Iza is one of a growing number of talented VTuber animators. Passionate about their work and loyal to their oshis, VTuber mega fans such as Iza and Alice Magic add a new, lively dimension to the VTuber community. Iza has thrown the spotlight on numerous VTubers in his work. We were fortunate to speak with him.
Who’s That Oshi?
Iza names his oshis.
Kasaix: I first found your channel with the incredibly funny “We Partying Hard!” video about Kobo and Sana. The word “bacot” should have been a meme in the VTuber community. What first piqued your interest in VTubers? Was it someone in particular?
Iza: I’m kinda embarrassed that you found me through that video, but it was one of the funniest and most interesting to work on. It involved many technical challenges and editing tricks to make, so I learned on the go. I became interested in VTubers during the pre-COVID era and a couple of years before their boom in the West.
I was already a fan of Kizuna AI but had no interest in newer VTubers. Honestly, I thought they were for nerds and otaku only. I was the typical otaku who hated otaku. But one of my best friends in college recommended Hololive and showed me Fubuki clips. I fell for the bait and found myself watching more clips. So I guess I started with Fubuki, Rushia, Okakoro, Subaru, Marine, and Pekora.
I casually clip-watched here and there until the 4th generation debuted, which is when I found my love, oshi, and inspiration, Kiryu Coco.
Kasaix: You’re a veteran in the VTuber community then, that’s great. Past or present, who is your favorite oshi?
Iza: Still Coco. I will wait the 497 years left for her return. But Marine is my second, and Sana my third.
Kasaix: I ask this for no reason in particular, but do you watch Kson?
Iza: Sometimes. I do love Kson and watch clips here and there. But, after my oshi left watching live streams hasn’t been the same.
I love the evolution she had and how well she’s doing in her projects, but it’s not the same feeling, ya know? I am a faithful simp to just one entity.
Kasaix: I respect your dedication. What’s your favorite stream of clip from your oshis? One that stands out that you revisit occasionally.
Iza: The ones I enjoyed most were the ones where they acted cute with each other, so a few Okakoro streams with Kronmei. I was a huge Gunkan fan and enjoyed Tamaki and Rushia streams. But apart from them the Ozora Police saga and the Marine and Fubuki nuns. The stream where Aqua had to guess who the real Marine was cracks me up every time.
Kasaix: You put out a few videos with Sana that her Sanallites have absolutely loved. What’s the appeal of making videos about graduated VTubers?
Iza: Well… Coco inspired me to become a content creator but I didn’t have a plan or a specific style to go with at the time of her graduation. I followed her in my darkest times, when I was just out of college, burned out, and applying for jobs everywhere. The way she graduated made me realize that I must keep pursuing my dreams.
So I created my Twitter and YouTube channel, but I still didn’t have a direction. I thought of becoming a 2D artist and made a few really bad drawings, the first commemorating Coco. After that, I landed a job in an animation studio and abandoned the channel for a time.
Then Sana announces her graduation. It felt like the right time. If I didn’t do something before she left I would regret it for life. So I chose the medium I’m best at, 3D. Sadly I was too overloaded at work and only finished Sana’s model before her graduation. The first video aired a month after she left and it was just an animation test of the rig. Months later the video blew up for some reason.
From then I uploaded at my own pace and followed a monthly schedule of who to feature. Then VTubers began announcing their graduation and I had to prioritize the graduating VTubers over others. It happened with Pikamee, then Nina, but it was such a rush and hard work. So I don’t intend to focus on graduated VTubers only. I enjoy them a lot, but I feel bad using their images. I don’t want fans to think I’m exploiting them for views. However, I keep making Sana videos because the fans really like them. I’m keeping her memory alive.
I still haven’t finished the video I originally planned for Sana’s graduation.
Kasaix: If that video ends with Sana saying “Sananara~” like the end of her last stream, people will cry.
Iza: Well, there’s a reason I did Kobo after Sana, but there were technical stuff and techniques I needed to learn before finishing it. I learn from every video I make. That’s why I keep pushing.
Kasaix: Commendable. Do you have plans for any more Pikamee videos? I can bet that the Pikarmy would love to see some.
Iza: I love her look and personality, and there are a bunch of clips I’d love to animate, but I hate feeling like I’m exploiting them once they’re gone. However, if the Pikarmy council gives me their approval I would love to. I’d also love to do Henya videos, but I have already planned out the first half of the year.
Kasaix: I look forward to that. Could you give your fans an idea of who will feature in your next video?
Iza: Yes, it’s going to be three introduction sequences that end with a wholesome “collaboration.”
Recommended Viewing
Iza’s stand-out animations.
Kasaix: Which do you consider your most popular animation?
Iza: It has to be “Kobo teaches you calmly”
Kasaix: Great video. “No T!!”
Iza: Ch ch ch ch. The YouTube algorithm hates me. All those views come from Twitter.
Animation Process
Iza discusses his process for planning out and animating a video.
Kasaix: How long does it typically take you to finish a video?
Iza: It depends, from two weeks to over a month. More for a new character. This isn’t my main job, so it can take double the time. I just opened a Patreon and Kofi account to help support my work.
Animation Inspirations
Iza discusses what inspired him to become an artist and animator.
Kasaix: What inspired you to take up animation, and how long have you been animating?
Iza: I am a big fan of animated movies, anime, and cartoons. I chose 3D because I’m not that good at drawing.
Kasaix: You said you were a professional. Have you worked on anything we might have heard of?
Iza: I worked for a studio that makes mostly TV series and landed on two productions for Disney+ and Netflix. Spidey and His Amazing Friends and the new version of My Little Pony. After that, I have just been focusing on the channel and occasionally freelancing.
Kasaix: What is your favorite anime right now?
Iza: Frieren and Bocchi the Rock. Hitori’s like me.
Kasaix: Which anime series or movie do you think has the best animation?
Iza: Anything from Studio Trigger. I prefer unique and exaggerated styles over realism. But also Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen are beautifully animated in terms of action and camera work. Violet Evergarden is a masterpiece of storytelling, drawing, animation, and style. Also Spider-verse and consequently Puss in Boots 2. There’s a “before” and “after Spider-verse” in the industry.
Kasaix: Do you have much time to play games? What are you playing at the moment?
Iza: I waste my time on YouTube and anime, Genshin dailies, Final Fantasy, and Sonic games. And soon the new Zenless Zone Zero from Mihoyo. That game has the most visually appealing and overexaggerated animation I’ve seen.
Kasaix: I’d hate to take up more of your time, so let’s wrap it up for now. Any final thoughts for your fans?
Iza: Just want to say, that before this channel I didn’t have anything to be proud of, and every comment and like I received makes the struggle worth it. I couldn’t have continued for this long without your support. And thank you for the interview. I feel very honored.
Kasaix: It’s been my pleasure. Your animations are great.
Iza: Tell that to YouTube. I low-key felt they shadowbanned me for the Party Hard mix. But thank you, I really appreciate it.
If you’d like to follow Iza’s VTuber animation work, he can be found on YouTube, Twitter (X), TikTok, Instagram, Patreon, and Kofi.
Let’s Chat
Also, be sure to follow J-List on these platforms!
- Twitter/X, where Peter posts anime booba for you
- Facebook, where we share memes and discuss anime
- Instagram, where you can look at sterilized anime memes because it’s Instagram
- Discord, if you want to chat with other J-List customers of culture
- Finally, check out J-List’s short video blogs on YouTube or TikTok!
If you want more VTuber merchandise for your growing collection, J-List can help. The Shirakami Fubuki Nendoroid Figure from Hololive Production is available for purchase right now.
Editor’s Note: This interview was edited for clarity.
