Hinokuma Ran is graduating, here are the details on her return

Games Writer

Publish Date: October 8, 2024

The shocking graduation of Hinokuma Ran has fans wondering whether she’ll return as an independent vtuber, and why she’s leaving 774 Inc.

Hinokuma Ran is a female Japanese vtuber affiliated with the Japanese vtuber agency 774 Inc. She debuted alongside Inaba Haneru, Souya Ichika, Umori Hinako, and Inari Kuromu in the first wave in 2018. Hinokuma Ran was originally part of the AniMare branch of 774 Inc. All the branches were merged into a unified branch in 2023 and found success. However, not all is sunshine and rainbows, as the official X account of 774 Inc. made a post announcing Ran’s graduation.

Hinokuma Ran is graduating on October 28, 2024, and fans wonder whether she will return as an independent vtuber.

Why is Hinokuma Ran graduating from 774 Inc.?

Hinokuma Ran’s official announcement doesn’t contain an explanation for why the 774 Inc. vtuber is graduating.

On October 7, 2024, 774 Inc. posted the graduation notice of the vtuber Hinokuma Ran on its official X account. The company didn’t provide a reason for the vtuber’s graduation but expressed its desire for fans to support Hinokuma in her future endeavors.

Hinokuma Ran graduation

However, the sudden increase in graduations for talented vtubers from the agency might be a cause for worry. This is even more apparent since the graduation of the vtuber Hinokuma Ran isn’t a one-off. Other vtubers like Suou Patra, Huma Wat, and Anna Kojo have also graduated from 774 Inc. While vtubers graduating isn’t new, the kicker is that all three creators became independent after leaving the agency, and Hinokuma Ran is the newest to join the fray.

Hinokuma Ran will return as an independent

Hinokuma Ran’s graduation announcement stated that she’ll return as an independent vtuber after she graduates from 774.

In Hinokuma Ran’s graduation notice, 774 Inc. mentioned that the vtuber requested the company to let her graduate so she could start her work independently. The agency elaborated that there were many discussions between the vtuber and 774 Inc.

However, the vtuber refused to change her decision so the company stated it respected her wishes. Hinokuma Ran and the vtuber agency 774 Inc. decided mutually to part ways. The agency requested fans to not pry and disturb the affiliated talents.

While there was no reason given by either the agency or Hinokuma Ran, the vtuber likely decided to go independent for more freedom. Affiliation with a company can affect the creativity of a talent, so it is possible she wanted to do things her way.