As the days count down to Kiryu Coco’s graduation– an idol term that basically means her retirement, fans have bought ads celebrating the career of one of Kiryu Coco.
One group, called the Kiryu Coco Graduation project, has bought bus-side ads featuring the 4th Gen Hololive Vtuber. Redditors have posted photos of the bus going around Taiwan, complete with art of the Vtuber plastered across it.
They’ve also opened a commemmorative website cataloguing her illustrious career, as well as a special video thanking her for all the work she’s done since her debut.
However, they’re also not the only fan group with the idea, as a Hong Kong-based fan group has also bought bus-stop ads to celebrate Kiryu Coco. UWants Hong Kong, a Facebook page covering Vtuber news posted these photos, crediting them to the Hong Kong Kiryu Coco Publicity Project.
UPDATE, 6.49 pm: Not to be outdone, another fan has bought two certs naming stars within the Draco constellation Kiryu Coco and Tatsunoko (the name for her fanbase), respectively. What we’re seeing here is a very passionate fanbase, celebrating the career of their favorite idol in the last hours of this chapter of her life.
りゅう座のある星に"Kiryu Coco"、"Tatsunoko"と命名し、会長に贈らせて頂きました
自分なりの会長とたつのこ達へ感謝の気持ちです
桐生会がこれからも前を向いて進み続けることを願っています
・1証明書
・2メッセージ
・3,4位置情報(参考)#桐生ココ #たつのこ #桐生会FOREVER pic.twitter.com/yiICzQtDsl— フングス(プンプングス)🐉🍕 (@kejimematifungs) June 28, 2021
Going Out With A Bang
Admittedly, it’s been a bittersweet time for fans of Kiryu Coco, who suddenly announced her graduation weeks prior. Rather than just stew in the bad news, fans have been treated by Kiryu Coco to what appears to be a glorious last hurrah, from a month of collabs with other Vtubers to multiple original song releases and an interview with Cover Corp CEO Tanigo “YAGOO” Motoaki himself.
Hololive has also been keen to show that there’s no bad blood between them and Kiryu Coco, who is described as having made the decision to graduate. Aside from the special programming, there’s also been mention that the vtuber would still be allowed to be referenced in conversation, something idols who leave their company on bad terms aren’t usually given. She was also given a farewell on the Hololive animated webseries Holo Grafitti, which is the first time the surreal gag series has ever directly referenced real-world happenings.
Vtubers In The Real World
This isn’t the first time fans have taken over real world places to celebrate Vtubers. Earlier this year, fans also bought ad space in Times Square, New York to celebrate the birthday of Hololive EN’s Ninomae Ina’Nis.
On a much smaller scale many Vtuber fans have also been organizing Cameo projects, wherein they get voice actors from a talent’s favorite game to also wish the Vtubers happy birthday.