The internet doesn't handle goodbyes very well. Especially when that goodbye involves a shark girl who basically redefined what it meant to be a streamer in the 2020s. When Gawr Gura, the undisputed queen of Hololive English, announced her graduation in early 2025, the "Chumbuds" (her massive fanbase) were collectively crushed. But then, something weird happened. A new face appeared on the horizon: Sameko Saba.
The connection was almost instant. You've probably seen the name floating around Reddit or Twitter, usually followed by a flurry of "A" memes and blue heart emojis. People aren't just guessing; they're convinced. But is Saba actually the person behind the trident? Honestly, if you listen to her for more than five seconds, the answer feels pretty obvious.
The Graduation That Shook the Sea
On May 1, 2025, Gawr Gura officially "graduated" from Hololive. For those not deep in the VTuber weeds, "graduation" is just a polite, idol-industry term for retirement. She left behind a channel with over 4.7 million subscribers and a legacy that included everything from a Taco Bell commercial to singing at a Dodgers game.
The official reason? Creative disagreements and a shift in company direction. Cover Corp (the company behind Hololive) started leaning heavily into the "idol" aspect—concerts, rigid schedules, corporate tie-ups—while Gura always felt a bit more like a chaotic gremlin who just wanted to play horror games and chat with her friends. The friction finally reached a breaking point.
Then came the silence. For a few weeks, the VTubing world felt a little emptier. That is, until the name Sameko Saba started trending.
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Connecting the Dots: Why Everyone Thinks It's Her
It wasn't a slow burn. It was an explosion. Within minutes of her first teaser, people were already making side-by-side comparisons.
The Voice (Obviously)
You can change your avatar. You can change your lore. But you can't really hide a voice that has been heard by millions for five years. Saba’s voice carries that same specific, raspy-but-cute pitch that made Gura famous. The vocal fry, the way she giggles at her own jokes, and those tiny, accidental verbal slips—it's all there. During her debut, she actually almost said "Gura" before catching herself. It was one of those "I saw that!" moments for the chat that went viral instantly.
The Fishy Theme
"Same" (pronounced sah-meh) is the Japanese word for shark. "Saba" is the Japanese word for mackerel.
She went from being a shark to being a different kind of fish. It’s almost like she’s trolling us, which, if you know the talent behind the character, is 100% on brand. The new model, designed with high-end "live2D" rigging, is way more expressive than the old Hololive one, but the DNA is the same. Small, blue-themed, and mischievous.
The Senzawa Factor
Before she was Gura, the talent was widely believed to be an independent creator named Senzawa. Shortly after Saba’s debut, the old Senzawa social media accounts (which had been dead for years) suddenly updated their bios to show support for Saba. This wasn't just a hint; it was a neon sign. It basically confirmed that the talent was returning to her "indie" roots, moving away from the corporate structure of Hololive to have more control over her content.
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Why the Move to Indie Matters
You might wonder why someone would walk away from 4.7 million subscribers to start over from zero. It seems crazy, right? But in the world of VTubing, being "indie" means freedom.
- Ownership: She owns the character of Sameko Saba. She doesn't have to ask permission to do a collab or sell a t-shirt.
- Schedule: No more mandatory idol practice or corporate meetings. If she wants to stream at 3 AM and play a niche rhythm game, she can.
- Revenue: While she lost the massive platform, she keeps a much larger cut of the "superchats" and memberships.
The strategy worked. Before her first stream even started, she had over 500,000 subscribers. Her debut peaked at over 200,000 live viewers. People didn't care about the name on the box; they cared about the person inside it.
What Most People Get Wrong
There's a common misconception that Gura—or the talent behind her—hates Hololive. That doesn't seem to be the case. Her final stream was a "mini-live" concert with her Gen 1 (HoloMyth) friends, and there was plenty of genuine emotion there. It’s less about "drama" and more about career growth. Think of it like a star athlete leaving a massive franchise to play for a smaller team where they can be the captain and call the plays.
Also, don't expect an "official" confirmation. Due to legal contracts and NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements), she likely can't ever say, "Yes, I was Gawr Gura." That’s why she uses the Saba persona. It’s a "don’t ask, don’t tell" situation that the community has collectively agreed to play along with.
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The "New Game Plus" of VTubing
Watching Sameko Saba now is like watching Gura in "New Game Plus" mode. She’s more confident. She’s using better tech. Her model doesn't look "stiff" like the older corporate models sometimes do. She’s leaning back into the "shitposting" energy that made her Senzawa persona a legend before Hololive even existed.
If you’re looking for her, she’s active on YouTube and Twitter under the Saba handle. The "Chumbuds" have mostly rebranded themselves as the "Saba Squad" or similar nicknames, proving that in the digital age, loyalty is to the creator, not the brand.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the VODs: If you miss the old shark, watch Saba’s debut. The "accidental" Gura slip is at the beginning of her stream and is basically the smoking gun.
- Support Indie: If you want her to stay around this time, consider supporting her new channel. Indie creators don't have the "safety net" of a billion-dollar company like Cover Corp.
- Respect the Boundary: While everyone knows who she is, it's generally considered polite in the VTuber community not to spam her chat with "GURA!" She's trying to build a new brand, so let her enjoy the mackerel life for a while.
The transition from Gura to Saba isn't just a name change; it's a statement about the power of independent creators in 2026. The shark might have "retired," but the talent is just getting started.