"It’s nice to meet everyone!”

For our fouth edition of Spotlight on IRIAM: Meet The Streamer, we’re joined by Otoharu Riyo - IRIAM US’s shrimp pink idol boy! He loves to show off his powerful and aggressive vocals but off the stage, he enjoys making people laugh both with him and at him! He spends most of his time buying new BL releases, playing the same types of games your grandpa does, and wishing you were dreaming of him!

What inspired you to become a VTuber?

I have actually been streaming actively since 2020, since around the time of COVID. Before that, I had been doing idol activities on the stage. However, because of the virus spreading, it wasn’t safe for people to meet me. I found a bit of a home in Vtubing where I could still meet people in a similar way I was before, though I was a little apprehensive about it at first if I’m being honest. Since I always loved 3D idols so much, it felt like I was betraying it, haha! I found with this, though, that I was able to show parts of myself that I wasn’t allowing myself to show before, which was a lot more of a fun and loose side of myself. I was so uptight, professional, and analytical then, and I think to a degree, I still am very much. However, I have found now that I allow myself to live in the moment more.

“IRIAM was the first place to see my capabilities for what they truly were"

Before becoming a Founding Streamer, what challenges or obstacles did you face on your journey into content creation?

For Riyo, I had actually been trying to take Vtubing more seriously and professionally for a very long time prior to this. I fell in love with all aspects of the medium and loved the person it helped me become. I knew in my life, I wanted to take it higher and higher and reach the top, or at least what was the top in my eyes at that moment. I had tried really hard and got close to reaching my goals many times, but every time, at that last moment when it really counted, I failed the mission I set out for. I felt extremely defeated every time, but when you try so hard and put so much of yourself out there over and over again, you start to wonder if you’ll ever be able to reach your goals.

On the very same day I received news of the kind that made me feel the lowest I had ever before, I applied to IRIAM to be in the initial round of Founding Streamer only two hours later. Really, I don’t know why I did that. I had told myself I didn’t have the heart to keep going on and was really ready to give it all up, but in a moment of weakness, I was trying to grasp at anything one last time. Without that intense moment of passion and heartbreak, I wouldn’t be able to meet everyone. IRIAM ended up being the first place to see my capabilities for what they truly were, give me a chance, and even bend backwards to find a place for me. IRIAM helped me find a place to call my home with pride, even.

What motivated you to take the step towards applying to IRIAM? Was there something unique about the platform that appealed to you?

If I’m being honest, I was motivated because I think even at the core of myself, even if I feel like giving up, I unfortunately fight long and hard to meet my dreams. I remember crying my eyes out as I filled out my application. Even in my interview, it was the first I’d ever done just sitting on my couch in a big XXXL hoodie with ultra relaxed style. I kind of went in with the mindset that I would be rejected again, so I was scared to allow myself to be excited and put too much passion in. However, in that first interview, I saw the heart and excitement in the IRIAM US staff’s eyes. They were working long and hard and I saw their vision.

As I am a longtime idol fan, I often frequented SHOWROOM, which was an idol app also developed by DeNA, IRIAM’s parent company. SHOWROOM is an app where idols basically can get on and chat with their fans in between lives, during rehearsals, in karaoke rooms, anything and everything. Even prior to debuting with IRIAM, I had streamed on SHOWROOM from time to time for my live performances. Being both a user and also tried streaming on the platform before, I could understand what the IRIAM staff wanted to accomplish immediately as I was walked through their ideas. Suddenly, that detachment I was forcing upon myself to feel going into the interview process had turned into a deep longing. I knew what they wanted and most of all, I wanted to be a part of that. I spent all of 24 hours thinking about the interview, trying not to get too excited, when the very next day, I received a proposal to become a Founding Streamer with IRIAM. I really thought I was dreaming. Since that day, I still feel like I have been living in a dream.

From your original song, PARALLEL ESCAPE, to live performances - you’ve worked on many projects and events outside of IRIAM. Can you share some highlights or collaborations that meant a lot to you?

Of course, releasing my first single PARALLEL ESCAPE was a big landmark for me as I was already working on it before I was even allowed to announce my presence. I come from a background pretty heavily into the rhythm game and J-core music scene, so I knew I wanted to try and marry my love for idols, the Vtuber scene, and J-core all in one. My goal was to begin releasing music that had the same excitement and to have my music playable in a game one day too!

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a lot of new people through this and connecting with a lot of people I’ve really admired as well. I’m really grateful to be invited to a lot of things, whether it is events or even simple game collaborations on my YouTube channel. It’s a little embarrassing, but a personal highlight for me was being able to play a game with a liver I really admire from HOLOSTARS EN. He has been my oshi since he debuted and being able to hear I made him laugh made my heart really race!

“I can participate in so many projects, reach these goals, but if my V.I.P. aren't there to celebrate with me, there is no point to any of this."

It’s clear you have a lot of drive and passion when it comes to being a VTuber. What are some goals or dreams you hope to achieve in this space?

There's a lot I want to achieve, possibly too much at the same time. I like to be working around the clock trying to help me reach my goals and don't get a lot of sleep or rest because of it. I really want to reach my dreams more than anything else and I wouldn't mind putting everything on the line for that. I want to release an EP and would really like to see my music in a rhythm game. I want to participate in a live 3D concert one day or even a L2D one with people I have admired and want to reach the same heights as. I know I have the drive and without sounding too cocky, I know I have the skill sets to do these things as well as I have spent over 15 years training as an idol. People often say I have a powerful and emotional voice, but I think that's not because of any training or experience, but because I crave to have my strong desire to Riyo the world come to fruition one day and push that passion out to be the loudest it can be. I don't want to stop until I can reach the top and once I get there, I want to go even further, to do better and reach greater heights that a me from even a year ago couldn't even imagine.

At the same time, however, I also have a goal of making sure all of my supporters are having fun and are wanting to stay by my side in my journey. As an idol, keeping my dreams in mind isn't the only thing that matters. The people who come to see me matter just as much if not more. If I focus too much on what I want, I might lose sight of them, and I would never want that. If it is just me smiling alone, there isn't a point to any of this. Because of this, another goal is to have everyone who comes to meet and cherish Riyo even a little bit smiling as long as I can. Everyone is so kind to even consider Riyo a part of their life, I'm still so small in comparison to where I want to be, so I want to ensure that their smiles and happiness are protected and to always give them something to look forward to even in moments of uncertainty or solitude in their own lives. I can participate in so many projects, reach these goals, but if my fans - the V.I.P. - aren't there to celebrate with me, there is no point to any of this. More than anything, I crave sharing this experience together with them because my V.I.P.'s happiness is truly my purest happiness.

What kind of streams can viewers expect from you on the platform?

Expect the unexpected, that’s what I think! I do some simple stuff like zatsu type and karaoke type frequently, but I like to do at least one or two really silly things a week! From dog treat taste testing to kazoo only lives, from waxing my body to singing Matsuken Samba II for 6 hours straight, I try really hard to make funny moments in between the very rare calm to keep people engaged and coming back for more and more to help me RIYO THE WORLD!

“It really felt like every moment I had in my life was leading up to that day and is something I’ll cherish forever, seeing everyone that day."

What are some memorable moments or streams you've had on IRIAM?

There’s really so many, it’s hard to pick just one or two. I really look back fondly on my debut the most, however. The first wave of founding streamers had to wait a VERY long time to debut, so for me, it felt painstakingly long to meet everyone and it became really really hard for me. We weren’t able to do any live streamed content before debut, so it really took so long to be able to start getting all the V.I.P. together, but when I was finally able to debut, I felt like crying all night long and didn’t want to turn off the app. When I finally arrived, everyone was there waiting for me. It really felt like every moment I had in my life was leading up to that day and is something I’ll cherish forever, seeing everyone that day.

Do you have any upcoming projects or events we can look forward to?

I can’t spoil too much, but I am currently working on a fun interview series, some new covers, and most of all, maybe some new original music or maybe even a new outfit…? Who knows, maybe you’ll just need to keep an eye on Riyo and don’t blink or else you’ll miss something special I made with thoughts of you in my heart!

Editor: Meira

Make sure you never miss what Riyo has in store! Visit him on:

• IRIAM

• X

• YouTube