I have mixed feelings about Gura's graduation.
The last Myth relay was not bad for what it was. Four back to back streams, each one hour, of Myth bonding over different games. It was good. Not as good as the final call-in stream Mumei did. But it was good. But the real thing that is frustrating me. The final stream. Her graduation stream, a "mini-live". It was in 3D, so it was something. At least a mini concert, which she performed solo. She managed to cover some of her greatest hits in a medley, ranging from Tokyo wabi sabi lullaby to Myth or Treat to Our Bright Parade. And at one key moment, she cried. It was real, indicating the pain that she was going through. And the highlight. Ash Again. When she belted, revealed the real singing voice that she could not display for most of her music project at Hololive.
And then that was it. She addressed her fans, and announced it was the end. And then a final 3D animated segment, of Gura leaving her room, and going back to the sea.
For what it was, it had heart. It was memorable, and Gura did put in effort. But compared to Mumei, who sang with different Promise members in her final stream, it was lacklustre. And worse, this is Gura. THE most subscribed Vtuber in the world. Just a few days earlier, Murasaki Shion got a really big graduation stream. A lot of people are quick to say that Hololive values its Japanese talents more than its English talents. And yet, I know its not that simple. Cover's main 3D studio is in Japan, and its likely that Gura didn't want to travel for this. Its also possible that Gura, due to her rumoured imposter syndrome and wish that she didn't have the fame she did, wanted a more muted stream. A whimper as opposed to a bang. A more quiet exit at the end of it all.
And yet, it feels wrong. It didn't have to be like this. I mean, this was Gawr Gura. THE Gawr Gura. The Gawr Gura who inspired so many. The Gawr Gura who attracted legions of artists who would draw the smallest thing she did or mentioned or streamed. The Gura who inspired so many cosplayers to wear the hoodie.
The Gura who inspired my favourite version of Gura by a specific artist.
I feel like this can't be the end. Whether it was Gura who wanted a muted exit, or Cover was unwilling to spend the budget, it just doesn't feel right. A talent like Gura deserved so much more as a finale. I know that Gura is hinting at a redebut as an indie. But again it will not be the same. Again, this is Gawr Gura we're talking about. Arguably Hololive's biggest talent. And if the person behind Gura was in a rush to just start over, again, it just feels so wrong.
I am truly hoping she will come back as Gura. But even if she returns, it would spit in the face of the finality so many fan-artists have treated her graduation. But, and if Gura returned at least in a cameo in the future, it would be bittersweet. It would be something.
But now all there is silence. And I can only wait.
