Laily UPN
The boundaries between the digital and the physical, the fictional and the real, have never been more porous than they are in the current landscape of Japanese entertainment. At the heart of this cultural intersection stands KAF, a virtual singer whose meteoric rise under the banner of KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO has redefined what it means to be a modern idol. Following a landmark interview in late 2024, KAF has returned to the spotlight, not just as a powerhouse vocalist, but as a burgeoning voice actress and a central figure in the newly released anime series, KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
As the series begins its global broadcast on Crunchyroll, KAF’s journey offers a unique window into the "Sinka Animation Project"—an ambitious multimedia ecosystem that blends music, narrative, and virtual identity. This transition from a YouTube-based virtual singer to the lead of a global anime production marks a pivotal moment for the virtual artist industry.
Main Facts: A Multimedia Milestone
The release of KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION represents more than just a seasonal anime premiere; it is the culmination of years of world-building by KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO. The project, which spans across music, tabletop RPGs, and digital experiences, has finally manifested as a narrative work for the screen.
Key highlights of this current phase include:
- Global Distribution: The anime is now streaming on Crunchyroll, reaching audiences far beyond the Japanese domestic market.
- V.W.P Integration: The group V.W.P (Virtual Witch Phenomenon), consisting of KAF and her labelmates, serves as the core cast, blurring the lines between their virtual personas and their anime characters.
- Linguistic Expansion: The project features V.W.P’s first fully English-language track, "Chase the Day," signaling an intentional move toward international accessibility.
- Collaborative Synergy: Alongside the anime, KAF has released her fourth remix album, Fable γ, and a high-profile collaboration with traditional artist CHiCO, bridging the gap between virtual and "real-world" music scenes.
Chronology: From Virtual Singer to Anime Protagonist
To understand the weight of KAF’s current success, one must look at the timeline of her evolution and the broader "Kamitsubaki City" project.
2018–2022: The Foundation
KAF debuted in 2018, quickly becoming the flagship artist of KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO. Her early years were defined by mysterious, high-quality music videos and a voice that possessed an uncanny emotional depth. During this period, the concept of "Kamitsubaki City" began to emerge—not as a single story, but as a conceptual setting for various musical and digital projects.
2023–2024: Expanding the Universe
The "Kamitsubaki City Under Construction" project was formally launched as a multi-layered IP. This included the "Kamitsubaki City Resonance" game and various social media-driven ARG (Alternate Reality Game) elements. In October 2024, KAF spoke with Otaku USA about her aspirations to improve her English and her desire to expand her creative horizons.
August 2025: The Global Launch
The anime adaptation officially hits Crunchyroll. Simultaneously, KAF’s musical output reaches a fever pitch with the release of Fable γ on August 28, 2025. This month marks KAF’s official entry into the world of professional voice acting, a transition that has been years in the making.
Future (November 2025):
The upcoming KAMITSUBAKI FES 2025 is set to be the next major milestone, promising a live-event synthesis of all the studio’s current projects.
Supporting Data: The Craft of the Virtual Performer
The transition from a recording booth to a voice-acting studio is a significant technical and emotional hurdle. For KAF, who has spent years perfecting her "virtual" presence through song, the move into character-driven dialogue required a different set of muscles.
In the production of KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, the voice recordings were notably conducted as group sessions. Unlike solo music recordings, where an artist can do dozens of takes in isolation, anime voice acting requires "one-shot" chemistry with castmates. This collaborative environment was essential for V.W.P members to build the "mysterious bond" reflected in the show’s lore.
Furthermore, the musical data supporting the project is immense. Fable γ, the fourth remix album, features 13 different artists, including prominent Vocaloid producers and independent electronic musicians like KAIRUI. This strategy of "remixing" isn’t just a musical choice; it is a community-building tool that integrates the fan-creator culture of the Vocaloid scene into KAF’s official discography.
Official Responses: An Interview with KAF
In a candid discussion regarding her recent achievements, KAF shared insights into the challenges of her first anime credit and the thrill of international recognition.
On the Global Reception of the Anime
KAF expressed a sense of relief and profound emotion regarding the show’s debut. "The story of KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION becoming an anime was a massive undertaking," she noted. "It has been in the works for years, and it really feels like it’s finally here! Me and my fellow V.W.P members have been deeply moved since its release." She also highlighted how social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have allowed her to witness real-time reactions from a global audience, a connectivity that remains central to the virtual artist experience.
The Challenge of Voice Acting
Despite her experience as a singer, KAF found the nuances of acting to be a steep learning curve. "It was honestly difficult for me to convey the emotion of ‘joy’ in a natural way," she admitted. "At first, I was finding myself lost in the unfamiliarity… but as I slowly began imagining how Kafu as a character would think, the more I was able to think, ‘This is how I want it to be heard!’"
She contrasted the isolation of music production with the communal nature of anime: "The voice recordings were done as a group… which was both nerve-wracking and challenging. At the same time, though, there was a feeling of doing this together as a team, which felt very rewarding."
Breaking Language Barriers
Following her 2024 goal to incorporate more English, the track "Chase the Day" represents a major milestone. KAF described her rigorous preparation: "I checked my pronunciation so many times at home… ‘Chase the Day’ is such a lovely ballad with this flowing melody, so I tried my best to make my vocalization with smoothness in mind." This effort reflects a broader trend of Japanese virtual artists seeking to minimize the "language gap" for their growing Western fanbases.
Collaborations and the Remix Culture
KAF’s recent work with CHiCO (formerly of CHiCO with HoneyWorks) was a particularly sentimental project. "I’ve been listening to CHiCO’s songs since I was in elementary school," KAF revealed. "It was a dream come true to be able to sing with a singer I’d admired for so long."
Regarding her remix album Fable γ, KAF emphasized the transformative power of collaboration. She specifically cited KAIRUI’s remix of "Replaceable Goodbye," noting how the addition of ambient sounds like rain could "completely change the image of the original," turning a "dazzling sunrise" into a scene of contemplative loneliness.
Implications: The Future of Virtual and Traditional Synergy
The success of KAF and KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION signals several shifts in the entertainment industry:
1. The Normalization of the "Virtual"
KAF’s assertion that "it doesn’t matter if it’s real or virtual" highlights a growing sentiment among younger audiences. The "synergy" she hopes for—where the limitations and charms of both worlds are retained—suggests a future where virtual artists are not seen as "substitutes" for real people, but as a distinct medium with their own unique artistic value.
2. Multimedia IP as the New Standard
KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO is proving that the future of IP is not found in a single medium, but in a "resonance" across platforms. By launching an anime, a game, and multiple albums simultaneously, they create an immersive world that fans can inhabit rather than just watch.
3. Globalized J-Pop
The inclusion of English tracks and the partnership with Crunchyroll demonstrate that the "Galapagos Effect" (where Japanese media remains isolated within its own borders) is effectively over for the virtual scene. KAF’s ambition to perform at outdoor live events—to sing "under a blue sky, or even in the rain"—suggests a desire to break the virtual artist out of the "digital box" and into the physical world on a global scale.
4. Career Longevity for Virtual Idols
KAF’s interest in continuing her acting career indicates that virtual artists are looking for long-term career paths. By diversifying into voice acting, MCing, and international collaborations, artists like KAF are ensuring they remain relevant even as the initial novelty of VTubing fades.
Conclusion
As KAF prepares for KAMITSUBAKI FES 2025 this November, her trajectory is a testament to the power of digital-first storytelling. KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION is more than just an anime; it is a flag planted in the ground of the global entertainment market, declaring that the virtual world is open for business, and its inhabitants are ready for their close-up. For KAF, the journey from a fledgling voice actor to a global icon is just beginning, and if her recent successes are any indication, the "city" she is building will have plenty of residents for years to come.
Layla Zulfa
Neng Nana
