Natsuiro Matsuri + ○○○
So, you want to learn more about VTubers, but what comes up in search engines is not enough? We are here to give you a direct insight into the charm, professional mentality, and honest feelings behind the activities of hololive talents.
This time, we were able to sit down with hololive 1st Generation talent Natsuiro Matsuri here and speak to her, as she approached her 8th year with the production in June 2026, about her journey thus far and what the future holds.
Where I can shine and be myself…
Konnichiwasshoi! hololive’s symbol of purity and everyone’s idol, Natsuiro Matsuri here!
Natsuiro Matsuri debuted in 2018 as part of hololive 1st Generation and has amassed tons of support from fans, with over 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, thanks to her easygoing, active personality and her way with words.
hololive production is often strongly associated with “idol VTubers”, but in reality, each talent has their own way of conducting their activities and cultivating their image, whether or not it is idol-like. Matsuri has continued to excite fans with her naturally bright personality and ability to perform.
I am confident that I can give particularly “idol-like” performances, even among such a diverse group of hololive members!
She loves to sing and dance, so when asked where the best place was for her to shine and be herself, she responded with “hololive fes.” hololive fes. has accompanied hololive SUPER EXPO, hololive production’s largest annual event held every March, since the 1st fes. “nonstop story” in 2020, with 1st Gen Matsuri appearing at every one so far.
We were able to do things we hadn’t done before at the recent 7th fes.: for example, there were other members who were performing with instruments and becoming an alter ego. I also said that I wanted to twirl a towel around, and got to do so together with fans, and I was able to get the crowd excited with the first solo song performance of the show!
Matsuri’s singing ability, which she shows off during karaoke streams regularly, and her dancing skills during 3D streams receive high praise from other hololive talents. In November 2025, as part of her 3D birthday livestream “アイドル革命進行中！～今日の主役は夢の途中～”(Idol Revolution Underway! ~Today’s Protagonist is Still Dreaming~), she performed a setlist full of idol songs with an abundance of guests, and finished it off with an announcement of the release of her long-awaited 1st album. Credited on the album were some top names in the industry, including HoneyWorks, Jin, Nanahoshi Orchestra, Medansy, and FAKE TYPE.
When she is offstage, Matsuri shines on the gaming scene, playing first-person shooters amongst other games. She has branched out from her hololive production streams to collaborate with a wide range of creators, sparking exciting chemistry through her fearless, approachable communication style.
When I collaborate with others, I do check the comment section on their stream to see the reactions of their fans. I hope to keep interactions with other collaborators lighthearted and funny, without anyone feeling uncomfortable or awkward.
The reason she can get along so easily with anyone is that her hardworking side is also evident in her bubbly personality. In recent years, she has also been contributing to the promotion of the industry, with the series “原石VTuber発掘企画” (Uncovering Diamond VTubers in the Rough) that she created on her channel, in which she discovers hidden VTuber talent who are looking to surpass the 10,000 subscriber milestone.
Within the VTuber industry, there are so many who have a lot of potential without much opportunity, and people just haven’t discovered their charm yet. Getting positive reactions and comments as part of your activities is such a massive source of motivation, and I hope that others get to experience this as well. I also hope that this leads to more excitement around the VTuber industry as a whole, because if this culture dies, then I’m out of a job (laughs).
Are these jokes part of her service mentality, or is there some truth to them…? The culture that is VTubing has now become a major genre within the entertainment industry; however, when Matsuri debuted in 2018, it was in a precarious position, and there were fears that its success would be short-lived. Therefore, these words carry more meaning coming from Matsuri, as she has witnessed this era and survived the industry’s initial turbulent periods.
These changes to the environment around Matsuri are not limited to the industry’s prominence. There are currently over 70 hololive production-affiliated talents, and with developments such as the expansion into the global market and the launch of hololive DEV_IS, the scale of hololive production is far different from what it was when the 1st Generation debuted.
The kind of VTuber I want to be…
The past seven-and-a-half years have not been smooth sailing for Matsuri. She has experienced many setbacks, but has turned these bitter feelings into a source of encouragement, while providing a lot of memories on stream, filled with thrilling conversations and uninhibited moments. However, conducting one’s activities in this style does carry certain risks: Matsuri has also experienced being called out by others and having to make apologies.
I am seen even within hololive to often be at the center of controversy, and this is something I am still coming to terms with. I am someone who learns from my mistakes, but I often only reflect on my poor actions after my comments have caused backlash or when I am called out. I am sorry to all of those to whom I cause concern in instances like this, but they also give me plenty of opportunities to learn and grow.
Despite there being some tough times, the warm support from fans has enabled her to overcome these challenges and continue her activities for many years now. As a VTuber who tends to stay out of the spotlight, Matsuri has been involved in various bits of information, including speculation, on social media in particular, in recent years. She emphasizes that, at the end of the day, what she does is to try to entertain and wants everyone to enjoy themselves when supporting their oshis.
“Something I feel as an otaku and talent myself is that if there is someone you want to support and believe in, it’s best to believe in what they say. I understand that it’s not good to be oblivious to the facts, but entertainment, after all, is just entertainment.
I hope that everyone isn’t shocked by and takes all of the information they see and hear seriously, and believes in the words from their oshi that they want to support wholeheartedly!
The words “今日の主役は夢の途中” (Today’s Protagonist is Still Dreaming) from the title of Matsuri’s birthday livestream stand out. Is this something she is still experiencing, and where is her path as a VTuber taking her? We heard from her about what kind of VTuber she wants to become.
I believe that human relationships are like a mirror in that, to receive support from fans, they need to get something in return. Therefore, as a VTuber, I want to be someone who will always be there for you. I want to deliver solid performances, whether as an emcee, in an ensemble, or at a live performance, and have the place buzzing wherever I am. I hope that this is how everyone thinks of me.
When asked about her upcoming 8th anniversary this June…
With all the activities I have done, there may be some projects that I have done that long-time fans remember me doing in the past. So, I want to challenge myself to do things I have been avoiding up until now. In fact, I’m doing that now with my horror game streams and such. Clipped information is such old news! Make sure to watch the current me, the real Matsuri! (laughs)
That is our Natsuiro Matsuri, who just says it like it is. She will surely be a strong presence in the VTuber industry, making us all laugh and feel inspired for years to come.
