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Welcome back, Oyabun!: The Original VTuber Kizuna AI returns!

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Kizuna AI also teased an album and a live concert later this year.

Kizuna AI, the pioneer behind the widely recognized Virtual YouTuber phenomenon, has revealed plans to make a comeback on live streaming platforms following a break of three years.

Kizuna AI: “You waited for me, right?”

The announcement was shared via a YouTube video entitled “I’m Back,” posted on the official A.I.Channel YouTube channel. In Japanese, it was titled “ただいま” which translates to “I’m home.” This ten-minute clip has been watched more than 1.1 million times within a day of its release.

“I want to tell everyone that I’m grateful to all of you who have waited for me,” Kizuna AI said.

As a dedicated fan, I recently watched a video that unveiled Kizuna AI’s latest model and backdrop. Unlike before when she was in the stark white streaming space, she mentioned that she’s now comfortably settled in her very own room.

Her behavior reassured her fans, as they recognized she was still the authentic Kizuna AI they had grown fond of, rather than someone else taking on the role.

Previously, I was entirely in that blank space, but I’ve upgraded myself and transformed into a more robust AI-chan now, as she explains.

Beyond just a new appearance, it’s clear that advanced tracking technology has been implemented in the video as well. This improvement can be attributed to the significant advancements in VTubing technology during the three-year period she spent away from active work.

She talked about the causes behind her three-year break, subtly hinting at personal aspects without explicitly saying so. This was done while maintaining her character, but astute observers may discern pieces of her true motivation. Instead, she chose to phrase it as “I took a nap to recharge so I could reach out and connect with even more people globally.

Moving forward, she plans to primarily concentrate on music, starting with an album this year and hinting at a potential concert. She expressed that she found music to be the most effective means of reaching people emotionally, stating that “I came to understand that if I want to touch hearts more profoundly, music is the key! To me, music surpasses obstacles such as language.

In addition to announcing her return, she also unveiled the music video for her latest single, “Kamone”. Her upcoming single is scheduled to be released on either March 12th or 19th.

Who is Kizuna AI and why is she the original VTuber?

It was Kizuna AI who coined the term “Virtual YouTuber” for the first time. She officially presented herself with this title in her self-introductory video that was released back in December 2016.

Kizuna AI wasn’t the initial VTuber, but she was the one who came up with the term. Back then, she referred to herself as a “Virtual YouTuber” within her character, given that she is designed to mimic artificial intelligence.

In 2016, the method used by Kizuna AI in content creation and streaming was less common compared to today. Over time, the mystery surrounding her real-world identity and activities served as a roadmap for individuals aiming to emulate her success.

As the popularity of VTubers grew in Japan, Japanese enthusiasts started using the term “shitennou” (Four Heavenly Kings) as a casual nickname for the top four VTubers at that moment. The initial list consisted of Kizuna AI, Kaguya Luna, Mirai Akari, and Nojaloli.

Over time, the difference between AI (Kizuna AI) and the other Four Heavenly Kings became so vast that she was elevated to the role of leader among them. A new member, Siro, subsequently joined this esteemed group.

Kizuna AI’s success

In December 2021, Kizuna AI became the second Virtual YouTuber to amass 3 million subscribers, just following her announcement about taking a break. Six months earlier, Gawr Gura from hololive English had already reached this milestone as the first.

Despite a relatively stable number of subscribers, not many VTubers have managed to rival her achievements, with only a handful making significant progress during her recent three-month hiatus.

In the realm of VTubers, Gawr Gura continues to hold the top spot with more than 4.5 million subscribers under her belt. Right behind her is Houshou Marine from hololive JP, boasting a fan base of approximately 3.75 million, and Kizuna AI ranks third with over 3 million subscribers.

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2025-02-27 14:41

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