Hoshimachi Suisei

Overview

Hoshimachi Suisei (星街すいせい) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, virtual YouTuber and virtual idol. She belongs to Hololive Production and her own agency, Studio STELLAR, with releases through Sony Records and hololive RECORDS. Her birthday is 22 March and her nickname is "Sui-chan." Her character is an eternally 18-year-old high-school idol. Besides singing and live streams such as game commentary, she creates illustrations and videos. Fans were called "Kometomo" until 19 May 2019 and "Hoshiyomi" afterwards, which is also the name of her official fan club. She is known as part of the unit Startend (with Tokoyami Towa and Minato Aqua) and the pairs miComet (Sakura Miko) and AS_tar (AZKi). Her goal of performing at the Nippon Budokan was achieved on 1 February 2025; she now aims for the Tokyo Dome.

Career

Independent VTuber (2018–2019)

She created her YouTube channel on 18 March 2018, revealing a character design she had made herself, and posted her first video on 22 March as an independent creator, handling her icon, logo, Live2D setup and editing alone. Her first cover appeared on 30 April. She joined the VTuber group S:gnal on 2 July but left in August over differing directions. Her first original song, "comet" (written and composed by *Luna), came out on 22 November 2018 and was introduced on the "V Kouhaku Uta Gassen" on 29 December, boosting her audience. Her second song, "Her Trail on the Celestial Sphere" (天球、彗星は夜を跨いで), composed by Kitani Tatsuya, followed on 22 March 2019.

Joining Hololive (2019–2022)

On 19 May 2019 she joined Hololive Production via its new music label INoNaKa Music, and on 1 December transferred to the all-female Hololive agency, with a new design by Teshima Nari and a Live2D model by rariemonn. She began streaming on bilibili in October 2019 and on 17 March 2020 became the first VTuber there to surpass 1,000 "captain" memberships.

She debuted her 3D model at "hololive 1st fes. Nonstop Story" at Toyosu PIT on 24 January 2020, and the 1 March 2020 3D showcase stream drew about 55,000 concurrent viewers and topped Twitter trends worldwide. "Next Color Planet" followed on 22 March 2020. From April she hosted her first radio show, "Hoshimachi Suisei's MUSIC SPACE," on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting's Super A&G+, and on 17 June 2020 took part in the first studio live by a virtual artist on Japanese terrestrial radio. She passed 100,000 YouTube subscribers in January 2020 and 1 million on 26 June 2021.

Her April 2021 digital single "Ghost" reached No. 1 on Oricon's daily digital singles chart. From June she released three monthly digital EPs: "Bluerose / comet," "Kakero / Tenkyū, Suisei wa Yoru o Mataide" and "Jibun Katte Dazzling / Bye Bye Rainy." Her first album, Still Still Stellar, arrived on 29 September 2021, and her first concert, "STELLAR into the GALAXY," took place at Toyosu PIT on 21 October.

On 31 March 2022 she launched the project Midnight Grand Orchestra with composer Taku Inoue under Toy's Factory, releasing "SOS" in April and a debut album on 27 July. After announcing a break for throat surgery on 15 September, she returned on 4 November. On 31 December she released "story time" with AZKi, Moona Hoshinova and IRyS.

Breakthrough (2023–2024)

On 20 January 2023 she became the first VTuber on THE FIRST TAKE, performing "Stellar Stellar," and the premiere set the channel's record for concurrent viewers at roughly 159,500. Her second album, Specter, was released on 25 January, followed by the second solo live "Shout in Crisis" at Tokyo Garden Theater on 28 January. From April 2023 she hosted the NHK-FM radio show "VR! VTuber Music Radio," now on NHK Radio 1.

"Bibidebi" (ビビデバ), released on 23 March 2024, became the fastest VTuber song to reach 10 million views and passed 100 million YouTube views in November. "Moonlight" followed on 1 October. Her first tour, "Spectra of Nova," ran in November–December at venues including Saitama Super Arena, and on 31 December she became the first VTuber at COUNTDOWN JAPAN 24/25.

Recent activity (2025–2027)

Her third album, Shinsei Mokuroku (新星目録), came out on 22 January 2025, and on 1 February she held "SuperNova" at the Nippon Budokan. In April she released "Mou Dou Nacchatte Ii ya" (the ending theme of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX) and "Yoru ni Saku" (an insert song for the series). Her first solo exhibition, "SUISEI ARCHIVES," ran from May at Ikebukuro Parco and later Nagoya Parco, and in August she was named to Forbes JAPAN 30 UNDER 30 2025. In September "Bibidebi" passed 150 million views, the most for any VTuber original song. "Suisei" (彗星), the theme of her radio show, was released on 5 December, and a CD single of "Mou Dou Nacchatte Ii ya" on 24 December.

On 28 January 2026 she released "Tsuki ni Mukatte Ute," the opening theme of the TV anime Mayonaka Heart Tune, and on 21 February held "SuperNova: REBOOT" at K-Arena Yokohama. On 22 March 2026 she announced the founding of Studio STELLAR, an official site and fan club, and her largest arena tour; she continues as a Hololive talent while solo artist activity moves to the new office. "Primadonna" (23 March) was her first release after the move, and "GUM&DROP," completed at a co-writing camp in Los Angeles, was released on 31 August. Planned events include ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2026 and X Border Fes. in September, the arena tour "Once Upon a Stellar" from September to November, a joint live with tuki. on 20 December, and a fan meeting, "Hoshiyomi Pajama Party Vol.2," in February 2027.

Musical style

Rooted in J-pop, Suisei is praised for her vocal ability. She is closely involved in her music, writing lyrics for songs such as "Next Color Planet," and directing visuals by making her own music videos, illustrations and edits. She asked *Luna for a song showing "Hoshimachi Suisei" rather than a conventional idol image, and Kitani Tatsuya for an artistic direction, reflecting her emphasis on individuality. She is also renowned for her Tetris skills.