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Kizuna
Kizuna AI returned from a three-year hiatus in February 2025 and is marking her 10th anniversary year, with a 3D birthday live held June 30, 2026, a new single "My Love," and a world tour announced for 2027. She continues to appear at music festivals and in VRChat events while expanding merchandise and branding.
Synthesized from 17
Yomimono stories · updated
3d ago
Kizuna AI's 2026 has been defined by her 10th anniversary, a milestone tied to her debut in November 2016. She returned from a three-year hiatus in February 2025, and the anniversary year began in earnest with a June 30 birthday mini live, "A.I.Party! 2026 ~My Love to u~," which featured new costumes and songs and a game tournament with 10 guests including Sakura Miko and Mori Calliope. At that event she premiered the single "My Love," written by AI herself and produced by Nor, her first collaboration with Nor in eight years; it was released digitally on July 1 and a music video followed July 20. A 3D live and collaboration stream with Sakura Miko, Mori Calliope and others marked her birthday, and she is approaching her 10th year as a VTuber active since November 29, 2016.
Merchandise and events have run in parallel. Infinite Loop released a Desktop Mate DLC on June 30, priced at 2,200 yen on Steam for Windows and macOS, with animations produced by Kizuna AI Inc. A Diana sneaker promotion ran for 14 days before her birthday, and a digital figure in the KAMATTE AI costume went on sale June 1 in the Holomodel app for 3,850 yen. She also announced a real-time VRChat event, Kizuna AI Escape, on July 21, giving active VTubers one hour to find her and collaborate. In August, Kizuna AI Inc. said it would deepen its collaboration with ASOBISYSTEM after parent company Activ8 joined the ASOBISYSTEM group, building on an agency contract signed in March 2025 and supporting the "Kizuna AI WORLD TOUR GO TO 2027" announced at the birthday event.
Festival and broadcast bookings continued: NIGHT HIKE 2026 in Makuhari added her in its second wave, with 47 acts confirmed for October 31 and November 1 at Makuhari Messe. NHK E Tele's Numahama featured her in a VTuber special on June 20, and Denonbu Shiro's 9th anniversary stream on June 28 included her alongside Tokino Sora and Hakui Koyori. A planned Tokyo Game Show 2026 stage with VRChat creator Tokoroba was cancelled as Typhoon No. 25 approached; the two streamed the collab in VRChat on September 21 instead. On October 16, Kazuya Kamenashi performed "Kizuna," the insert song for the 2005 Nippon TV drama Gokusen, on THE FIRST TAKE.
Key facts
- Anniversary single
- "My Love" was written by Kizuna AI and produced by Nor, her first collaboration with Nor in eight years. ↗
- Birthday live
- The June 30, 2026 event "A.I.Party! 2026 ~My Love to u~" featured new costumes and songs plus a game tournament with 10 guests. ↗
- Desktop Mate DLC
- The Kizuna AI Desktop Mate DLC launched June 30, 2026 at 2,200 yen on Steam for Windows and macOS, with all animations produced by Kizuna AI Inc. ↗
- World tour
- "Kizuna AI WORLD TOUR GO TO 2027" was announced at the June 30 birthday event. ↗
- ASOBISYSTEM tie-up
- Kizuna AI Inc. announced on August 6 that it will deepen collaboration with ASOBISYSTEM after Activ8 joined the ASOBISYSTEM group. ↗
- VRChat event
- "Kizuna AI Escape" gave active VTubers one hour to find her in VRChat and collaborate on the spot. ↗
- NIGHT HIKE 2026
- Kizuna AI was in the second wave of acts for NIGHT HIKE 2026, with 47 acts confirmed for October 31 and November 1 at Makuhari Messe. ↗
- Tokyo Game Show cancellation
- A planned stage with VRChat creator Tokoroba at Tokyo Game Show 2026 was cancelled as Typhoon No. 25 approached; they streamed the collab in VRChat on September 21 instead. ↗
- THE FIRST TAKE
- Kazuya Kamenashi performed "Kizuna," the insert song for the 2005 Nippon TV drama Gokusen, on THE FIRST TAKE, premiering October 16 at 22:00. ↗
- Diana promotion
- A second Diana in-store promotion featuring Kizuna AI ran for 14 days leading up to her June 30 birthday. ↗
Timeline
- Oct 16, 2026 Kazuya Kamenashi Joins THE FIRST TAKE With One-Take Rendition Of Kizuna
- Sep 21, 2026 Kizuna AI And Tokoroba Hold VRChat Collab After Tokyo Game Show Cancellation
- Sep 10, 2026 SNK Arcade Sound Digital Collection Vol.37 To Bundle NINJA MASTER'S And Kamiouken
- Aug 20, 2026 Kizuna AI Marks 10 Years as VTuber Scene Turns a Decade
- Aug 9, 2026 NIGHT HIKE 2026 Adds Kaf, Kizuna AI, and 8 More Acts
- Aug 6, 2026 Kizuna AI Strengthens Ties With ASOBISYSTEM as Activ8 Joins Group
- Jul 26, 2026 Night Hike 2026 in Makuhari Adds 10 Acts, Total Reaches 47
- Jul 22, 2026 Kizuna AI Launches Real-Time VRChat Hide-and-Seek Event
- Jul 1, 2026 Kizuna AI Premieres 10th Birthday Single 'My Love' at Anniversary Live
- Jul 1, 2026 Shueisha and Marvel Manga Collaboration Titles To End Sales September 30
- Jun 30, 2026 Kizuna AI Desktop Mate DLC Launches on Her Birthday
- Jun 23, 2026 Denonbu Shiro Hosts 9th Anniversary Stream With Kizuna AI, Tokino Sora
- Jun 23, 2026 Kizuna AI Desktop Mate DLC Launches June 30
- Jun 22, 2026 Kizuna AI to Hold 10th Birthday Live and Game Tournament
- Jun 17, 2026 NHK's Numahama Returns With VTuber Special Featuring Kizuna AI and Mayu Tamura
- Jun 15, 2026 Kizuna AI Returns for Second Diana Sneaker Promotion Ahead of Birthday
- Jun 1, 2026 Kizuna AI 'KAMATTE AI' Costume Digital Figure Launches in Holomodel App
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Release
- music_video · 2005 · 2026-10-16
Connections
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/kizuna.
CC BY 4.0.
All coverage
5h ago
RIOT MUSIC and Culture Entertainment have announced the full performer list for ESPERA -AdHoc Live Festival 2026-, a virtual music festival on VRChat running November 20 to 22, 2026. The first two days are free, and the November 22 final day is ticketed. Performers include Kiwa Suu, VESPERBELL, Yomi, Kizuna AI, Harusaruhi, Tsukishiro Rui, Shirakawa Shirase, Shikibu Meguri, and Doo/Sakujaku kaza. Tickets went on sale October 24 on ZAIKO, with S tickets at 15,000 yen, on-site tickets at 4,000 yen, and streaming tickets at 3,000 yen.
Oct 16
Kazuya Kamenashi will appear as a solo artist on THE FIRST TAKE, performing "Kizuna," the insert song for the 2005 Nippon TV drama "Gokusen." He wrote the lyrics, Koji Makaino composed the music, and the song was released that year as the coupling track to "Seishun Amigo" under the unit name Shuuji to Akira. The video premieres Friday, October 16 at 22:00. He is now 40.
Sep 21
Kizuna AI and VRChat creator Tokoroba streamed a collab in VRChat on Monday, September 21. The two had been set to appear in a stage program at the VRChat booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026 that day, but the real-world event was cancelled as Typhoon No. 25 approached, and the program was called off. They visited a makeup world, the Hatsune Miku Yozora Program 2026 venue, and a purikura world.
Sep 10
City Connection will release SNK ARCADE SOUND DIGITAL COLLECTION Vol.37 on October 28, priced at 3,850 yen including tax. The two-CD set carries the background music of NINJA MASTER'S ~Haou Ninpouchou~ and Kamiouken, the ADK and SNK fighting games from 1996. Reservations opened September 10 at City Connection's Clarice Shop and other retailers. The booklet includes a column by music digger Tahmano Risiko.
Aug 20
Kizuna AI celebrated her birthday on June 30, 2026, with a 3D live and collaboration stream featuring Sakura Miko, Mori Calliope, and others. The pioneer of the VTuber scene, active since November 29, 2016, is approaching her 10th year, prompting a two-part analysis of whether VTubers are idols.
Aug 9
TRIBALCON. announced the second wave of performers for NIGHT HIKE 2026 in Makuhari on July 24. Ten acts join, including Kaf, Kizuna AI, Shinichi Osawa, and the Utsu-P meet siinamota tribute project with Sou on guest vocals. Combined with the first wave, 47 acts are confirmed for October 31 and November 1 at Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Halls 9 and 11. Sana Natori and KMNZ, announced earlier, also perform.
Aug 6
Kizuna AI Inc. announced on August 6 that it will deepen its collaboration with ASOBISYSTEM, following parent company Activ8's decision to join the ASOBISYSTEM group. The strengthened partnership builds on an agency contract signed in March 2025, and is expected to expand Kizuna AI's overseas performances, music festival appearances, and global promotion efforts, including support for the upcoming "Kizuna AI WORLD TOUR GO TO 2027." The tour was announced at the 10th Birthday event "A.I.Party! 2026 ~My Love to u~" held on June 30, where the 10th Birthday Single "My Love" was performed for the first time and released digitally. Despite the expanded collaboration, Kizuna AI's production system and creative policies will remain with the Kizuna AI team, with ASOBISYSTEM taking a strengthened role in publicity and sales. The relationship between Kizuna AI and ASOBISYSTEM dates back to the 2019 song "AIAIAI (feat. Yasutaka Nakata)," which has recorded approximately 20 million views and remains Kizuna AI's biggest hit. Activ8's group participation is described as a step on the extension of this long-standing relationship of trust.
Jul 26
The music and art festival NIGHT HIKE 2026 in Makuhari announced its second wave of performers on July 24, adding 10 acts including Kaf, Kizuna AI, Shinichi Osawa, Sasuke Haraguchi, and Kento Kocchi. The total lineup now stands at 47 acts. The event will take place on October 31 and November 1, 2026, at Makuhari Messe Exhibition Halls 9 and 11 in Chiba. This marks the first time the festival, which started in 2023 at Shibuya WOMB, has expanded to a 10,000-person scale at Makuhari Messe. The second-wave lineup also includes Utsu-P meet siinamota, a tribute project commemorating the 10th anniversary of the passing of Vocaloid producer siinamota, with Utsu-P as bandmaster and singer Sou as guest vocalist. Other additions are JAMBORIDE (BANVOX & SEKITOVA), Melty & Mr. Napuru & Andromeda-ko, okadada, and KOTONOHOUSE. The daily lineup was also revealed: Day 1 (October 31) features DUSTCELL, muque, Kairiki Bear, and others; Day 2 (November 1) includes Kaf, Kizuna AI, Shinichi Osawa, PinocchioP, and Natori Sana. Limited early-bird tickets are on sale until July 29, with general tickets priced at 11,000 yen for a one-day pass and 20,000 yen for a two-day pass.
Jul 22
VTuber Kizuna AI announced a live VRChat event called "Kizuna AI Escape" on July 21, giving active VTubers one hour to find her in the virtual space and collaborate on the spot. She moved locations multiple times during the event as participants found her.
Jul 1
Kizuna AI performed her new song 'My Love' at the June 30 birthday live 'A.I.Party! 2026 ~My Love to u~' and released it on streaming services July 1. The music video arrives July 20. The track, written by AI herself and produced by Nor, marks her first collaboration with Nor in eight years.
Jul 1
Shueisha announced on July 1 that its contract with Walt Disney Japan for Marvel character manga adaptations will end September 30. Affected titles include Deadpool: Samurai, Spider-Man: Bonds, Spider-Man: Octopus Girl, and two collections. Physical copies will sell only while stocks last; digital versions will be removed from e-book stores by September 30.
Jun 30
Infinite Loop Co., Ltd. released the Desktop Mate Kizuna AI DLC on June 30, 2026, which is also Kizuna AI's birthday. The paid DLC, priced at 2,200 yen, is available on Steam for Windows and macOS. It includes the largest number of motions of any Desktop Mate DLC to date, with all animations produced by Kizuna AI Inc. The DLC reproduces Kizuna AI's signature greeting "Hai Doumo!" and features different reactions for standing and sitting poses, along with emotional expressions for interactions like petting, poking, and the alarm function. The alarm notifies the user with a pop-up and a spoken time announcement in a casual format rather than a strict clock reading. The base Desktop Mate app is free, and the DLC requires it. The macOS version entered open beta on June 24, 2026, and supports Apple Silicon chips.
Jun 23
Denonbu Shiro will hold a 9th anniversary stream on June 28 featuring Kizuna AI, Hololive's Tokino Sora and Hakui Koyori, and independent VTuber Fuji Aoi. The stream, titled "Legend Emergency Summon! Future Summit," will discuss the future of VTubing as the scene approaches its 10-year milestone.
Jun 23
Infinite Loop announced on June 23 that it will release a Kizuna AI DLC for the PC desktop mascot platform Desktop Mate on June 30. The DLC costs 2,200 yen and is available on Steam. It includes the largest number of motions of any Desktop Mate DLC to date. All animations were produced by Kizuna AI Co., Ltd., faithfully reproducing the virtual talent's gestures and expressions. The DLC features her signature greeting "Hai doumo!" along with different reactions for standing and sitting, and emotional responses such as "happy," "flustered," and "proud" triggered by petting, poking, or alarm interactions. The release date coincides with Kizuna AI's birthday. Desktop Mate is a platform that lets users place 3D characters on their desktop, where they can sit on windows, interact with mouse movements, and tell the time. Previous DLC characters include Hatsune Miku, Zundamon, and Kotonoha Akane. The Kizuna AI DLC supports Windows 10 and 11, requires 8GB of RAM, and is available in Japanese and English.
Jun 22
Kizuna AI announced a birthday mini live on June 30, 2026, featuring new costumes and songs, plus a game tournament with 10 guests including Sakura Miko and Mori Calliope. The event marks her 10th anniversary since her debut in November 2016, following her return from a three-year hiatus in February 2025.
Jun 17
NHK E Tele variety show Numahama will broadcast its fourth VTuber special, VTuber Num, live on June 20 at 8 PM. Guests include VTuber pioneer Kizuna AI and Nogizaka46 member Mayu Tamura. The episode marks the first VTuber special in about four years.
Jun 15
Diana Co., Ltd. is holding a second in-store promotion featuring virtual talent Kizuna AI for 14 days leading up to her June 30 birthday. New visuals show Kizuna AI wearing +diana sneakers and a DIANA bag. Customers spending ¥10,000 or more receive a clear file or sticker, and a 3D model of the sneakers is available for free on BOOTH for VRChat use.
Jun 1
Gugenka Inc. announced a digital figure of Kizuna AI in the 'KAMATTE AI' costume from the song 'KAMACHO' is now available for purchase on X Market within the Holomodel 3D viewer app. The figure costs 3,850 yen and is on sale from June 1, 2026, to commemorate Kizuna AI's birth month.