The VTuber world is obsessed with origins. When a new talent debuts under a massive banner like Hololive Production, the "rabbit hole" starts digging deeper than just the lore. Fans want to know who is behind the avatar. Specifically, for the pink-haired, high-energy pilot of Holostars English -TEMPUS-, people have been scrambling to find details on the Machina X Flayon past life since his debut in early 2023.
It’s a weird culture. On one hand, there’s the "taboo" of looking into a performer's previous identity. On the other, the internet is a giant archive that never truly deletes anything.
If you’ve spent any time in the corner of the internet that tracks "PL" (past life) info, you’ve likely heard a specific name pop up: BanzaiBaby. This isn't just some random guess thrown at a wall. The evidence is, honestly, overwhelming. From the vocal range to the specific way he interacts with chat, the breadcrumbs are all there for anyone who knows where to look.
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Why the Machina X Flayon Past Life Connection is So Obvious
Let’s get real. Voice is the ultimate fingerprint in the VTubing industry. You can change your art, you can change your name, and you can even try to pitch your voice up or down. But you can't easily hide those specific vocal tics, the way someone laughs, or the way they scream when a horror game gets too intense.
Machina X Flayon has a very distinct, high-energy, almost "theatrical" voice. It’s sharp. It’s fast. He talks at a million miles per hour. When fans first heard him, the veteran indie VTuber watchers immediately pointed toward BanzaiBaby.
BanzaiBaby was an independent VTuber known for a very similar chaotic energy. If you go back and listen to old clips—though many have been scrubbed or archived by fans—the cadence is identical. It’s that specific "theatre kid" energy that Flayon brings to every stream. He isn't just playing a character; he is the character, and that level of performative talent usually comes from years of experience in the indie scene.
There's also the timing. BanzaiBaby "graduated" (the industry term for quitting or retiring) shortly before the TEMPUS Vanguard members were announced. In this industry, that's basically a smoking gun. Talent doesn't just disappear into the void when they're successful; they usually move up to a bigger "corporate" gig.
The Art and the Talents
It isn't just the voice, though. It's the skillset.
Flayon is an incredibly talented artist. If you watch his drawing streams, he isn't just "okay" at it; he’s a professional-level illustrator. BanzaiBaby was also an artist. The overlap in art style—the way they handle line work, the specific way they shade eyes—is too close to be a coincidence. Most people can't just mimic a professional art style overnight.
Then there’s the personality. Flayon is known for being a bit of a "bratty" character in a fun, endearing way. He takes roasts from his chat and throws them back twice as hard. This exact dynamic was a staple of BanzaiBaby’s community. When a streamer builds a specific type of "culture" with their audience, that culture often follows them to their next identity.
What This Means for Holostars Fans
Does it actually matter? Honestly, no. Not in a "ruining the magic" kind of way.
In the VTubing world, knowing a performer’s past life is like knowing an actor’s previous roles. It gives you a deeper appreciation for their growth. Seeing someone go from a small indie setup to having the backing of a massive corporation like Cover Corp is actually a pretty cool success story.
The Machina X Flayon past life discussion shouldn't be about doxxing or breaking the immersion. It's about recognizing talent. The "Pilot" we see today is a refined, high-budget version of a performer who spent years grinding in the indie trenches.
People often get weirdly protective of the "lore." They think that if you acknowledge the person behind the mask, you’re somehow "anti-fan." But look at the numbers. Flayon has carved out a massive niche in the male VTubing scene because he’s a seasoned pro. He knows how to pace a stream. He knows how to handle "anti" comments. He knows how to collaborate without stepping on toes. You don't get that good without a past life where you made all your mistakes and learned from them.
The Complexity of "Secret" Identities
Let’s talk about the legal side for a second. Cover Corp (the company behind Hololive and Holostars) has very strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
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This is why Flayon will never, ever acknowledge his time as BanzaiBaby. It’s not because he hates his past; it’s because he literally can’t talk about it without risking his job. This creates a "glass floor" effect where everyone knows the truth, but nobody talks about it officially.
Some fans find this frustrating. They want to see the old art. They want to hear the old stories. But the reality of the Japanese talent agency model is that the "Character" is the brand. Machina X Flayon is the IP. BanzaiBaby was a personal project. Merging the two would be a legal nightmare for the lawyers.
Common Misconceptions About Flayon’s Background
One thing I see all the time on Reddit and 4chan is people confusing "leaks" with "doxxing."
Finding a streamer's past life through their public voice and art isn't doxxing. Doxxing is releasing private, real-life information like a home address or legal name. Finding out a VTuber used to be a different VTuber is just internet sleuthing.
Another misconception? That "switching" to Hololive is selling out.
Imagine you're an indie musician playing at local bars. Suddenly, a major record label offers you a world tour, a dedicated marketing team, and a steady salary. You’d take it. That’s what happened here. The transition from the indie scene to the Machina X Flayon identity was a massive career upgrade. It allowed him to focus on content without worrying about the back-end technical nightmares that plague indies.
Why He Chose the "Pilot" Archetype
It’s interesting to see how much of the "old" personality made it into the new lore.
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The Pilot theme for Flayon fits his high-speed, frantic energy perfectly. It feels like a natural evolution. If you look at his past work, he always gravitated toward sci-fi and tech aesthetics. He didn't just get handed a random character; it feels like he had a hand in the creative direction to ensure it fit his actual interests.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Researchers
If you're looking into this yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind to stay respectful while satisfying your curiosity.
- Don't bring it up in chat. This is the number one rule. Never mention the "PL" (past life) or the old name during a live stream. It puts the talent in an awkward position where they have to ignore you or risk breaking their contract.
- Respect the archives. Many past life videos are deleted for a reason. If you find re-uploads, watch them, but don't go harassing the original artist on their old social media accounts if they still exist.
- Support the current work. The best way to show you appreciate a performer’s journey is to support what they are doing now. Buy the merch, watch the streams, and engage with the Machina X Flayon character.
- Understand the industry. Recognize that the "Machina X Flayon past life" is a common phenomenon. Almost every member of Hololive English or Holostars English has a history. It's a professional industry that hires experienced people, not random beginners.
The transition from BanzaiBaby to Machina X Flayon is a testament to how much work goes into becoming a top-tier digital entertainer. It takes years of voice acting, art practice, and community management to get to a point where a company like Hololive even looks at your application.
Instead of seeing the past as a secret to be "uncovered," see it as the foundation that built the Pilot we enjoy today. The chaotic, screaming, art-loving pilot didn't appear out of thin air; he was built through years of indie hustle.
To dig deeper into the world of VTubing history, focus on analyzing the creative evolution of the performer. Look at how their art style has matured or how their comedic timing has sharpened over the years. This gives you a much better understanding of the person behind the "Machina" than just knowing a former username ever could. Focus on the craft, and the mystery becomes a lot more interesting.