hololive Aqua Minato’s graduation LIVE sets a record of 750,000 simultaneous listeners, the legend of the navy maid turning idol “Aqua Palette” ends | 4Gamers

COVER’s VTuber Aqua Minato (Akua Minato), a second-generation member of the girl group Hololive, held her graduation concert “Akua Irregularity!” earlier, attracting over 750,000 viewers and breaking the record for VTuber live broadcasts.

During the interview with the president, Aqua expressed her gratitude to fans for their support, alongside her agents and colleagues (the captain is recognized as Aqua’s second mother, while the agent is considered the third). Aqua stepped on the scale and weighed 44.5 kg. Following that, during the second chorus period, members Pekora, Marin, Good Fox, and Startend performed a medley of original graduation songs based on their respective periods<时关伤无>.

Finally, Aqua donned her first solo concert costume “あくあ色すーぱーどり～む” and performed “Dark Color Palette,” officially graduating from Hololive. This song was also her first single, released on August 29, 2020 (four years ago), marking a legendary conclusion.

Aqua Minato’s avatar is a confused maid dressed in a navy-style maid outfit. Although she works hard, she is often reckless and makes mistakes. She admits to having social challenges and has been treated as a traitor. However, she possesses exceptional gaming skills, having achieved solo mastery in “Apex Legends” and mastery in “Street Fighter 6” prior to her graduation. With her head and hair color reminiscent of a purple onion, fans affectionately dubbed her the “e-sports onion.”

Aqua Minato has also been quite active in music. Before her graduation, she released 14 original singles and held her second personal physical concert “あくあ色in わんだ～☆らんど♪” on January 28, 2022. In June, she launched the love game “あくありうむ,” in which she starred and produced. On November 3 of the same year, she graced the cover of the Japanese gaming magazine “Famitsu,” becoming the first VTuber to appear solo on the cover of the weekly publication.

On August 28, Aqua Minato’s graduation concert achieved a record of nearly 760,000 online viewers, solidifying her status as a VTuber legend. All members of the Hololive JP group appeared onstage, bringing a perfect conclusion to her six-year journey.

During the MC segment at the concert’s close, Aqua remarked that whenever she begins planning something, she always contemplates the ending simultaneously. “When I joined Hololive, I vaguely envisioned concluding with a brilliant finish. Thinking this way, this graduation is also one of my dreams.”

“I’ve dreamed of being an idol for as long as I can remember. That was my aspiration in kindergarten! I was so shy. Sometimes I’d act cool and tell my parents I wanted to be a cake shop owner or a toy store owner, but deep down, I always aspired to be a dazzling idol who could sing and dance and be loved by everyone. Isn’t that wonderful? I achieved my dream, all thanks to you!”

Aqua joined Hololive when it was still relatively unknown at the company’s inception. Over the past six years, she witnessed rapid growth alongside the company. Now, COVER is regarded as a leading virtual idol agency, and Aqua has made indispensable contributions to this success. She also reflected on her initial motivations and her early self.

“I used to spend time alone in my room with a computer, in a dark environment, merely talking to the screen. Thankfully, everyone helped me change gradually. I never anticipated this day would arrive. I believe in this miracle. The emotions I’ve accumulated from the past to now will undoubtedly become the foundation for my future. I take great pride in thinking this way now.”

After bowing deeply, Aqua expressed her gratitude to the audience and to Hololive, saying, “Once again, I sincerely thank you all… Although I am reluctant to leave, today, I will become a legend.” “Now, please listen to my final song, ‘Aqua Palette.’

Regarding the number of simultaneous connections, it was reported that many noted the highest number of live broadcast viewers exceeded 960,000. However, based on fluctuations in the viewing numbers throughout the show, this peak was likely a brief surge caused by system instability or irrelevant viewers being introduced (for example, from a continued broadcast), resulting in an immediate drop of 700,000 viewers afterward. Therefore, this article documents the gradually rising peak of 750,000 viewers.

Minato Aqua’s YouTube channel and social media will remain operational after September.

Thank you everyone! pic.twitter.com/jA122x1gzR

— Aqua Minato (real) (@minatoaqua) August 28, 2024

<div id="article-content">
    <h1>Aqua Minato: A Retrospective of a VTuber Legend</h1>

    <p style="text-align:center">
        <picture>
            <img alt="Aqua Minato Graduation Concert" height="738" src="https://thumbor.4gamers.com.tw/BMzjPxUyav8xEy_QXZEIcboWBcw=/filters:watermark(https://img.4gamers.com.tw/default-image/4gamers_watermark_20190925.png,-5,-3,0,17):format(jpeg):quality(90)/https%3A%2F%2Fimg.4gamers.com.tw%2Fpuku-clone-version%2Fa778a781decbf6260f4cb0a42cb24028f4e21384.png" width="1600"/>
        </picture>
    </p>

    <h2>The Record-Breaking Farewell Concert</h2>
    <p>Aqua Minato (Akua Minato), a prominent member of the hololive VTuber agency, held her graduation concert titled "Akua Irregularity!" which drew an astonishing audience of over 750,000 viewers, setting a new record for VTuber live broadcasts. This milestone highlights the immense popularity Aqua has garnered over her six-year journey with hololive.</p>

    <h2>Emotional Highlights from the Concert</h2>
    <p>The concert featured heartfelt segments, including an interview with the company president and expressions of gratitude from Aqua towards her fans, agents, and fellow colleagues. Notably, her captain was affectionately recognized as Aqua's second mother, showcasing the deep connections formed in the virtual entertainment realm. During the event, Aqua humorously revealed her weight to be 44.5 kg, adding a personal touch to her character.</p>

    <h3>Performances that Captivated the Audience</h3>
    <p>The show included a dynamic medley featuring other hololive members singing original graduation songs. Simply follow this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtYdo3HteYU" target="_blank">link</a> to witness the moment. The energy reached a peak when all members of her group shared the stage for a nostalgic performance. Aqua also donned her first solo concert costume, singing "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/%E3%81%82%E3%81%8F%E3%81%82%E8%89%B2%E3%81%B1%E3%82%8C%E3%81%A3%E3%81%A8" target="_blank">Dark Color Palette</a>," which coincided with the four-year anniversary of her first single release.</p>

    <p style="text-align:center">
        <picture>
            <img alt="Final Performance" src="https://thumbor.4gamers.com.tw/L0264LFWFIz2HcnwMp5sV9ep-5Y=/filters:watermark(https://img.4gamers.com.tw/default-image/4gamers_watermark_20190925.png,-5,-3,0,17):format(jpeg):quality(90)/https%3A%2F%2Fimg.4gamers.com.tw%2Fpuku-clone-version%2F507f4e77d266379f2dc23a21287f2844cd7a58f3.png" loading="lazy" width="1600" height="738"/>
        </picture>
    </p>

    <h3>Aqua's Unique Persona</h3>
    <p>Aqua Minato is characterized by her chaotic yet endearing persona as a confused maid in a navy-style outfit. Despite her frequent mishaps, her dedication to gaming shines brightly. She achieved remarkable accolades in competitive gaming, being a solo master in "Apex Legends" and "Street Fighter 6" prior to her graduation. Fans lovingly bestowed the nickname "e-sports onion" upon her, resonating with her striking hair color and silhouette.</p>

    <h2>Musical Achievements and Contributions</h2>
    <p>Aqua has made significant contributions to the music scene, releasing 14 original singles before her graduation and headlining her second solo concert "あくあ色in わんだ～☆らんど♪" on January 28, 2022. Her participation in the Japanese video game magazine "Famitsu" marked her as the first VTuber to grace the cover, further solidifying her impact in the industry.</p>

    <h3>Guarding Her Legacy</h3>
    <p>Even after her graduation, Aqua Minato's social media presence will continue. Her impactful journey as a VTuber has left a lasting imprint—both on her fans and the digital entertainment landscape. She reflected on her dream of becoming an idol since childhood: an aspiration that was brought to life through her experiences with hololive. Aqua’s heartfelt message resonated with many, emphasizing her gratitude to fans for supporting her dream.</p>

    <h2>The Final Curtain Call</h2>
    <p>Throughout the concert, emotional anecdotes unveiled a sense of nostalgia. Aqua spoke candidly about her journey, recognizing the importance of community support in her personal growth. She expressed that her decisions, including her graduation, have been carefully thought out. "This graduation is also one of my dreams," she confided.</p>

    <h3>Legendary Farewell</h3>
    <p>With the concert peaking at nearly 760,000 live viewers, Aqua Minato's farewell has set a hallmark in the history of VTubing. The unique blend of heartfelt performances and emotional sincerity left a profound impact on her audience, culminating in her final performance of "Aqua Palette," delivering a poignant end to an unforgettable chapter.</p>

    <h2>Memorable Concert Stats</h2>
    <table class="wp-table" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%">
        <thead>
            <tr>
                <th>Statistics</th>
                <th>Details</th>
            </tr>
        </thead>
        <tbody>
            <tr>
                <td>Highest Viewership</td>
                <td>760,000</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
                <td>Total Performance Time</td>
                <td>Approx. 2 hours</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
                <td>Number of Songs Performances</td>
                <td>15</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
                <td>Graduation Announcement</td>
                <td>Officially laid out during the concert</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
                <td>First Single Release Date</td>
                <td>August 29, 2020</td>
            </tr>
        </tbody>
    </table>

    <h2>Reflections on a Unforgettable Journey</h2>
    <p>Aqua concluded her speech by thanking her fans and friends, reminiscing about the miraculous journey she experienced over the years. Her heartfelt gratitude reverberated as she acknowledged the support and love she received throughout her career, inspiring many to embrace their aspirations.</p>

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
        <p dir="ltr" lang="ja">Thank you everyone! <a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/jA122x1gzR">pic.twitter.com/jA122x1gzR</a></p>
        <footer>
            — Aqua Minato (real) (@minatoaqua) 
            <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/minatoaqua/status/1828777945458180596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2024</a>
        </footer>
    </blockquote>

    <p>This retrospective captures Aqua Minato's impact, creativity, and heartfelt journey within the VTuber community. Her legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of content creators in the evolving digital landscape.</p>
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