Hololive



Hololive Production (ホロライブプロダクション hororaibu purodakushon, stylized in lowercase), or simply known as hololive (ホロライブ), is a Virtual Talent agency consisting of Virtual YouTubers owned by Japanese tech entertainment company COVER Corporation.

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, this hololive branch was merged with COVER's male HOLOSTARS agency and INoNaKa (INNK) Music label to form a unified "hololive production" brand. In 2019 and 2020, the agency debuted three overseas branches: hololive China (since disbanded), hololive Indonesia, and hololive English.

As of, there are 75 active hololive-affiliated talents with over 70 million subscribers on YouTube. Gawr Gura, a talent from its English branch, is the most subscribed VTuber worldwide with over 4 million subscribers.

2017
In March, COVER showcased a tech demo for the company's 3D capture digital avatar technology.

On 7 September at 7pm JST, Tokino Sora made the first hololive member broadcast on YouTube and Niconico Douga.

On 21 December, COVER released an iOS and Android app named hololive.

On 22 December, they opened auditions for a second hololive member.

2018
On 4 March, the second hololive member, Roboco-san, made her debut.

On 2 May, auditions opened for what would become known as hololive 1st generation. Auditions closed at midnight on 13 May, with selection beginning between May 9 and May 18. Five characters were unveiled in advance: Aki Rosenthal, Hitomi Chris, Shirakami Fubuki, Akai Haato, and Natsuiro Matsuri. A sixth first-generation member, Yozora Mel, made her debut on 13 May. The five other first-generation members were selected from the auditions, and made their debuts between 1 June and 3 June.

On 1 August at 7pm, under COVER Corp's management Sakura Miko made her debut.

Throughout August and September, the second generation of hololive members made their debuts: Minato Aqua on 8 August, Murasaki Shion on 17 August, Nakiri Ayame on 3 September, Yuzuki Choco on 5 September, and Oozora Subaru on 17 September.

On 15 November, under COVER Corp's management AZKi made her debut.

On 6 December, hololive GAMERS was announced. The following day, Ookami Mio held her debut stream with Shirakami Fubuki, who was also considered a member of hololive GAMERS.

On 25 December, Sakura Miko was transferred to hololive.

2019
On 22 March, Fubuki announced the addition of Nekomata Okayu and Inugami Korone to GAMERS. Okayu made her debut on 6 April. Korone appeared on Oozora Subaru's channel on 7 April, but made her official debut on 13 April.

On 19 May, AZKi alongside Hoshimachi Suisei (formerly an independent VTuber) joined hololive under the "INoNaKa Music" label.

On 13 June, hololive announced the start of the audition for three (at the time unnamed) members of the third generation, called hololive Fantasy (ホロライブファンタジー). The audition started from 13 June until 23 June, with the screening starting and ending a day later and the interviews being held from 14 June until 28 June. During hololive karaoke party on 7 July, two of the members, Usada Pekora and Uruha Rushia, were announced.

On 1 August, through a press release, the names for the remaining three members of the third generation (which were selected from auditions) were revealed: Houshou Marine, Shiranui Flare, and Shirogane Noel. On the same day, all three started their activities on Twitter.

On 27 September, Yogiri was announced as the first member of hololive China.

On 25 and 28 October respectively, the second and third members of hololive China, Civia and Spade Echo were revealed.

On 29 November, Hoshimachi Suisei announced that she would be transfered to hololive's main branch. She was transfered on 1 December.

On 25 December, hololive fourth generation was announced, and three of its members, namely Kiryu Coco, Amane Kanata and Tsunomaki Watame, started their activities on Twitter.

On 2 December, COVER Corp announced the merging of hololive's HOLOSTARS' and INNK Music's operations under the newly established "hololive production."

On 31 December, Tokoyami Towa and Himemori Luna made their debut on Twitter.

2020
On 6 March, the second generation for hololive China was announced.

On 20 March, hololive's Twitter account announced auditions, which were held from 20 to 30 March, for two new members. Character designs were announced in advance for a "bewitching aura drifting snow witch" and an "animal-eared gothic lolita maiden."

On 1 April, COVER Corp announced the take over of the previously unofficial subreddit r/Hololive's operation, with Artia and Kiryu Coco becoming the first two official moderators of the subreddit on 3 and 23 April, respectively.

On 6 April, the first generation of hololive Indonesia was announced.

On 23 April, hololive English's Twitter account announced the beginning of auditions for English speaking VTubers and that their official site would support said language.

On 3 July, hololive Indonesia's Twitter account announced auditions for its second generation, from 3 July to 19 July.

On 30 July, COVER Corp posted an apology press release regarding the monetization of copyrighted materials without permission (mainly Let's Play videos), with over 10,000 stream archives across the agency being either deleted or privated. While the problem was gradually solved since August by signing contracts with copyright holders, many stream archives, including some of pre-gen 5 members' debut streams, are still privated to this day.

On 6 August, hololive's Twitter account announced the introduction of its fifth generation, consisting of 5 members Yukihana Lamy, Momosuzu Nene, Shishiro Botan, Mano Aloe, and Omaru Polka, none of whom were members open for audition during March. They also started their activities on Twitter. They debuted from 12 to 16 August 2020 (JST time).

On 8 September, the first promotional video for a new hololive branch, hololive English, was released on a new hololive English channel created to promote their content. The members, namely Mori Calliope, Takanashi Kiara, Ninomae Ina'nis, Gawr Gura and Watson Amelia, made their Twitter debut at the same time. They debuted from 12 to 13 September 2020 (JST).

On 20 October, Gawr Gura became the most subscribed hololive member, surpassing both Shirakami Fubuki and Inugami Korone.

On 22 October, Gura became the first hololive member to reach 1,000,000 subscribers, the third VTuber overall after Kizuna AI and Kaguya Luna.

By the end of October, hololive's Japanese branch ceased its activities on bilibili.

On 30 November, hololive English's Twitter account announced the start of auditions for VSingers for hololive English; auditions were open until 29 January.

On 1 December, hololive Indonesia's Twitter account announced the debut dates of its second generation members, consisting of 3 members Kureiji Ollie, Anya Melfissa, and Pavolia Reine. They debuted from 4 to 6 December 2020 (JST).

With the retirement of Rosalyn on 27 December, hololive China officially ended its activities.

2021
On 12 February, hololive English's Twitter account announced the audition for its second generation, with the audition going from 12 February to 26 March.

On 30 May, Takanashi Kiara reached 1,000,000 subscribers, making -Myth- the first generation where every member has reached 1 million subscribers.

On 30 June, Gawr Gura's subscriber count on YouTube officially passed that of Kizuna AI's, making Gura the most subscribed VTuber in any streaming platform in the world.

On 6 July, hololive English's channel teased it's first VSinger, IRyS during a small introductory video. She debuted on 11 July.

On 31 July, hololive English's channel posted a short trailer titled Prelude.

On 14 August, hololive English's channel posted another short trailer titled Omen. It also revealed the silhouettes of the new members of hololive English.

On 16 August, hololive English's channel posted the third short trailer titled Council, formally revealing the name of hololive English's second generation, namely Tsukumo Sana, Ceres Fauna, Ouro Kronii, Nanashi Mumei and Hakos Baelz. They officially began their YouTube activities on 23 August JST.

On 25 August, hololive Indonesia's Twitter account announced auditions for its third generation, from 25 August to 20 September.

On 30 August, "hololivepro.com" dedicated for hololive's female members was launched. While "hololive.tv" the original hololive Production website would continue to operate separately. The new website notably features updated biographies for some of members with significantly more details, as well as images for members' 3D models and alternate costumes. For the English version, most of pre-2021 talents' official biographies were re-translated, notably fixing mistranslations present in several of biographies such as Murasaki Shion's and Ninomae Ina'nis's.

On 1 November, hololive English launched an official #Shorts clip channel.

On 2 November more than a year later, hololive's Twitter account announced that due to the lack of requeriments no candidates would get the previously shown designs from the announcement made on 20 March 2020, resulting in both designs being unused.

On 26 November, hololive's Twitter account announced the sixth generation of the Japanese branch known as "Secret Society holoX." Those members are: La+ Darknesss, Takane Lui, Hakui Koyori, Sakamata Chloe and Kazama Iroha. They debuted from 26 to 30 November 2021 (JST).

As of late December 2021, "hololive.tv" no longer lists the talents' full body artwork or detailed profiles; these functions were consolidated into either hololive or HOLOSTARS' website. Pre-fourth generation talents' profiles also no longer lists their Chinese spellings, likely due to its abandonment of official bilibili channels in December 2020.

2022
On 31 January, hololive announced that they would officially become a YouTube-partner Multi-Channel Network in February. More specifically, migration of hololive production-affiliated talent channels to the MCN would commence at 10 AM, 7 February (JST).

On 24 March, hololive Indonesia's third generation was announced, consisting of 3 members Vestia Zeta, Kaela Kovalskia, and Kobo Kanaeru. They debuted from 25 to 27 March 2022 (JST).

On 1 April, AZKi was transfered to the main hololive branch.

On 12 April, hololive's Twitter account announced "hololive Live2D 3.0," an update to the talent's model, using the members of the first generation to show the new features, like Matsuri playing with a mouse and a keyboard, and Haato holding a controller, both with their model hands. Mel, Fubuki and Aki were shown with angry and sad expressions.

On 26 April, hololive announced the international project "hololive Meet," starting from 26 April 2022. With the participation of every female branch under the VTuber agency with the goal of accelerating the expansion of hololive production to the global market. Accordingly, Tokino Sora from hololive, Ayunda Risu from hololive Indonesia, and Gawr Gura from hololive English were selected as ambassadors for the project.

On 15 June, hololive's Reddit announced the holoEN Clipping Contest "hololive Rewind." They also updated their "Guidelines for Clips" with a few key terms: do not clip membership stream without permission; provide the stream's source including the stream's title; allow monetization; and clippers can register their clip channels with COVER.

On 9 July, the "hololive Live2D 3.0" update was officially released, starting from Fubuki.To playlist

On 30 July, hololive's Twitter account announced the "hololive Summer 2022" event, along with a video teaser and a special website for the event. According to the infomation on the website, the event would take place throughout August, with many activities such as comic exhibition at Comic Market 100 from 13 to 14 August, some tournaments between members, manga videos on their YouTube channel, among others.

On 5 September, hololive's Twitter account announced they would be celebrating its 5th anniversary, along with a special website.

On 7 September, hololive announced a new audition website.

On 2 December, hololive's Twitter account announced "hololive SUPER EXPO 2023" and "hololive 4th fes. Our Bright Parade" both would be held from 18-19 March 2023.

2023
On 1 February, hololive Indonesia's Twitter account announced auditions for its fourth generation, from 1 February until 28 February.

On 28 February, hololive's main YouTube channel opened its membership feature.

INoNaKa Music
INoNaKa Music (イノナカミュージック; also shortened as INNK Music) was a music label that launched on 19 May 2019 to put AZKi and Hoshimachi Suisei - who both joined hololive production on the same date - under one music-focused management.

Suisei transferred out to the main hololive group on 1 December 2019 and AZKi followed later on 1 April 2022, ending the activities of INoNAKa music.

HOLOSTARS
HOLOSTARS (ホロスターズ) is the male VTuber group of hololive Production, initially operating under a separate agency. The auditions for the group began on 27 May 2019, and its members began their activities in June, with three of the members, Hanasaki Miyabi, Kanade Izuru and Kagami Kira, making their debuts in advance.

2019
On 2 September, the agency added three more members to the roster, formally establishing HOLOSTARS' 1st generation. Rikka's identity as a new member, was kept secret until 17 October. The HOLOSTARS YouTube channel also posted a PV of the 1st gen members, confirming Rikka's addition to the group.

Around November, HOLOSTARS announced its second generation, which featured 3 new members, Astel Leda, Kishido Temma and Yukoku Roberu, who started their debuts on 7 December.

2020
On 3 May, HOLOSTARS' Twitter account released a trailer announcing its third generation and a preview presentation of its 3 new members, naming them "TriNero." However, TriNero started debuting on 29 April.

On 29 June, it was announced that HOLOSTARS' second generation of VTubers would be named "SunTempo."

As with the main hololive members, members of HOLOSTARS ceased their activities on bilibili by the end of October.

2021
On 1 March, COVER announced HOLOSTARS' first show on YouTube, which premiered on 4 March. On their first broadcast, they decided on the name Wacha-Wacha HOLOSTARS for the show, or Wachastars for short.

On 26 December, HOLOSTARS' Twitter account announced that there would be new members in 2022.

On 28 December, HOLOSTARS' website was renewed, featuring the same structure as hololive's website. An English language option has also been added.

2022
On 19 January, HOLOSTARS opened its official Reddit account.

On 4 March, HOLOSTARS' YouTube channel publised a video opening auditioning for English male talents.

On 19 March, HOLOSTARS' Twitter account announced its new unit of VTubers, named "UPROAR!!".

On 14 July, hololive's Twitter account teased HOLOSTARS English's first generation, codenamed "holoTEMPUS," along with a countdown website to 17 July. A teaser video titled Server Reboot Sequence: Engage was also posted on a brand new TEMPUS channel, which was later changed to HOLOSTARS English.

On 24 July, after TEMPUS' debut, a video was posted on HOLOSTARS English's channel announcing TEMPUS' first original song, making them the first hololive Production branch and unit to receive an original song after their debut.

2023
On 4 January, hololive English Production's Twitter account annouced that TEMPUS would get four new members Gavis Bettel, Machina X Flayon, Banzoin Hakka and Josuiji Shinri.

Members
The complete roster of VTubers endorsed by hololive production is as follows:



hololive Generation 0
They were initially separate solo debutants that were later officially put into one group.

hololive 3rd Generation
Also known as hololive Fantasy (ホロライブファンタジー).

hololive 4th Generation
Also known as holoForce (ホロふぉーす).

hololive 5th Generation
Also known as NePoLaBo (ねぽらぼ). Formerly known as holoFive (ほろふぁいぶ) before Mano Aloe's retirement.

Secret Society holoX
Also called holoX for short and Himitsu Kessha horokkusu (秘密結社holoX) in Japanese, hololive 6th Generation is the first Japanese unit that has consistent lore and theming from the start, being a villainous organization planning to take over the world. According to YAGOO they were moving away from the generation number because they wanted to create "an idol unit feeling to them."

Aside from each talents' fan marks, this generation also has a "generation-oshi" mark: ✖️ (black cross), representing the letter X.



hololive Indonesia 1st Generation
Self-styled as AREA 15, taken from the name of the collab show they held every month on the 15th. The show itself was conceptualized due to how all their birthdays fall on the 15th of differing months.

hololive Indonesia 2nd Generation
Also known as holoro, a portmanteau of "hololive" and "loro" (Javanese for "two").

hololive Indonesia 3rd Generation
Also known as holoh3ro, attributing to how they are based around the "Everyday Hero" theme, with the number "3" representing the 3rd Generation.



hololive English -Myth-
Also known as holoMyth and informally known as hololive English's 1st gen. They are the first hololive unit that debuted with a consistent background story and theme, being an assortment of mythological creatures and the detective who is investigating them.

hololive English Project: HOPE
A Vsinger project focusing on releasing music and bringing hope to the world.

hololive English -Council-
Also known as holoCouncil and informally known as hololive English's 2nd gen. They are a council of immortal entities that represent various aspects of the universe.



hololive China
The entire branch of hololive CN was dissolved at the end of 2020, forcing all its members to retire.

HOLOSTARS 2nd Generation
Also known as SunTempo.

HOLOSTARS 3rd Generation
Also known as MaFia (魔フィア). Formerly known as TriNero (トライネロ) before Tsukishita Kaoru's retirement.

UPROAR!!
A new unit considered distinct from the three generations of HOLOSTARS. However, they're still under HOLOSTARS branding and management.



HOLOSTARS English
Despite using the HOLOSTARS branding, this branch is under the same management as hololive EN.

HOLOSTARS English -TEMPUS-
Also known as holoTEMPUS. They are members of Adventurer's Guild TEMPUS who live in a digital utopia called "Elysium." "Tempus" means "time" in Latin.

Originally a group of four, they later on welcomed four additional members into their ranks. This new batch call themselves TEMPUS Vanguard, while the original four retroactively became TEMPUS HQ.

Discography
Main Article: List of Hololive Songs.

Events

 * HOLOLIVE x TSUKUMO Virtual Chocolate Meeting for Valentine's day 2019.
 * Bilibili hololive fanart competition
 * See more at List of minor events.

Video clips

 * Shiny Smily Story (SSS) hololive's first theme song (sample version)
 * holo no graffiti (Translated short animations featuring hololive members that update every Sunday)
 * stars*collection (Translated short animations featuring holostars members that update every Friday)
 * hololive x Azur Lane PV

Websites

 * hololive production website
 * hololive website
 * HOLOSTARS website
 * -TEMPUS- special website
 * Audition website

YouTube

 * hololive ホロライブ - VTuber Group - hololive's YouTube channel
 * hololive English - hololive English's YouTube channel
 * hololive English Shorts - hololive English's Shorts YouTube channel
 * hololive Indonesia - hololive Indonesia's YouTube channel
 * holostars ホロスターズ - VTuber Group - HOLOSTARS' YouTube channel
 * HOLOSTARS English - HOLOSTARS English' YouTube channel

Main Accounts

 * @cover_corp - COVER Corp's Twitter
 * @hololivetv - hololive's Twitter (Japanese)
 * @hololive_En - hololive's Twitter (English)
 * @hololive_Id - hololive's Twitter (Indonesian)
 * @hololive_Kr - hololive's Twitter (Korean)
 * @hololive_In - hololive's Twitter (Indian)
 * @hololivepro_EN - hololive production EN's Twitter
 * @holostarstv - HOLOSTARS' Twitter

Other Accounts

 * @hololiveALT - hololive ALTERNATIVE's Twitter
 * @holoearth_JP - holoearth's Twitter (Japanese)
 * @holoearth_EN - holoearth's Twitter (English)
 * @hololive_music - hololive's Music Twitter
 * @hololive_event - hololive's event Twitter

Merch

 * hololive production - Official shop
 * hololive's Official Merchandising Store on Booth
 * hololive's Official overseas Merchandising Store on Geek Jack

Other social media

 * /r/hololive - hololive's Subreddit
 * u/hololive - hololive's reddit account
 * u/holostarstv - HOLOSTARS' reddit account
 * hololive - hololive's Facebook page
 * Hololive Indonesia - hololive ID's Facebook page
 * @hololiveid_official - hololive Indonesia's Instagram account
 * @hololive_official - hololive's TikTok account
 * @holostars_english - HOLOSTARS' English TikTok account

Other websites

 * hololive's Official Profile on Pixiv.net
 * hololive-fc - hololive official fanclub
 * hololiveerror - hololive ERROR game
 * hololive ALTERNATIVE - hololive ALTERNATIVE VRworld
 * holoearth - Metaverse project holoearth
 * holoearth - Metaverse project holoearth (Alt)
 * hololiveMMD - MMD models