hololive Reaction: mumei || A Beautiful Story of Loneliness and Unwavering Hope

[@SKiyosuke]

i like how you can actually relate this to mumei finding her old self that she forgot old mumei might not exist anymore coz she forgot but she knows she exist/existed, but she's still trying to find her past and find who she truly is, and what she used looked like, if she was happy even before she loses her memory and for now while she was traveling land, sea and complete darkness, she still continues to live as "mumei"

[@edt3594]

yes! i truly believe she was looking for her forgotten self, and in the end she found herself again, but still goes by mumei by choice and not necessity.

[@darkenmonk870]

every near the end of civilization mumei would slowly forget her identity but she always missing them that why she always searching to continue a new civilization

[@shryggur]

Yeah but I think it's not even that clear cut. I like thinking she just tends to forget things with time in semi-random patterns, like how ancient artifacts are eroded with time. So it's less stage to stage but more of slow erosion and you never really know your coordinates at time or space, you're just lost in humanity.

[@ImFrelled]

Civilization is so old that its' beginnings are lost to the sands of time. Mumei forgot her name and past self, because we forgot.

[@hashem1990rko]

The first time i heard this, it touched my heart for some reason. Moom did a great job, in a way it felt like a vocaloid, yet so much emotion ran throughout it. Mumei is so great at controlling her voice and hitting a high notes in a smooth way. Moom is the guardian of civilization, so lore wise, she saw civilizations rise and falls and some gots forgotten to the sand of time, so she forget her name as responding to that, this is what i believe. My mind canon: With our current world, Mumei (nameless) is the best name because we are all connected together closer than ever because of all the advancement we made, so she can't remember her original name, but as a nameless person who can't be remembered, in a way you cant be forgotten

[@dranzermstr]

I was waiting for this!! Thats my Kami Oshi!! I had faith that this was going to be a great song. But i wasn't expecting her to drop IMO one of the best songs in Holo I saw someone mention in another comment, the way she sings those repeated "Ahh"s, is almost as if she were reaching out. stretching out her voice while in her search for this person/thing. For me its the most captivating section of the song. it lives in my head rent free Overall, im really proud of her. And i'm happy she was able to find & assemble a team for this project. They made a song that really suits her voice, with an MV that beautifully illustrates the story the song is telling

[@NousagiMechanic]

This song had me weeping halfway through, I dunno how you got through twice lol. Something else I noticed is the usage of the word 'mumei' each time, and how it develops over the song. It starts out as 'bokura mumei no mama', which is almost a third-person way of referring to herself as a nameless...guardian, I guess would be the most contextually correct translation? Almost like an idea, not something real/material. In fact, I noticed a couple of 'bokura's throughout the first part, kind of reinforcing that view. 2nd usage is 'atashi mumei' ('I am mumei'), reflecting her taking it as her personal name/title, as a way to be remembered by those she is looking for as hope begins to overpower the loneliness, which matches the tone of the powerful, upbeat melody of the bridge. And then the last one is 'atashi Mumei no mama', showing that she still views herself as the guardian/nuturer of civilization, but the 'atashi/I am' showing her newfound confidence, and that she was able to find her purpose along the way. No matter what, though, this is a legit masterpiece. The cleverness behind the lyrics, the singing, the melody...it's everything in one.

[@SenWarchief]

I really appreciate that you pointed out that level of wordplay with each use of the word "mumei." It adds yet another dimension to the song, and I can really see why it will make people very emotional when framed this way

[@NousagiMechanic]

@@SenWarchief It took a few replays to catch it, the 'atashi mumei' is what got me paying attention because of how long the pause is around it.

[@Tsurf]

The best part of this? The way she used her name to indicate a journey from having no indentity and describing what she was, then to accepting her existence altering what the word meant to her, then to finally naming herself and solidifying her existence. It's actually an amazing concept that echoes how names of places and people evolve over time. Oh my goodness, a game with this concept as a core mechanic would slap so much, giving names via describing a thing or its purpose to solidify their existence so that you can use them to further the story, but you'll to be careful how you develop the name because you can inadvertantly change its function or qualities so you'll need to adapt. ...holy hell, I need to learn how to code.

[@SenWarchief]

That's a concept that is just perfect to turn into an indie game!!

[@CastleMinecrafterZ]

23:00 I think it means that all this will happen again. The rock wears down and breaks, the lantern goes out, the fish (assumingly) dies. But even with that she smiles, and her own lantern is still lit.

[@SenWarchief]

Ahhh, it could be a symbol of a cycle. I do like that interpretation!

[@TheCardinalBiggles42]

Excellent analysis as usual Sen! It's really a beautiful and touching song. You asked for our interpretation, so here's mine. I think the song works on three levels. There's the Lore level: as its guardian, she's out there searching for the first sparks of civilization. She holds her lantern to guide the way forward for humanity, even though she knows she won't be remembered even by herself. It also works as a letter to her fans: "I don't know your name or what you look like and you don't know me, but we can make each other smile and laugh in this dark scary world. If that's what you're looking for come find my streams, and I'll send those feelings to you." And finally, I think it's a letter from Mumei to the person "behind" Mumei: I believe she is the Companion in the MV. Maybe she was feeling lost and directionless before she discovered Mumei, but Mumei lit the way forward and allowed her to find herself. You could even go so far as to suggest that the rock being thrown and breaking in two symbolizes how one person became two, and in doing that she found herself. Now, even if the VTuber thing someday falls apart, even though no one in the real world knows who she is, she will continue to be Mumei. I have no idea what the flopping fish is about though.

[@BreatheManually]

Maybe the many fish is the "others" she met, so basically as the rock reaches its end (end of career), the lamp on the floor snuffs out (her actual self) and the last fish takes its last breath(last fan). Mumei's torch (Guardian of civilization/Vtuber) continues to glow in the dark, reaching for anyone that searches for her.

[@shryggur]

That's beautiful, man, and well put. Although I'm not sure about the details, I dont think that, say, a rock splitting in two represents anything. It seems the creative process was pretty liberal. But I think the stone was like a check: "is it working? can you hear me?" And the second the check fell apart - real light was fired. So it's like "it's not exactwhat I was searching for, but it's still good." Works for me, honestly

[@RobertStoll]

It's heavily reminiscent of not only Porter Robinson, but a little Skye Rocket, Snail Chan, Owl City, Avicci, and even Ryn Weaver. Which works amazingly for Mumei's voice. Honestly had me crying first time I watched the video.

[@SiegVesica]

Thanks for the breakdown and reaction. This original has jumped into the top five of mine from Holo. She did great.

[@Aztec65]

This MV and song are really incredible pieces. Love the style it's done in and even though I'm not the biggest fan of that type of instrumental I still really enjoyed it. The parts where she repeats the "ai" in sekai and the "ma" in ima are my favorite part. Mumei's singing voice is beautiful

[@johnsonsarah2983]

This unironically brought me to tears

[@Nicopear]

This song and MV were incredible through and through. Mumei and her team had outdone themselves.

[@aronth]

Mumei isnt just the last time she remembered, it literally means "No Name" or "Nameless"

[@SenWarchief]

Yup! Mentioned that at the beginning of the video. Nanashi too, also means nameless ^_^

[@mochisoul9399]

For the ending, it may mean that even if everything ends. Mumei's lantern will continue to burn brightly for anyone who is looking.

[@accipita]

mumei's vocals have always enraptured me - I know she has spoken about having no formal training and wanting singing lessons to improve her control but the timbre of her voice is so clean and beautiful. Combined with the vague but heartfelt lyrics I cannot listen to this with choking up. The hints of loneliness, the unspecified target of the song? her old self? her future self? her fans? Combined with the haunting beauty she delivers it with taps straight into my soul. Combine that with the amazing MV (I totally get the indy adventure game vibes) that really doubles down on the emptiness and loneliness - this whole video is art, its beautiful and I think the beauty alone strikes me given the song was composed and produced by one person, the whole video was animated by one other person and then mumei delivering the vocals - what a stunning achievement for them

[@SenWarchief]

It really feels like an achievement for all people involved when we put it into perspective!

[@KnightB172]

I've never really considered it, but the idea of searching through an essentially empty world for a person you know that you knew and cared for, but can't remember anything about? That's tragic in a whole new way, because even being an amnesiac is preferable to knowing that you used to not be completely alone.

[@ImFrelled]

The lantern at the end... Shouldn't you always leave a beacon lit, for those who wander, lost in the dark, even after you yourself are found? ETA: Especially after you yourself are found.

[@HeadpatPoet]

Beautiful vocals and an equally intriguing MV. This song's lyrics can be interpreted in so many ways. Mumei's lore really makes you think about what being "nameless" means. I'd say we are all nameless in the eyes of most others in this world. A person only feels alive to us when you get to know them, and a name is likely the first thing you'd share, but you'd never get that far if not both sides are willing. A "No, goodbye" would end it all. So even if a name in itself has no meaning, it still represents someone and everything that made them who they are today. And because we all made an effort to find and get to know the one who didn't even remember their own name, she can call herself Mumei now, a name that means everything to her and just as much to all of us. Thanks for the reaction, Sen. This deep dive was one I won't soon forget about.

[@SenWarchief]

I do love the irony of her name meaning nameless, and yet it's the name we all remember her by

[@PAHACHENUWOOO]

Many Civilization being forgotten, new Mumei born when the past Mumei gone. Forever as a nameless

[@namidairo1573]

honestly i just love all the wordplay used in this song especially since it touches on the fact that words can have very deep meanings more then just what a translation can be. the fact that mumei is used in 3 different forms though all are said the exact same is beautiful and then theres the use of sayonara at a point used as saying its a final goodbye is great since while in english goodbye can just be a form of temp parting in japanese sayonara is usually used as a final goodbye type of use rather then a casual one(like used in a form as a part of an end of a phase of life like graduation, romance, or even a death where your truly leaving behind something and not expecting it to continue on.)

[@LongandWeirdName]

If you look for civilization, if you strive for being civilized, a small bird, the one that once helped Athena - an owl of wisdom, will fly to you.

[@timconner7693]

The rock lands and breaks. What used to be one is now two.

[@kuromiLayfe]

The say goodbye part.. really reminds me of people that had LTML or severe dementia… If the one person they can talk to and hang around with says goodbye… they no longer remember till that person comes back, and if they do come back it will be as meeting for the first time… especially with relationships this is insanely hard on people.

[@SenWarchief]

That's an incredibly tough feeling and it hits home for me somewhat. With this song though, it feels like there's a self-awareness behind the forgetfulness, which makes it even more emotional.

[@NitraPunkie]

Check out nameless its a game version made by a fan

[@alok-kfpwahkingdeliveryguy3420]

The story of the song if we are just talking lore wise, another human civilization has ended and mumei is searching for a long time that the thing that she can remember is that her name is nameless. That's why there is a line that if you say goodbye it will be over, since when humans don't make civilizations anymore she will be gone. And at the end the flame is extinguished because she found the new civilization and it's time to write a new book and the bird has come and will continue to watch that's why she's not nameless anymore she's Mumei

[@SenWarchief]

I like that interpretation of the lantern at the end!

[@gieron666]

5:11 I like to think that's Gura (the hair matches) inviting Mumei to join Hololive so she's not alone anymore.

[@fikribaru8652]

Maybe it's just me because i know the lyrics breakdown gonna be separated, but seeing u read the lyrics during 1st part feels like telling u the spoiler 😂

[@SenWarchief]

Hard to avoid when it's hardcoded into the MV haha

[@auphaiphai]

When you mention the concept about remember and forget. It's kinda reminds me about Touhou concept of youkai and gods. It's like Mumei's presence was alive by being remembered by someone, like how Youkai were presences by people's fear or God were presences by people's faith. If no one remember them anymore they'll disappeared and gone, leave only name that no one know what it mean. But Mumei is nameless. So if there's no one remember her it's mean gone and there's nothing to be evidence that there were presence of her on this world before. So in the end of the song it was like. I had to have a faith, a faith that someone will still remember me. And that faith will become reality when they remember eachother, so that it will guide Mumei to the one whoever remember her. Like the sentence "the wind will blow from me to you and the bird will come to you" Also I like the way lyrics in the end and first part was using "mumei no mama" in both part but in different meanings. One for describing that she is nameless and other one mean that she'll now keep going on by using the name "Mumei" which mean nameless. Also I really like Future Bass part in this song. It hit me really hard 11/10 song!!!

[@SenWarchief]

Having faith seems to be one of the more underrated underlying themes here. As you pointed out, there is a mutual faith in the form of belief that the other will remember you.

[@excellars4033]

N-buna + Eve + robert robinson + vocaloid vibe

[@ilikethespikeman2552]

nanashi mumei does mean no name no name

[@mapotofu1427]

Also she reminds me of Vivi from FF9.

[@halfstache1070]

I was thinking more like a Tonberry.

[@andysatrioajie7886]

i am picky about song. but this song from the premier i just like it.