Views: 67477
If new Youtube projects appear that fit these themes well, I will add them. I had to leave out far more than you might suspect, just to keep the thread's page count reasonable. I still have got a lot to clean up here and double check, if everything properly fits; especially my own touches that I added.
There was a certain whimsy and adoration of a beloved friend that I hoped to capture in this thread's work. The Hoomans are a special fandom. They had a certain love for their silly owl that really shined through.
We are taught from media that there are certain negatives to fandoms that I didn't see much evidence of. For example, the former Ceres Fauna, Nimi Nightmare announced her upcoming marriage to the joy of her fans, rather than the craziness the news would state otherwise. Her fans, renamed the Naplings, are overjoyed that she hopes to be streaming even when she is a grandmother one day.
Thus, the Hoomans were nothing like I expected, nor was their Oshi. An introverted idol created a safe space for many lonely people, many of whom were just like she was at her own worst.
Sometimes, her mask would slip and the Hoomans would see a glimpse of the soul behind the character. She would tell them stories and lift them out of their own personal darkness.
That is not to say they didn't absolutely love the character that she embodied and breathed life into. The Guardian of Civilization inspired her rather proud fans to boast about how dangerous their protector was.
There were literally old Chuck Norris joke vibes off of more comments than I can count. She was more than that in many comments, she was literally something like a superhero. Her GenMate Ceres Fauna herself would say there was nothing scarier that she knew of than Mumei. When you stay true to the characters as written, that is a big endorsement considering Fauna who was billions of years old and had witnessed the time of the dinosaurs.
For her fans, Mumei lifted their spirits when they were scared. She gave those who had given up hope something to keep looking forward too. She made them laugh. She made them feel safe in what seemed like a world gone mad. When you read the comments and the works of the people she inspired, you get the real sense of what she meant to so many people, not just locally, but globally.
That might seem silly to some that she was as important as she actually was too her fans, but I think that kind of critique isn't entirely an honest opinion. Those who would judge or boast so now, were very likely afraid to go outside, not that long ago, terrified by a pandemic that many believed would be many times worse than it turned out to be. Food, gas, toilet paper, medicine, room in hospitals, and other things were in short supply not that many years ago.
It is easy to not remember how scared many people felt when she first came on the scene. That's just how the human mind works.
It is easy to not understand how isolated people felt or how uncomfortable it was. There were literally people openly losing their minds. That fear could be many times worse for those that weren't the best at expressing themselves.
A V-tuber is really a personality to talk to a few people at their core. An idol is a person who entertains. Even though those were the jobs the woman playing Nanashi Mumei signed up for, she became something much more to her fans.
As a matter of history, something that the Guardian of Civilization actually represents, there were those who helped people through dark times. During the Great Depression, people would talk about FDR's fireside chats and how they calmed a panicked nation. Dwight D. Eisenhower would bluff the nation out of a recession in much the same way. We also remember Lincoln's Gettysburg Address for a reason.
Before internet and cable, television personalities and entertainers used to have way more sway over public opinion and how people felt when there were three main channels and fewer movies. Those decades would sound alien to people who grew up in the internet and smartphone age.
Now days, there is several times the entertainment options for people to divide their attention between. The era of people talking about everyone watching the same shows over the watercooler are long gone and people often can't find anything they actually like in what seems like an unlimited sea of choices.
The Hoomans found her, one by one. In that environment, when many needed her most, this normally introverted woman, that played Hololive's Nanashi Mumei, created a warm safe place for Hoomans to forget their worries and their troubles. In a world the news made seem was constantly on the verge of apocalypse, her streams were their warm, protected place to gather.
She made them laugh. She bantered with them. She entertained them. She treated them like a silent family. Is it really any wonder they adored her so?
The universal thought of the Hoomans is that they want the lady behind Mumei to be healthy and happy. If they never see her again, they want to believe she is in a better state and living her dreams on her own terms. After all, even with proper treatment, her chronic cough and voice box injuries could take months or even years to fully resolve.
The fandom knows there may be no hope of seeing their oshi again. She may have to move on to a normal life. If that is where the story ends, the Hoomans will be sad, but they would accept that for their oshi's sake...
There once was an owl girl.She's cute but scary
,
silly but witty,
savage but earnest,
weird but unique. She sings
, she draws
, she makes cute noises.
She brings happiness to the people
. And is loved by all.
Thank you...........for the memory Thank you.......... for existing Thank you...........for being you Thank you...........Nanashi Mumei.
I’m just going to put this here since I don’t think my fan letter is going to get to Japan in time due to the easter holidays, my countries post system isn’t great for letters even though I sent it weeks ago. Just wanted to say that these 4 years have been great, thank you for being here entertaining us. Your karaoke streams were always a highlight – your voice is so beautiful, and your singing talent is amazing. I hope you find a doctor that can fix your throat so you can sing freely, but even if you can’t I hope you keep singing even if we no longer get to hear it. Your taste of music was great as well. I am going to miss hearing those “oh hi”, the little shy giggle you do when the other girls complement/flirt with you, the other cute sounds you make, your ability to go from cute to yandere and back on a dime, the ability to make memes from such simple things like berries or flower, and most of all the silly fun you put into every stream. All that and your interactions with the other girls; I’m going to miss it all. Your artist(mum) did such a great job at designing you. Your model fit you perfectly. And the friend design was great. I purchased two of the friend tote bags to use for my shopping (I was only planning to buy one but messed up and purchased two, a happy mistake). I sometimes get people asking about it. Most of your merch I use on weekly, from your notebook (I use as a recipes book), to your foldable key holder I use for dice rolling. I hope that you find happiness in what you do next, and that your friendship with the other girls lasts a lifetime. If you keep looking into windows as a hobby maybe you will look into mine or another fans window one day and see how much people love you. Us Hoomans and owl pals love you and will miss you. I hope you remember us fondly. Thank you for being our silly owl, our towl, our idowl, our Mooms, but most important thank you for being Nanashi Mumei!2 months ago
4 years ago, I was a depressed college student burnt out from everything and not wanting to do anything else in life. Ever since I watched your debut, I kept coming back to your streams because they were so comfy and sillyand unhinged drawings and tangents
, and will always remember the joy your streams have brought me. Thank you for everything, Mumei
@justine-3667
1 month ago
This is very beautiful. I just saw this now but I remembered Mumei all over again. Her graduation is the hardest and saddest for me to take. She wanted to continue, she loved what she's doing. But her health blocked that for her. Wherever she is, whatever she's doing right now. I hope she's having fun and doing whatever she likes.
I miss Mumei.
Thank you for this wonderful piece. I hope you reached her.
@TsunogaKidz_YMD
2 months ago
Mooms graduation situation is a bit different, she really wanted to continue the activity its just that her coughing condition doesnt allow her to do that. That what makes it super sadge, hearing her constant coughing just breaks my heart. I hope her condition can get better with long rest and proper medical treatment 🙁
@TallulahSoie
2 months ago
Mumei deserved better than the cards she was dealt.
Wherever the next chapter takes her I hope she can be happy and healthy.
@dimetrodon2250
3 months ago
The worst part about all this is that she clearly wanted to keep going, keep pushing, but was betrayed by her own health. The mental toll is probably devastating too, especially for a performer who's whole thing is using her voice. And with the way stress exasperates physical health, its a vicious cycle.
@bubblebass1602
3 months ago
Long term coughing is a hell of a thing. I've been struggling with it for 4-5 years. It hurts your chest, hurts your ribs, leaves you out of breath, interrupts your train of thought, disrupts your sleep, gives you headaches, and all of this just accumulates to cause you stress and damage your mental health. I am always saddened by news of a holo talent graduating but I understand Mumei's decisions and wish her all the best for the future.
@ANDLESCO
3 months ago
"I'm sorry I didn't do more for you..." Mumei, you already did a lot, we are the ones who are grateful. You brought us a different type of idol, your sense of humor was so refreshing, your songs (especially Mumei) will always be on my playlist, and your legacy will remain here for as long as Hololive is still a part of the internet.
Thank you so much mumei, we will miss you, and I wish you get well soon.
@sirjarck
3 months ago
Mumei, please don't be sorry for something that is entirely out of your control. Health will always be the most important thing. I may have never written a comment or chatted in live streams but I've always liked watching your content, you are by far my favorite hololive member.
I hope that you can find a way to pursue your dreams even with your chronic illness.
Thanks for everything you did as a member of hololive, Mumei.
@ohwell9937
2 months ago
Man... I am more sad that Mumei is graduating more than gura... I mean gura also loved the idol activities and all like mumei but difference is Mumei can't continue to do it because of her health, because of the cough that has been with her for years now and doesn't seem to go away... I don't even watch her often and she's not even my oshi but man... I didn't even felt sad when Sana, Fauna, Aqua and A-chan had graduated but with Mumei's graduation, it's just sad for me, it's so freaking sad...
Many Hololive talents and many of their fans have said they are not the best with words. So, let me try and express what the Hoomans are feeling for them.
Though you will likely never read this, that said, as a note to the the lady who was once known as Mumei, should your health improve and should you be lonely enough to seek out your fans the Hoomans again, they would love to see you.
That is true in whatever form your spirit takes this time. That is true by whatever new name you would be called.
Some are searching out there looking for you, just in case you need them. In this light, your title song takes on a new meaning, as there is a literal global army out there looking for you this time instead, just in case you need them. They aren't trying to invade your privacy, but they are keeping watch.
They do so in a mix of hope and loyalty. You may never understand, but you mean that much to them.
That said, what is truly right for you is what is most important to the Hoomans. You own health must come first, or your professional sacrifice was for nothing and they understand that.
If you do reach a point where you do need the Hoomans, their signal fires are ready across the internet. Many are there, standing watch, still dutifully Mooming.
Should that moment ever come, they will return as fast as their human limitations allow. You can have faith in that fact.
I would even go so far to say the music for the regathering is already composed symbolically. If you followed this thread then you know there was no shortage of music to pick from, as you inspired that many people. There is actually far more fan made music than what I posted here.
That said, one orchestral work video by Vae Song that strikes me as perfect for such a moment, both musically and visually. It was made by a composer you inspired to get back into music over a year ago. Vae Song's music was even included in many of the fan works that were just made for your graduation, as his work in turn also inspired many of your fans.
What you might not grasp is that what you made and inspired does that. Even if you never intended to, you lit a flame that inspires, grows, uplifts, and spreads well beyond its original confines. It is likely something even beyond your ability to imagine.
Art spreads like that. True acts of human kindness spread like that. Acts of friendship spread like that, even when someone was just what used to be called a pen pal. In addition, Legends spread like that. You were literally all of these things to your fans.
For many, you were their light in their darkest times. In turn, they know how lonely you once were. The Hoomans will be there, if you need them, taking whatever new fan name they need too.
/salute
Vae Song's 【Orchestral Cover | Hololive】Nanashi Mumei - mumei
There are many comments on the pages before, but here a few to place here in the Hooman's own words...
@gino14
3 months ago (edited)
The Mother returns to the forest...
And now the Guardian returns to legend.
@diigu5659
2 months ago
Once in a while, an owl comes along and leaves a mark on your heart.
You’ve been the kindest owl.
You were the first I truly felt connected to, so genuine, so full of care, carrying us through storms just by being yourself.
Whenever you come to mind, it’s the good memories I’ll never be ready to let go of.
This isn’t goodbye, you’ll always have a home in our hearts.
Thank you, Mooms, for your beautiful voice, your care, and the warmth you shared. Wherever your wings take you, we’ll be smiling under the same sky you helped make brighter. 🤎
@zooe__
3 months ago
today humanity lost their biggest guardian.
@lukeorloki
2 months ago
"I loved my friend.
[She] went away from me.
There’s nothing more to say.
The poem ends,
Soft as it began,—
I loved my friend."
Poem by Langston Hughes
Thank for all the wonderful memories and songs
You brightened our lives
I hope your life is beautiful in whatever new adventures find you
@LunarCrusade
2 months ago
You know what's more heartbreaking? Mumei loves doing this. She loves singing like this.
But her throat, her consistent coughing during streaming, making her can't handle it anymore especially if Hololive is moving towards the idol path (more singing, rehearsal, vocal training, singles, albums, 3D events, solo concerts like Calli, etc).
It is not heartbreaking because it was my first time losing an oshi in Hololive, it was because of her inability to continue doing things she loves due to chronic issue.
2 months ago