Paying for a ticket to see your favorite artist is always a budget dilemma, but when the star on stage is a virtual avatar, the discussion escalates. After performing at the K-Arena Yokohama as part of her stadium tour, the singer and virtual idol Hoshimachi Suisei became the center of a divided conversation about how much it’s worth to attend a live VTuber concert.

It all started when a short video recorded from the arena’s stands began circulating online during the song “Bibbidiba,” her acclaimed 2024 track that already holds platinum certification for surpassing 100 million streams. Some users questioned paying an 11,000-yen reserved ticket to watch an animated projection on a giant screen.

On the other hand, attendees and supporters of the show reminded that the music wasn’t a pre-recorded track. During the two nights in Yokohama, the artist performed her entire repertoire singing in real time, backed by a live band on stage, massive production lighting, and a technical setup designed for large venues.

This performance marks a historic milestone in her career, being the first major event organized after founding her own management company, Studio STELLAR, created in March of this year to manage her solo music activities, merchandise, and fan club. The tour, which will continue in cities like Kobe, Nagoya, and Fukuoka until November, represents her most ambitious solo production to date.

Hoshimachi Suisei is one of the most prominent and influential figures in the virtual content creator phenomenon in Japan. Affiliated with the Hololive agency and with a notable music career, she has positioned herself as an artist capable of filling large arenas and topping charts with her music releases and vocal virtuosity.

Would you pay a concert ticket to see a live VTuber show, or do you prefer digital streams at home?