If there was ever any signal that I’ve grow to be a critical fan of VTubers, it must be the truth that I went to the Fantôme Thief’s Revenge live performance in Atlanta, Georgia.
When this joint occasion between Dokibird and Mint Fantôme was first introduced, I felt conflicted about whether or not to even go. On the one hand, I had determined to help Doki in methods I hadn’t again when she was Selen Tatsuki. Mint, for her half, is a charismatic performer whose friendship with Doki goes again to their earlier incarnations in VTubing. Alternatively, this was fairly dangerous timing, being proper earlier than the vacations. Furthermore, the concert events I had attended beforehand have been both connected or adjoining to different issues I used to be already doing, like conventions. Anime Weekend Atlanta was the identical weekend, however I merely couldn’t keep too lengthy.
However between the dearth of an official streaming possibility and the reveal that one of many particular company was none apart from Dooby (one other large identify who made the choice to go unbiased), I made my resolution to go. I had a targeted mission: Fly to Atlanta, go see Doki and Mint, sleep, go house. (Additionally, eat some fried rooster and Bojangles.) I by no means thought I’d do one thing like this, however right here I’m, and it was completely worthwhile.
Coming into the Venue
Upon first arriving within the space of the live performance, I noticed a big line exterior that gave me a little bit of deja vu from Breaking Dimensions. Whereas ready in line is rarely enjoyable, I did get pleasure from seeing all of the keen followers. There have been the Doki and Mint supporters, in fact, and Dooby’s popularity precedes her, however I even noticed some who have been clearly there for the opposite company—PiaPiUFO, Phoebe, and Juna Unagi.
After lastly stepping into the live performance web site, the Tabernacle, I used to be confronted with a second line—this time for merch. Sadly, the penlights offered out earlier than I may make it to the entrance, however I purchased just a few different issues as a substitute, together with a holographic ticket that isn’t going to be offered on-line. Additionally, I assumed there was an opportunity I may not get my arms on a live performance penlight, so I introduced a backup with me, simply in case. From there, I made my approach as much as the balcony. To my shock, a superb variety of seats have been accessible even though the tickets for them have been unreserved, so I obtained to have a tremendous and unobstructed view. After a half-hour delay (as a result of sheer variety of individuals attempting to purchase merch), issues kicked off with the opening acts.
The Opening Acts
I had little prior expertise with PiaPi, Juna, or Phoebe. On the very most, I’d seen Phoebe on visitor lists at conventions right here and there. Realizing the lineup, I really spent a little bit of time within the days prior and on the airplane attending to know their music. Whereas I obtained the sense that they have been all first rate performers, I wasn’t ready for the way far more spectacular they have been on the live performance. PiaPi did an important job build up hype and utilizing her 2D mannequin to its fullest, and she or he simply sounded nice. I’m glad I lastly obtained to listen to Phoebe in motion, who was stable throughout, and I loved her cowl of “Snow Halation.” Juna’s sultry voice and presentation labored nicely, although I’m not fairly the viewers for a parody track that describes homosexual intercourse and waterworks in extraordinarily high-quality element.
Every of them sang three or 4 songs, and have been nearly half the whole live performance. I feel Doki and Mint granting a lot time to the opposite VTubers may be very consultant of them and their want to create occasions that commemorate others. PiaPi has the smallest following out of all of them, and she or he’s seeing a big bump in subscribers. Whereas ready in line earlier than the live performance, I occurred to identify two PiaPi supporters (often known as Pickles) wearing themed happi.
It was then time for the primary acts, and the display screen transitioned to Dokibird—besides she wasn’t singing or dancing, however was as a substitute indulging in her newest gaming obsession: Marvel Rivals. The viewers spent seven minutes watching her play as Luna Snow whereas Mint was telling her to wrap it up. If there’s something {that a} extra company VTuber occasion wouldn’t be capable of do, it’s most likely silliness like this.
The Principal Attraction
Lastly, on a stage embellished with their fan mascots waving penlights, Doki and Mint warped in, totally 3D and amidst raucous applause. I can’t say sufficient about how lovely their fashions have been. It was as if the unique 2D designs had been dropped at life, and to make them look that good each when nonetheless and in movement was no simple feat. Mint’s live performance mannequin wasn’t her official one, however the high quality was nonetheless very good. Dokibird’s is her official one, and she or he even employed for it a extremely regarded artist in KarakuriPower (who’s finished work for hololive).
I didn’t acknowledge a variety of the songs, and I even thought their first act was an authentic quantity when it was really a canopy with the phrases “Doki” and “Mint” swapped in. Regardless, I loved the sheer number of musical selections. Doki acknowledges that she’s nowhere close to pretty much as good a singer or dancer as Mint, and so her particular person performances tended in direction of meme picks, like “Xue Mao Jiao”, the Doraemon opening, and the 5 Nights at Freddy’s theme. Even when she admitted to flubbing some choreography, I feel she succeeded in bringing the followers alongside for the experience. Hopefully subsequent time, she will be able to do a Cantonese track too.
Mint loves idols and idol tradition with all her coronary heart, so she tended in that course. Her efficiency of “New Romantic Sailors” was a private spotlight. Not solely is it probably the greatest Love Reside! Songs, interval, however I really obtained to see it carried out dwell at Anime NYC just a few years in the past. Whereas she delivered in spades on the “Minto-chan Laser Beeeaaaam!” (taking part in off “Riko-chan Laser Beam” from the unique performer), I additionally appreciated seeing her substituting her identify for all three Responsible Kiss singers within the lead-up to the yell. Nonetheless, in between the idol stuff, she threw in a canopy of “Break Stuff’ by nu metallic band Limp Bizkit, which has grow to be an anthem of kinds for Mint. The ghost maid is such a stable entertainer.
The Final Callback
One of many largest moments of Fantôme Thief’s Revenge snuck up on the whole viewers. A duet started with Mint sitting at a desk with a cup in hand. Doki walked over, additionally holding a cup, after which she sang the phrases that introduced a few of the loudest cheers of the night: “Sometime, we’ll have our final dialog…and drink our final cup of espresso.”
The importance of lilypichu’s “Final Cup of Espresso” to Doki and her fanbase can’t be understated. For her authentic supporters in her earliest days of VTubing, this was like Doki’s present to them shortly earlier than her authentic commencement. For individuals who found her as Selen, her cowl music video was presupposed to be her Christmas current to us, however its elimination is what began the chain of occasions that led to her tumultuous firing and subsequent revival as Dokibid. And now right here she was, nearly a yr later, singing it as soon as once more, as if to indicate that she dictates what the track means to her and her followers.
A lot of Dokibird’s return since February has seen her reclaim features of her identification, comparable to her fan identify (Dragoons), her look (a design by the identical artist used for Selen), and her subscriber rely (800,000+). This track was one of many final items of the puzzle. In later streams, Doki and Mint revealed that the choice to have this within the live performance was Mint’s thought, and that it was to make “Final Cup of Espresso” a glad reminiscence for the Dragoons.
Dooby and a New Age of VTubing?
What really introduced the loudest yells of the live performance was the awaited look of the ultimate visitor.
Because the stage display screen transitioned to a pink curtain backdrop, “Sugar Tune and Bitter Step,” the ending theme to the anime Blood Blockade Battlefront, started. Mimicking the ending video, Doki appeared in a highlight, adopted seconds later by Mintl. This left an open spot within the center, the place somewhat practice automotive all of a sudden appeared, signaling a warp-in by Dooby in all her train-conducting Jerboa glory. The viewers erupted and I did my greatest so as to add to the thrill. This track was additionally a preferred karaoke selection for Dooby in her earlier identification, so it felt further particular to her followers who’ve been supporting her these previous 5 years. Seeing all of them dance and kick and simply have a superb time is certainly one of my fondest recollections from this live performance.
I feel the gang response wasn’t just because Dooby is a beloved Vtuber. Simply as necessary was how these have been three of the largest names in English VTubing, now all working as indies. It was as if a brand new period had arrived.
Bringing It Dwelling
The “last” track of the night was emblematic of the final irreverence of the live performance as an entire: “I Simply Had Intercourse” by The Lonely Island. PiaPi, Phoebe, and Juna all joined in, nonetheless utilizing their 2D fashions. The comedic nature of the track had the entire viewers bopping alongside, and I feel the truth that Doki and Mint introduced the opening company in for this efficiency as soon as once more speaks to their basic curiosity in utilizing their platform to carry consideration to lesser recognized skills. It was an angle that benefited their earlier firm, and it’s heartwarming to see them observe by on their want to assist others out. The encore was “shake it!” by Vocaloid composer emon. I didn’t realize it myself, however in hindsight, having it finish with a Hatsune Miku track is about as applicable because it will get for a VTuber live performance.
Closing Ideas
Whereas there was no official stream of Fantôme Thief’s Revenge, the 2 made it okay to report the live performance. Later, I discovered that there was a handcam stream on Twitter that had over 50,000 concurrent viewers. Days later, a full model was additionally uploaded to Youtube:
So why did I write all this up regardless of it being freely accessible to everybody? As a result of I feel it’s necessary to nonetheless have these recollections put into phrases for posterity. Additionally, I feel there are some issues that don’t simply come throughout even with a video,
By way of criticisms, I don’t have many. I want I may have gotten a penlight. Among the reserved seating (which I wasn’t part of) compelled that a part of the viewers to view issues at an ungainly angle due to the display screen. Not solely was the timing of the live performance inconvenient as a result of it was so near the vacations, however it additionally overlapped The VTuber Awards which had a halftime efficiency), in addition to hololive EN’s musical, “The Damaged Promise.”
I’m glad I ended up going to “Fantôme Thief’s Revenge.” It was each Dokibird and Mint’s first true 3D live performance as their present selves utilizing their up to date designs, and I cherish the truth that I may very well be a part of it. Attending to see Dooby make her live performance debut was additionally a deal with, as was being higher launched to Piapi UFO, Phoebe, and Juna Unagi. It was an expertise that rewarded my fandoms and helped me uncover new potentialities. And whereas I hardly talked to every other followers, I may a minimum of recognize their mutual enthusiasm and vitality.
Merry Christmas!
