November 9, 2025, should have been just another low-key day in this writer’s year, another turn of the desk calendar. However, after attending the ” Otsuka Ray Fan Meeting in Taipei ～Plus Special Handshake Event～” at Backstage Café at midday, one of countless ordinary days took a small, significant turn.
More Fan Interaction, Otsuka Ray Still Loves Sweet Potato Balls
Following the large-scale “SPECIAL LIVE in Taipei ~Taiwan Natsuzoku Project~” offline event in 2024 for VTuber Otsuka Ray, the 2025 “Otsuka Ray Fan Meeting in Taipei ～Plus Special Handshake Event～” provided a more tangible interaction. Facilitated by the “Backstage Café” venue, the inclusion of a “handshake session,” and Koringo’s “curious energy,” the “interactive exchange” between the kazoku (夏族, fan name) and Otsuka Ray/Koringo became much more concrete.
During the Q&A at the start of the event, VTuber Otsuka Ray stated that compared to the previous live concert, this event was geared more toward an “exchange meeting,” expressing her hope for more time to communicate directly with everyone.
Therefore, the kazoku Party segment not only included activities testing the kazoku’s knowledge of Otsuka Ray but also their mutual understanding (chemistry). This included a classic VTuber “soul-searching test,” asking Ray to guess: “Are more than half of the people in the audience ‘not DD’ (a term meaning Daredemo Daisuki, or ‘likes everyone’)?”
Every time she comes to Taiwan, VTuber Otsuka Ray never forgets to show off the local foods she has eaten. On the first day, she had “sweet potato balls (QQ balls),” and mentioned again during the event interview that she truly can’t forget them. She added that she also tried a tea drink with “fen guo” (starch jelly), as well as stinky tofu, beef soup, and zhajiangmian (fried sauce noodles). She recalled successfully trying fried stinky tofu last year but failing the boiled stinky tofu challenge, leaving fans to wonder if she succeeded this year.
During the main event, Otsuka Ray also repeatedly thanked everyone for spending a wonderful afternoon with her. She also expressed deep gratitude for the rapid sell-out of handshake tickets and merchandise.
Koringo’s Dynamic Shifts Between Energy and Sleep
Koringo was even more curious and energetic during this event. In the Q&A segment, upon seeing a kazoku member wearing a full-head mask, she asked, “Why are you wearing that mask?” The fan joked in response, “This is my outfit for going to the bank.”
During the singing portion, Koringo often sang along with Otsuka Ray. When the lyrics included the word “Baka” (idiot/fool), Koringo repeated it, “Baka,” “Baka,” which the Natsuzoku seemed to greatly enjoy, treating it as an “industry reward” (a fan term for positive interactions).
In contrast to her energetic side, Koringo also provided a “gap moe” (contrast cuteness) moment by unexpectedly falling asleep during the opening Q&A. One moment she was full of childish curiosity, and the next she was dozing against her mother. The kazoku in attendance continued their interaction with Otsuka Ray, maintaining the warm atmosphere from the livestreams while affectionately watching over the sleeping Koringo.
The Ever-Warm kazoku, Now with Unruly Elements
A key characteristic of the kazoku is their ability to express support for Otsuka Ray and Koringo in various ways within a consistently warm atmosphere. Even while lining up outside, fans could be seen with handmade cards and other custom cheering materials.
However, as the November 9th event was more of an “exchange meeting,” the Natsuzoku fully unleashed themselves, bringing their “chat room” energy. They engaged in witty banter and playful teasing (tsukkomi) during the Q&A and verification segments, prompting the host to remark wryly, “What happened to the gentle kazoku from last year?”
After the Mini Live concert concluded, time constraints prevented a full encore. Instead, Otsuka Ray performed “Hamtarou Tottoko Uta,” with the kazoku enthusiastically joining in with the “Hamtarou Call” (fan chant). Watching the excited crowd, Koringo couldn’t help but exclaim, “So cute! (Kawaii).”
“I Thought It Was Just an Interview Assignment, But I Unexpectedly Received the Best Birthday Gift of the Year.”
November 9th is this writer’s birthday. As the years have passed, this day has gradually faded from childhood excitement into just an ordinary mark on the calendar.
This was especially true for this writer, who had been working for 7 consecutive days and was physically and mentally in “standby mode.” The original plan was just to grab a decent dinner to self-medicate after the interview and let the day pass quietly.
However, after participating in the “Otsuka Ray Fan Meeting in Taipei,” this writer’s long-parched heart received a long-absent injection of warmth.
The Miracle: From the Other Side of the Screen to Touching Fingertips
After the main event concluded, “kazoku” holding special tickets could participate in a limited handshake session. When this was first announced, this writer was surprised and incredulous. After all, in the VTuber world, we are used to the separation of a screen; “not showing one’s face” is the norm, and a “handshake”—a privilege usually reserved for physical idols—is a rare interaction that breaks the dimensional barrier.
While this wasn’t this writer’s first VTuber handshake event, the previous experience was tinged with a bit of melancholy. This time, perhaps due to the fatigue from consecutive workdays, my mind was actually blank while waiting in line, only instinctively thinking about how to write the article afterward.
Until my turn came.
“Happy Birthday”: The Magic of a Single Phrase
Standing there, looking at the screen, Otsuka Ray’s familiar voice came through the headphones, sincerely thanking us for our continued coverage. Perhaps the atmosphere was too warm, or her voice too healing, but this writer couldn’t help but blurt out, “Actually… today is my birthday.”
The next second, an energetic birthday wish, meant just for me, came from Otsuka Ray.
In that instant, I suddenly understood why so many fans choose to Donate on their birthdays. What we crave, isn’t it just that genuine “Happy Birthday” from our “Oshi” (favorite)? It doesn’t require flowery words; just the confirmation that “She knows I exist, she is blessing me.” This small, certain sense of happiness can instantly sweep away accumulated fatigue and become the motivation to keep fighting in the real world.
The Warmth of a Palm, Wrapped in “Motherly Love”
After the exchange, we entered the most nerve-wracking “handshake segment.” Although the format involved reaching one’s hand through a hole in a wall to shake hands with the “naka no hito” (“the person inside”), which seemed surreal, the moment my hand was firmly grasped by another, everything became incredibly real.
It was not just a mechanical handshake. A warm, soft, yet firm strength was transmitted through my palm, accompanied by her gentle voice saying “Arigatou (Thank you).” In that moment, this writer’s “media professional” armor completely fell away, reverting to the purest form of a fan. I felt strongly that all my support and hard work had truly reached her heart.
My thoughts couldn’t help but drift back to a previous stream where Otsuka Ray shared how she personally prepared various supplies for her daughter, Koringo, who was starting kindergarten. At that time, separated by a screen, we could only imagine that motherly love. But at this moment, through this warm hand, this writer felt as if I had truly touched that tenacity and gentleness unique to a mother.
This must be the irreplaceable “temperature” of offline events that we always talk about. It is no longer a cold signal of data transmission, but a true human-to-human connection.
Conclusion: An Ordinary Day, Made Special
Stepping out of the “Backstage Café,” the afternoon Taipei sun was still bright, but the feeling on my skin was completely different. The heavy steps I had when arriving under the harsh sun were gone, replaced by a heart full of warmth and fulfillment.
An ordinary, even somewhat numb birthday, became sparkling bright because of Otsuka Ray. Thank you to this event for giving me the most special birthday gift. I also hope that in the years to come, we “kazoku” can continue to gather at offline events, to hear the infectious, uplifting laughter of Otsuka Ray and Koringo in person.
