirakami Fubuki [ja] (白上フブキ)
  • Ookami Mio [ja] (大神ミオ)
  • Nekomata Okayu [ja] (猫又おかゆ)
  • Inugami Korone [ja] (戌神ころね)

Generation 3 (Hololive Fantasy)

  • Usada Pekora (兎田ぺこら)
  • Shiranui Flare [ja] (不知火フレア)
  • Shirogane Noel [ja] (白銀ノエル)
  • Houshou Marine [ja] (宝鐘マリン)

Generation 4 (holoForce)

  • Amane Kanata [ja] (天音かなた)
  • Tsunomaki Watame [ja] (角巻わため)
  • Tokoyami Towa [ja] (常闇トワ)
  • Himemori Luna [ja] (姫森ルーナ)

Generation 5 (NePoLaBo)[c]

  • Yukihana Lamy [ja] (雪花ラミィ)
  • Momosuzu Nene [ja] (桃鈴ねね)
  • Shishiro Botan [ja] (獅白ぼたん)
  • Omaru Polka [ja] (尾丸ポルカ)

Generation 6 (Secret Society holoX)

  • La+ Darknesss [ja] (ラプラス・ダークネス)
  • Takane Lui [ja] (鷹嶺ルイ)
  • Hakui Koyori [ja] (博衣こより)
  • Sakamata Chloe [ja] (沙花叉クロヱ)
  • Kazama Iroha [ja] (風真いろは)

Hololive DEV_IS

ReGLOSS

  • Hiodoshi Ao (火威青)
  • Otonose Kanade (音乃瀬奏)
  • Ichijou Ririka (一条莉々華)
  • Juufuutei Raden (儒烏風亭らでん)
  • Todoroki Hajime (轟はじめ)

Hololive Indonesia

Generation 1 (AREA 15)

  • Ayunda Risu (アユンダ・リス)
  • Moona Hoshinova (ムーナ・ホシノヴァ)
  • Airani Iofifteen (アイラニ・イオフイフティーン)

Generation 2 (holoro)

  • Kureiji Ollie (クレイジー・オリー)
  • Anya Melfissa (アーニャ・メルフィッサ)
  • Pavolia Reine (パヴォリア・レイネ)

Generation 3 (holoh3ro)

  • Vestia Zeta (ベスティア・ゼータ)
  • Kaela Kovalskia (カエラ・コヴァルスキア)
  • Kobo Kanaeru (こぼ・かなえる)

Hololive English

Myth

  • Mori Calliope (森カリオペ)[78]
  • Takanashi Kiara [ja] (小鳥遊キアラ)
  • Ninomae Ina'nis [ja] (一伊那尓栖)
  • Gawr Gura (がうる・ぐら)
  • Watson Amelia [ja] (ワトソン・アメリア)

Promise[d]

  • IRyS (アイリス)
  • Ceres Fauna (セレス・ファウナ)
  • Ouro Kronii (オーロ・クロニー)
  • Nanashi Mumei (七詩ムメイ)
  • Hakos Baelz (ハコス・ベールズ)

Advent

  • Shiori Novella (シオリ・ノヴェラ)
  • Koseki Bijou (古石ビジュー)
  • Nerissa Ravencroft (ネリッサ・レイヴンクロフト)
  • Fuwawa Abyssgard (フワワ・アビスガード)[e]
  • Mococo Abyssgard (モココ・アビスガード)[e]

Holostars

Holostars (Japan)

Generation 1

  • Hanasaki Miyabi (花咲みやび)
  • Kanade Izuru (奏手イヅル)
  • Arurandeisu (アルランディス)
  • Rikka (律可)

Generation 2 (SunTempo)

  • Astel Leda (アステル・レダ)
  • Kishido Temma (岸堂天真)
  • Yukoku Roberu (夕刻ロベル)

Generation 3 (MaFia)[f]

  • Kageyama Shien (影山シエン)
  • Aragami Oga (荒咬オウガ)

UPROAR!!

  • Yatogami Fuma (夜十神封魔)
  • Utsugi Uyu (羽継烏有)
  • Hizaki Gamma (緋崎ガンマ)
  • Minase Rio (水無世燐央)

Holostars English

TEMPUS Headquarters

  • Regis Altare (リージス・アルテア)
  • Axel Syrios (アクセル・シリオス)

TEMPUS Vanguard

  • Gavis Bettel (ガビス・ベッテル)
  • Machina X Flayon (マキナ・X・フレオン)
  • Banzoin Hakka (万象院ハッカ)
  • Josuiji Shinri (定水寺シンリ)

ARMIS

  • Jurard T Rexford (ジュラルド・ティー・レクスフォード)
  • Goldbullet (ゴールドブレット)
  • Octavio (オクタビオ)
  • Crimzon Ruze (クリムゾン・ルーズ)

Former talents

Hololive

  • Yozora Mel [ja] (夜空メル)
  • Hitomi Chris (人見クリス)
  • Uruha Rushia [ja] (潤羽るしあ)
  • Kiryu Coco [ja] (桐生ココ)
  • Mano Aloe (魔乃アロエ)

Hololive English

  • Tsukumo Sana (九十九佐命)

Hololive China

  • Yogiri (夜霧)
  • Civia (希薇娅)
  • Spade Echo (黑桃影)
  • Doris (朵莉丝)
  • Rosalyn (罗莎琳)
  • Artia (阿媂娅)

Holostars

  • Kagami Kira (鏡見キラ)
  • Yakushiji Suzaku (薬師寺朱雀)
  • Tsukishita Kaoru (月下カオル)

Holostars English

  • Magni Dezmond (マグニ・デズモンド)
  • Noir Vesper (ノワール・ヴェスパー)

Media and events

Selected discography

Hololive

All group releases to date have been performed by "hololive IDOL PROJECT", a group that consists of different talents for each release.

As lead up to Nonstop Story
  • "Shiny Smily Story" – 16 September 2019[79]
  • "Yumemiru Sora e" (夢見る空へ) – 17 February 2020[80]
  • "Kirameki Rider☆" (キラメキライダー☆) – 24 February 2020[80]
As lead up to "Bloom,"
  • "Blue Clapper" – 24 December 2020
  • "Hyakka Ryoran Hanafubuki" (百花繚乱花吹雪) – 31 December 2020
  • "Shijoshugi Adtruck" (至上主義アドトラック) – 7 January 2021
  • "Candy-Go-Round" – 14 January 2021
  • "Daily Diary" (でいり〜だいあり〜!) – 21 January 2021
  • "Stardust Song" – 4 February 2021
  • "Dreaming Days" – 11 February 2021
  • "AsuiroClearSky" (あすいろClearSky) – 19 February 2021[81]
Album Artist Release date Catalog number Peak chart position
Bouquet hololive IDOL PROJECT 21 April 2021[82] HOLO-001 4 (Oricon)[82]
Others
  • "Halloween Night, Tonight!" (今宵はHalloween Night!) – 23 October 2020[83]
  • "Tsumari wa Itsumo Kujikenai!" (つまりはいつもくじけない!)/"Make-Up True!" (めいくあっぷとぅるぅ!) – 1 September 2021, performed by sub-unit NEGI☆U (Minato Aqua, Oozora Subaru, and Momosuzu Nene),[84] used as ending theme for the anime The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!.[84] Debuted at #17 on the Oricon Singles Chart.[85]
  • "Prism Melody" - 13 March 2022[86] - Released as lead up to "Link Your Wish".
  • "Our Bright Parade" - 9 March 2023[87] - Released as lead up to "Our Bright Parade"
  • "Seishun Archive" - 2 July 2023[88] - Released as lead up to "Splash Party"
  • "Capture The Moment" - 7 March 2024 [89] - Released as lead up to "Capture The Moment"

Holostars

  • "Just Follow Stars" – 28 June 2021[90]
  • "Pentas" – 1 December 2021
  • "Magic Word Orchestra" – 21 December 2021
  • "Journey to Find Stars" – 27 December 2021[91]

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref.
2023 The Vtuber Awards Best Music VTuber Mori Calliope Won [92]
Hoshimachi Suisei Nominated [92]
Best Art VTuber Ninomae Ina'nis Won [92]
Best FPS VTuber Shishiro Botan Nominated [92]
Best Minecraft VTuber Ceres Fauna Nominated [92]
Kaela Kovalskia Won [92]
Best Roleplay/ASMR VTuber Ceres Fauna Won [92]
Best Just Chatting/Zatsu VTuber Takanashi Kiara Nominated [92]
Most Chaotic VTuber Kobo Kanaeru Won [92]
League of Their Own FUWAMOCO Won [92]
Houshou Marine Nominated [92]
Best VTuber Org hololive Production Won [92]
Most Dedicated Fanbase Chumbuds Won [92]
Best Concert Event Connect the World Won [92]
Best Streamed Event Hololive Sports Festival Nominated [92]
Stream Game of the Year HoloCure – Save the Fans! Nominated [92]
Gamer of the Year Koseki Bijou Nominated [92]
VTuber of the Year Usada Pekora Nominated [92]

Explanatory notes

  1. ^ Japanese: 谷郷元昭, Hepburn: Tanigō Motoaki
  2. ^ Former member of INNK.
  3. ^ Formerly holoFive before Mano Aloe's retirement.
  4. ^ Formerly two separate groups, Project: Hope and Council.
  5. ^ a b Fuwawa and Mococo Abyssgard form a twin Vtuber unit, FUWAMOCO, which operates on a single channel.
  6. ^ Formerly TriNero before Tsukishita Kaoru's retirement.

References

  1. ^ Cover Corp. (16 June 2023). "カバー株式会社、新社屋公開|カバー株式会社 公式note" [Cover Co., Ltd. opens its new office building]. Cover Corp Official Note (in Japanese). Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Highlights IR". Cover Corp. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Financial Results for FY2024/3 Q2 November 9th, 2023" (PDF). Cover Corp. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Tanigo, Motoaki (2 September 2020). "Meet Cover Corp CEO Motoaki "Yagoo" Tanigo, The Man Behind Hololive's Virtual YouTubers". Anime News Network (Interview). Interviewed by Dennis Banda. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  5. ^ Tanigō, Motoaki (23 August 2019). "'Hololive' no bijon to korekara — Tokyo XR Startups shusshin kigyōka intabyū" 「ホロライブ」のビジョンとこれから――Tokyo XR Startups出身起業家インタビュー [A look at Hololive and the future — an interview with a Tokyo XR startup entrepreneur]. MoguLive (Interview) (in Japanese). Interviewed by Wakayama, Yasuchika. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  6. ^ a b Hirota, Minoru (19 May 2017). "'Dare de mo bishōjo' no mirai ni mata ippo VR de enjite, sumaho de etsuran, o sawari mo!? na demo ga wadai" 「誰でも美少女」の未来にまた一歩 VRで演じて、スマホで閲覧、おさわりも!? なデモが話題 [One step closer to the future where anyone can be a beautiful girl. Performing in VR and watching – even touching?! – on a smartphone.]. PANORA (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  7. ^ Ikeda, Masuru (9 April 2017). "Japan's Recruit holds Tech Lab Paak Demo Day, teams from 7th batch present results". The Bridge. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Colp, Tyler; Deyo, Nico (22 December 2020). "The Vtuber Industry: Corporatization, Labor, and Kawaii". Vice. Vice Media. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  9. ^ Tamago, Mago (1 April 2018). "Sono hōyō-ryoku, masani "seibo" Joshikōsei bācharu YouTuber 'Tokino Sora' kurō to doryoku no kiseki" その包容力、まさに"聖母" 女子高生バーチャルYouTuber「ときのそら」 苦労と努力の軌跡 [With her patience and kindness, she must be a saint! High schooler Virtual YouTuber Tokino Sora's story of hard work and dedication.]. MoguLive (in Japanese). Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  10. ^ キャラクターに会えるライブ視聴アプリ「hololive(ホロライブ)」提供開始のお知らせ [Announcing the launch of "Hololive", an application for live streaming where you can meet the characters] (in Japanese). Cover. 21 December 2017. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  11. ^ Takahashi, Yūji (5 April 2018). "Sumaho apuri 'Hororaibu' ga VTuber haishin apuri ni shinka senzoku VTuber no ōdishon mo" スマホアプリ「ホロライブ」がVTuber配信アプリに進化 専属VTuberのオーディションも [Hololive's smartphone app evolves into a VTuber creation tool]. PANORA (in Japanese). Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  12. ^ バーチャルYouTuberになれるスマホアプリ「ホロライブ」がオーディション開催! [Audition for Hololive and become a VTuber with just a smartphone!] (Press release) (in Japanese). Cover. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2020 – via PR Times.
  13. ^ Takahashi, Yūji (8 January 2019). "Hororaibu ga Chūgoku dōga saito 'bilibili' to seishiki keiyaku" ホロライブが中国動画サイト「bilibili」と正式契約 [Hololive signs a formal contract with bilibili]. PANORA (in Japanese). Retrieved 21 September 2020.
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  15. ^ "VTuber jimusho "Hororaibu" ni Hoshimachi Suisei & AZKi ga kanyū, ongaku rēberu shidō mo happyō" VTuber事務所"ホロライブ"に星街すいせい&AZKiが加入、音楽レーベル始動も発表 [Hoshimachi Suisei and AZKi have joined the VTuber agency "Hololive" and announced a new music label]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 19 May 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
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  17. ^ "Dansei VTuber gurūpu 'Horosutāzu' 2-kisei 3-mei ga arata ni debyū" 男性VTuberグループ「ホロスターズ」 2期生3名が新たにデビュー [3 new male VTubers, Holostars 2nd gen, to debut]. MoguLive (in Japanese). 4 December 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
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  19. ^ ホロライブ中国2期生「Doris」「Artia」「Rosalyn」デビュー決定のお知らせ [Debut dates for Hololive China's 2nd generation] (Press release) (in Japanese). Cover. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020 – via PR Times.
  20. ^ "Kabā, Hororaibu Horosutāzu Inonakamyūjikku no sōshō o 'Hororaibu Purodakushon' ni tōitsu" カバー、ホロライブ・ホロスターズ・イノナカミュージックの総称を「ホロライブプロダクション」に統一 [Cover merges 'Hololive', 'Holostars' and 'Inonaka Music' into 'Hololive Production']. PANORA (in Japanese). 2 December 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  21. ^ ホロライブ所属VTuber「星街すいせい」新Live2Dモデルお披露目放送と転籍のお知らせ|カバー株式会社のプレスリリース [Announcing a new Live2D model for Hoshimachi Suisei and her transfer to Hololive] (in Japanese). Cover. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2020 – via PR Times.
  22. ^ ホロライブ4期生「天音かなた」「角巻わため」「桐生ココ」「常闇トワ」「姫森ルーナ」デビュー決定のお知らせ [Announcing the debuts of Hololive's 4th generation]. PANORA (in Japanese). Cover. 25 December 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
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  24. ^ 23名がアイドル衣装に 1/24豊洲PIT・hololive 1st fes.、メインビジュアル解禁. PANORA (in Japanese). 27 December 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
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  26. ^ VTuber事務所「ホロライブ」、『もっとみんなでアイドルがしたい』タレント22名による音楽ライブ「hololive IDOL PROJECT 1st Live.『Bloom,』」開催決定!. Cover. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020 – via PR Times.
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  33. ^ VTuberグループ「ホロライブインドネシア」、「Risu」「Moona」「Iofi」デビュー決定! [Debut dates for Hololive Indonesia's Risu, Moona, and Iofi] (Press release) (in Japanese). Cover. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020 – via PR Times.
  34. ^ ホロライブインドネシア2期生「Kureiji Ollie」「Anya Melfissa」「Pavolia Reine」デビュー決定のお知らせ [Hololive Indonesia 2nd Generation Kureiji Ollie, Anya Melfissa, and Pavolia Reine to make their debut] (Press release) (in Japanese). 1 December 2021. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020 – via PR TIMES [ja].
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  78. ^ Previously named 森美声 in Japanese with the same pronunciation. Officially renamed on 1 September 2021 per "弊社「ホロライブEnglish」所属タレント「森美声(もり・かりおぺ)」芸名変更のお知らせ". hololive.hololivepro.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 7 October 2021.
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  81. ^ VTuberグループ「ホロライブ」、9週連続オリジナル楽曲リリース最終楽曲となる第9弾を発表! 第9弾はホロライブタレント総勢9名による『あすいろClearSky』! [VTuber group "Hololive" has announced the ninth and final song in their 9 week series of original song releases! The ninth song is "AsuiroClearSky" by a total of nine Hololive talents!] (Press release) (in Japanese). Cover. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021 – via PR Times.
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  83. ^ VTuberグループ「ホロライブ」、ハロウィンをテーマにした公式曲「今宵はHalloween Night!」を本日発表! [VTuber group "Hololive" releases their official Halloween-themed song "Halloween Night, Tonight!" today!] (Press release) (in Japanese). Cover. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020 – via PR Times.
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  87. ^ VTuber事務所「ホロライブプロダクション」《hololive 4th fes. 》新アイドル衣装をまとったキービジュアルを解禁!《hololive Super Expo 2023》会場の新情報も! [VTuber office "Holo Live Production" "hololive 4th fes." Key visuals wearing new idol costumes have been lifted! 《hololive Super Expo 2023》 New information on the venue!] (Press release) (in Japanese). Cover. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023 – via PR Times.
  88. ^ 女性VTuberグループ「ホロライブ」、『ホロライブ・サマー2023』開催決定! [Female VTuber group "Holo Live", "Holo Live Summer 2023" will be held!] (Press release) (in Japanese). Cover. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023 – via PR Times.
  89. ^ 女性VTuberグループ「ホロライブ」、新全体曲『Capture the Moment』が3/7(木)よりデジタル配信リリース! [Female VTuber group "Hololive", new full-length song "Capture the Moment" will be released digitally from 3/7 (Thursday)!] (Press release) (in Japanese). Cover. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024 – via PR Times.
  90. ^ 男性VTuberグループ「ホロスターズ」、初の公式オリジナル楽曲「Just Follow Stars」リリース決定! [Male VTuber group "Holostars" will release their first official original song "Just Follow Stars"!] (Press release) (in Japanese). Cover. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021 – via PR Times.
  91. ^ 男性VTuberグループ「ホロスターズ」、オリジナル楽曲「JOURNEY to FIND STARS」リリース決定! [Male VTuber group "Holostars" will release their original song "JOURNEY to FIND STARS"!] (Press release) (in Japanese). Cover. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022 – via PR Times.
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