Light at the End of the Tunnel: Interviewing Jimmy on Aki Rosenthal and His Journey as “Just Another Fan”
Fandom expresses itself in many different ways. Some fans create art, some create videos, and others bring their passion to life through cosplay. When done with heart, cosplay becomes more than just a costume: it becomes a tribute, a celebration, and sometimes even a symbol that other fans come to recognize instantly.
Within the hololive community, certain fans become familiar faces not because they set out to be creators, but because their dedication and love for their oshi resonate so strongly with others. Through convention appearances, fan meetups, and even online moments on social media, they help foster a sense of connection that extends beyond the virtual world.
For our fourth guest in this Interview series, we’re excited to welcome a fan who many in the community may already recognize, particularly for his cosplay of a beloved muscular, bearded character inspired by a hololive talent’s gameplay of Ark: Survival Evolved.
While cosplay might not be his primary thing in the hololive community, his portrayal of “Mukirose” along with his deep passion for his oshi and hololive as a whole has left a lasting impression on fans. Please join us in welcoming Jimmy WeebShooter (@GunweebJimmy)!
In this interview, we explore his journey as a hololive fan, the story behind his iconic cosplay, and what it means to be part of a community built on shared admiration and creativity for the hololive talents.
hololive TODAY / hT:
Welcome, Jimmy! Thank you so much for taking the time to interview with us at hololive TODAY. You’re our fourth guest in this interview series, and we’re really happy to have you here!
Jimmy:
Thank you for having me!!! I’m surprised too that I’m on the list lol. Big fans of your article buddy!
hT:
Thank you so much for taking the time to follow our articles!
To start things off, could you tell us a bit about yourself? When did you first become involved with hololive and the hololive community, and what initially drew you in?
Jimmy:
Well, I’m Jimmy WeebShooter!! You guys probably know me as “Mukirose” from my cosplay back in 2023 until today.
Jimmy is my real nickname, Real name in Thai would be a bit tricky for you to remember Haha. So, as you know, I’m Thai, another Southeast Asia fellow countrymen.
To be honest, Thailand is not really on Hololive maps, prolly 5-6 years ago. I’m glad that we got more fans here today.
To take you back, I started falling into rabbit hole prolly 6 years ago, at the beginning of global pandemic—and since then I watch them everyday and it become my little happiness after work.
hT:
For viewers who may not be familiar with you yet, could you tell us about the kind of content you create within the hololive community?
Whether that’s art, cosplay, videos, or other forms of content creation?
Jimmy:
Hmmmm….To be honest? I’m hardly a content creator. To begin with, I’m not really do cosplay even I walked in and out of the conventions here in Thailand for 19 years…NINETEEN!! Man, I felt old lol. Basically I’m just another fans just like you guys. I’m fortunate to be in the right place at the right time—Even the beginning of it was painful and ugly before Akirose lead me into this point in life.
These days, I make shooting and guns videos…Nothing to Hololive (yet) and post random memes shitposting on the internet. (That’s the best part) I’m thinking of streaming too, but, my job not really allowed me to have enough time to pull that out yet. But in the future? Probably.
hT:
We know you best for your "Mukirose" cosplay. But you've also cosplayed as other VTubers and characters as well, like Moona, Pekora, Fuwawa, and even Mace Windu?!
Do you make the cosplays yourself, or maybe know someone who does? And assuming we don't know much about making cosplay, what does your cosplay ideation and creation process look like?
Jimmy:
Some, I did on my own. Like Star Wars stuff when I was 22 years old…Well, I’m 38 years old now. Because of how busy and tight my schedule is these days, I hired a tailor to help me. Most of them are my friends.
The idea of cosplay? For me, not the most accurate, I would focus on the fun and memes instead. Many said I was an inspiration on bringing up the courage to many who not have confidence in this hobby yet. Which, I felt really honored. And I want to keep it that way. It’s not about competition. For me, it’s about if people could laugh from my work. Then I felt it’s a success. And I want other to felt the same and pass along this philosophy as well.
hT:
I think this one is a given, but in case anyone didn't know, who in hololive is your oshi, and why do you oshi them? If you could, tell us your favorite stream and song of theirs!
Jimmy:
AKI ROSENTHALLLLLLLLL!!!!! NOW GO AND SUBSCRIBE OR I WILL BE UNDER YOUR BED TONIGHT!!!—joking.
Aki-Chan starts very tough as a first generation. The struggle on her popularity at first brought me here. Thanks to Einnashu clip and other Rosetai (Shout out to Mitulaa, my first Rosetai friend!) for the warm friendship on my first day of the journey. I felt that Aki-Chan deserved more respect and love since she never gives up and keep on going no matter what the struggle are…and she’s blonde, she’s twin tail, and she is a older sister vibes….Who doesn’t love that!!!? (Don’t tell me you don’t….🫵)
My favorite streams would be the ARK Episodes, which she did awesomeness and is her stepping stones to many more later, NEOPOLICE GTA VCR, Street Fighter 6 etc. What I missed the most would be her angelic singing karaoke streams. Her favorite songs I love most is Shallys and Heroine audition!!
hT:
We're curious, what's the story behind your passion for Aki Rosenthal? What made you decide to become a Rosetai?
Jimmy:
I owe my life to Akirose, Big time. (Well, of course, thanks to Doctors and my family as well) in my darkest times….April, 2021. I suffered a stroke. I ended up in ICU and I thought my life was finally over. And this is my last place I will stays forever.
A month later, “some” miracles happened. I can finally “move” my left side again after I lost it for a while. I got transferred to Observation ward, and, back then it was a peak of pandemic in Asia. My parents, my friends, my co-workers can’t visit me at all. My parents left me a phone and a notebook so I can work on the bed and entertain myself…And that’s when Akirose starts encouraging me when I sent super chats and liking on some of my post.
She probably did not remember—But she said that “Please never give up”. Since then, I keep watching her clips, learning about her struggles and fighting spirits. I decide to take an intense physical therapy until I almost fully recovered in December. Her songs like “Shallys” is very meaningful to me since it’s the song that I always listen to when I took a therapy session along with other songs like “Asuiro Clear Sky” etc.
I experienced the first Fes in the screen in 2022 and I promise to myself that I will travel to Japan to thank her there somehow in 2023….and the rest was history.
hT:
Thank you for sharing. I had learned about your stroke and time in the ICU from your previous interview, but hearing more about how Akirose played a role in your recovery makes it even more meaningful.
One of your first "Mukirose" cosplays was you in a buttoned-red shirt, ponytail, and a nicely drawn mustache. Akirose actually commented on your post, giving you a thumbs up of approval!
What do you remember about that experience? What made you cosplay as Mukirose, and how did your interaction with her influence the direction you took in creating the Mukirose cosplay we all know and love?
Jimmy:
That’s after the ‘22 fes too if I remember correctly. I never thought about this but to be honest that actually was the FIRST idea when it came to mind of how could I thank Akirose. I just grab a silly wig from my wardrobe and a shirt…..and figure out “Can I be Mukirose tho?” And then I was like, fuck it, let’s go lol. Something like that. And when she saw it and give me an approval, I think that was the beginning of everything.
I decide to go on with the costume and it finally ready before 2023 Expo. I first shown it on her birthday in the same year…But I never imagined it would become iconic somehow. Don’t get me wrong! I’m not hating it or treat it casually. To be loved by everyone—well, not everyone, let’s say “most”. Is already enough for me to kept me going.
And Aki-Chan encouragement is something that I always kept in mind that it’s because of her that I have today, the rest? Would be pure love that I have received from her and the enjoyment of seeing her grow bigger (not literally, I mean the subscribers and activities)—I think that’s more than enough to keep supporting her from now on and in the future by my own terms.
hT:
Recently, it seems like you recently came back from a trip to places like Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. You were met with the harsh cold, but you also met some hololive fans and saw some pretty amazing scenery.
We're curious: what gives you the energy and motivation to travel so far? That includes going to Japan for fes/EXPO and other countries for other hololive-related events.
Jimmy:
You see, my job, like actual job is not very conventional. I’m in a Defense Contractor company—Can’t tell you the other details but this is something I do for a living. I travel to 23 countries in 3 continents from the most shady places to the most advanced countries in the world. In my line of job when I travel overseas, I met so many friends along the way. Not just at work, but the Holofans too!
When I got time from my job when I visited some countries, sometimes, I will got called from friends and fans alike nearby. Like Sayi, Sukonbu from Turkey, Big N from Washington DC and many more places. Even I don’t have time to meet anyone, I still carry my Holoplushies around with me. My boss keep asking why. I just always answer “an emotional support and motivation” (lol)
Regarding the events, If IF I got enough resources, I would travel if possible. Time and money is very important and you must planning ahead on each event you wanna go. The one in Southeast Asia like CF ID or CF KL, that’s easy, I can make it. But Europe or US, not as easy. But if I can make it, I will. I believe that show up and give them a support even just on an X timeline feed that you “were” there is actually encouraging the girls to do better everyday.
You don’t have to be known but please remember, they need your support. They work hard, professional entertainer, Comedian even—All of that can be done when they know they got love and support whenever or where ever you go. I think that’s my motivation that still keep me to travel to overseas events.
Oh! And make more friends and family too!!!
hT:
So many people who meet you say you're one of the kindest and most chill individuals they've met, also saying you have such a positive, radiating energy about you. I think that's really awesome, and it’s something many people really admire.
What can you say about how people describe you, and what might have shaped you into the kind of person you are today?
Jimmy:
Not true!!! Hahaha!!!! Aight, I will be honest here. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. With all of you and your support. Many projects were achieved and I’m glad that I was a part of it. But remember that, at the end of the day. I still a very normal weeb—I mean, fans. Just like you guys. I got my limits, I got my frustrations, I got bad days too…So, nothing really as you expected in life, always.
I tried to denied that I’m famous in the first year. But at some point, I do accept it, one JP high schooler wrote a handwritten letter for me of how I became his inspiration to pass the exam….i think that’s a new purpose I would like to serve. As a fans, as a symbol(?) of something I can’t even worldly describe.
Yet, Ego is a very scary thing.i always have to remind myself that ego is rooted in attachment to the idea of “self”, Praise, fame, and respect ,which, are part of the “Eight Worldly Winds” (I’m Buddhist): gain and loss, praise and blame, fame and disrepute, pleasure and pain. It taught that these are unstable and impermanent….
“Notice pride, don’t feed it.” Use recognition to serve, not to inflate the self.
“Receive praise like the earth receives rain — without swelling, without shrinking.“ I think this is my philosophy on how I shape myself these days.
I’m happy, and I love all of you guys too. Thanks for the support!
hT:
During 4th fes., you were chosen for an interview where you shared your story and your love and all of the Rosetai's love collectively for Akirose.
What do you remember about that moment, and what was going through your mind at the time?
Jimmy:
It’s funny!! Like seriously!! Believe it or not? I don’t even know that it was a livestream camera!!!? I thought the staff will just get some footage for later cut and edited (And I’m sure I won’t be in there). So, I was like “Alright, probably if you wanna say something to Aki-Chan…it’s right now”. Then I decide to just go for it without a script (Probably because I’m a good salesman? Dunno lol).
In my head, I did tried my best not to make it personal and I was thinking about Japanese cultures and stuff of referring someone or ourselves—So, rather than says “I love you” I chose “We love you” instead because I felt there are so many international Rosetai that weren’t there that day…So it would be better to not be a selfish prick (lmao) and show Aki-Chan that every Rosetai in this world love her very much….
And suddenly, people flux in to get photos with me….My Thai friends MekFahh and Niini Diesel, came back to me and screamed “YOU WERE ON THE MAIN CHANNEL STREAM!!!” And I was like “ON WHAT!!!!?” My Twitter (Well, X now) blew up, I got like how many? 5-600 followers before the 4th fes expo? I think—But it burst into 10,000 by Monday!! Every gaming news in Thailand wrote about me, clips and such—Notice from tons of Holomems…It’s like “Am I dreaming?” Moment….
Still, the most important was Aki who thank me on stream…..
hT:
I often think about that message you shared in that interview, how hololive helped you through a difficult period in your life, how deeply you and Rosetai love Akirose, how she and hololive gave you a "light at the end of the tunnel...to go through and keep going".
That moment had a huge impact on many fans, including myself, as well as on hololive talents and Akirose herself. Did you realize at the time that the interview would become something not just memorable, but something that resonated so deeply with others?
Jimmy:
No, not at all, as I said on the previous question. I don’t wanna be a selfish prick (LOL) But in all seriousness, Yes, in my opinion at least (that day). Hololive did really brought me to the light at the end of the tunnel in my darkest time. Nothing more or less.
But, after that day, I have talked to many through DM and also found out that Hololive did not only just saved me. But other people in this world too. Everyone got their own problems, some can’t say it directly to even the closest friend in real life. Hololive and their talents became the mediator in between that. Gave us joy, smile to forget bad things and make it less painful. And also a courage that many talents had given us to face some problems in our lives with their encouraging words no matter short or long.
Even for them, they got their own problems too! Behind the avatar is the real person who also got their own life and when they shared with us on streams, It was like “Ahhh so, prolly I should do this too” or maybe “We are literally the same”
Idols are exist for a reason, right? You hold on to it. And use it as a candle to guide you the path. Not always right…But not wrong either.
I think that is why it’s resonating to many.
hT:
Since this is our fourth interview, we'd like to introduce a special segment in the hololive TODAY Interview series, where we invite a previous interviewee to ask you, our current guest, a question of their own!
I believe you've actually met our previous guest, hwikky, before! When it comes to offline events like expos and conventions, you two are among the ones many other fans know right off the bat. Here's what he has to say:
"Hello Jimmy! My question to you is this:
I know you are a hard worker as much as you are a fan. But I assume it can get overwhelming sometimes trying to juggle between your job and hobby.
What is your advice in balancing the two and how does hololive and your oshi influence your attitude towards how you work?
Thank you Jimmy!"
Jimmy:
Aight brother Hwikky, here is one from uncle to all the nieces and nephews!
Balancing work and passion isn’t always easy. It does get overwhelming sometimes. But philosophically, I see both as part of the same path — not two separate worlds.
“Work is my discipline.
Holoris/Community is my inspiration.”
There’s the idea of the Middle Way — not indulging, not suppressing, but harmonizing. I don’t try to escape work through hobby, and I don’t neglect responsibility for passion. Instead, I let each fuel the other.
Practically, I set boundaries:
When I work, I focus fully.
When I support Hololive or my oshi like Aki-chan, I do it wholeheartedly — but within limits, everyone got limits, right?
Hololive actually improves my work attitude (well, you guys saw my office before). Seeing my oshi’s consistency, resilience, and gratitude reminds me to show up even when tired. Improve a little every day. Appreciate the people who support you. But again, -within your limits-
Being a fan doesn’t distract me from responsibility — it reminds me why I work hard in the first place.
“Passion gives meaning.
Work gives structure.
Balance comes from respecting both.”
And that’s is all from me :)
hT:
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself through the adventures you've had in the hololive community?
Jimmy:
Do we got few days? Oh we don’t? Okay then.
Aight, More than I expected.
Through supporting Hololive — especially my oshi like Aki-chan — I discovered that my passion runs deeper than entertainment. I’m someone who commits. When I believe in something, I show up consistently even not all, but I will try to lurking around at best.And not just when it’s trending.
I also learned that I value community more than I realized. The Hololive community isn’t just chat messages and fan art — it’s brotherhood. It’s camaraderie. It’s people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds rallying behind something that makes us…me feel alive. Through projects, discussions, celebrations, and even disagreements, I’ve seen how shared passion can build real bonds.
Hololive did taught me that support is an action, not just a feeling. On a personal level, it also humbled me. Watching my oshi work tirelessly — streaming through exhaustion, improving quietly behind the scenes, staying grateful no matter what — influenced how I approach my own work. It reminded me that consistency beats bursts of motivation. That professionalism and heart can coexist.
Hololive didn’t turn me into someone new:
It revealed that I thrive in community.
It revealed that passion, when guided with discipline, becomes strength that can also influence others in positivity.
And maybe most importantly — it reminded me that it’s okay for a grown man to care deeply about something. Brotherhood, camaraderie, shared joy… those aren’t small things.They’re powerful. Truly powerful!!
I’m glad that I have made friends and family along this journey….(I cried now haha)
hT:
What are your current interests, both inside and outside the hololive community?
Jimmy:
Inside? I would say EN and ID Community. Especially ID community since we are the same ASEAN countries. Moona and Ollie, really comes close to my heart these days. Especially Ollie who I see her as my little sister (if I got one lol). Indonesia became my favorite place and I would like to go back anytime. Anddddd YES, I will be at HoloExpo 2026 in March!!!! So, see you there!!
Also, please follow @holofansTH on X. We will have more upcoming Thai projects and cool Holotheme elephant pants designs coming right up!!! We wants to put Thailand on HoloMaps even better!!!! (THANK YOU KOSEKI BIJOU AND TAKANE LUI!!!)
Outside…hmmm…I want to visit OffKai Expo in US—But I can’t manage the budget as I expected since I just bought a house too…So, economically, look impossible but I would love to try. I’m more interested in more indies Vtubers and even made friends with some…So I would love to see more about them and enjoy them as well!!
And buy more guns, perhaps lmaoooo Watches too. I love watches. One of my favorite R18 artists that I followed for a very long time became a good friend because of this hobby too (expensive hobby tho)
hT:
And for our final question, do you have a message you'd like to share with your followers, fans, or the broader hololive community?
Jimmy:
For my followers, friends, and everyone in the Hololive community —First, thank you.
What we share here isn’t just clips, streams, or memes. It’s time. It’s emotion. It’s moments we choose to experience together. And that matters. Through supporting Hololive and my oshi, I’ve learned something important: behind every avatar is a real person. A person with their own struggles, private battles, families, dreams, and limits.
So if I could share one message, it would be this:
“Be kind.”
Support loudly, but respect boundaries.
Celebrate achievements, but understand exhaustion.
Cheer for them, but never forget they are human. Just like everyone of us.
And within our community — take care of each other too. Brotherhood and camaraderie aren’t just hype words. They mean “listening”. They mean lifting someone up when they’re down. They mean disagreeing without hatred. They mean remembering that the person behind the username is also carrying their own life.
Passion is beautiful. Love is powerful. But kindness is what sustains both. And will always hold our community together.
Let’s build a community where our oshis feel safe, and where fans feel welcomed. That’s the kind of supporter — and the kind of man — I want to be. And probably you too as well.
hT:
That's all we have for you today, Jimmy. Thank you so much again for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing more about you and your experiences in the hololive community!
Jimmy:
The honor is mine, Big boss!! Thank you for interviewing me and I hope this will inspire more people to join and love Hololive and their community as much as i am!! See you next time!!
And thank you, the reader, for checking out our fourth interview! We’d like to once again thank Jimmy for taking the time to share his story with us. Having followed him since his live interview during hololive 4th fes., we’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn a lot more about him beyond the Mukirose cosplay and his passion for Akirose.
Through our conversation, we hope readers were able to gain a deeper appreciation for the dedication, sincerity, and modest influence that fans like Jimmy bring to the community: not through popularity or status, but through genuine love for their oshi and the community of people around them.
Be sure to check out and support him on social media below:
X/Twitter page: https://x.com/GunweebJimmy
We’re already at our fourth interview at hololive TODAY! It’s been such a blast speaking with and showcasing incredible individuals from across the hololive community. We’re excited to continue sharing the stories of the fans, artists, and creators who help make this community so special. Be sure to look forward to our upcoming interviews!
