NHK VR E75 (12-28) Year-End Special

(0:00) Good evening, everyone. I’m VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei.
(0:06) Today is the last broadcast of 2024.
(0:09) It’s a special episode fitting to close out the year,
(0:13) so we’ll start things off in a unique way.
(0:17) With that said, for today’s title call,
(0:20) we’ve invited this semi-regular guest to take the reins.
(0:24) Alright, let’s begin.
(0:27) VR VTuber’s Music Radio!

(0:55) And we’re off! Welcome to VR VTuber’s Music Radio. I’m your host, Atsuko Uchida.
(1:00) This program is all about VTubers—virtual YouTubers who use illustrations, CG, and other digital characters to post videos and livestream.
(1:08) We introduce a variety of VTuber songs, welcome popular VTubers and creators as guests, and share the charm of VTuber music with the world.

(1:18) Joining me as we navigate through the show is this person!
(1:21) A rising star, a virtual idol who appeared like a comet—Hoshimachi Suisei!
(1:26) Suisei-chan, how are you today?

(1:28) I’m feeling great as always!
(1:31) Today I’m keeping it natural,
(1:33) a classic and orthodox vibe since it’s the last show of the year.

(1:36) That’s right.
(1:37) And with us today is a representative of Hololive, a top VTuber group and a songstress who symbolizes the VTuber world—Hoshimachi Suisei! Thanks for joining us.

(1:44) And as mentioned in the opening, we also have a special guest to help us deliver this year’s final episode.
(1:48) Let’s welcome this person!

(1:53) Hello! I’m illustrator Shigure Ui.
(1:56) Ui-chan!
(1:58) You’ve really become a semi-regular now, haven’t you?

(2:00) Yes, even the staff have officially called me a semi-regular!
(2:05) So, I’m Shigure Ui, an illustrator, independent VTuber, and now officially a semi-regular on VR! Thanks for having me.

(2:13) Thank you for being here.
(2:14) Ui-san, you’ve celebrated your 5th anniversary as a VTuber this year, haven’t you?
(2:18) From hosting an exhibition to releasing an album and holding a solo concert, you’ve been incredibly active!
(2:25) And let’s not forget your “Requiem,” released in June, which surpassed 100 million views on YouTube!

(2:34) That’s why we invited you to join this year-end special as a representative figure of the 2024 VTuber scene.
(2:41) Truly amazing—congratulations!

(2:43) Thank you! Though I can’t name the song, it’s become something legendary.
(2:46) It feels unreal sometimes.

(2:48) Let me ask both of you: what kind of year has 2024 been for you?

(2:56) Suisei-chan, what’s your take?
(2:58) It’s been an incredible, buzzworthy year.
(3:03) Absolutely phenomenal.

(3:04) My song "Bibbidiba" went viral, and it’s also surpassed 100 million views.
(3:11) That’s amazing!

(3:13) We’re two people sharing the same space with over 100 million views each!
(3:17) Combined, that’s 200 million!
(3:19) Those are some staggering numbers.

(3:20) Plus, today’s broadcast coincides with the final day of Hoshimachi Suisei’s tour in Fukuoka.
(3:27) Yes, that’s right!
(3:29) It’s been my first-ever tour, and I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be performing at the Budokan!

(3:34) That’s incredible!
(3:36) Ui-san, what stood out most for you this year?

(3:40) For me, it has to be my exhibition and solo concert.
(3:44) I’ve done a live performance before, but it was during the pandemic, so there was no audience feedback.
(3:52) Hearing live voices in response this time was overwhelming and heartwarming.

(3:58) Without that interaction, it’s hard for everyone to fully engage, isn’t it?
(4:03) But when the audience gets hyped, you can feel the energy rising—it’s truly wonderful.

(4:06) Absolutely amazing.
(4:09) Now, let’s listen to a song that Shigure Ui has chosen to represent herself this year.

(4:15) This is "Katte ni Ikimashou" (Let’s Go Freely) from my album released this September.
(4:21) The song was composed by Ioha-san and serves as the theme for my 5th-anniversary project.
(4:27) It’s a track that symbolizes this year for me, so I brought it along today.

(4:36) Alright, Ui-san, please introduce the song!
(4:39) Sure! Please enjoy Shigure Ui’s "Katte ni Ikimashou."

(5:23) [Song plays]

(6:12) You just listened to Shigure Ui’s "Katte ni Ikimashou" from her album released in September.
(6:20) The song was written and composed by Ioha-san.
(6:23) Their unique style perfectly complements Ui-chan’s voice, making it an outstanding track.

(6:28) Thank you so much!
(6:31) Please note, this program is broadcast in mono. The sound might differ from the original audio,
(6:37) so if you’re interested, do check out the full versions on streaming services or YouTube.

(6:43) Please do!
(6:47) We also welcome listener song recommendations.
(6:53) Send your suggestions via the program’s homepage submission form.

(6:56) Or use the hashtag #VR on social media!
(7:01) Feel free to share your thoughts, questions, or messages for us as well. Let’s all enjoy the show together!

(7:18) NHK Radio 1: VR VTuber’s Music Radio

(7:21) VR VTuber’s Music Radio!
(7:26) Let’s dive into VR VTuber’s Music Radio!
(7:28) Today, we have a special project perfect for this year’s final broadcast.
(7:31) Suichan, please introduce it.

(7:36) VR Voice,
(7:38) shortened to VV Year-End Special!

(7:47) This is a popular segment where we focus on VTubers who are actively pursuing their music careers.
(7:51) We pick those who catch our attention,
(7:53) invite them to send us self-PR comments,
(7:55) and introduce them along with their music—
(8:00) an entertaining and sometimes meddlesome feature of our show.

(8:05) For this year-end special,
(8:07) we’re limiting our selections to VTubers who debuted in 2024.
(8:11) Let’s get started with the first voice!

(8:17) Here they are.

(8:20) Hoshimachi Suisei-sama,
(8:21) Atsuko Uchida-sama,
(8:22) and all VR listeners,

(8:24) Konbunya!

(8:27) I’m Amazura Sumoa, from the Reverb Project and MaidenWorks.
(8:31) I smoke tobacco and drink milk from baby bottles,
(8:32) but what I exhale are melodies of chaos.
(8:34) Nice to meet you!

(8:37) Apart from chatting about curry recipes or pretending to work at a sushi shop,
(8:40) my strength lies in singing while playing instruments live.

(8:42) I also host streams where I create songs with my listeners.
(8:46) My authentic and bold singing voice, contrasting with my casual talks,
(8:50) is my unique appeal.

(8:52) But most importantly,
(8:56) my weapon is the original songs I write and compose myself.

(8:58) The song I’ll share today is one I wrote and composed,
(8:59) arranged by Dagashi Ookata, who won the 2024 Vocaloid Rookie Division.
(9:05) It’s a heartfelt piece.

(9:07) Inspired by the sweet dreams I admired as a child,
(9:10) this song extends a hand to adults like you.

(9:14) It’s a sweet, luxurious sound—
(9:16) please immerse yourself in it
(9:18) and dance along!

(9:21) That’s all from Konbunya!
(9:22) Thank you!

(9:24) Now, enjoy Amazura’s "Chocolate the Bath."

(Song lyrics play)
(Song ends)

(11:24) It’s quite a sweet and mature sound, isn’t it?
(11:26) It feels like real chocolate.

(11:30) Wonderful!

(11:32) Did they say they drink from baby bottles?
(11:35) Yes, they mentioned that—it’s a quirky, catchy phrase.

(11:37) “I smoke tobacco and baby bottles,
(11:39) and exhale chaotic melodies.”

(11:41) So intense!

(11:43) Their appearance is also quite striking.

(11:45) But it’s all part of their charm—the gap is captivating.

(11:50) Their speaking voice and singing voice are so different!
(11:54) Incredible.

(11:55) Definitely someone to watch.

(11:59) Let’s move on to the next voice!

(12:01) Here’s the next voice.

(12:04) Hoshimachi Suisei-san, Atsuko Uchida-san, good evening.
(12:08) I debuted on May 25 this year.
(12:10) I’m CULUA from RK Music.

(12:14) I focus on music activities, such as releasing original songs and posting cover videos.
(12:17) I also host singing streams three times a week on YouTube.

(12:20) My original songs are often catchy and upbeat,
(12:26) but I also sing ballads and emotional pieces that bring out my full feelings.

(12:33) Expressing delicate emotions is one of my strengths in singing,
(12:37) so I hope those interested will check out one of my streams.

(12:41) There’s a fun contrast between my talking style and my singing,
(12:43) which many find entertaining.

(12:45) I also receive a lot of encouragement from my listeners.

(12:47) By the way, I’m a big fan of Hoshimachi-san’s songs and streams—
(12:52) it’s a huge honor to have this opportunity.

(12:56) The song I’ve chosen today is my second single, "Harebare" (Cheerful).

(13:01) While the melody is catchy and has a sense of speed,
(13:04) the lyrics address the struggles of modern society.

(13:08) This contrast between the melody and lyrics is one of the song’s highlights.

(13:12) I was also involved in writing the lyrics,
(13:14) drawing on my own experiences
(13:16) and packing in messages I wanted to convey to the world.

(13:20) Please listen to "Harebare" by Karua.

(Song begins)

(13:56) Harebare by Karua.

(14:36) You just listened to Harebare by Karua.
(14:39) Karua is a V-Singer from RK Music who debuted in May this year.
(14:44) This song, their second original track, was released in October.

(14:48) Their soft-spoken way of talking contrasted sharply with
(14:51) their clear and powerful singing.

(14:53) Wow, I really liked it!
(14:55) It’s so good, isn’t it?

(14:57) Their singing style is very artistic—
(15:00) there’s a hint of a youthful vibe, too.

(15:02) The way they used their slightly raspy voice was fantastic.

(15:06) Totally my type.
(15:07) Totally my type.

(15:08) And we’ve got a "type" approval from Ui!

(15:11) By the way, RK Music also debuted three V-Singers in May
(15:14) and four more in October.

(15:18) We’ve featured many of them on this program as well.

(15:22) I always wonder, "Where do they keep finding such talent?"

(15:29) I’ll have to look into them more!

(15:32) Now, let’s move on to the next voice.

(15:34) Here they are.

(15:37) You lowly scoundrels, heed my name!
(15:39) I am Spade Queen,
(15:41) the great Akubi Demon Spade of Millipro!

(15:43) Let me teach you to kneel in awe.

(15:46) To all VR listeners,
(15:48) Hoshimachi Suisei-san, Atsuko Uchida-san,
(15:51) good evening!

(15:53) I debuted this January.
(15:55) I am Akubi Demon Spade.

(15:58) My listeners usually call me Akubi-sama or Bee-sama,
(16:03) but today, please address me as Akubi Demon Spade—
(16:08) fully and formally.

(16:10) Hearing my full name gives me immense joy.

(16:16) Akubi Demon Spade!
(16:18) Akubi Demon Spade it is!

(16:20) I mainly create YouTube Shorts,
(16:22) focusing on music-related projects.

(16:25) A notable feature of mine is how drastically
(16:30) my speaking and singing voices differ.

(16:32) Because of this, some people speculate
(16:37) that someone else is singing for me.

(16:39) If you’re curious, please join my live streams and see for yourself!

(16:45) Now, the song I’ve chosen for today is a cover I performed in July—
(16:49) "Akuma no Odorikata" (How Demons Dance) by Tatsuya Kitani.

(16:54) This song is my way of telling my listeners,
(16:57) "I’m the leader—follow me!"

(17:01) It’s a cover I poured my heart and confidence into.

(17:04) Please enjoy Akubi Demon Spade’s cover of "Akuma no Odorikata."

(Song begins)

(18:33) You just listened to Akuma no Odorikata
(18:36) by Akubi Demon Spade.
(18:38) Akuma no Odorikata (How Demons Dance).
(18:39) This was a singing cover released in July by Akubi Demon Spade,
(18:41) who debuted in January this year as part of Millipro.

(18:44) The original song is by Tatsuya Kitani.

(18:48) That was terrifying.
(18:50) Who was that?
(18:50) Akubi!

(18:51) They mentioned rumors of being a different person entirely, but—
(18:54) that sounded like a literal elementary schooler.
(18:56) Right? Like a kid.
(18:57) Where did that go?

(18:58) At first, I thought, “Wow, what a little rascal we’ve got here.”
(19:00) Like some kid who reminded me of our Laplace.

(19:04) Then they started singing, and it was like they suddenly became an adult!
(19:06) I was shocked.
(19:07) Who even is this person?
(19:08) I found myself thinking, “This is Akubi-sama.”

(19:09) They really pique your interest.

(19:12) Also, how many times are we going to hear their full name?
(19:14) Seriously.

(19:15) It’s strangely addictive.
(19:17) It really is.

(19:17) By the way, the agency Millipro, which Akubi Demon Spade is part of,
(19:21) is one that Suichan has been keeping an eye on, right?

(19:24) Yes, that’s correct.
(19:25) It’s an agency that began with a single independent creator.

(19:29) Even among their new talents, some already have over 100,000 followers.

(19:31) It’s incredible.

(19:33) They’re really going all in.
(19:36) I think this is an agency that’s going to make a big name for itself.

(19:39) Definitely one to watch closely.

(19:45) So, you’ve listened to three voices so far.
(19:48) Next, we have something special—a first for VV.

(19:50) It’s the MC Recommendation Slot!

(19:53) Suichan and I have each selected someone we wanted to feature,
(19:57) and we’ll connect with them remotely to talk directly—
(20:00) a special segment fitting for the year-end special.

(20:04) Amazing.

(20:08) Let me start by introducing my recommendation.

(20:10) Actually, we’re already connected with them,
(20:14) so Suichan, could you call them in?

(20:18) Alright, here I go.

(20:23) Good evening!

(20:27) Lalan Linlin—full of fun, it’s Runrun!
(20:31) I’m Runrun from Nijisanji.

(20:34) Feel free to call me Runchoma, the playful type.

(20:37) Runchoma!
(20:39) The real deal!

(20:40) It’s Runchoma!
(20:41) Runchoma!

(20:43) I’m tearing up.

(20:45) I can’t handle how cute this creature is!

(20:49) So, my recommendation is Runrun from Nijisanji.
(20:51) Many of you probably already know them.

(20:56) Runrun is part of a Nijisanji unit called Izure Ayame ka Kakitsubata,
(20:58) and they debuted this June.

(21:01) As the first non-human VTuber in Nijisanji in four years,
(21:05) they became a hot topic.

(21:09) And just five months after their debut in November,
(21:12) they surpassed 500,000 subscribers on their channel—
(21:15) a truly phenomenal newcomer.

(21:19) Welcome aboard!

(21:21) So cute!

(21:22) They seem nervous.

(21:23) Even Runchoma gets nervous?

(21:26) Suichan, you’ve been keeping an eye on Runrun too, right?

(21:29) Of course!

(21:31) They’re hilarious, both during their debut and on streams.

(21:33) Their cute voice is incredible, but they’ll say things like,
(21:38) “I feel like a doll,” or something unexpected.

(21:41) As a streamer, they’re clearly operating at a high level.

(21:48) This energy is so endearing.

(21:51) My heart feels like it’s shrinking from how precious they are.

(21:58) Too cute!

(22:00) It’s overwhelming!

(22:01) Ui-san, is this your first time talking with Runrun?

(22:05) Yes, it’s my first time! Nice to meet you.
(22:07) Nice to meet you!

(22:09) I’ve been watching their morning streams.

(22:11) I always cheer them on!

(22:15) Thank you so much!

(22:17) So cute.
(22:18) We’re rooting for you!

(22:21) Eat lots of delicious food, okay?

(22:23) I will, thank you!

(22:27) By the way, have you made any friends in Nijisanji outside your debut group?

(22:35) Yes, I’ve grown close to Senpai Yubi,
(22:42) Senpai Hatsushiba,
(22:45) and also Devil-san and Kuroi Shiba-san,
(22:51) who are also non-human VTubers.

(22:54) They help me with struggles unique to our kind,
(22:59) things human VTubers wouldn’t understand.

(23:02) Oh, that’s so cool!

(23:04) Runrun, I think your singing is absolutely wonderful.

(23:08) Do you plan to focus more on your music in the future?

(23:13) My debut group has incredibly talented singers,
(23:18) so I’m working hard to catch up and not fall behind.

(23:22) I plan to practice a lot and improve!

(23:27) That’s great to hear!

(23:28) We’d love to hear more from you.

(23:30) Suichan looks completely charmed.

(23:32) Totally smitten!

(23:35) Runrun, do you have any goals for the future?

(23:40) I’m quite shy,
(23:44) so I’d like to overcome that.

(23:46) I want to be able to talk with lots of people
(23:49) without feeling nervous.

(23:51) That’s my goal.

(23:54) So cute.

(23:58) Unfortunately, our time is up.

(24:02) I wish we could talk more!

(24:07) Finally, we’ll play Runrun’s original debut song,
(24:12) MORE & MORE, which they performed during their first stream.

(24:15) Runrun, can you tell us about this song?

(24:18) It’s a song I made as a kind of introduction to help people get to know me.

(24:24) I even worked with a producer on the beat,
(24:28) giving them my input on what I wanted.

(24:31) It’s my very first original song,
(24:35) so it’s incredibly special to me.

(24:38) I can’t wait to hear it!

(24:39) Runrun, please introduce the song!

(24:42) Sure! Please listen to MORE & MORE by Runrun.

(Song plays)

(26:24) You just listened to MORE & MORE by Runrun.
(26:28) This was performed during their debut stream in June.

(26:31) The track was composed by Sunfull,
(26:33) with lyrics written by Runrun themselves.

(26:36) It’s so precious.
(26:37) It really brings tears to your eyes, doesn’t it?

(26:39) Absolutely breathtaking.

(26:42) Even the placement of words in the rap is adorable.

(26:46) Like when they say, “Wonderful,”—
(26:47) I just love it so much.

(26:48) It’s clear they’re inspired by artists like Amazarashi.

(26:52) To think they tried rap in their debut song—
(26:55) that’s so unique and cool.

(26:57) Really impressive.

(27:00) It’s also fascinating that they enjoy hip-hop.

(27:04) That contrast makes them so appealing.

(27:07) Well, VV Year-End Special isn’t over yet.

(27:25) Now, let’s jump into the second half.

(27:29) Up next, we have this voice.

(27:33) To all VR listeners,
(27:35) Hoshimachi Suisei-san,
(27:36) Atsuko Uchida-san,
(27:37) good evening.

(27:39) We are Etosora,
(27:43) a virtual unit that sings between the realms of dreams and reality.

(27:43) I’m Unate Mashiro,
(27:44) and I’m Amami Mizuki.
(27:46) We debuted on January 15, 2024,
(27:49) as an independent male-female unit.

(27:50) Our main focus is releasing original songs,
(27:54) but we also do singing streams and gaming streams.

(27:58) Our greatest weapon is
(28:00) our one-of-a-kind voices.

(28:01) Mashiro is often praised for having a transparent, clear voice.
(28:04) Yeah.

(28:05) Mizuki-chan is frequently described as having a husky voice.
(28:09) That’s right.

(28:09) We have such different styles, don’t we?

(28:10) At first glance, we’re two completely opposite voices,
(28:12) but we’re confident in the beauty of our harmonies when we sing.

(28:16) This time, we’re introducing one of our songs,
(28:18) and we’ve chosen a recently released new track.

(28:21) This song represents us as we are,
(28:24) with both our negative and positive sides on display.

(28:28) It features a lot of overlapping harmonies,
(28:29) which we think you’ll appreciate.

(28:32) Please enjoy it.

(28:33) Here is Etosora with "Yume to Madoromi" (Dreams and Slumber).

(29:48 - Song plays)

(30:13) You just listened to Etosora’s Yume to Madoromi (Dreams and Slumber).
(30:17) This song was released this month by the independent male-female unit Etosora,
(30:21) who debuted in January. The lyrics and composition were handled by Oster Project.

(30:26) Their harmonies, as they mentioned, were truly beautiful.
(30:31) The song’s title, Dreams and Slumber, fits perfectly with the calming, wave-like melody.
(30:34) The harmonies blend so smoothly that I felt like I was about to fall asleep.

(30:39) It was so soothing, like drifting off.
(30:41) Their unique style as a male-female independent duo is quite rare.

(30:48) Very rare indeed.
(30:50) It encapsulates everything great about male-female units.

(30:55) By the way, the Etosora duo was also featured in our April broadcast
(30:59) during the “Independent Artists Song Recommendations” segment.
(31:02) They’re a unit deeply connected to this program.

(31:05) Of course, I remember them!
(31:07) They’re definitely a group to keep an eye on moving forward.

(31:11) Now, let’s move on to the next voice.
(31:13) Here they are.

(31:16) To all VR listeners,
(31:18) Hoshimachi Suisei-san,
(31:19) Atsuko Uchida-san,
(31:20) good evening.

(31:22) I’m Else.
(31:24) We’ve been active for six years as the unit Else and Same no Poki (Else and Shark Poki).
(31:27) But on October 8 this year, we rebranded as Lir.E
(31:29) and relaunched under Project Blue.

(31:34) Our strength lies in music that tells a story.
(31:37) Each song has a narrative,
(31:42) and during live performances, all the pieces connect seamlessly.

(31:49) The song we’ve chosen today is Hoshiyomi no Uta (The Song of Star Reading).
(31:52) We heard from the VR program that
(31:54) Suisei-san has listened to this song before,
(31:57) which made us incredibly happy.

(32:00) That’s why we knew this was the perfect song to pick.
(32:04) Since Suisei-san’s fanbase is also called “Star Readers,”
(32:08) we feel this song has a special connection.

(32:12) This song touches on the importance of star reading in our story.
(32:15) If you’re curious about what “star reading” means,
(32:19) please come to our first solo live concert in March next year to find out.

(32:23) This song has been with us for five years,
(32:26) but today, we present the renewed version as Lilwet.

(32:34) Please enjoy Hoshiyomi no Uta.

(Song begins)

(34:00) Hoshiyomi no Uta.

(Song ends)

(34:20) You just listened to Lilwet’s Hoshiyomi no Uta.
(34:26) Lilwet is a unit that has been active since 2018.
(34:30) Else and Same no Poki rebranded as Lilwet this October
(34:33) and relaunched as a new unit.

(34:36) Since they technically debuted under their new name this year, we introduced them as 2024 debut VTubers.

(34:40) Hoshiyomi no Uta was originally one of their signature tracks as Else and Same no Poki,
(34:44) but it has been newly re-recorded for their Lilwet debut.

(34:48) It’s been completely refreshed.
(34:50) Amazing!

(34:52) This would be so much fun live, wouldn’t it?
(34:55) I can just imagine the audience going wild during the chorus.

(35:01) I’m sure their live shows will be incredible.

(35:04) Re-debuting offers a great chance for artists
(35:07) who might have been overlooked before to gain more attention.

(35:11) They’ve both been so dedicated to their music,
(35:16) so I’m really excited to see what they’ll achieve in the future.

(35:20) Now, thank you for waiting, everyone!
(35:26) Up next is Suichan’s recommendation slot.
(35:28) Now, it’s time for Suichan’s recommendation segment!
(35:34) Suichan has chosen someone she really wants to introduce,
(35:37) and we’re already connected with them.
(35:40) Let’s get right into the conversation.
(35:42) Suichan, please call them in!

(35:45) Good evening.
(35:47) Good evening!

(35:51) Did someone just mimic me? Did someone copy that?

(35:53) Before we start, may we do our group’s introduction greeting?
(35:58) Please go ahead.

(35:59) Then, here we go.

(36:01) What’s up!
(36:05) Keep growing!
(36:07) Se-no!

(36:07) FloGrow!

(36:14) Perfectly synchronized! Absolutely perfect!
(36:18) Spot-on!

(36:22) Joining us now are the members of Hololive’s new group,
(36:25) FloGrow, who debuted just this November.

(36:27) Since we’re here, could we have each of you introduce yourselves?

(36:32) Of course, thank you!
(36:34) I’ll introduce myself.

(36:36) Come to me!
(36:38) Riona in the house!
(36:40) FloGrow’s leader,
(36:42) Isaki Riona here!
(36:43) Yo yo, nice to meet you!

(36:45) So much personality! So much personality!

(36:47) Next, Nico-tan is here!
(36:49) I’m Hololive Device FloGrow’s comedy rep,
(36:52) Ogane Iniko—Nico-tan here, nice to meet you!
(36:54) Pleased to meet you!

(36:56) And here’s Spishuwan, fully charged?
(36:59) I’m Hololive Device FloGrow’s top promoter,
(37:02) Mizumiya Sue—nice to meet you!
(37:04) You’re amazing!
(37:06) Awesome!

(37:06) Big engine, let’s go!
(37:08) FloGrow’s DJ and driver,
(37:11) Ritochi High here, nice to meet you!
(37:16) Go for it!

(37:16) Apologies!
(37:18) Let’s do this!

(37:18) Se-no!

(37:20) Ummm…

(37:22) Vivi!
(37:24) Always sparkling, FloGrow’s makeup artist,
(37:27) Kikilala Vivi here!
(37:28) Woo, nice to meet you!

(37:31) Nice to meet you!

(37:33) Riona-san, as the leader, could you tell us what FloGrow is all about?

(37:37) Certainly. We are FloGrow,
(37:41) an artist group debuting under Hololive Production’s Hololive Device.

(37:44) We’re Hololive’s first group to release authentic hip-hop tracks,
(37:49) with each of our five members showcasing their unique talents through singing and rapping.

(37:53) Once again, we are FloGrow. Thank you for having us!
(38:01) Thank you so much!

(38:03) They’re the real deal!
(38:05) It’s official—real stars!

(38:07) The real deal.
(38:08) So excited to have them here.

(38:09) They’re adorable.

(38:10) Ui-san, you’re aware that FloGrow debuted, right?

(38:14) Of course!
(38:15) I watched their debut stream.
(38:17) Their mysterious introduction was fascinating.

(38:19) It really was!

(38:20) I thought it was going to be pure hip-hop,
(38:25) but it felt like they might be a comedy troupe!

(38:26) Well, only Nico-tan here is the comedic leader.

(38:29) The others aren’t comedy leaders, though.

(38:32) Since this is Suichan’s recommendation slot,
(38:35) was your desire to introduce your juniors strong?

(38:39) Definitely! That was part of it,
(38:42) but I also just wanted to talk with them.

(38:44) I’m thrilled!

(38:46) Ever since their debut, they’ve been so busy,
(38:51) so I thought it’d be hard to find a chance to interact with them.

(38:56) So I decided to take this opportunity to introduce them
(38:58) and have a conversation.

(39:03) That’s why I invited them today.

(39:06) So happy to be here.
(39:08) Thank you!

(39:10) Suichan-senpai!

(39:11) Suichan-senpai!

(39:14) To the members of FloGrow,
I’d like to ask:

(39:18) What are your impressions of Suichan?

(39:22) Mizumiya-san, what do you think?

(39:25) I really admire Suisei-senpai’s dance performances.
(39:30) Her poses and movements look so beautiful when captured in photos,
and her dancing style shines during live performances.

(39:36) She’s truly amazing on stage.

(39:41) Rindou-san, do you find her intimidating at all?

(39:45) Hmm, let’s see.
(39:47) I’ve always admired Suisei-senpai so much
(39:50) that I’ve never felt intimidated by her.

(39:51) I mean, when it comes to her gaming streams or setup,
I don’t think she has much of a “scary vibe,” does she?

(40:02) None at all! Sorry, none at all!

(40:04) That’s a relief.
(40:05) That’s great to hear!

(40:08) Now, we actually asked you all to prepare some questions
(40:13) for Suichan as your senior in music activities.
(40:16) We collected them beforehand via a survey,
(40:21) and today we’ll answer a question from Kikilala Vivi-san.

(40:23) Yay! Thank you so much!

(40:27) Vivi-san, could you please read aloud the question you submitted?

(40:29) Sure!
(40:30) Here it is:

(40:33) "Even when I’ve tried to sing,
I couldn’t quite match the vibe I wanted to deliver.

(40:37) With songs like Kikilala Steller and BibiDeba,
(40:40) Suisei-senpai’s charming voice seems to produce hit songs effortlessly.

(40:45) To create songs that are loved by so many,
(40:48) what do you always keep in mind?

(40:50) Singing original songs like Suisei-senpai is one of my dreams,
(40:54) so I’d really love to hear your advice."

(40:56) Oh!

(40:58) Thank you for the question.

(41:00) Having juniors like this is amazing.

(41:02) So envious! So envious!

(41:04) I want to join Hololive now.

(41:05) But wouldn’t I be the most junior member?

(41:06) That’s true. That would be a bit...

(41:08) Suisei-senpai!

(41:11) I’m so flattered!

(41:13) This question from Vivi-san, if we were to sum it up,
(41:16) it’s basically:
“How do you go viral?”

(41:18) Right?

(41:22) I see.

(41:23) So, to answer Vivi-san’s question, let’s hear from Suichan,
(41:29) our hit-making VTuber, and Ui-san as well.

(41:31) How can one create a hit song?

(41:32) How do you do it?

(41:33) Honestly, I have no idea.

(41:36) But I think there are two patterns:
(41:39) songs that go viral by sheer luck,
(41:43) and songs that go viral through relentless promotion.

(41:45) I fall into the latter category.

(41:47) For example, when I created Bibbidiba,
(41:50) I spent so much time thinking,
“Okay, how do I make this song go viral?”

(41:53) And then a staff member I work with closely
(41:57) gave me some advice that really stuck with me.

(42:00) They said, “Don’t aim to go viral in just one attempt.”

(42:03) They told me it’s okay to make 100 short videos for a single song,
(42:10) because if even one of them goes viral,
(42:13) that’s a win.

(42:17) From there, the song can spread in various ways.

(42:21) For Bibbidiba, I made about 50 short videos.

(42:25) Really?

(42:27) Maybe it wasn’t exactly 50, but I created a lot.

(42:32) I think that helped the song reach many different people.

(42:35) On the other hand, I fall into the first category,
(42:38) so I don’t really have much advice to share.

(42:41) Yeah...

(42:43) But what I do think is that
(42:47) songs that authentically reflect who you are
(42:49) tend to resonate more with people.

(42:51) Strong character-driven elements can be impactful too.

(42:55) Creating hooks or unique points that draw attention can be effective.

(43:00) FloGrow members, what do you think?

(43:03) Being described as “strong” is encouraging,
(43:07) but right now, we’re all so nervous!

(43:10) Still, we want to take on challenges boldly.

(43:13) Your insights are incredibly helpful.

(43:17) Vivi-san, how about you?

(43:19) The advice from someone so close feels really practical.

(43:22) It made me realize how staying aware and proactive in daily life
(43:26) ties into long-term success.

(43:29) I want to cherish my authenticity and keep chasing my seniors’ footsteps,
(43:32) working hard toward my goals.

(43:34) Thank you so much!

(43:36) That was such a heartfelt response.

(43:37) It’s like a club activity!

(43:39) Your comments are so polished.

(43:44) Sorry, I put a lot of thought into this!

(43:46) Sorry again!

(43:51) Having juniors is really wonderful, isn’t it?

(43:53) Now, let’s listen to FloGrow’s debut track,
(43:56) F.G. Roadster.

(43:57) To make it even better,
(44:02) we’d like their comedy rep, Ogane Iniko,
to give us a fun introduction to the song.

(44:06) Please don’t make me do this.

(44:09) Why me?

(44:13) Earlier, the featured creators were so amazing.
(44:17) Runchoma-san was absolutely adorable and amazing too.

(44:19) So, I’ll muster all the cuteness I can and introduce this track.

(44:25) Please do!

(44:27) Here comes Nico-tan introducing a song!

(44:31) Nico-tan introducing a song!

(44:35) Now, please enjoy F.G. Roadster.

(44:39) Runchoma-san, sorry for this mess.

(44:43) I’m so sorry!

(Song plays)

(45:54) Shining steel Roadster,
(45:55) Heavy Booster,
(45:57) Awakening truths within the blue.
(45:59) The blue ones.
(46:00) High B.F.S.
(46:02) Let’s go up.
(46:03) From the next carousel.
(46:06) Captured all the way to the skies.
(46:08) Riding the F.G. Roadster.
(46:09) Roaring boosters.
(46:11) It’s FloGrow!
(46:11) Take the beat.
(46:12) Now chase me.
(46:14) Corporate super card.

(46:16) What you just heard was FloGrow’s F.G. Roadster.

(46:20) It’s their debut song, released this November.

(46:22) The track was produced by Fawks,
composed by Pochomkin, Luna, Joe, and Ogawa-san,
and the lyrics were written by Pochomkin.

(46:31) Isn’t it amazing?
(46:32) So cool.
(46:33) It’s incredibly cool—right from the start, I thought,
“Wow, such charisma!”
(46:36) I kept wondering,
“Can I even act like a proper senior to them?”

(46:44) I mean, there haven’t been many groups so deeply rooted in hip-hop like this.

(46:49) Not at all.
(46:50) This fresh appeal is fantastic.

(46:53) Here’s something interesting:
the song was released first,
(46:55) and their debut stream came later.
But when I watched that stream,
(46:58) I thought,
"Okay, I might be able to pull off the senior act after all."

(47:01) The gap between their performance and personalities is incredible, isn’t it?

(47:02) The contrast is amazing.

(47:04) And with that, the VR Voice Year-End Special comes to an end.

(47:10) It’s over!

(47:11) It’s really ending!

(47:12) How did you feel about it?

(47:14) As expected of a special episode, it turned out to be an incredible broadcast.

(47:19) So many up-and-coming talents were featured today.

(47:21) It feels like the possibilities within the VTuber space are only expanding further.

(47:26) Truly exciting!

(47:27) And with that,
this was VR Voice, also known as VV.

(47:32) Wings folded, warriors resting under the night.

(47:37) By the way, today’s broadcast will be available for one week after it airs.

(47:39) You can catch it anytime via NHK Radio’s Rajiru Rajiru on-demand service.

(47:43) You can also access it through the program’s website, so please check it out!

(47:48) We’re accepting song requests and messages 24/7, 365 days a year.

(47:52) Feel free to send in submissions via our homepage or app.

(47:56) Now, to close out this broadcast,
(48:03) we’ll be listening to the VTuber song chosen as the absolute best of 2024
by today’s guest, Shigure Ui-san.

(48:09) I think everyone will agree with this choice.

(48:13) The song I’ve selected is Suisei Hoshimachi’s Bibideba.

(48:19) If 2024 were summed up in a song, it’d be Bibideba Bibideba Bibideba!

(48:24) Bibideba for sure!

(48:27) Thank you, Ui!

(48:28) And with that, Suichan, could you introduce the song for us?

(48:32) Of course! Here’s the final song for this year’s VR Voice.
It’s Suisei Hoshimachi with Bibideba.

(49:53) That’s it for this year.

(49:54) Everyone,

(49:56) Have a Happy New Year!