Shortly after Cover announced a merger of the three major Hololive branches into the main brand, vtuber Takanashi Kiara announced that she is going on a break. Takanashi Kiara’s recent critical comments about the Hololive merger have led some fans to believe that her break may be connected to the company’s move.
Hololive EN has been one of the most prominent vtuber groups in the Western marketplace. Cover previously stated it wants to expand further into Western markets, particularly North America, and the recently announced Hololive merger aims to turn the agency into a more global brand.
At the time, fans speculated that much of the behind-the-scenes action would remain the same and that no vtuber would leave. But Takanashi Kiara’s break announcement has fans speculating about her and other Holo EN talents ceasing their content creation activities or distancing themselves from the agency.
Takanashi Kiara announces indefinite break amid Hololive merger controversy
The manager for Takanashi Kiara made an X post announcing that the vtuber is taking time off from streaming for health reasons and that she would be on a “short break until further notice.” The announcement didn’t hint at any other reasons for the break, and some fans even proclaimed that Kiara had already been planning to go on a month-long break in October.
These fans speculated that the vtuber may have become even more overwhelmed and initiated the break earlier. Some of them referred to Kiara’s Zelda Direct stream, which has since been made private, where the vtuber talked about almost having a panic attack and not being able to cope with her mental health struggles.
The vtuber also reportedly canceled a stream during this time due to severe back pain, after which she went to the hospital.
Fans wished the vtuber luck and hoped for her return after she began feeling better.
Other viewers have been trying to associate the break’s timing with Hololive’s recent merger, particularly because Kiara had said “Goodbye Hololive English” after the merger was announced. Some viewers even gave examples of other Holo EN content creators who are on a break or streaming less frequently since the merger, including Ouro Kronii, Gigi Murin, and Shiori Novella.
These viewers are speculating that the Holo EN vtubers may graduate. But it’s important to note that this remains speculation, and other fans allege that these reports amount to fearmongering.
There is no denying that the timing of Kiara’s break coincides with the announcement of Hololive’s merger. But Kiara had stated in her Zelda Direct stream that “it’s not just the merger,” while referring to her health and breathing issues that were making it hard for her to stream.
The vtuber’s health issues have been known by fans for some time, so even if the merger is a factor, it still may not be the main reason. Cover still has not announced any talent leaving following Hololive merger. Right now, any speculation about Takanashi Kiara’s break remains just that.
