\u00a0When we received the request from Kyoto IP Bookstore, we proposed featuring Sakura Miko, considering its location in Kyoto and the bookstore\u2019s concept, thinking that a talent who has a strong affinity with the wa<\/em> concept would be the perfect fit.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Design COCO has also handled many of the figures we had previously organized and exhibited. I think the life-sized figure of Hoshimachi Suisei was our first project together, so we have great confidence in the quality of their work. By collaborating with COVER Corporation and Design COCO once again, I had no doubt we could accomplish another high-quality project.<\/p>
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\u2015\u2015When I actually visited the store, I was very impressed by various creative touches found throughout. Did you have a specific theme in mind for the pop-up shop?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
We wanted to present this shop not as a standalone initiative but as one that is connected to and builds on our past efforts. The unique appeal of VTubers lies in the fact that real people are behind the anime-style characters, which why we always prioritize \u201ca sense of reality\u201d in this kind of project, and the idea of using goshuin <\/em>notebooks and stamps embodies that idea here. While there are many ways to incorporate wa<\/em> elements, we thought that we could integrate the imagery of Miko actually holding merchandise herself into the world of the shop if that merchandise was a goshuin <\/em>notebook or an omamori <\/em>(amulet). So, when producing illustrations with this wa <\/em>feel, we kept this idea in mind to create a visual connection between the merchandise and the illustrations.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u2015\u2015I see. Having the talent hold the exact same merchandise brings a sense of reality to the world of the pop-up shop.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
We also put a lot of effort into the goshuin <\/em>stamps. With Miko\u2019s help, we created stamps based on her handwriting, adding a unique VTuber element you cannot get from anime or video games.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The goshuin notebooks have been very well-received. It seems that nearly all of our customers purchase one, and it is especially fascinating to see that even people unfamiliar with Miko are picking them up. Since goshuin <\/em>stamps are highly appealing to international customers, we\u2019ve even been seeing those from overseas discovering her for the first time through these items.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\u2015\u2015So, the shop is also serving as a place for people who aren\u2019t familiar with hololive to discover its charm.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
I actually had a similar experience myself. When we first collaborated with COVER Corporation on a project, I was told, \u201cYou just have to see Miko perform live at least once!\u201d and invited me to attend her solo live performance (Sakura Miko 1st Live \u201cflower fantasista!\u201d). At the time, I had watched some of her streams, but I didn\u2019t fully understand her charm until I arrived at the venue, where I could clearly feel how eagerly her fans had been waiting for her and how much they looked forward to her performance. I was moved within five minutes and even found myself in tears thinking, \u201cWhat is this bond and warmth she shares with her fans?!\u201d We make sure IP bookstores are located in areas where a wide variety of people can easily stop by, so I proceeded with this project driven by a desire to make the store a place where as many people as possible could feel the exact same emotion I did.<\/p>
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\u2015\u2015Is that desire reflected in store operations?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
Yes. We even brought in staff from the Shibuya shop, who are knowledgeable about all things hololive, to help serve customers here in Kyoto, ensuring that they had as much of a feel for the closeness and atmosphere shared between Miko and her fans as possible.<\/p>
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<\/span>A Space Where Fans Can Feel a Real Connection<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u2015\u2015Are there any other elements you were particularly focused on?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
After it was decided that Sakura Miko would be featured, we developed the project around the concept of a shrine, given that she is a shrine maiden. Since shrines are traditionally places that bring people together, we felt the concept matched perfectly with the IP bookstore, which similarly connects various types of content and fans.goshuin <\/em>stamps, we asked Miko to handwrite phrases meaningful to her, and we created the stamps based on them\u2015we are very happy that the stamps have been so well-received. While preserving the essence of Kyoto and shrines, we all worked closely to turn our vision into reality through continuous discussions.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
*\u201c35P\u201d was originally Sakura Miko\u2019s fan name, pronounced \u201cMiko-pi.\u201d It has been transformed into a widely loved \u201csuper-deformed\u201d character in the shape of a white cat named \u201c35P.\u201d<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u2015\u2015While Miko\u2019s life-sized figure was also exhibited at \u201chololive SUPER EXPO 2026,\u201d this was the first time showcasing the life-sized figures of 35P and Kintoki.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
We arranged to have these two figures as a surprise. We did make a prior announcement, but showed only their backs, so visitors can only see the whole figures when they come to the store.<\/p>
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\u2015\u2015The special video was impressive too. It includes a wide variety of content, such as music videos from her early days up until the present, and multiple versions of her messages in both Japanese and English.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
Given the location, we anticipated a large number of overseas customers, so since Miko is known for her \u201cElite English\u201d (laughs), we asked her to record videos in both Japanese and English. We are really grateful that she was able to record so many different variations.<\/p>
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Some of the customers watching her video even had tears in their eyes. Seeing that was really touching.<\/p>
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<\/span>The Moment We Felt Confident in the Project\u2019s Success<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u2015\u2015What creative measures did COVER implement for this project?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
Since this pop-up shop is open over an extended period of time, we wanted to split the event period into two halves, themed around \u201cSpring\u201d and \u201cSummer\u201d respectively. Therefore, the content of the special in-store videos and the phrases on the goshuin<\/em> stamps in the first half will differ from that in the second half. We are also giving away PR cards for the \u201chololive OFFICIAL CARD GAME\u201d as a purchase bonus. We don\u2019t often have the opportunity to work with the card game team for a single project, but we made it happen this time. The designs on these PR cards will also differ between the first and second halves of the event period.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\u2015\u2015Miko\u2019s handwritten messages could also be seen scattered around the store\u2015evidence of her visit. Could you tell us more about her visit and messages, including what she was like?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
Miko visited the Kyoto IP Bookstore in person and wrote the messages you can see in-store herself. She was just like the Miko we all see on her streams, very cheerful and full of energy as she walked around the store. I think her messages truly reflect her joy. Seeing her cheerfully explore the store made me certain that this project would be a success.
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\u2015\u2015Are there any features that were Miko\u2019s idea?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
Yes, the stamp-related design on the back cover of the goshuin <\/em>notebook was created because she had mentioned she would love to have something like that, so we asked Design COCO to produce the design based on her idea. Since 35P and Kintoki are characters Miko created herself, we were in constant communication with her, making sure she was happy with the size and pose while producing their life-sized figures.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\u2015\u2015Did you encounter any challenges during the production process?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
Since we are also selling candy as merchandise this time, there were some challenges that we don\u2019t normally face with standard merchandise. For instance, we had to carefully manage expiration dates, ensuring they aligned with the event period, and coordinate effectively with our manufacturer and supplier to accommodate specific requests. We had several options, but we wanted to choose merchandise that makes a great souvenir to take home and captures the essence of Kyoto. In the end, we were able to create a product that truly conveys the spirit of Kyoto, and it has been very well received, thanks in part to the demand for souvenirs.<\/p>
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\u2015\u2015The life-sized figures of Miko, 35P, and Kintoki are visible from outside the store as well. I imagine a lot of thought was put into the layout.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
To be honest, that part was probably the biggest challenge for me. We faced various constraints in trying to display the life-sized figures so they could be seen from outside, such as coordinating with the facility and meeting installation requirements. However, I was determined to set them up that way, and we eventually were able to create a display that captures the attention of people passing by the store.<\/p>
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<\/span>Offline Events Make For Unexpected Encounters<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u2015\u2015What reactions after the grand opening really left an impression on you?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
First and foremost, I was absolutely thrilled to see how happy her fans were. We set up an informational panel to introduce Sakura Miko midway through the event, because we received so many questions from international customers asking who Sakura Miko was. This panel allowed us to create a flow of customers who didn\u2019t even know her, sparking their interest in the shop.
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