Tokoyami Towa

Tokoyami Towa (常闇トワ) is a female Japanese Virtual YouTuber associated with hololive, debuting as part of its fourth generation of VTubers alongside Tsunomaki Watame, Kiryu Coco, Amane Kanata and Himemori Luna.

Profile
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Personality
Despite being a devil, Towa is an extremely sweet, kind-hearted, down to earth girl, which has caused many of her fans to insist that she is an angel instead. Towa usually gets annoyed by this and insists she is a devil and does not like angels. She doesn't truly mean it as she likes Kanata. She usually treats her viewers and fellow VTubers with care and good-natured respect, save for the few times that she remembers to act devilish and mischievous. Towa occasionally ends up asking her viewers and even occasionally fellow VTubers for advice on how to act more devil-like.

Even though Towa may appear sociable during collaborations with other VTubers, she can be very shy in unfamiliar situations. When being shown around the hololive Office, she stuck closely behind Kanata, holding her hand and tugging onto her clothes. During another occasion with Kanata and Watame, Towa talked a lot, but started apologizing as soon as she realized she was the only person talking, though as soon as the conversation stopped she awkwardly tried to keep it going with weather talk.

Towa enjoys giving it her all when playing games. When she is upset by how a game is going, she tends to yell in frustration and despair. She once played Getting Over It with the condition of "the stream ends when I snap," but only managed to last 10 minutes before ending.

Yet despite her tendency to take the games she plays very seriously, Towa has a goofy, comedic side to her as well. Towa will occasionally break into different comedic impressions at times while she streams (including impressions of Mickey Mouse, Goku and Vegeta from the Dragon Ball franchise, or Shinji and Asuka from Neon Genesis Evangelion), while also copying or reenacting comedic skits that she's seen in the past. She has once spent an entire stream copying a Japanese comedian's skit with Dead by Daylight.

Her streams are usually wholesome and relaxing, though when subjected to the playful lusts of other VTubers, she becomes one of the few holoIdols to strongly become a straight man and be genuinely repulsed by their actions. She really enjoys herself while streaming and often get hyped when playing FPSs, but she might rage if she dies in said games. She also doesn't like horror games as she gets scared fairly easy.

Towa also likes singing and she is well known for her powerful vocal range.

She greets her viewers with "Ohayappi" (おはやっぴー) or "Konyappi" (こんやっぴー) and she says goodbye with "Otsuyappi" (おつやっぴー).

Background
Towa was introduced along with the rest of the fourth gen on 25 December 2019. Her Twitter account was created on November 2019, she made her first tweet on 31 December, her YouTube channel was created on 4 December and her debut stream was on 3 January 2020.

2020
On 22 July, she announced on a stream on YouTube and later on her Twitter account that she would get her 3D model, this was previously teased during Himemori Luna's 3D debut.

On 26 July, she debuted her 3D model, being the last of her generation to do so.

On 18 December, Towa reached 400,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel during a singing endurance stream. Also on this date at the end of the stream she announced that her model would be updated to the 2.0 version.

On 20 December, she debuted the 2.0 version of her 2D model during a stream, the most prominent change is that Towa can now remove her white jacket and Bibi her hat, among her other updates her face can turn better in different angles, while also gaining some new expressions like a surprised face.

On 29 December, hololive's Twitter accounts announced that eight of their members would get "New year" costumes, Towa being one of them.

2021
On 1 January, she debuted her second 2D costume, a new year furisode during a stream, this costume has two different hairstyles one with a side ponytail and another with short hair, the flowers ornament can be used with either hairstyle.

On 8 February, Towa reached 500,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel during a singing endurance stream, making her the 32nd hololive member to reach this milestone.

On 15 February, hololive's Twitter account announced that the members of the 4th generation would get their 3D idol costumes. Later the same day Towa debuted her 3D idol costume.

On 25 February, Towa released her first original song "Palette" during a stream.

On 18 March, Towa debuted the official MV of her original song "Palette."

On 30 April, Towa reached 600,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel during an endurance singing stream. On the same day, hololive's Twitter account announced that Towa, Kanata and Watame would get their third 2D costumes.

On 4 May, Towa debuted her third 2D model, a new set of casual clothes, with this costume Towa got two new hairstyles one with loose hair with a small bun on the side and the other with twintails but this time they are way more curly, she now wear a beret but unlike her Bibi hat this one doesn't have a face, the beret still retains the horns and the two badges however one is gray instead of yellow, Towa uses a white blouse decorated with a black ribbon along with black suspenders and skirt bellow the chest, her outfit also includes a removable gray sweater decorated with black and purple ribbons and a small Bibi face, her socks are white and her shoes are black, on her right thigh Towa has the tatoo of a heart with wings. The costume also include optional glasses.

On 30 June, she reached 700,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel during an endurance singing stream.

On 9 August, Towa debuted a new short hairstyle using her third costume to showcase it.

On 5 September, Towa reached 800,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel during an endurance singing stream.

On 28 December, Towa reached 900,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel.

2022
On 3 January, during her second year anniversary debut concert "Scream," Towa announced that she would release her first EP with the same name, also on this date Towa debuted the MV of her original song "FACT."

On 4 January, Towa debuted new hats to go with her third 2D costume, a gray knitted hat decorated with Bibi's face, a black transparent diadem with cat ears and a black ribbon tied sighly to the left side, these accessories can be combined with the short or long hairstyles.

On 3 April, Towa eached 1,000,000 YouTube subscribers during a karaoke subathon stream. This makes her the 26th hololive member, as well as the 19th member of hololive JP, to reach this milestone. She is the fourth of her generation to reach it.

On 19 July, she announced on her Twitter account that she would get her fourth 2D costume.

On 21 July, Towa debuted her fourth 2D costume. The most prominent feature of this costume is that Towa has more demonic features such as horns and small wings that she lacked despite being a demon, previously the horns in Towa's costumes were just part of her hats. In this costume Towa got two new hairstyles, in one she has small braided pigtails, the other one she uses a side ponytail to her left side. Towa wears a black school uniform with her blouse being complemented with a short purple tie. Underneat her blouse she uses a black corset with three buttons. Her skirt as a plaid pattern to the sides while being plain black in the center. To the left side of her belt Towa has a chain with two accessories one is a demon's head silhouette and the other one a four point star similar to Kanata's halo. She wears black socks and shoes. Towa can optionally wear a short black blazer.

On 11 August, as part of the "hololive Summer 2022" event, Towa debuted her 3D swimsuit. Unlike the original swimsuits from 2019 that had individual designs, these swimsuits are meant to be matching outfits similar to the 3D idol costumes. The swimsuits come in two types one with thin straps for the top and a diagonal cut mini skirt and the other one has ruffled straps in the top and an even mini skirt. Both version are white with various patterns including hololive's and Holoearth's logos, hearts and sparks. The swimsuits are personalized by including different colors to match each talent. Additionally they have the option to wear a hoodie.

On 18 August, continuing the "hololive Summer 2022" event, Towa debuted her 3D yukata in a stream on hololive's Japanese channel alongside Himemori Luna, Oozora Subaru and Tsunomaki Watame. Like other 3D costumes the yukatas have a variety of styles that hololive members can choose from. The yukatas come in various colors and patterns including fireworks, flowers and goldfish.

2023
On 19 March, Towa debuted her new 3D idol costume during hololive 4th fes. "Our Bright Parade" DAY2.

On 17 July, she debuted a new 3D costume as a member of the "Blue Journey" musical project. She uses a blue beret with a plaid pattern. The costume has a white blouse with detached sleeves, a blue ribbon in the chest decorated with light blue jewel and a blue belt below the chest. The blouse lower edge is asymmetrical and divided in three, the front has planks and it is the longest, then the right side is longer that the left side. She uses a long blue skirt with a plaid pattern and the inner section is light blue. On the back the costume is decorated with a see through ribbon.

On the same date, hololive's Twitter account announced that Towa would get her fifth 2D costume.

On 19 July, Towa debuted her fifth 2D costume. Towa received a new hairstyle using a high ponytail with a white light in one of her bangs. She can also use her braided twintails from her fourth 2D costume. Towa has bigger wings and both of her wings and tail are white, but it seems they are painted as her tail has some paint that dried while falling off. She has a heart with wings tatoo on her right hip. Towa wears a jacket with a cap with horns, the cap's inner section is blue. The jacket only covers from below her chin to above her chest and has see through sleeves. The cap has a zipper with a label that says "Towa," it also has a couple of badges as decorations and a patch representing Bibi. Towa wears a striped white crop top. She has piercings in her belly button different from those in her main outfit. Towa wears white shorts complemented with crossed belts in the same color. On her right thigh she carries a holster. Towa uses kneepads and has multicolored band aids below them. Her socks are baggy. She has white roller skates, one complemented with purple wheels and accessories and the other with blue. Towa can also wear googles, put on her jacket's cap and hold a megaphone.

On 23 July, during a 3D stream, Towa announced that she would release her first album "Aster" and her first solo live "Break your ×××."

On 30 July, as part of the "hololive Summer 2023" event, during a stream on hololive's channel, Towa debuted her second 3D swimsuit. The 2023 swimsuits are inspired in a sailor uniform. Members wear a two layered swimsuit, the first layer is blue from the straps going down diagonally to the center where each member has a mostly blue bow but one of the sides and the brooch are in one color representative of each member. The rest of the top is white. The edge has a semi circular cut. The lower piece of the first layer has two variants, one is a two layered blue skirt decorated with a white belt, a golden chain with some decorations hanging from it and a bow to the left and planks to the right. The second version is mostly the same but they wear blue shorts instead of a mini skirt. Towa uses the shorts. The second layer of the outfit is a matching striped bikini in white and another color depending on the member.

Discography

 * ''Main page: Tokoyami Towa/Discography

Events

 * On 13 August 2021, hololive's Twitter account announced that 12 members including Towa (representing the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters) would participate in a collaboration with the six professional Japanese baseball teams from the Pacific League, each team represented by two hololive members. The collaboration include promotional merchandise that could be brought, including hats, posters, keychains, among others, also a promotional match between ORIX Buffaloes vs Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS scheduled for 3 October 2021 at the Kyocera Dome Osaka stadium called "hololive day."
 * On 9 September 2021, hololive's Twitter account announced a sponsored stream for Square Enix's game Deep Insanity: Asylum, presented by Towa and Kanata, during said stream both sang the games song "Madoromi" the official music video of the song was later released on hololive's Japanese channel on 14 October 2021.
 * On 17 December 2021, hololive's Twitter account announced a collaboration with TOKYO SKYTREE Town (R) featuring Tokoyami Towa, Yukihana Lamy, Oozora Subaru, Yozora Mel, Tokino Sora, Hoshimachi Suisei, Yuzuki Choco, Tsunomaki Watame, Himemori Luna, and Amane Kanata in limited eddition merchandise, cafe, games, and other activities. The event was held from 17 December 2021 to 31 January 2022.
 * On 19 August 2022, hololive's Twitter account announced that Towa and La+ Darknesss would appear in merchandize that could be won in Capcom Net Catcher featured in two different artworks, four prices could be obtained including: keychains, mouse pats, tapestries and cushions.
 * On 5 September 2022, the Japanese game magazine website Famitsu announced that they would collaborate with Towa, Aki Rosenthal, Shishiro Botan, and Takane Lui to write reviews about games. Each member would write a column every month. On 16 September 2022, Towa wrote her first article introducing the FPS game genre.
 * On 10 November 2022, hololive's Twitter account announced a collaboration between hololive and Post Office Product Sales Service Co., Ltd. featured Usada Pekora, Shiranui Flare, Shirogane Noel, Houshou Marine, Tokoyami Towa, Takanashi Kiara, Moona Hoshinova, and Shishiro Botan in new year's postcards and some merchandise including: clear files, tapestries, standees, face towels, jigsaw puzzle, T-shirts, and happi. The merchandise would be available to order starting from 14 November 2022.

Mascot and Fans

 * She claims her hat is a pet guardian named Bibi which watches over her in the human world.
 * Her fanbase is officially called "Kin of Tokoyami" while in Japanese they are called "Tokoyami Kenzoku"「常闇眷属」but Towa calls her fans just Kenzoku or Kin.

Quotes

 * "Repeat after me! Say! Yo! TMD! TMD! Towa-sama Maji Daitenshi! ...Ah, wrong... *panicking*"

Trivia

 * Towa's surname Tokoyami「常闇」can be divided as such.
 * The first kanji「常」can be read as "Tsune/Toko/Jou" which means "Always/Everlasting /Endless."
 * The second kanji「闇」can be read as "Yami/Kura/An" which means "Darkness."
 * So her surname can be translated as "Everlasting Darkness."
 * She pronounces "Thank you" as "TenQ" in English, the final portion of her streams where she reads Super Chat donations is known as "TenQ TIME" (てんQ TIME).
 * She likes to say the phrase "Oh my god!" when surprised.
 * Her voice seems to get even deeper when she just wakes up, to the point can be mistaken for a male voice.
 * Coco tends to call Towa "mentally challenged" due to her not appearing in Asacoco commercials and, ironically, acting much less deranged than the rest of 4th generation. According to Towa herself, she has a tight schedule, has to attend the university and to sleep well; this is why she rarely comes in contact with Coco.
 * Towa is a big Nintendo fan, her favorite Nintendo franchises are Yoshi and Pokémon.
 * Towa's name has been used to create some puns by overseas fans, the most notable being "Towaiting" used by her fans instead of "waiting" previous to the start of her streams, on a minor note fans also used "Towater" during her 3D model debut whenever she drank water.

Media

 * Towa Ch. 常闇トワ - YouTube channel
 * Tokoyami Towa's corporate profile on hololive.hololivepro.com
 * @tokoyamitowa - Twitter account
 * 常暗永远Official - bilibili channel

Twitter hashtags

 * #常闇トワ - General
 * #トワイライヴ - Stream talk
 * #常闇眷属 - Fans
 * #TOWART - Fan art
 * #CUTOWA - Video clips

Further readings

 * 常闇トワ - Nicovideo Encyclopedia
 * 常闇トワ - Pixiv Encyclopedia
 * 常闇トワ - Japanese Wikipedia
 * 常闇トワ - unofficial hololive Seesaawiki
 * 常暗永远 - Moegirl Encyclopedia
 * 토코야미 토와 - Namu Wiki
 * Tokoyami Towa - Unofficial Hololive Wiki