HyperX, the gaming peripherals team at HP Inc., has introduced its first VTuber, Himura Kuraudo, also known as Kura. As the newest member of HyperX’s growing team of brand ambassadors, Kura will be streaming a variety of content on HyperX’s Twitch channel regularly on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. PST.
VTubing originated in Japan in the mid-2010s and grew in popularity in early 2020 during the pandemic, representing a genre of content creation presenting as a virtual avatar. Fueled by independent content creators globally, this digital world has provided a safe space for creators to build confidence, embrace their inner selves, and show creativity through their own avatars.
The idea and creation of Kura is a direct reflection of HyperX’s efforts to embrace all gamers, online creators, and fans alike.
Like other VTubers, Kura’s personality and speaking style were an important part of the creative process to be authentic in the community. Aiming to develop a high-quality avatar with unique characteristics, HyperX understood the complexity of this project and brought in several independent artists to help create Kura. This includes well-known illustrator and designer Rosuuri and the freelance group Iron Vertex, who took the lead in rigging the model illustration.
As for naming Kura, the HyperX team wanted to align the avatar’s name with company values, the HyperX brand, and its gaming community. The romaji pronunciation of the name “Kuraudo” is “cloud”—in reference to HyperX’s first notable headset, Cloud. Kura’s last name “Himura,” on the other hand, means “dark red, scarlet” and “town, village,” which correlates with HyperX’s brand colors and its humble beginnings.
Created to connect with people who have common gaming interests while also promoting positivity, inclusivity, and kindness within the community, Kura will embody the spirit of HyperX’s tagline, “We’re All Gamers,” through the content she creates.
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