One of Indonesia’s veteran independent VTubers, Epel from Hai Halo Epel!, also came to Comic Frontier (Comifuro) 22 on 16 to 17 May 2026, at ICE BSD, Tangerang. During the event, she was seen at booth AC-21, greeting her fans and selling her merch.
The KAORI team had the opportunity to chat directly with Epel, at her booth. There, we talked about the beginning of her career, Re: Memories, and how to survive as a VTuber in the current era. Here is the interview.
First, can you introduce yourself?
Okay, my name is Epel from Hai Halo Epel!. I am an independent VTuber from Indonesia. I debuted as a Virtual YouTuber in 2018.
What made you decide to enter the VTuber world?
It all began when I assisted a friend starting a VTuber career. At the time, VTubers were still relatively new in Indonesian pop culture. I eventually fulfilled my dream of becoming a VTuber myself and began my own journey.
In the past, I was a member of Re:Memories, a relatively new VTuber agency with only Reynard Blanc at the time. I left the agency after 2019 and became the indie VTuber I am today.
What makes you unique in the industry today?
What makes me unique? Maybe my distinctive approach to entertaining my audience through memes, humour, and enjoyable content.
Additionally, I hope I can inspire people to continue doing their best despite the limitations and challenges they may face. Being able to motivate others is important to me, and one way I can make a positive impact in this ever-changing industry.
What do you think is the biggest challenge to surviving in the current VTuber industry?
The biggest challenge to survive, in my opinion, is to keep up with the newest social media trends. Since innovations and trends are constantly emerging, I need to be aware and versatile.
What is your solution to this biggest challenge?
First of all, it is to hear what people have to say and communicate with my employees and the community. I also study current trends and adapt to them while maintaining my originality and staying within the boundaries and guidelines I have set for myself.
What are your hopes for the future of the VTuber industry in Indonesia?
I hope that the industry becomes more stable because the Indonesian VTuber market has a lot of potential. Once that stability is achieved, we as a community can sustain it. Ultimately, the VTuber industry will gradually grow in terms of community and quality once it becomes stable and sustainable.
Thank you for the interview, Epel. We wish you to continue inspiring others to be better in the future!
The Indonesian Anime Times | Interview by Eriq Affandi
