Final 12 months, the second hololive English live performance featured 15 VTubers performing collectively in New York Metropolis.
Final month, All for One befell on August 23 and 24 on the iconic Radio Metropolis Music Corridor. The third hololive live performance additionally noticed 15 VTubers within the Huge Apple, however all was not the identical. The previous 12 months have seen the departure of 4 abilities and the introduction of a brand new technology. As a result of all that has occurred, the live performance environment conveyed an power that was about, if not passing the torch, at the very least sharing the flame so that each one might shine.
Overview
By way of fame and seating capability, Radio Metropolis Music Corridor was a serious step up from the King’s Theater in Brooklyn. That’s not a knock in opposition to final 12 months’s venue, which was total nice, but when hololive EN wished to ship a message, this was definitely the best way to do it. One different upside was the effectivity and courtesy of their workers. It was very clear that they had been greater than accustomed to coping with massive crowds, and not one of the delays or lengthy snaking traces that occurred final 12 months had been a difficulty.
One factor that was notably completely different in comparison with each earlier hololive live performance I’ve seen, English or in any other case, was that the setlists consisted fully of songs from hololive. This was apparently a deliberate determination to focus on all of the music that has been created underneath their banner through the years, and in that respect, they definitely succeeded. Whether or not it was folks singing their very own songs or earworms which have become Holocure BGM, there was an actual sense of historical past for a corporation that’s each nonetheless younger and the grizzled veteran group of this business.
That stated, I’ve to confess that I missed the anime covers and what-not slightly. Whereas I do write an increasing number of about VTubers as of late, I’m nonetheless primarily an anime fan on the finish of the day, and I get a kick out of listening to digital folks bust out a gap or two.
All for One was additionally the primary time an EN live performance had all its performers in idol outfits. Earlier than this, this was often reserved for the annual huge holo fes. Much like the music, it does give a way of unity, however I additionally get pleasure from seeing the common outfits attributable to how distinctive they’re. Possibly in the event that they modeled the idol outfits to higher match the our bodies of the default fashions, I’d really feel in another way. The opposite notable facet in regards to the visible presentation was the inclusion of lasers. They didn’t present up for each tune, however after they did, it felt like Ideon launching all its missiles directly.
Lack of anime themes apart, when it comes to tune selections, I don’t exaggerate once I say that they managed to hit nearly each quantity I hoped for. Baelz Hakos performing “Countach”? Hell yeah she did, alongside Gigi Murin and Indonesia visitor Kureiji Ollie. “Begin Once more,” a tune that options the highest singers of each technology? It actually kicked off the second day. I do know the setlist has at the very least some enter from the skills, however nevertheless they determined to finalize it, I felt handled to 1 superb second after the following. The way in which additionally they combined issues up when it comes to tune order in comparison with the earlier concert events was additionally refreshing.
Begin Once more
The Abilities
Whereas final 12 months I wrote about every VTuber and their presence individually, I believe All for One is healthier served by specializing in their generations and narrowing down.
Justice
The 4 women of Justice are the most recent additions to hololive EN, and so they debuted the 3D fashions that permit them a full vary of movement solely not too long ago. All for One was their very first stay live performance, with all of the stress that entails. However a method or one other, every of them confirmed an actual spirit of efficiency.
Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame is likely one of the greatest singers to ever grace VTubing, and the power and playfulness of her voice commanded consideration, whether or not in her solo cowl of “Stellar Stellar” or in group songs akin to “Above Under.” Raora Panthera’s boundless power was infectious, and she or he would do issues like get in slightly wiggle whereas disappearing off stage. Through the huge group numbers just like the titular “All for One,” I even noticed her do the monkey as soon as, and likewise spin round whereas hopping. Cecilia Immergreen’s “Wind Up” has shortly turn into certainly one of my favourite hololive songs, which she accompanied with a swish dance, and a bunch cowl of Aki Rosenthal’s “Shallys” noticed her manifest her violin for a quick solo. Gigi Murin’s mixture of brashness and silliness served her nicely, as her songs ranged from cool to comedic. Whereas the latter three don’t have Liz’s vocal expertise, all of them work nicely with their limitations.
I additionally want to present consideration to the MC half that includes CC and GG, as I don’t assume I’ve ever been fairly so entertained by a kind of breaks. You possibly can inform that they began from an absurd spot (GG carrying CC whereas on all fours) after which via improvisation naturally escalated it into anti-humor about stand-up comedy cliches and the inherent absurdity of their fan-favorite pairing identify, AutoFister. Even excited about it now, it nonetheless makes me chortle slightly.
Introduction
Returning for a second 12 months, Introduction is taken into account one of many newer generations of hololive, however they’re additionally now not inexperienced rookies. Their mutual closeness has been certainly one of their greatest strengths, and so they have launched probably the most group covers out of anybody, and are presently in the course of releasing an entire collection of lore-centric songs.
The primary of these works, “Genesis,” got here out a pair weeks earlier than the live performance, so I didn’t have my hopes up about getting to listen to it stay. Thankfully, I used to be fallacious. This efficiency turned one of many highlights of my weekend, and I particularly love the best way the tune performs on every of their official again tales with out sounding disparate or compelled. Better of all, it’s within the free part of the VOD, so anybody can revisit it anytime.
Genesis
Like Justice, Introduction has one significantly robust singer in Nerissa Ravencroft, who is flexible however is particularly good at sounding sultry. One in every of her traces in “Genesis”—“Watch me be your diva/I’m gonna elevate your fever”—leaves me really feeling flustered, along with her wide-swinging hips including to her attraction. The twins, Fuwawa and Mococo Abyssgard, as soon as once more showcased their harmonization expertise with one another and their thorough embracing of their personas. Diminutive Koseki Bijou appeared devoted to displaying that she has greater than a cute aspect, with a shocking solo alternative in Houshou Marine’s “Lifeless Ma’am’s Chest” and a bunch efficiency of one other Marine tune, “I’m Your Treasure Field.” As for his or her chief, Shiori, she continued a pattern that began final 12 months along with her singing in a decrease register that may appear uncharacteristic of her however sounds noticeably higher, in addition to conveying an virtually nonchalant charisma that’s each swish and awkward.
Promise
The women of Promise have confronted many challenges through the years. That they had the unenviable place of following the powerhouse first technology, and for those who depend their previous as Council, additionally they have misplaced three members over time—probably the most of any hololive technology. However their 12 months has additionally seen some big constructive modifications for them as IRyS, Ouro Kronii, and Hakos Baelz have labored to hone their crafts whereas being what I consider is much less beholden to exterior expectations.
IRyS went with “Diamond Girlfriend,” a tune that could be a fruits of a protracted and unbelievable journey that took her from wishing she may have her personal Eurobeat tune to collaborating with Motsu of Preliminary D fame. However she additionally got here full circle by singing “Gravity” with Towa and Kronii. She additionally sang it three years in the past at Join the World, however this completely different context introduced it from an emblem of her “Mission Hope” period to a defining tune of hololive EN as an entire. With Kronii, in the meantime, the distinction between All for One and Breaking Dimensions (and even sixth fes earlier this 12 months) was like evening and day. Neither singing nor dancing had been her robust fits, however they’re more and more part of her repertoire, particularly once you bear in mind the truth that Kronii lives exterior of Japan, and thus away from the principle hololive studio and its sources.
Then there was Baelz Hakos. She’s my favourite present hololive EN member, and this live performance had me making an attempt my rattling hardest to not blink and miss any second along with her. The quantity of coaching she has undergone to enhance her bodily health, her singing, and her already top-tier dancing is difficult to overstate. The end result was one unforgettable quantity after the following. There was the aggressive aura of “RxRxR” with Calliope Mori, her trendy dance strikes in “Countach” (a tune initially from her fellow elite hololive dancer Hajime), and Bae’s mind-boggling mixture of nuance and dynamism for her solo “La Roja.” She even received to be the middle for the encore efficiency of “All for One” to finish the entire thing! I’m desirous to see extra folks find out about her.
For his or her group quantity, Promise lined “feelingradation” from ReGLOSS. This was one other favourite of mine from this live performance, not simply because I actually love the unique model, however that the three simply felt very cohesive as a unit. It’s additionally not misplaced on me that Bae sang not one however two Hajime songs; the Vroom Growth Duo is likely one of the hottest issues to ever hit hololive.
Fable
Because the technology that began hololive English, Fable are rightfully seen as pioneers. They have a good time their fifth anniversary this month, and a whole lot of All for One might be seen as giving props to them for laying the groundwork that has allowed those who got here after to thrive. On the similar time, they’re able just like Promise’s in that they’ve been down two members due to Gawr Gura and Amelia Watson leaving up to now 12 months. The complexion of their technology does really feel completely different consequently, and adjusting to this “new” Fable has taken a while.
Temari
It’s fairly astounding how far they’ve come. Ninomae Ina’nis was the primary solo efficiency of Day 1 along with her authentic tune “Temari,” and her voice has gone from cute and candy to being able to a haunting high quality. Calliope Mori was initially all about defying expectations of what a VTuber ought to sound and act like, however has now turn into a mentor and even a typical of measure. Her music, her singing model, and even her dancing (which features a surprisingly nicely executed can-can) have all reworked over time, and the songs she was concerned with at All for One cowl that historical past nicely. The third Fable member, Takanashi Kiara, might have gotten probably the most love of all. Not solely did she carry out a brief medley for her personal solo and her authentic “Mirage” with IRyS and showcase her engaging dance strikes, however Kronii additionally lined “Do U,” the kpop-influenced tune that turned Kiara’s first breakout hit.
Chimera
And as if so as to add to the fond memory, their group efficiency of “Seishun Archive,” was a alternative intentionally requested by Kiara as a result of training for it was when she first actually bonded with Gura.
In direction of the top of Day 2, all three did an MC collectively, and it turned a time to mirror on the place they got here from and the place they’ve gone. Whereas part of me braces for affect once you see this a lot reminiscing, I believe all of them have proven that they’ve come out of the final 5 years higher than ever.
Friends
Whereas none of them received their very own solos, it’s value discussing how a lot the visitors—Oozora Subaru and Tokoyami Towa from hololive JP, in addition to Ayunda Risu and Kureiji Ollie from hololive ID—placed on great performances.
Oozora Subaru’s “Sizzling Duck” and its lighthearted silliness contrasted with a panoramic efficiency of Ayunda Risu’s “Alice&U.” The latter has lengthy been thought of a tremendously troublesome tune that was arguably too troublesome for others to cowl, however Nerissa and Elizabeth confirmed that they’d the technical talent to knock it out of the park. Towa and Calli’s “Queen of the Night time” is the very best tune from the MythMash collection for my part, and getting to listen to it stay was great. There wasn’t an Ollie-centric tune through the occasion (which may be very attribute of her humility), however the zombie idol introduced a welcome power of pleasure. A minor hiccup throughout Ollie and Shiori’s MC left us all actually at the hours of darkness for a couple of minutes, however this appeared to be extra of a random mishap than anything.
Miscellaneous
There was an entire bunch of ticket shenanigans that occurred earlier this 12 months when a bunch of followers tried to outmaneuver the scalpers however ended up making it more durable for different followers to purchase tickets. Over the weekend of Anime NYC, I noticed folks on-line and even on the conference heart making an attempt to unload tickets for closely discounted costs. Whereas this was executed with good intentions, I believe one of many main failings was assuming that each one followers of hololive are energetic on Discord and even use it in any respect.
Transferring on from that, every evening ended with a credit roll, as is typical. Nevertheless, one humorous factor for me personally is that I acknowledged the font used: Marker Felt Skinny. So if you wish to ever replicate the All for One credit, right here’s your place to begin.
My final unorganized thought is: Houshou Marine positive is common. Despite the fact that she wasn’t concerned with the live performance immediately, she in all probability received extra songs of hers into All for One than anybody else, barring Kiara.
General
To say I used to be proud of how All for One turned out is a gargantuan understatement. I got here out of it with my ft aching however my coronary heart full. Regardless of all that transpired in current reminiscence, this was a extremely robust displaying for the women of hololive English.
I benefited immensely from it being in New York at Radio Metropolis Music Corridor, however I actually wouldn’t thoughts it being elsewhere—even on a distinct continent. I would like extra folks to have this expertise, and I’m prepared to accept streaming tickets to present it to them.
