Minato Aqua
{{Short description|Hololive Japanese VTuber}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Minato|lang=Japanese}}
{{Infobox YouTube personality
| name = Minato Aqua
| image = File:Minato Aqua Portrait.png
| caption = Minato Aqua as designed by Gaou
| birth_date = 1 December
| nationality = Japanese
| other_names = Akutan, Onion, Ateishi
| occupation = Virtual YouTuber
| website = {{URL|https://hololive.hololivepro.com/en/talents/minato-aqua/}}
| channel_handle = @MinatoAqua
| channel_display_name = Aqua Ch. 湊あくあ
| creator = Gaou (character design)
| years_active = 2018–2024
| genre = {{flatlist|
- Livestreaming
- Singing
- Gaming}}
| subscribers = 2.24 million
| views = 500 million
| network = Hololive Production
| associated_acts =
| silver_year = 2019
| gold_year = 2021
| stats_update = 28 August 2024
}}
{{nihongo|Minato Aqua|湊あくあ}} is a retired Japanese VTuber affiliated with Hololive Production from 8 August 2018 to 28 August 2024. She was part of Hololive's 2nd Generation.{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Kurt |date=2023-10-10 |title=All Hololive members: EN, JP, Holostars, DEV_IS |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/all-hololive-members-en-jp-holostars-more-2206968/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Dexerto |language=en}} On 6 August 2024, she announced her 'graduation' from Hololive, using terminology from the Japanese idol industry to refer to retirement, as is common among VTubers.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-06 |title=Hololive's Minato Aqua announces shock graduation leaving fans stunned |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/hololives-minato-aqua-announces-shock-graduation-leaving-fans-stunned-2852188/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Dexerto |language=en}} Her graduation concert marking the end of her 6-year career, streamed on YouTube on 28 August, attracted 749,854 concurrent viewers, making it the most watched VTuber stream in history.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=Minato Aqua's graduation was the most watched VTuber event of all time |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/minato-aquas-graduation-was-the-most-watched-vtuber-event-of-all-time-2880991/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}
At the time of her graduation, Aqua had 2.24 million subscribers on her YouTube channel and was the 11th most popular VTuber according to the ranking site Userlocal.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=【詳報】ホロライブのアイドルVTuber・湊あくあ、涙の卒業ライブ約1万字レポート 「私は今日、伝説になりますから、ね」 {{!}} PANORA |url=https://panora.tokyo/archives/91544 |access-date=2024-09-07 |language=ja}}
Career
On 14 July 2018, Hololive Productions put out a casting call for the virtual maid "Minato Aqua", with the character design done by the illustrator Gaou.{{Cite web |last=sososo291 |date=2018-07-17 |title=ホロライブ、新VTuber「湊あくあ」オーディション開催中 |url=https://panora.tokyo/69082/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=PANORA VR |language=ja}} Less than a month later, Minato Aqua debuted on YouTube as the first member of Hololive's 2nd Generation alongside Murasaki Shion, Nakiri Ayame, Yuzuki Choco, and Oozora Subaru.
Aqua's official character profile describes her as a marine-themed maid who can be awkward and clumsy,{{Cite web |title=[Alum] Minato Aqua {{!}} TALENT {{!}} hololive official website |url=https://hololive.hololivepro.com/en/talents/minato-aqua/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=hololive.hololivepro.com |language=en}} though fans know her as a shy introvert with exceptional gaming skills, particularly in Apex Legends.{{Cite web |title=【ホロライブ】湊あくあ卒業へ。卒業ライブは同接96万人を超えて伝説に。全世界を"あくあ色"に染め上げて輝かしい最後を飾った（ファミ通.com） |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/8fcde0d147e8bb9950033241dd217164d202d036 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Yahoo!ニュース |language=ja}}
Minato Aqua said that it was her childhood dream to be an idol, but thought it was impossible to achieve due to her self-stated lack of smarts, singing ability, and communication skills. She nonetheless applied for the Hololive auditions due to prospect of being able to stream from home.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-01 |title=湊あくあ {{!}} もしもオーディションに応募していなかったら……【連載コラム Vol2】{{!}} レッドブル ブログ |url=https://www.redbull.com/jp-ja/minato-aqua-column-002 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Red Bull |language=ja}} She cited Momoko Tsugunaga as her role model as an idol.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-29 |title=＼なぜ人気？／ 胸に秘めるは〇〇プライド!? 湊あくあが語る「自分らしさ」 VTuber インタビュー |url=https://www.redbull.com/jp-ja/interview-minato-aqua |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Red Bull |language=ja}} On 21 August 2020, she held her first paid solo concert to celebrate her second anniversary, simulcast on the Niconico and Bilibili.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-07 |title=Vシンガー 湊あくあ、初のソロライブ開催 オンラインで活動2周年を祝おう |url=https://kai-you.net/article/76201 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=KAI-YOU.net {{!}} POP is Here . |language=ja}} She was supposed to have a concert streamed from the Nissin Power Station on 2 August 2021, but the venue suffered a DDoS attack and an information security breach and was forced to cancel the concert.{{Cite web |title=VTuber「湊あくあ」オンラインライブ中止、原因は第三者の大量アクセス |url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2108/03/news074.html |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=ITmedia NEWS |language=ja}} Aqua was able to hold the concert on 19 February from the same venue.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-21 |title=【振替公演】湊あくあ SEASIDE AQUA FES 湊あくあ Eventernote イベンターノート |url=https://www.eventernote.com/events/291632 |access-date=2024-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621005736/https://www.eventernote.com/events/291632 |archive-date=21 June 2023 }} She held a solo concert with a live audience at the Toyosu PIT on 28 January 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-03 |title=湊あくあ {{!}} ライブは自分が生きている証明のようなもの【連載コラム Vol6】 |url=https://www.redbull.com/jp-ja/minato-aqua-column-006 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Red Bull |language=ja}}
Aqua's channel reached 1 million subscribers on 13 January 2021, making her the 8th VTuber (and 5th Hololive member) to reach this milestone.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-13 |title=【速報】ホロライブ・湊あくあ、チャンネル登録者数100万人突破 兎田ぺこらに続きホロライブ5人目 {{!}} PANORA |url=https://panora.tokyo/archives/17447 |access-date=2024-09-07 |language=ja}} On 9 May 2024, her channel reached 2 million subscribers.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-10 |title=ホロライブ・湊あくあ、チャンネル登録者200万人を達成…スーパーウルトラ何でもパーフェクトなメイドさん、涙ながらに感謝伝える (2024年5月10日) |url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Inside_155299/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=エキサイトニュース |language=ja}}
Aqua produced and starred in her own visual novel Aquarium, developed by Entergram and released for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on 27 October 2022.{{Cite web |last=Kiya |first=Andrew |date=2022-06-10 |title=Aquarium Is a New Dating VN From Hololive's Minato Aqua |url=https://www.siliconera.com/aquarium-is-a-new-dating-vn-from-hololives-minato-aqua/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}} For her Aquarium appearance, Minato Aqua won the 2022 Famitsu Award in the "Best Actor" category.{{cite web |last1=Digioia |first1=Alessandro |title=Famitsu Game Awards 2022, la testata giapponese svela i vincitori: Elden Ring è il gioco dell'anno |url=https://it.ign.com/elden-ring/201322/news/famitsu-game-awards-2022-la-testata-giapponese-svela-i-vincitori-elden-ring-e-il-gioco-dellanno |website=IGN Italia |access-date=April 10, 2024 |language=it |date=March 20, 2023}} The game received a Steam release with English localization in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=2023-11-09 |title=Interview: Minato Aqua Talks About Her AQUARIUM Game |url=https://www.siliconera.com/interview-minato-aqua-talks-about-her-aquarium-game/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}} A sequel was announced in March 2024, but it was cancelled due to Aqua's graduation.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-07 |title=Virtual YouTuber Minato Aqua's New Aquarium Game Canceled After Her 'Graduation' |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-08-07/virtual-youtuber-minato-aqua-new-aquarium-game-canceled-after-her-graduation/.214049 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}}
On 6 August 2024, Aqua announced that she would be 'graduating' from Hololive on 28 August, citing unspecified differences in opinion with the company. On the day of her graduation, she held a livestreamed concert on YouTube that gathered 749,854 concurrent viewers, breaking the previous record of 483,873 viewers set by fellow Hololive member Kiryu Coco's graduation stream in July 2021. Aqua's graduation stream was also noted for receiving US$237,571 in Superchat (YouTube donations) revenue, the second most of any stream in the VTuber industry after Coco's graduation stream.
{{Blockquote
|text="I am the type of person who thinks of the end when I start something. Ever since I joined Hololive, I've had the idea that I wanted to finish in a brilliant blaze. Just vaguely. When I think about it like that, I guess in a way, this graduation was also one of my dreams."
|author=Minato Aqua, during her graduation stream{{Cite web |title=【ホロライブ】湊あくあさん、80万人近くが見守った卒業ライブで「伝説のアイドルになる」ことを有言実行。最高の花道を飾る |url=https://dengekionline.com/article/202408/15896 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Dengeki Online |quote=何かを始めるときって必ず終わりも一緒に考えるタイプなんですけど、私はホロライブに入ったときから、最後は、輝いて終わりたいって思ってました。漠然とね。そう思うと、ある意味、この卒業も、私の一つの夢だったんだなと思います。}}
}}
Activity
= Games =
- Azur Lane (2019){{Cite web |last= |first= |title=「アズールレーン」×「ホロライブ」コラボが開催。"ときのそら"含む7人のVTuberが登場 |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/390/G039084/20191128025/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=4Gamer.net |language=ja}}
- Neptunia Virtual Stars (2020){{Cite web |title=ブイブイブイテューヌ |url=https://www.compileheart.com/vvv/guest/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=「ブイブイブイテューヌ」公式サイト}}
- BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! (2021)
- Aquarium (2022)
- Sword Art Online: Last Recollection (2024){{Cite web |last=Bueno |first=Daniel |date=2024-02-26 |title=Hololive Vtuber Minato Aqua Joins SAO: Last Recollection |url=https://www.siliconera.com/hololive-vtuber-minato-aqua-joins-sao-last-recollection/ |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}}
= Live =
== 2019 ==
- Niconico Chokaigi: Chou Bilibili Vup Stage (27 April 2019, Makuhari Messe)
- Bilibili World 2019 (17 August 2019, Guangzhou Poly World Trade Center; 4 October 2019, Shanghai New International Expo Center)
- VR Anime Festival 2019 (18 August 2019, Niconico livestream){{Cite web |date=2020-04-28 |title=ニコ生、「Vアニ2019」を5/1・20時〜再放送 樋口楓、富士葵、YuNi、Kotone（天神子兎音）、湊あくあ出演 {{!}} PANORA |url=https://panora.tokyo/archives/6299 |access-date=2024-09-07 |language=ja}}
== 2020 ==
- {{Nihongo|Hololive 1st Fes. Nonstop Story|hololive 1st Fes. 「ノンストップ・ストーリー」}} (24 January 2020, Toyosu PIT){{cite web |date=28 January 2020 |title=Hololive 1st Fes. 『ノンストップ・ストーリー』@20/1/24 豊洲PIT – 超満員の豊洲PITで開催、VTuberグループホロライブ初の全体ライブ！ |trans-title=Hololive 1st Fes. "Nonstop Story" to be held on 24 January 2020 at Toyosu PIT, featuring every member in Hololive's first full live concert! |url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000214.000030268.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823151152/https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000214.000030268.html |archive-date=23 August 2020 |accessdate=19 April 2020 |publisher=PR TIMES |language=ja}}
- Aqua Iro Super Dream (21 August 2020, Niconico and Bilibili livestream) – pay-per-view solo concert
- Spice Live! (18 October 2020, YouTube livestream){{Cite web |last=株式会社インプレス |date=2020-10-12 |title=「ホロライブ」×「日清カレーメシ」コラボによる「カレーメシウィーク」開催中 「カレーメシ味変え選手権」や「スパイスライブ！」など配信 |url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1282335.html |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=GAME Watch |language=ja}}
- Hololive 2nd fes. Beyond the Stage (2nd day) (22 December 2020) – pay-per-view livestream on Niconico and SPWN, sponsored by Bushiroad{{Cite web |date=2020-10-23 |title=あの豊洲の感動をもう一度 28名出演 ホロライブ全体ライブ「Beyond the Stage」12/21、22開催 |trans-title=Let's ride again on that Toyosu rollercoaster – A Hololive live concert with all 28 members, "Beyond the Stage", is to be held on December 21st and 22nd |url=https://panora.tokyo/archives/12379 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029181039/https://panora.tokyo/archives/12379 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |access-date=2020-10-26 |website=PANORA |language=ja}}
== 2021 ==
- VTuber Fes Japan 2021 DAY1 (30 January 2021, Kawaguchi Lilia){{Cite web |date=2021-05-07 |title=ドワンゴ、日本最大級のバーチャルアーティストたちの音楽＆トークライブフェス「VTuber Fes Japan 2021」を1月30日・31日に開催！ {{!}} V-Tuber ZERO |url=https://vtub0.com/news/vtuber/40540/amp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507153743/https://vtub0.com/news/vtuber/40540/amp |archive-date=2021-05-07 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=V-Tuber ZERO}}
- Bloom, hololive IDOL PROJECT 1st Live. (17 February 2021, Tokyo Garden Theater)
- Aqua Iro Super Miracle Dream (9 May 2021, YouTube livestream)
- Aqua Iro 3rd Anniversary Live (9 August 2021, YouTube livestream）
== 2022 ==
- Aqua Iro in Wonderland (28 January 2022, Toyosu PIT){{Cite web |title=湊あくあ ワンマンライブ2022「あくあ色 in わんだ～☆らんど♪」 |url=https://aqua2ndlive.hololivepro.com/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=aqua2ndlive.hololivepro.com |language=ja}}
- Minato Aqua Seaside Aqua Fes (19 February 2022, Nissin Power Station livestream)
- Hololive 3rd fes. Link Your Wish (2nd Day) (20 March 2022, Makuhari Messe, SPWN/Niconico) – co-sponsored by Weiß Schwarz and others{{Cite web |date=3 December 2021 |title=「ホロライブプロダクション」初となる全体イベント《hololive SUPER EXPO 2022》および《hololive 3rd fes. Link Your Wish》の同時開催決定！ |url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000572.000030268.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203154514/https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000572.000030268.html |archive-date=3 December 2021 |access-date=2021-12-03 |website= |publisher=Cover |language=ja |via=PRTIMES}}
== 2023 ==
- Hololive 4th fes. Our Bright Parade (2nd Day) (19 March 2023, Makuhari Messe, SPWN) – sponsored by Bushiroad
- Dreamy Day (15 August 2023, YouTube livestream)
- hololive Summer 2023 3DLIVE Splash Party! (27 August 2023, YouTube livestream)Originally scheduled to be a paid event on August 26 on Z-aN.
== 2024 ==
- Hololive 5th fes. Capture the Moment (2nd day) (17 March 2024, Makuhari Messe, SPWN) – sponsored by Bushiroad
- Minato Aqua Graduation Live (28 August 2024, YouTube livestream)
Discography
= Digital singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Title ! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Year ! colspan="2" |Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" |Notes |
| scope="col" |JPN DS {{Cite web |title=湊あくあのデジタルシングル売上TOP6作品 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/773110/rank/dis/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=ORICON NEWS |language=ja}} ! scope="col" |JPN |
|---|
| scope="row" |"#aqua iro palette" (#あくあ色ぱれっと)
|2020 |19 |14 | |
| scope="row" |"Kaisou Ressha" (海想列車)
| rowspan="4" |2021 |40 |39 | |
| scope="row" |"aqua iro palette"
|— |— |English version of #aqua iro palette |
| scope="row" |"Kira Kira" (きらきら)
|— |59 | |
| scope="row" |"uni-birth"
|— |66 | |
| scope="row" |"aqutan no koto sukisugi☆song" (あくたんのこと好きすぎ☆ソング)
| rowspan="5" |2022 |42 |31 | |
| scope="row" |"For The Win (2022 ver.)"
|— |51 | |
| scope="row" |"I wanna" (あいわな)
|— |46 | |
| scope="row" |"Stay Blue" (未だ、青い)
|28 |27 |Theme song of Aquarium |
| scope="row" |"Let me be your SAIOSHI!" (君の最推しにしてよ！)
|— |49 | |
| scope="row" |"Girl loved by Aim" (エイムに愛されしガール)
|2023 |— |58 | |
| scope="row" |"princess carry" (プリンセス・キャリー)
| rowspan="4" |2024 |— |— | |
| scope="row" |"Strategic Love" (恋愛ストラテジック)
|— |59 | |
| scope="row" |"kizuna to kiseki with hololive JP" (キズナトキセキ with hololive JP)
|10 |12 |Features all members of the main Hololive branch as of 28 August 2024 |
| scope="row" |"kimiiro princess" (#きみいろプリンセス)
|15 |18 | |
| colspan="5" |"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
= EP =
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:small"
! Release date !! Title !! Format !! Catalog No. !! style="width:45%;" |Track listing | |||
| 24 January 2022 | aqutan no koto sukisugi☆song/ For The Win (2022 ver.)
(あくたんのこと好きすぎ☆ソング | Digital download | CVRD-121 |
|
| 28 January 2022 | ♡aquatime select♡
(♡あくあたいむ・せれくと♡) | CD, digital download | CVRD-122 |
|
= Collaborative works =
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:small"
! Release date !! Product name !! style="width:30%;" |Credited as !! Tracks !! Notes | |
| {{nobr|30 October 2020}} | Curry Meshi Is a Miracle
(カレーメシ・イン・ミラクル) | Spice Love |
| Collaboration with Nissin Curry Meshi, sung with Usada Pekora and Oozora Subaru |
| 18 December 2020
|Hacha-Mecha Miracle (Hacha-Mecha ミラクル) |Spice Love |
|Collaboration with Nissin Curry Meshi, sung with Usada Pekora and Oozora Subaru | |
| rowspan="2" |1 September 2021 | rowspan="2" |Tsumari wa Itsuma Kujikenai!
(つまりはいつもくじけない！) | rowspan="2" |NEGI☆U |
| First ending song of the television anime The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!, sung with Oozora Subaru and Momosuzu Nene{{Cite web |date=2024-09-07 |title=Hololive Idols Aqua, Subaru, Nene Sing The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated! Anime's Ending |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-06-13/hololive-idols-aqua-subaru-nene-sing-the-great-jahy-will-not-be-defeated-anime-ending/.173899 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}} |
| * MAKE UP TRUE! (めいくあっぷとぅるぅ！)
|Sung with Oozora Subaru and Momosuzu Nene | |
| 19 September 2021 | Domination! All the World Is an Ocean
(浸食!! 地球全域全おーしゃん) | UMISEA |
|Sung with Houshou Marine, Gawr Gura, and Ninomae Ina'nis |
| 1 June 2022
|NEGI☆U NO PANAIUTA (ねぎゆーのパないうた) |NEGI☆U |
|Sung with Oozora Subaru and Momosuzu Nene | |
| 13 August 2022 | Kokuhaku Jikkō Iinkai -FLYING SONGS- -Koishiteru-
(告白実行委員会 -FLYING SONGS- 恋してる) | HoneyWorks feat.Minato Aqua |
| Part of the Kokuhaku Jikkō Iinkai: Ren'ai Series |
| 19 August 2022 | Tonde K! hololive summer
(飛んでK！ホロライブサマー) | hololive IDOL PROJECT |
|Sung with all members of the main Hololive branch as of 19 August 2022 |
| 22 August 2022 | hololive ondo
(ホロメン音頭) | hololive IDOL PROJECT |
| |
| 29 August 2022 | It Comes Ryuuu And It Goes Kyuuu
(りゅーーっときてきゅーーっ!!!) | UMISEA |
|Sung with Houshou Marine, Sakamata Chloe, Gawr Gura, and Ninomae Ina'nis |
| 3 May 2023 | UMISEA no SACHIHAPPY!
(うみシーのさちハピ！) | UMISEA |
|Sung with Houshou Marine, Sakamata Chloe, Gawr Gura, and Ninomae Ina'nis |
| 19 May 2023 | Sushi Desho!
(寿司☆でしょ！) | NEGI☆U |
|Sung with Oozora Subaru and Momosuzu Nene |
| 2 July 2023 | Seishun Archive
(青春アーカイブ) | hololive IDOL PROJECT |
|Sung with Tokino Sora, Hoshimachi Suisei, Shirakami Fubuki, Amane Kanata, Moona Hoshinova, Airani Iofifteen, Takanashi Kiara and Gawr Gura |
| 14 August 2023 | Ocean wave Party☆Live
(おーしゃんうぇーぶ・Party☆らぃ) | UMISEA |
|Sung with Houshou Marine, Sakamata Chloe, Gawr Gura, and Ninomae Ina'nis |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| Year
! Ceremony ! Category ! Result !Work ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| 2022
|Best Actor |{{won}} |Aquarium |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Hololive Production}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Minato, Aqua}}
Category:YouTube channels launched in 2018
Category:YouTube channels closed in 2024
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)