Popular Hololive VTuber Kogane Iniko Announces Hiatus Due to Adjustment Disorder

On the 9th, VTuber group hololive production announced that its talent, Kogane Iniko, would be suspending activities after being diagnosed with adjustment disorder by a doctor. Fans have offered warm messages of support, prioritizing her health and wishing her a restful recovery.

According to hololive production's official announcement, Kogane Iniko was diagnosed with adjustment disorder by a doctor last December. However, respecting her strong desire to "push through" until "hololive SUPER EXPO 2026" and "7th Fes," the announcement and activity suspension were made at this time. She provided a detailed explanation and conveyed a direct message to fans during her livestream on March 9th.

Kogane Iniko debuted in November 2024 as a member of "FLOW GLOW," a music artist VTuber group under hololive DEV_IS. Affectionately known as "Nico-tan," she was a passionate character dedicated to making people smile, often taking on a comedic role. She gained popularity through singing streams, gaming, and chat sessions. Some fans have suggested that the passing of her beloved cat last October might have contributed to her mental stress.

Following this announcement, "#KoganeIniko" trended on X (formerly Twitter), with numerous fan posts. Messages wishing for her recovery predominated, such as "Please rest slowly!! We'll be waiting to see your energetic self!" and "Your health is the top priority, so it's best to wait patiently for your return without rushing." There were also comments expressing gratitude for her perseverance through the events, like "Great job with Fes and EXPO! They were amazing!!!" and "I'll be watching your song covers and archives a lot!"

Furthermore, this is the second case of a hololive production talent suspending activities due to adjustment disorder, following Hinase Ao's announcement last year. In response, concerns have been raised about the significant mental strain associated with being a VTuber, with comments like "VTubers seem like fun, but it must be a really tough job mentally" and "Measures are needed within the industry."

The management has stated that they will support Kogane Iniko in focusing on her recovery. Fans are patiently awaiting the day she can resume her activities in full health, both mentally and physically.

The context

hololive production: A major Japanese VTuber agency managed by Cover Corp., home to hundreds of virtual talents who stream content like gaming, singing, and chatting to millions of fans worldwide.

VTuber (Virtual YouTuber): An online entertainer who uses a virtual avatar generated by computer graphics and motion capture technology. They perform live streams or pre-recorded videos, interacting with audiences through their virtual personas.

Kogane Iniko (虎金妃笑虎): One of the newer VTubers belonging to hololive production, specifically part of the hololive DEV_IS project and the music artist group "FLOW GLOW." She is known for her energetic and comedic personality.

Adjustment Disorder: A mental health condition characterized by an unhealthy or excessive reaction to a stressful event or change in one's life. Symptoms can include anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, and difficulty functioning in daily life.

hololive SUPER EXPO and 7th Fes: These are significant annual flagship events for hololive production, typically involving large-scale concerts (like 7th Fes) and fan conventions (like SUPER EXPO). Performing at these events requires extensive preparation, rehearsals, and high-pressure live performances, which can be incredibly demanding for the talents.

Hinase Ao (火威青): Another hololive talent who previously announced a hiatus due to adjustment disorder. Her case, mentioned in the article, highlights a growing concern about the mental well-being of VTubers within the industry.