Vtuber Kizuna Ai Might Return in a Few Months

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As someone who has been following the virtual entertainment scene for quite some time now, I must say that the anticipation surrounding Kizuna Ai‘s return is palpable. It’s like waiting for a long-lost friend to finally reappear after years of silence. The countdown on her channel adds an exciting layer to this mystery, with fans eagerly awaiting what could potentially be the end of her hiatus or perhaps something entirely different.

Fans of Kizuna Ai may soon be in for a treat, as her official channels have initiated a countdown suggesting a comeback within a few months. Often referred to as “Ai-chan”, this widely recognized virtual YouTuber has been on a break since February 26, 2022. In the interim, her channel has continued to post videos occasionally, but Ai-chan herself hasn’t made an appearance since then. Nowadays, vtubers are more closely associated with Twitch rather than YouTube.

As reported by AniNewsAndFacts, they’ve included a countdown on their platform, indicating an upcoming announcement scheduled for approximately 87 days starting from November 30, 2024. This grand reveal is expected to take place around February 24, 2025, which marks nearly three years since the start of her break.

On December 1, 2024, a fresh video was uploaded onto her channel, featuring someone attempting to rouse her from sleep. However, she playfully requested some extra rest, hinting yet again that a forthcoming revelation was imminent.

Keep in mind that the upcoming announcement may not directly concern the conclusion of her break, although it might appear to do so given her break is colloquially called “Ai-chan went to sleep.” It could instead be about a new anime or any other matter entirely.

Kizuna Ai Hiatus and Voice Actress

Back in the day, I was thrilled to learn that the one and only voice behind Kizuna Ai was none other than Nozomi Kasuga. There were whispers in the fandom that Kasuga moved on to work behind the scenes, taking up an advisory role at Kizuna Ai Co., Ltd. That shift happened in March 2024, when her contract came to an end. Before her departure, there were murmurs suggesting that Kasuga was no longer providing Ai’s voice, but these rumors were never officially acknowledged.

Later on, Kasuga shared that she had chosen to part ways with the company, a decision she made prior to her break. She further clarified that while she might serve as Ai’s ‘voice model’, she is not the ‘actor’ or character inside Ai-chan. She emphasized that Ai-chan will always remain unique, even during their separation. It remains unclear if she will continue voicing Ai, as there could be a shift similar to Hatsune Miku, where Kasuga provided her voice for an AI program but no longer acts as Kizuna Ai, or alternatively, continuing as the voice model, potentially returning in the future.

During a break from her YouTube channel, Ai-chan was chosen for her own anime titled “Kizuna no Allele“. Interestingly, the cast details didn’t disclose the voice actress’ name but confirmed that Kizuna Ai provides the voice for the character. This series premiered in 2023 and can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

Not Exactly the First Vtuber

Back in 2016, Kizuna Ai’s official channel was born, and from that year onwards, a steady stream of videos followed, propelling Ai-chan to be among the trailblazers of the vtuber phenomenon. It seems her achievements paved the way for the establishment of firms like Hololive and Nijisanji. Although Ami Yamato and the Barbie Vlog preceded Kizuna Ai in concept, it was Ai who is said to have introduced the term “vtuber” into our vocabulary.

Kizuna Ai has been taking a break since February 2021, and it’s expected that this hiatus will end around February 24, 2025. The Kizuna no Allele anime series, which stars the virtual YouTuber, can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

Sources: AniNewsandFacts,Kizuna Ai Co, Nozomi Kasuga

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2024-12-13 05:54