Suro Senen
The landscape of contemporary Japanese entertainment is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the convergence of virtual reality, high-concept narrative world-building, and the meteoric rise of "Virtual Singers" (V-Singers). At the epicenter of this movement is KAF, a pioneer in the virtual artist space and the flagship talent of KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO.
Following her landmark debut and subsequent rise to fame as a digital avatar with a hauntingly human voice, KAF has transitioned from a niche internet phenomenon to a multi-hyphenate creative force. Her latest milestone—the global airing of the anime KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION on Crunchyroll—marks a significant turning point for the "Kamitsubaki Verse." In a recent comprehensive dialogue, KAF shared insights into her evolution from a vocalist to a voice actor, the technical complexities of her first English-language tracks, and the philosophical blurring of lines between virtual and physical performance.
I. Main Facts: The Global Expansion of the Kamitsubaki Ecosystem
The premiere of KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION (known in Japan as Kamitsubaki City Antheism) on Crunchyroll represents more than just a new seasonal anime; it is the culmination of a years-long "Narrative Mixed Media Project." The series serves as a narrative anchor for the diverse activities of KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO, integrating music, gaming, and animation into a singular, cohesive mythos.
Key Developments:
- Media Convergence: The project, which began as a series of music videos and an alternate reality game (ARG), has now solidified into a televised anime production distributed to international audiences.
- V.W.P Participation: The "Virtual Witch Phenomenon" (V.W.P), a group consisting of KAF and her labelmates RIM, HARUSAKI, SEKAI, and KOKO, serves as both the primary voice cast and the musical engine for the series.
- The "V-Singer" as Actor: KAF makes her formal debut as a voice actor (seiyuu), portraying the character "Kafu," a role that requires her to bridge the gap between her established virtual persona and a scripted narrative character.
- International Outreach: With the release of "Chase the Day," a song performed entirely in English, KAF and V.W.P are signaling a strategic pivot toward the Western market, supported by Crunchyroll’s global streaming infrastructure.
II. Chronology: The Road to Kamitsubaki City
To understand the weight of KAF’s current success, one must look at the timeline of her development and the strategic growth of KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO.
2018–2020: The Emergence
KAF debuted in 2018 as a mysterious virtual entity. Unlike traditional VTubers who focused on gaming or variety content, KAF’s focus was strictly musical. Her collaborations with producer Guiano and her distinct, tremulous vocal style quickly earned her a dedicated following. During this period, the "Kamitsubaki Studio" was established to manage the growing ecosystem of virtual artists.
2021–2023: World-Building and "SINKA"
The studio launched the "SINKA ANIMATION PROJECT," an ambitious plan to turn the abstract lore of KAF’s music videos into a concrete world. This period saw the formation of V.W.P and the launch of various "City" projects, including digital maps and interactive fan experiences. In October 2024, KAF began hinting at the deeper integration of her music with long-form storytelling.
2024–2025: Realization
The announcement and subsequent release of KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION in 2025 served as the "Grand Opening" of this digital metropolis. The project moved from conceptual art to a fully-realized anime, coinciding with KAF’s fourth remix album, Fable γ, and high-profile collaborations with traditional industry veterans like CHiCO.
III. Supporting Data: Technical and Creative Milestones
The expansion of the Kamitsubaki brand is backed by significant creative output. KAF’s recent activities highlight a diversification of her portfolio that is rare even among top-tier virtual talents.
1. The Remix Culture: "Fable γ"
KAF’s fourth remix album, Fable γ, features collaborations with 13 different artists, primarily from the Vocaloid and electronic music scenes. This album serves as a bridge between the "Utaite" (online cover singer) culture and professional music production.
- Notable Track: The remix of "Replaceable Goodbye" by KAIRUI is highlighted for its tonal shift, moving from the "dazzling sunrise" of the original to a melancholic, rain-soaked atmosphere.
- Artist Synergy: By involving 13 distinct producers, KAF maintains her relevance within the peer-to-peer creative communities that originally birthed her fame.
2. Cross-Genre Collaborations
The track "Break Out," a collaboration with CHiCO (formerly of CHiCO with HoneyWorks), signifies KAF’s acceptance into the mainstream "real-world" music industry. CHiCO, a staple of the anime song (anisong) industry since the early 2010s, represents the traditional path to success, while KAF represents the future. Their collaboration, written by Ryuto Seiri, demonstrates that the vocal quality and emotional resonance of a virtual artist can stand on equal footing with a seasoned human performer.
3. Linguistic Evolution
The recording of "Chase the Day" in English is a data point indicating the studio’s global ambitions. KAF noted that the preparation involved rigorous pronunciation checks to ensure the "Japanese-English" (Katenglish) was polished into a smooth, melodic ballad suitable for international ears.
IV. Official Responses: Insights from KAF
In her interview, KAF provided a rare glimpse into the psychological and professional hurdles of being a virtual pioneer. Her responses highlight the human effort behind the digital avatar.
On the Challenges of Voice Acting
KAF admitted that the transition to voice acting was far from seamless. "It was honestly difficult for me to convey the emotion of ‘joy’ in a natural way," she explained. Unlike singing, where the rhythm and melody guide the emotion, voice acting requires a nuanced understanding of character psychology. KAF noted that she had to inhabit the headspace of her character, "Kafu," to find an authentic voice. Furthermore, the technical requirement of group recording sessions—where dialogue must be delivered in "one shot" alongside castmates—added a layer of pressure that her solo music recordings lacked.
On the "Witch" Dynamics
Discussing her favorite moments in the series, KAF pointed to the a cappella performance of "Closing one’s eyes." This scene explores the relationship between the "Familier" and the "witch’s daughter." KAF described this as a "mysterious bond," emphasizing that the anime seeks to portray relationships that are "warm, loving, and precious," yet existing in a world only the characters can truly understand.
On Working with CHiCO
For KAF, collaborating with CHiCO was a full-circle moment. "I’ve been listening to CHiCO’s songs since I was in elementary school," KAF revealed. She described the experience as a "dream come true," noting that the difference in their vocal qualities created a "satisfying unity." This response highlights a burgeoning trend: the new generation of virtual stars were fans of the very industry they are now disrupting.
V. Implications: The Future of Virtual Artistry and Global Media
The success of KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION and KAF’s evolving career suggest several long-term implications for the entertainment industry.
1. The Erasure of the "Uncanny Valley"
As virtual artists like KAF participate in traditional media (anime, radio, live festivals), the distinction between "virtual" and "real" becomes less relevant to the audience. KAF herself advocates for this, stating, "It doesn’t matter if it’s real or virtual… I hope we can create an even more amazing and fresh experience through synergy." This suggests a future where virtual talent is judged solely on creative merit rather than the novelty of their digital form.
2. The "Mixed Reality" Live Experience
KAF’s stated desire to perform at an outdoor live event—under the blue sky or in the rain—points toward the next technological frontier: high-fidelity Augmented Reality (AR). For a virtual artist to perform in an uncontrolled outdoor environment would require massive leaps in projection and spatial computing technology, a goal that KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO seems poised to pursue.
3. Global Distribution as Standard
By launching on Crunchyroll simultaneously with Japanese broadcasts, the project bypasses the traditional "wait-and-see" approach to Western licensing. This reflects a growing understanding that the fanbase for virtual artists is inherently global and internet-native.
4. The Upcoming KAMITSUBAKI FES 2025
The year concludes with KAMITSUBAKI FES 2025 in November. This event will likely serve as a "state of the union" for the studio, showcasing the combined power of their roster. For KAF, it is another opportunity to prove that her "diligent work on each and every task" is building a legacy that will last "for a long time."
Conclusion
KAF’s journey from a single YouTube upload to the lead of a global anime franchise is a testament to the power of the "V-Singer" movement. Through KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, she and her team have constructed more than just a fictional city; they have built a new model for how music, story, and digital identity can coexist. As the boundaries between the virtual and the physical continue to thin, KAF stands as the blueprint for the modern, borderless artist.
Iffa Jayyana
Nila Kartika Wati
