Years will pass and thousands of talents will emerge in the industry, but the mother of this phenomenon continues to prove why she deserves the crown. During the ceremony of the 1st Japan Oshikatsu Awards 2026 held in Tokyo, Kizuna AI was crowned the undisputed winner in the VTuber category, delivering one of the night’s most creative moments by receiving her trophy by bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds.

The award surprised attendees when the physical trophy, placed inside a transfer box on stage, appeared simultaneously within a virtual version on Kizuna AI’s screen, allowing her to accept the award directly from her dimension to complete the presentation. During her speech, the virtual idol emphasized that her entire career has centered on connecting with humans, stating that the oshikatsu phenomenon is precisely about the genuine bond built with followers.

The content creator expressed immense gratitude for the establishment of a category dedicated solely to the medium she helped found. When asked about who she supports in her personal life, she maturely responded that her true support is dedicated to VTuber culture as a whole, explaining that by raising the overall level of the medium, the position of all creators improves collectively. She also confessed that appearing at live events fills her heart, as it allows her to see the real faces of people behind the messages and screen numbers.

Kizuna AI is a virtual idol and iconic content creator who debuted in late 2016, widely recognized as the pioneer who popularized the term “Virtual YouTuber.” With her charismatic personality, entertainment content, and musical performances, she laid the foundation for the massive growth of the digital entertainment industry in Japan and worldwide.

Do you think Kizuna AI remains the most influential figure in VTuber history?