After a six-month hiatus, Cover Corp.'s first-generation VTuber from the Hololive agency, Akai Haato (赤井はあと), is officially making her comeback! Fans have been eagerly awaiting news since she stepped away from activities last October due to emotional instability during a livestream, leading to an extended period of rest and a pause in her schedule.
Today, April 16th, Cover Corp. dropped the much-anticipated news: Akai Haato is recovering well and is set for a phased return to her activities! While a full comeback timeline isn't set yet, this announcement is a massive relief for her dedicated "Haatons" (心豚), who can finally breathe easy.
According to Cover's official statement:
Akai Haato will formally begin her "phased return" to activities. Since her hiatus, and following multiple discussions with her and her family, the decision was made to prioritize her "mental and physical well-being" as she gradually prepares for her comeback. To avoid overwhelming her, initial activities will start in a lighter format, such as releasing video content via proxy posts, to slowly re-establish interaction with her fanbase.
As for a full return to social media updates, livestreams, and other comprehensive activities, the agency emphasized that they will continue to carefully evaluate her condition. There's no rush for a complete comeback, and progress will be made step-by-step based on her actual state. They also appealed to fans, stating that a full return might still take some time and hoping for continued warm support for her new journey. Additionally, they specifically requested that fans refrain from directly asking Akai Haato or other Hololive members for related details to avoid causing any unnecessary burden.
The agency also expressed their hope that everyone will continue to give Akai Haato their support and encouragement, accompanying her as she steadily returns to the stage.
Akai Haato's official X (formerly Twitter) account, managed by her staff, announced the first piece of comeback content: an original song MV titled "Oningyou" (お人形), set to premiere tonight at 6 PM JST. This is clearly meant to reassure fans that Haachama is indeed back!
After half a year of near-total silence and worries about a potential graduation, this comeback announcement is undoubtedly a huge relief for her dedicated fanbase.