2025 Is The Year of Kaho: An Interview with Kaho Shibuya

Kaho Shibuya is a content creator, streamer, cosplayer, and published author. She's probably best known for her gaming and IRL streams over on Twitch, and for her various convention appearances. One can usually see her at these events cosplaying a variety of characters, and we've had the joy of catching up to her at some of these events. We previously interviewed her back in 2018, 2019, and 2024, and we were lucky enough to catch up to her again at this year's Anime Los Angeles. This time around we discussed her activities and collaborations that have taken place throughout 2024, her thoughts on video game and anime remakes, how she views her regular fans, and some of her plans for 2025. Having quite the varied career, there is sure some aspect of it that you'll want to check out! Fans of Kaho, or those who are discovering her for the first time, will definitely want to read on and check out her social media links at the end!

A-to-J: So, for those who may not know you, would you mind giving us a little introduction, who you are and what you do?
Kaho: Thank you. My name is Kaho Shibuya, and I do cosplay! I’m doing Ada Wong from Resident Evil today. I’ve written books in Japanese and also in English. I don’t have my own YouTube channel, but somehow I show up on a lot of people’s YouTube channels and I help out. Sometimes I coordinate photo shoots in Japan. I try to turn my crazy ideals into real life. I want to have fun. I keep coming to anime conventions, and I also like Anime Los Angeles. I think this this is my fifth time at Anime Los Angeles. They keep inviting me back! That’s so nice of them, I like coming here.

A-to-J: Because you’re so lovely! We had the opportunity to interview you last year as well, which was great. We were wondering if you could give us a small recap of what you’ve been up to since last year?
Kaho: Hmm... Let’s see. I’ve actually been to eight conventions or eight travels internationally. So many things happened! Summer just flew by quickly but Anime Los Angeles is always the beginning of the year for me. This is usually my first event of the new year so it’s always exciting to come back. I am also working on new book, and I moved to a new apartment.  
A-to-J: Exciting!
Kaho: Thank you! I moved to the new apartment. I have a mortgage, loan but I am technically “the owner” already. I just have to continue paying every month, but it’s such a liberating, life-changing opportunity. I guess that’s the biggest thing. Oh! Also, I gained 5 kilos! I know you guys do pounds.  
A-to-J: They’ll figure it out! [Transcriber’s Note: That’s roughly 11 lbs]
Kaho: I became the heaviest I’ve ever been last year. Then, I lost 15 kilos [Transcriber’s Note: Roughly 33 lbs] so now, I’m the lightest since my adolescence. Those are the huge things I guess, personally. [Interviewer Laughs] Like nothing business-wise. Business-wise, I am showing up in the Like a Dragon/Yakuza series of games. The next one, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, is coming up in February, which is next month. I’ll be appearing in the game as Kaho, myself.

A-to-J: We will be looking forward to that for sure! Speaking of your business ventures, last time we talked a little bit about the apparel you were working on, and you were doing bathing suits.  Since then, they’ve launched and you even auctioned off a few of the samples [along with a pair of One Piece figures custom painted by Kaho and CdawgVA] for charity last summer raising $3700.  
Kaho: Oh wow! I didn’t know that!
A-to-J: Yeah! You did great! [Both Laugh] Can we expect any other kinds of apparel from you in the future? I mean since they were such a rousing success.
Kaho: I worked with Mochipan for the collaboration. She actually came to the convention. She left today, but she showed up for day two and day three, and we’re working on our next collaboration.
A-to-J: That’s so exciting! We’ll keep our eyes out on you and Mochipan then.
Kaho: Thank you! I have been having a lot of collaborations. The next one is not just clothing, but I got offered to do a hot sauce collaboration actually.
A-to-J: Really?
Kaho: [Nods Yes] So, I’m kind of excited about that. Just trying to expand my horizons. I hope you can handle heat.  
A-to-J: Absolutely! 2025 is the Year of Kaho.
Kaho: [Laughs] Thank you.

A-to-J: It’s a bit of a running gag across videos you’ve been in that you’re a regular just about everywhere. So, we’d like to ask: What is your favorite place that you would consider yourself a regular at? What would be your spot? What makes it the Kaho place to be?
Kaho: So, I don’t really go out much because I like my home a lot. But out of all those places, the latte art café, that was my first collaboration or my first time showing up on Connor’s CdawgVA’s channel. That go to that café a lot, and I actually got spotted by fans there. I was just there by myself, just taking a selfie with my latte art, and they were like: “Excuse me.” [Interviewer Laughs] It was kind of embarrassing, but yeah, I had a nice time. You can actually find me there sometimes.

A-to-J: Last year, you were super excited for the Dragon Quest III remake, and since then you’ve played it on your Twitch channel. The original is your favorite in the series, so how does the remake hold up to that level of love for the game?
Kaho: I appreciate that they did the 2D style [HD-2D]. I love the 2D retro style. I love the new Monster Wrangler job; that was very helpful. And there was a lot of post-ending stuff. I really appreciated it, but it’s just so hard to... I don’t know. With any remake, it’s so hard to win, or like be better than the original. Speaking of remakes, I feel like Ranma ½ is doing so well bringing back the same VAs and doing the great animation. Remakes, we appreciate it. It just speaks to our nostalgia.  
A-to-J: Yes.
Kaho: And nostalgia, pays! [Both Laugh] Now we can afford a lot of things. When we were kids, we couldn’t afford anything, and now we can. It’s kind of like My Little Pony conventions and Power Rangers conventions. We can now afford it, so I am looking forward to seeing a lot more remakes. Personally, I want to see a Final Fantasy VI remake. [Both Nod In Agreement] Well, I guess they have to finish the remake of Final Fantasy VII in a couple years.

A-to-J: They are on the right track, yes. It seems like you’re always on Twitch, streaming for hours nearly every day. How do you balance your online life and your offline life without getting burned out?
Kaho: I kind of try to not consider Twitch streaming as work. Like, they are right there. [Points to her IRL streaming setup.] I don’t think they can hear this, but they’ll have to check out the video. [Both Laugh]
A-to-J: [Finger Guns] Check it out!
Kaho: [Finger Guns] Check it out! It’s like a part of my life, and then it’s nice to have some company whenever you feel... you know, like I did. I spent Christmas together with them. I spent New Years together with them.
A-to-J: That’s so sweet!
Kaho: Otherwise, I just enjoy my single life, so I guess it’s a nice change. It’s probably like having a cat. I don’t have any pets, so chat is my pet, or I’m a pet to them. Whichever works.

A-to-J: That’s a very cute comparison! Obviously you’re a very avid cosplayer doing Ada Wong right now. Last year, you were cosplaying Nino Nakano when we interviewed you, and you even cosplayed the centaur Speed from One Piece at Anime Expo last year. What has been your favorite cosplay experience so far, and which characters are you looking forward to cosplaying in the future?
Kaho: Definitely the centaur cosplay was the biggest thing. I got the top part made in Japan; I wanted it to be very fitting. I wanted it to be a nice fit, but I wanted to wear it at AX so I commissioned cosplay maker Stella Chuu. She’s an amazing cosplayer. She makes costumes, and she’s got an entire team. She’s got a warehouse. She made the bottom part. I actually commissioned a new cosplay from her. It’s actually right there. [Kaho walks over to a box behind the interviewer and takes out the headpiece for an Ono Michio cosplay.] This is from the game series Like a Dragon that I’m gonna be in.
A-to-J: Bonus peek!
Kaho: So I made the clothing part in Japan. [Puts On Headpiece]
A-to-J: That’s so cute!
Kaho: [Inaudible] Can you even hear me?
A-to-J: Excited!
Kaho: [Takes Off Headpiece] Yeah, she’s amazing!
A-to-J: That’s fantastic! Thank you for sharing that with us.
Kaho: Of course.

A-to-J: What are you most looking forward to professionally and personally for 2025? Any collaborations you’re looking forward to? Maybe personal trips or skills you’re trying to build?
Kaho: Right, I’m definitely excited for my new book. I just haven’t finished writing it yet, so I don’t know when it can come out. Definitely the Yakuza game next month. Hopefully, I can help promote the game more internationally. There have been some talks about more collaborations or appearances officially working with other companies, so I’m looking forward to that. There are not so many things I can talk about yet but... [Kaho holds her finger up to her lip as if shushing.]
A-to-J: Makes sense.
Kaho: But more and bigger every year, hopefully.

A-to-J: Wonderful! Do you have any closing messages for your fans?
Kaho: Thank you so much for making sure that I’m okay like I’m doing well. [Both Laugh] It’s nice to see the same faces every year, some regulars, like actual regulars. It’s nice to have my own regulars too. Hopefully, I can see all of you in person too, not just on YouTube.
A-to-J: Speaking of online/offline, where can we find you online?
Kaho: Oh yes. So, I’m on Twitter / X (@shibukaho) also on Instagram (@shibukaho) with the same account name. On Twitch, it’s “Shibuya_Kaho”, and I stream often enough from home or sometimes IRL like at events so please find me there!
A-to-J: That’s about all the questions we have for you today. Thank you so much!
Kaho: Thank you so much.
A-to-J: It was wonderful to get to interview again!
Kaho: Thank you! You have an amazing smile! It’s just so infectious! Wow!
A-to-J: I really appreciate that! [Waves Goodbye]

We'd like to thank Kaho Shibuya for the interview, and we strongly encourage everyone to check her out via the links below. As always, keep an eye out for more from Kaho in the future! Also, special thanks to Anime Los Angeles for this opportunity!

For More Information on Kaho Shibuya:
Website: https://www.kaho-shibuya.com/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/shibuya_kaho
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shibukaho
X: https://twitter.com/Shibukaho

The above interview was conducted by Megan Smith. Video, transcription, and editing by Jeffery Kelly. Photography by Ivan Aburto. Additional editing by Manuel Figueroa.