Gawr Gura of hololive, probably the most subscribed VTuber on the planet, has introduced her commencement, set for Might 1 Japan Time. As one of many greatest gateways to VTubing, her affect is sort of inconceivable to overestimate. And whereas Gura’s rare streams made individuals marvel for years whether or not her departure was impending, to see it truly occur hits like a shockwave however.
Debuting in September 2020 throughout the top of the COVID-19 pandemic as a part of Fantasy—hololive’s first English era—Gura introduced consolation and humor to many whereas shattering nearly each file below the solar. Whether or not it was her simple-yet-effective character design, her humorousness, or her remarkably soulful singing, the shark lady from Atlantis helped propel hololive into a world success story.
Gura is usually cited as a serious inspiration for others to turn into VTubers themselves, however there actually is nobody like her. She has that plain “it” issue maybe greater than anybody else on this sphere, and whereas I don’t know if I can totally clarify the magic, I do suppose there may be at the very least one necessary issue that makes all of it click on: To today, at the same time as she’s improved in so some ways, Gura nonetheless looks like an newbie.
As creators and personalities acquire fame and affect, they typically change in ways in which mirror their better standing. This isn’t essentially a foul factor, neither is it inherently an indication of promoting out or inauthenticity, and this transformation typically exhibits up as a better picture of confidence and a extra polished presentation. However whether or not deliberate or unintentional, Gura at all times comes throughout as the identical goofy and nervous, but charming and witty lady who’s nonetheless fumbling her approach via. The way in which she banters along with her chat, the tough edges and scuff that also present up on stream, and even her singing are as if she’s performing for a small viewers in a humble little room. Gura one way or the other manages to work as each an efficient supply of background noise when you’re doing different issues, and as a major factor to give attention to and get misplaced in her ramblings. It’s like she attracts you into her world, however leaves it as much as you ways far you need to fall in.
I nonetheless keep in mind the handful of instances she’s truly responded to me in chat regardless of the sheer measurement of her viewers and regardless of me typically not being a paid member of her channel. I’ve to confess that it made me really feel slightly extra particular.
(I’m the Shrimp in that clip asking what’s one of the best factor she ate.)
Throughout Gura’s commencement announcement, she talked about how the considered having so many eyes on her would typically make her so nervous that she had hassle consuming. And in one in every of her last streams along with her pal and genmate Amelia Watson, Gura additionally revealed that she would ask Ame for recommendation, all whereas Gura was seen because the extra profitable of the 2 general. I don’t know if that’s nervousness, humility, imposter syndrome, or just an open thoughts and coronary heart, however I can’t assist however marvel if that is what provides Gura that “skilled newbie” power.
I’m going to finish this by merely linking two of my favourite issues she’s ever accomplished. The primary is her 2024 birthday live performance, titled “Shark Metropolis.” She begins with a shock cowl of the primary Legend of the Galactic Heroes opening, sings a number of Metropolis Pop and Metropolis Pop–impressed hits, and even collabs with the soon-to-be-graduating Murasaki Shion together with one in every of my favorites in La+ Darknesss.
The second is the ultimate Fantasy tune with all 5 members, “The Present Goes On.” I nonetheless suppose it’s their greatest full-gen quantity.
Thanks, Gura. You’ve actually modified lives, and I hope you discover the peace and steadiness it is advisable to thrive, regardless of the place you find yourself.
