"A timeline where we could meet is the best one, isn't it?”

For our seventh edition of Spotlight on IRIAM: Meet The Streamer, we’re joined by Zephyra Chordis! Zephyra is a Diva of Nature and Song who is from another world! While she has been in human territory, she's grown to love rhythm, horror, and games with a strong story. Some of the games that have left a lasting impact on her are the DDR franchise, Patapon, the Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA franchise, followed by Ib, the Judgement series, and Phoenix Wright. Singing is another big hobby for her! Before singing covers on the internet, she trained in classical and Broadway vocal styles, but ended up exploring singing in Japanese after discovering VOCALOID. Zephyra is also someone who loves moving around, having done ballroom dancing for over four years, and even taught and co-taught classes. Her favorite type of ballroom dance styles are Argentine Tango, Salsa, and Waltz! Make sure to visit her streams for a time you won’t forget!

What inspired you to become a VTuber?

Honestly, as far back as I can recall, I've always wanted to be able to perform and sing in front of others. I've also loved idols and anime for most of my life, so imagine my surprise when I stumbled across a VTuber by accident, thinking it was some idol anime. I quickly discovered that the anime character I was watching play games and sing wasn't just a character; they were a real person playing and having fun with everyone in real time! Back then, I knew I loved meeting new people, but I had stage fright and was very awkward - so I turned to VTubing, because who doesn't want to make more friends, try new things, have fun, AND be an anime girl online?

Before joining IRIAM, what avenues of content creation were you involved in?

Before IRIAM, I was mainly someone who did song covers on YouTube. They were Japanese songs converted into English versions, as well as covers of VOCALOID and game songs. It was a few years before I decided to start trying streaming on Twitch, as a variety gaming and chatting streamer! On the side, I also did a lot of voice acting for smaller community-run and fan-made projects and dubs, which I had a lot of fun with as well.

“I wanted to take the leap to join the platform because I wanted to try something new.”

How did you first discover IRIAM? What made you decide to take the leap to join the platform as opposed to just Twitch or YouTube?

I first discovered IRIAM after hearing about the Japanese version a few years ago, and found out it was a platform for VTubers. Being curious, I decided to download the Japanese version. There were many interesting VTubers on IRIAM JP, although I couldn't understand anyone at the time. I really thought it was a fun platform and loved how easy it was to use. Fast forward a few years, and much to my surprise, I saw there was an opening for auditions to be a Founding Streamer on IRIAM US! Despite having experienced streaming on Twitch and YouTube, where I focused on building a friendly community, I wanted to take the leap and join IRIAM because I wanted to try something new. I also wanted to challenge myself to try a platform that shared a goal I believed in: making VTubing more accessible to a broader audience, including both streamers and viewers.

You’re an incredibly talented singer and even recently performed at Otakuthon in Montreal. How did your musical journey begin, and what inspired you to start singing seriously?

Oh, you're going to make me all shy! Thank you!

I've been singing since I was very young, and have always been interested in music that I found appealing or catchy! I sang casually for many years, just for fun. I even picked up instruments and took music classes, for my own self or to improve as I sang "for fun" covers. I loved the feeling of putting my emotions and effort into the songs I would sing, and working hard to learn new things and improve so I could be happy with what I produced. What made me take singing seriously was when I realized that my singing could touch people I had never even met, and how happy it actually made me to sing as much as I could, whenever I got the chance. It took a lot of thinking, but I realized that my dreams and goals had always been focused on this field, which involved singing. I wanted to give it an honest try and grow as a singer and performer.

“Sometimes it's very hard at first, but seeing the end result is very worth it and makes me want to try even harder in the next event.”

What was your experience like singing on the virtual stage as instead of karaoke streams or covers? Are there any unique hurdles in preparing to sing for events?

All three are truly unique experiences! Singing on a virtual stage is something completely different from covers and karaoke. The fact that you're part of something bigger than just yourself truly leaves you with a fulfilled feeling, much different than a karaoke stream or cover release. You can really feel people cheering you on, whom you may have never even met, which is truly amazing. I think the main difference between doing something like karaoke or a cover and singing on a virtual stage is the presentation and the different type of work you need to do to prepare for events! This year alone, I have had the honor and privilege to participate in various events. Each event has taught me something new in terms of performing and creating a unique experience for a song meant to be showcased in a virtual setting.

The biggest hurdle for me initially was actually adaptability! Whether it was in person, live, pre-recorded, or an online relay event, every single event was completely different. Each one taught me different things. I was able to learn how to get used to learning songs in a timely manner when it comes to deadlines and dates. It also taught me to challenge myself in ways that karaoke streams and covers hadn’t in the past. It was very hard at first, but looking back and being able to see the end result has made all of the work and effort worth it. I will continue to work and try harder for the next event!

The Founding Streamer community on IRIAM is known for being close-knit. What does the community mean to you personally, and how has fostering friendships helped shape your experience on the platform?

I'm someone who has always had a hard time meeting new people, as someone who has struggled with social anxiety, even in online spaces. IRIAM initially was completely uncharted territory for me. At first, I didn't know a single person who had passed the audition before my Founding Streamer debut on the opening day of the IRIAM US app. I was nervous at first, but a couple of other Founding Streamers that I met helped me ease into my debut and the next part of my journey as an IRIAM streamer. The community of Founding Streamers on IRIAM has been nothing but amazing so far, and those I've befriended have given me so many fun memories and more confidence in myself as a person and a streamer. There are even more Founding Streamers that honestly really inspired me, or gave me fun memories, whether they know it or not! The way that everyone is so vastly different, but we're all here at the same time, makes my heart warm. I always think of everyone so fondly, and I always find myself feeling grateful for the community that was built here on IRIAM US since its launch!

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

There are many memorable moments I've had on my IRIAM streams and with IRIAM in general, so it was hard to choose! I think for me, first it was obviously my debut! I took a lot of time to prep, but I remember everything scuffing and falling apart at the start of the stream. Only then, as people who had been supporting me and been so kind continued to encourage me and cheer me on during my debut performance, did I experience a surge of positivity. This is when I realized that IRIAM was a place that I wanted to be. Another is when I participated in my first karaoke relay on IRIAM, "My Reply Is.." for White Day earlier this year. I actually had never done a karaoke relay before, and it was my first time doing a group event with so many fellow IRIAM streamers too, right on the platform! I remember having so much fun listening to everyone sing that day, cheering along with those who watched when it wasn't my turn, and getting a chance to sing a themed set of songs, which was a lot of fun!

The rest of the memorable moments were probably when I body swapped with Hiumi Subaru briefly on her stream, and participated in Orpheus Nephilim's game show on IRIAM! And finally... I have a lot of really fun moments with my own community, from doing 2X challenge karaoke wheels to always hearing their funny (or them hearing my not-so-funny) puns!

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

I regularly host free chats or chatting streams (also known as zatsudan/zatsus), where we cover a variety of topics, including games, movies, anime, and life, as well as numerous singing streams. I also love reading, so you'll occasionally see a reading stream from me! During events, I occasionally break from my usual programming, but those are the main types of streams I produce. If you're interested in something like that, feel free to join us sometime! I love getting to know everyone, whether you joined before or are new, so don't feel too shy! I’d love for you to just come and request a song during one of our singing streams!

What are your future goals as a singer and content creator?

In the future, I would really love to perform at more conventions or even have my own original song! As a singer, I feel as though I'm only getting started, and I have a lot of big ambitions! Also, always more covers. For my goals as a content creator, I'd love to bring some other VTubers together to host my very own event, whether it be a game show or another kind of event. Lastly, of course, work really hard to improve the content I already do, and hone my skills so I can make EVERYONE Chordites... someday, I hope!

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

Although I can't say TOO much yet, I'll definitely be participating in some fun covers and events around IRIAM US's one-year anniversary in November! So keep your eyes peeled as well for a familiar blue-haired diva!

Editor: Meira

Make sure you never miss what Zephyra has in store! Visit her on:

• IRIAM

• X

• YouTube