Kizuna AI, the virtual YouTuber who has captivated millions worldwide, has officially returned to the scene three years after her indefinite hiatus. On February 26, 2025, she announced her comeback under the new name "KizunaAI" and released her latest single, "Kamone," accompanied by a vibrant music video.
Since her inception as the world's first virtual YouTuber back in 2016, Kizuna AI has garnered over 10 million followers across various social media platforms. She earned her prominence by seamlessly blending entertainment, music, and fandom, becoming an icon of the VTuber culture.
After her final performance titled "Kizuna AI The Last Live 'hello, world 2022'" on February 26, 2022, Kizuna entered what she termed "sleep," leaving fans eagerly awaiting her return. During this extended hiatus, several creative projects emerged, hinting at her intent to evolve and return with new experiences.
The anticipation built when mysterious countdowns appeared on promotional materials, leading fans to speculate about her return date. When the countdown hit zero on February 26, 2025, fans were met with the sweet sound of her voice saying, "Thank you for waiting! I'm back!" marking her official return as she unveiled the new music video and single.
The song "Kamone"—which translates to "maybe"—is co-written by the pop sensation ESME MORI with contributions from Kizuna AI and the rising lyricist Nishina. The music video features KizunaAI's transformation through various artistic styles, symbolizing her growth and readiness to connect with her fans once more.
"I aim to connect with as many of you around the world as possible through my music; I'm excited for this new beginning," KizunaAI proclaimed after her return. Her objective is centered around building connections through music and sharing it with her fanbase, commonly known as "Kizuna Family."
The music video showcases KizunaAI's captivating visual evolution, collaborating with the creative unit qootain. It incorporates cutting-edge techniques, including 3D printing, paper art, and digital drawing, creating a vibrant visual experience. This reflects her artistic direction as she aims to blend elements of Japanese dance music with indie rock and J-Pop to forge what she calls "new J-Pop."
KizunaAI's presence on various platforms reveals her intent not just on YouTube, but across Spotify, TikTok, and other music service channels, where her new work is available. Her official profile underwent revamping, supporting her transformed identity as KizunaAI.
After her announcement and music release, she dropped another video titled "Tadaima"—meaning "I'm back"—greeting her fans with warmth and gratitude. Dressed in modern attire, she explained her plans to focus on music, stating her ambitions of releasing multiple tracks this year, aiming for simultaneous integration of her former and present musical styles.
Looking forward, KizunaAI shared her vision of hosting real-world concerts to connect personally with her fans, emphasizing the importance of interactions through music. "My goal is to bring everyone together for live performances across the globe!" she expressed.
The response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement over her return, numerous comments flooding her platforms with welcoming messages.
Overall, KizunaAI's reemergence heralds significant new developments for the VTuber community and marks another chapter for Kizuna AI, amplifying her artistic expression through music.