In July of 2023, I went to hololive English’s first full live performance, Join the World. I used to be grateful for the chance to be a part of that milestone, and felt that if I by no means attended one other occasion like this, I might have been content material. Who is aware of if I’d be capable to make it once more anyway? Then June hit, and Cowl corp introduced a second live performance proper in New York Metropolis known as Breaking Dimensions. It could be the primary real-life live performance for the third EN technology, Creation, bringing them along with their predecessors Delusion and Promise.
Upon listening to the information, I had one thought: Even when I wasn’t in a position to get a ticket for any of this two-night occasion, I needed to strive. Fortunately, with some luck and a superb pal on my aspect, I used to be in a position to see each days in individual. In the long run, I got here away with immense satisfaction at what everybody at hololive, in addition to the followers, created.
Adjustments from Join the World
Breaking Dimensions came about August 24–25 and improved on its predecessor in just about each means.
Whereas I actually loved Join the World and cherish the expertise, it wasn’t with out points. For instance, the immersion may falter at instances attributable to what appeared like the standard of the video projection. At Breaking Dimensions, the setup was much more convincing, and it felt way more like I used to be actually watching VTubers on stage. I even obtained to see it from very completely different seats between Day 1 and Day 2, they usually maintained the phantasm in each instances.
Join the World was additionally a bit regimented by way of its setlist: group songs purely by technology, particular person performances additionally by generations, and some huge numbers. In comparison with the foremost holo fes live shows in Japan (the most important reside occasions for the corporate), there have been no attention-grabbing expertise mixes. Breaking Dimensions fastened all that and extra, that includes numerous duos, trios, and even quartets that had me cheering out loud. Whether or not it was fan-favorite combos or new experiments, the entire thing was stuffed with nice surprises.
The one downgrades from the primary live performance had been the decrease seating capability and the one-hour delay that occurred on Day 1 attributable to lengthy traces (although all seats had been assigned). The Kings Theatre can maintain about 3,000 individuals, and over 20,000 tried to get in when tickets first went on sale. I believe this has to do with the truth that New York Metropolis isn’t a superb place for mid-sized venues; you both do one thing like this or you need to go all the way in which as much as Madison Sq. Backyard/Barclays Middle, and the latter places will not be low-cost. And one upside of the Kings Theatre is that it’s attractive. I noticed followers contemplating dressing as much as match, however the summer season warmth put the kibosh on that concept for almost all of live performance goers.
And whereas this isn’t an issue with Breaking Dimensions particularly, I do want the colours within the penlights had been both extra saturated or labeled. As somebody with a little bit of coloration blindness, I struggled typically with switching between colours, particularly when it got here to purple vs. violet. There have been positively a number of nice choreography moments I missed or caught solely glimpses of as I struggled with the penlights.
The Live performance Was Merely Nice
The entire present fired on all cylinders from begin to end, and by the point I used to be performed, I had completely zero regrets about going (regardless of what my pockets may say).
I’m severe once I say that it had too many nice moments to rely, a lot in order that I made a decision that the following smartest thing is to provide my ideas on each expertise one after the other within the hopes of capturing sufficient of the finer particulars. I need to give them the respect they each earned and deserved, as VTubers and as individuals.
Under are my ideas on every EN member, so as of their first solo appearances. Following that may be a part for the friends from hololive Japan and Indonesia.
I additionally need to reiterate an necessary level I’ve made previously about these massive group hololive live shows: Whereas there are actually people concerned who’re exceptionally expert at acting on stage, it’s not a prerequisite and even essentially a desired expectation from their followers. hololive is in some ways much like an idol or music firm, however it isn’t really both. Generally the reward is simply attending to see them stand in entrance of the brilliant lights, basking in being these identities they’ve constructed up for themselves.
hololive EN
IRyS
When IRyS appeared as the primary solo act on Day 1, there was little doubt as to what music was coming. She had simply launched her first unique in a couple of yr and a half, and this was the proper atmosphere for it. “Carbonated Love” is a Eurobeat tune instantly impressed by the soundtrack of Preliminary D, and with IRyS being amongst hololive’s highest singers, my anticipation was sky excessive.
Her efficiency was all the pieces I wished. IRyS typically sounds even higher singing in individual than in studio-produced tracks, and her melodic voice pierced via the venue, by no means wavering in its crystal-clear magnificence. The addition of some mildly daring gyrations additionally despatched the group right into a tizzy. And fortuitously for everybody, IRYS is within the free part on YouTuber, so everybody can see her in motion.
Later group acts on “Excessive Tide,” “Promise,” and “Blue Clapper” (the final of which was along with her fellow CHADCast members + Koseki Bijou) benefited immensely from IRyS’s vocals. It doesn’t matter what music she was on, she despatched shivers up my backbone in one of the simplest ways.
FuwaMoco
As the one twins in hololive, FuwaMoco are typically in a singular state of affairs in comparison with the remainder of the skills, together with sharing a Youtube channel. At Breaking Dimensions, neither obtained a solo efficiency, however they did have two duets: their unique music “Born to Be ‘BAU’DOL” on Day 1 and a canopy of “SHINKIRO,” the town pop tribute initially by Houshou Marine and Gawr Gura, on Day 2. The distinction between the peppy cuteness of the previous and the wistful melancholy of the latter confirmed off their versatility, particularly as a result of Fuwawa and Mococo sing in another way and have to search out the proper method collectively in every case.
This was additionally Creation’s first IRL live performance, and it was nice having them in all their glory on the large stage. FuwaMoco’s potential to harmonize with one another is not like anything in hololive—the clear product of steady effort and a life at one another’s sides. Their efficiency of “Doggy God Road” with Korone and Kobo (humorously known as “Moist Canine,” “Canine Water,” and different comparable nicknames) additionally introduced some welcome lightheartedness.
I ponder if we’ll see FuwaMoco cut up up for some songs in future live shows. Both means, the idol journey of the guard canines can be one thing to look ahead to.
Shiori Novella
Witnessing Shiori transfer in three dimensions has been one of many greatest surprises of Creation. One of many enjoyable issues about seeing VTubers get their 3D fashions is studying their physique language and motion, however the different Creation ladies have acted kind of as anticipated: FuwaMoco are nice at idol dances, Bijou is jumpy and energetic, Nerissa is poised. Shiori, then again, was onerous to pin down.
Between her 3D Showcase and her look at Breaking Dimensions, what has develop into very clear is that Shiori possesses outstanding bodily charisma. She’s not an amazing dancer or athletically spectacular, however it’s like she makes each transfer rely ten-fold. Equally, whereas her singing is inconsistent, she does decently at her decrease registers. Shiori’s solo (“world.execute(me)”) and her music with Kronii and Ina (Tokoyami Towa’s “FACT”) present this effectively. And her quantity with Fauna and Nerissa (“Lonely in Attractive,” the opening to Paradise Kiss) is one in all my favourite performances of your entire live performance.
Ouro Kronii
Kronii is understood extra for her talking voice and performing expertise than her singing, however she was in a position to not get misplaced within the shuffle. Having listened to her at Breaking Dimensions, one attention-grabbing factor in regards to the Warden of Time is that regardless of having a reasonably deep voice, she really sings higher at greater notes. In that sense, she’s type of the alternative of Shiori (although I assume it’s simply coincidence that their MCing was so unhinged).
It’s no secret that Kronii has a really loyal viewers who likes to see her transfer on stage, however I actually discovered that she introduced some good aptitude to her dancing and singing, particularly in her solo cowl of “Bocca della Verità.” The distinction between her cringing at corny issues however keen to throw warning to the wind solely makes her stage presence stronger. Kronii’s group performances—with Kobo and Korone, after which Ina and Shiori—are notable for the way her “cool” persona offered a special form of stability in every trio.
Takanashi Kiara
As one of the best dancer within the 1st gen, Delusion, and an skilled hand at performing on the whole, Kiara all the time appears comfy when the highlight’s on her. Her alternative of “Pineapple,” a summery pop music from her album Level of View, let Kiara present a special aspect of herself whereas nonetheless emphasizing her standing because the consummate idol of hololive EN—particularly coming off of her world tour performances the Friday earlier than.
One of many greatest cheers in your entire occasion was when Kiara warped in together with Calli, which solely grew louder because the viewers realized they had been going into their group music, “Fireplace N Ice.” Enjoying on their respective motifs of blazing sizzling phoenix and chilling grim reaper, their efficiency highlighted two main issues: 1) their clear enchancment in singing and dancing these previous 4 years, and a couple of) how actually particular the TakaMori pair has develop into. Certain, it was hololive EN’s first main ship and for that motive nonetheless has many devoted followers, however it’s developed into one thing way more highly effective: shut buddies who respect one another and have one another’s backs via thick and skinny.
Ceres Fauna
Fauna lately launched a video quick speaking about how she joined hololive with out figuring out methods to sing, and that she’s made many missteps up until now. Certainly, it’s true that singing nonetheless isn’t one in all her sturdy fits. However regardless of her limitations, she nonetheless managed to attract me in.
First was the debut of her new music with Mumei based mostly on their goth and emo outfits, appropriately titled “It’s Not a Section.” Second was her solo—a canopy of metropolis pop traditional “Mayonaka no Door/Stick with Me” the place her light voice gave it a soothing high quality. And as for “Lonely in Attractive” with Shiori and Nerissa, Fauna contributed a delightfully haunting high quality to one in all my favourite performances.
Gawr Gura
Gura, one of many icons of VTubing, is understood for her love of Hatsune Miku, and her childhood dream of being on stage like her Vocaloid idol sometime. Naturally, Gura has tended in the direction of Miku covers for her real-venue performances, however Breaking Dimensions felt like an actual “she made it” second as she sang Miku’s most iconic music, “World Is Mine.”
Gura has two basic modes of singing, and he or she weaponizes them to nice impact: clean+soulful or smug+bratty. She used the previous in her “Bibbidiba,” whereas her cowl of “IDOL” from Oshi no Ko with Amelia Watson was the latter. Her rendition of “World Is Mine” leaned in the direction of cute however integrated each kinds, accentuated by the music’s signature high-pitched yells and Gura’s personal cute dancing with a number of tail-wagging antics.
Each look she made despatched the group right into a raucous frenzy. Actually, Gura is the queen of hololive EN, whose singing makes you’re feeling like they’re the one individual within the room along with her, even when you’re in a packed theater.
Baelz Hakos
The chaos rat has develop into synonymous with top-tier dancing in hololive. I knew that a lot, coming into Breaking Dimensions. I believed I used to be ready, however I wasn’t. She took me for a loop in each efficiency, particularly her solo.
Bae launched her first album this yr, with every observe based mostly on an animal from the Chinese language zodiac. Her solo alternative, “GEKIRIN,” is written from the attitude of an historic and prideful dragon. As if to embody that picture on stage, Bae coiled and flowed elegantly like a heavenly serpent, sometimes unleashing highly effective strikes bursting with hearth and fury, all whereas delivering on the singing. The subtleties of her efficiency may typically be onerous to see within the crowd, so the web viewers had sure benefits.
In a later stream, Bae talked about that the choreography for “GEKIRIN” was not of her personal making, and that she was even a bit of daunted by the sheer problem. However the choreographer mentioned to her, “I do know you may deal with it.” I believe that sheer dedication and talent to push the envelope of what’s potential in VTuber dance is one thing actually particular about Bae.
An apart: On the morning of Day 2 earlier than the live performance, I used to be questioning what music she would choose, and I really predicted that Bae would carry out “GEKIRIN” from ZODIAC. As a result of I obtained her music alternative appropriate, I made a decision that night to see if fortune was in my favor and went to play the lottery. As for the way it went, there’s a line in “GEKIRIN” that goes, “Oh, you people so naive and determined/Sufficient to assume that luck and destiny have favorites.” It was a lesson I realized the onerous means.
Amelia Watson
I can not emphasize sufficient how far Ame has come as a singer. From one karaoke stream to the following, and with every live performance, you may actually hear her enhance—a far cry from the times the place she mainly obtained by on vibes.
The idol aspect isn’t her wheelhouse, however the methods through which Ame was celebrated at Breaking Dimensions actually struck a chord with me. She participated in a canopy of “Puru Puru Pururin”: a callback to her debut 3D look at hololive third fes. This time, she was accompanied by FuwaMoco and Koseki Bijou, and it made me notice that we’ve gone lengthy sufficient with Delusion that these returns to previous songs really really feel form of nostalgic. It didn’t come throughout as a retread both, particularly as a result of she was joined by two of the most important champions of mid 2000s on-line anime fandom, in addition to a perpetual meme lord. Ame’s cowl of Nekomata Okayu’s “Mogu Mogu Yummy” was additionally an effective way to sit back out, and it’s additionally within the free part on Youtube!
Ame’s reappearance in the direction of the top of Day 2 made for some of the thrilling moments all through the weekend. Seeing her distinctive yellow star seem, realizing she was about to begin singing “IDOL” from Oshi no Ko, after which seeing Gura emerge from behind her led to such a rush of feelings in me. The roar of the group (one of many loudest throughout each days) made it clear that my fellow viewers members agreed. I additionally observed the truth that our resident detective was in a position to rap in Japanese—no small feat.
Koseki Bijou
The short-statured gem woman affectionately often known as Biboo is extra well-known for her musical memes than her precise singing, and certain sufficient, she engaged in her most well-known cringe earworm, “Sticking Out Your Gyatt for Nerizzler” in one of many MC sections. However even within the precise music performances, Biboo confirmed up and put herself on the market.
If there’s one factor that Biboo’s efficiency communicated about her, it’s that she seems very comfy with the prospect of being in entrance of 1000’s of followers. Both she’s a courageous soul or she’s excellent at pretending to be one, however the outcome is similar. Her alternative of a extra severe music in Hatsune Miku’s “Love Is Warfare” showcases her willingness to take dangers and to play into the chuuni components of her character. And in “Blue Clapper,” she didn’t really feel misplaced in any respect with Calli, Bae, and IRyS although these three have been a longtime trio (the CHADCast) for an extended whereas.
Ninomae Ina’nis
Over the previous yr or so, I’ve felt that Ina is on the cusp of actually breaking via as an distinctive singer. That attribute low-energy voice of hers can provide her songs an ethereal high quality, and it feels as if she solely wants a bit of extra refinement to take it to the following stage. Ina carried out a canopy of “Synchrogazer” (the primary Symphogear opening), and he or she demonstrated that she’s in a position to carry a music and provides it a really feel that emphasizes these distinctive features of her.
Within the group songs, particularly “Past the way in which” and “Bibbidiba,” her quieter method additionally helped present a little bit of distinction with the opposite singers. Whereas the Ina-Kronii-Shiori trio had none of hololive’s heaviest hitters in music or dance, it was nonetheless very memorable as a result of they’re in some way aesthetically in the identical basic route whereas every being very distinctive.
Nanashi Mumei
I nonetheless don’t fairly grasp how Mumei sings the way in which she does. The way in which I usually describe her is that she feels like what different individuals get when you apply a ton of pitch correction and autotuning to them—besides Mumei does it naturally. Or it’s like when you tried to trick Mumei into making an attempt to mimic an AI singer, just for her to beat it at its personal sport after which some. Alongside the truth that she will additionally go deep (as heard beforehand in “Thoughts Craft” and within the “Breaking Dimensions” music), you may have one versatile songstress.
Whereas many others went with newer works of their catalogs for his or her solos, Mumei really sang her very first unique, “A New Begin.” As a result of it’s from early on in her hololive profession, I believe the only itself confirmed solely a fraction of what Mumei is able to, and the Breaking Dimensions efficiency highlighted the truth that Mumei has solely grown extra skillful and expressive. This additionally got here via in “Past the way in which” with fellow birds Kiara and Nerissa.
The stand-out second for Mumei got here within the reveal of her unique 2000s-era-inspired goth-emo duet alongside Fauna, “It’s Not a Section.” She was excellent at balancing “Haha foolish joke” with “No, I’m as severe as a darkish abyss” whereas making each sound good. Because the stronger singer of the 2, she helped preserve the 2 sides cohesive.
Nerissa Ravencroft
As the singer of Creation, whose character is premised primarily across the forbidden energy of her voice, I believe there was a superb deal extra stress on Nerissa for her first IRL live performance. Even the namesake music, “Breaking Dimensions,” options her in a singular vogue as she harmonizes with the refrain different members sing. However I believe she lived as much as her repute and lore right here, and even danced remarkably effectively for somebody who actually has a steel rod down her backbone attributable to well being points. No matter limitations this may impose, Nerissa labored round them very effectively.
Nerissa’s tune of alternative for her solo was “Sweetest Scarlet,” which she additionally sang for her 3D debut. Whereas it might have been nice to listen to one thing completely different for selection’s sake, I believe having it performed in entrance of a reside crowd modifications quite a bit. At instances, it virtually felt like she may pull in your entire viewers into her embrace along with her sultry notes. And whether or not she was the facility singer within the holotori EN trio’s efficiency of “Past the way in which” or the central pillar for “Lonely in Attractive” with Shiori and Fauna, Nerissa was an necessary a part of making these songs land successfully.
Calliope Mori
Calli has had a hell of a yr, even lately touchdown on the US’s Billboard High 100. Her industrial success is admirable, however what actually jumped out at me in the course of the live performance was simply how a lot her singing has leveled up. She’s been remodeling from a primarily rap-centric performer to equal components singer and rapper, and the fruits of her labor are displaying in spades.
“Go-Getters” could be my favourite music she’s ever performed, and a part of it’s that her vocals can sustain with the ambitiousness of the music. There have been factors I felt like she may not have the facility to ship on some sections, however she all the time pulled via. Equally, I may hear in “Blue Clapper” the higher consistency she developed. And with “Fireplace N Ice,” her gruffer voice balanced out Takanashi Kiara’s effectively and even sounded higher than the unique recording. It additionally didn’t damage that TakaMori’s choreography was spot-on.
Calli’s victories will not be simply in accolades but in addition actual enchancment. You like to see it.
JP AND ID Friends
Hoshimachi Suisei
Suisei confirmed up on two songs, together with her record-smashing hit “Bibbidiba” with Gura, Ina, and ID’s Moona. Whereas it’s onerous to select a single finest singer in hololive, Suisei is certainly a contender whereas additionally being practically unmatched by way of mainstream recognition for her music. What isn’t as clear is that she will sustain dance-wise as effectively. Her star energy was plain, as each time she got here in along with her wealthy voice on each “Bibbidiba” and “Excessive Tide,” the viewers’s cheers would develop ever stronger.
Kobo Kanaeru
I really really feel that Kobo is likely one of the most well-rounded VTubers, with even higher success solely restricted by the truth that the Indonesian language isn’t as ubiquitous as English or as anime fan–oriented as Japanese. A giant a part of her potential for stardom is her immense singing potential that transcends cultural obstacles, alongside along with her peppy dance strikes and air of confidence.
For Breaking Dimensions, she sang “HELP!!,” one in all her originals and likewise one in all my favourite songs as of late. It was really the second time she carried out it that weekend, due to her look on the hololive World Tour at Anime NYC. The massive distinction is that whereas the world tour rendition was a solo, this rendition was as a trio with Kronii and JP’s Inugami Korone. The opposite two aren’t the singer Kobo is, however it was nonetheless an pleasing expertise seeing all of them collectively.
Inugami Korone
Korone brings an vitality that few if any can imitate or duplicate. Whereas she didn’t bust out any athletic feats for her unique music “Doggy god’s road” or “HELP!!,” her angle on stage shouted, “I may not be the easiest, however I belong right here and nobody can inform me in any other case.” It was just like the world conformed to her existence. Whereas she didn’t carry out with Koseki Bijou, I really assume they’re made of comparable stuff.
Moona Hoshinova
Moona appeared for each “Bibbidiba” and her personal unique music “Excessive Tide.” In contrast to her previous performances of the latter, she was joined this time by IRyS, Bae, and Suisei.
I consider Moona has one of the best stability between singing and dancing in all of hololive, and exudes extra “diva” vitality than anybody else. That’s why having two of the strongest vocalists and arguably the highest dancer within the firm labored so effectively for “Excessive Tide.”. The physique rolls, the highly effective notes, and the excessive efficiency price from the quartet was one of many brightest spots in a live performance occasion rife with highlights.
Huge Group Songs
There have been 5 huge group songs over the course of Breaking Dimensions: one for every of the three generations, an enormous finale each days, after which completely different encores for every live performance.
Delusion’s music, “ReUnion” is an okay observe that ended up hitting quite a bit higher in entrance of a reside crowd. Promise’s, aptly titled “Our Promise,” has a “grand journey” motif that sounds beautiful however left the group a bit confused as to methods to chant alongside as a result of it simply isn’t that sort of music. “Revolt,” the debut music for Creation, strikes one of the best stability, and it was excellent for the stage.
I need to admit that I used to be listening to “Breaking Dimensions virtually nonstop within the lead-up to the live performance. I really like the way in which that it emphasizes the actual qualities of every technology—Delusion’s trailblazing via the unknown, Promise’s unity within the face of tumultuous instances, and Creation’s mold-breaking whereas standing on the shoulders of their predecessors. One huge deal with with the 2 live performance performances is that you can see them change issues up a bit of in comparison with the music video. The refrain sections had been sung by all 15 ladies as a substitute of units of 5. Bae modified up her strikes in the course of the choruses from physique rolls to extra of a sway with a head bob. Biboo went from staying in place for her rap portion on Day 1 to strolling round a bit on Day 2. And Ame, who strikes the ultimate pose a cut up second later than the others (to cute impact), really obtained the timing proper for each days. I cheered particularly for her tiny victory, and I questioned if others did the identical.
For the encores (“Join the World” on Day 1 and the English model of “Our Brilliant Parade” on Day 2), it was enjoyable seeing and listening to these symbols of hololive EN’s continued success.
Remaining Ideas
I strive my finest to mirror on what I see with a constructive perspective with out simply spouting unalloyed reward, but I do know a lot of this overview feels like I’m gushing. I really do assume very extremely of what hololive achieved right here, and attending it’s one in all my favourite experiences previously few years.
Since Join the World, my opinion of hololive has solely gotten higher, and I discover myself taking note of so many extra skills. That’s not even just because they’ve actually debuted a number of generations, however as a result of they handle to string the needle between feeling each very private and extremely skilled. The Breaking Dimensions live performance actually places this balancing act on full show. It’s like every member gave the viewers a stable peek into their numerous journeys, ones whose paths diverge and intersect again and again. And the followers reciprocate, serving to to make these VTubers really feel just like the superstars they’re.
As for what’s subsequent, I’ve my predictions. Provided that the fourth English technology, Justice, has numerous attraction in the direction of Europe, I believe the following huge live performance goes to be in both London or Paris. I don’t assume I’ll be capable to attend that one, however I’ll be blissful to cheer from dwelling, and hope that others will get the chance to have pretty much as good a time as I did at Breaking Dimensions.
PS: I noticed my assist message on the display screen whereas ready for the live performance to begin:
