Zach Katsuragi

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Zach Katsuragi (Japanese: 葛城・ザック; born August 7 2005), is an independent Japanese virtual YouTuber (VTuber) known as the first recipient of the title Ultimate VTuber at Hope's Peak University.^[1] Since his debut, he has become the fourth most subscribed VTuber at 3.5 million subscribers.^[2][3]

Career and Accomplishments

Katsuragi posted his first YouTube video on his channel "greatoniprince" on September 20 2020.^[3] From his channel, Katsuragi began to stream a variety of single and multiplayer video games using his virtual character as his onscreen avatar, coming to be known by the moniker "Great Oni Prince."^[3] In the next few years, the channel would grow in popularity as he continued to stream and upload videos of Let's Plays, karaoke, and live chatting, reaching five hundred thousand subscribers by the end of April 2021.^[4][5][6] Since debuting, he has shown up at different conventions and other events as his avatar and released several waves of merchandise.^[7][8] By March 2023, his channel hit the 3 million subscriber landmark, making him the current most subscribed VTuber categorized as independent.^[3][4]

Channel Profile

"The crown prince of a family of oni rulers that have reigned in hell for millennia. Though once a malicious troublemaker who spread fear and blight throughout the lands, Katsuragi grew tired of this mundane world. That is, until he discovered the Internet, where he found that oni in modern times still thrive as powerful figures in popular media.

Emerging from the depths of the underworld, he took on a new name and appearance, reborn as a VTuber known as the lovable and mischievous "Great Oni Prince.""^[3]

Acceptance to Hope's Peak University

Soon after reaching 3 million subscribers, Katsuragi announced his planned enrollment at Hope's Peak University on a livestream.^[9] After explaining that he had accepted the invitation several months prior, the revelation sparked a massive controversy in the online VTubing community. While some congratulated Katsuragi, others expressed questions, concerns, and criticisms toward his decision.^[10][11] With the public outcry against Hope's Peak University, the rise of the Everyman Movement, and the increasing number of casualties of Hope's Peak students and faculty, many members of Katsuragi's community were in vocal disagreement.^[10][12][13]

In response to the outrage, Katsuragi released an official statement on his social media accounts, summarized by the following: "I understand and really do appreciate everyone's concerns ^[…] but this is a decision I came to after a lot of time and careful consideration. I know that it won't be easy, and I never expected it to be. However, I promise all of you that precautions will be made to ensure my safety ^[…] I will not be renouncing my invitation to Hope's Peak University at this time."^[14]

Katsuragi will be part of Hope's Peak's 129th class starting April 3rd, 2024.^[1]

Discography

Singles

Release Date	Title
December 2, 2020	"Welcome To A Fresh Hellish Paradise~!"
May 19, 2021	"S.I.N."
August 1, 2021	"Your Fire, My Heat"
November 25, 2021	"Prince of Vices"
February 17, 2022	"1, 2, Ready, GO!"
June 18, 2022	"UNDERWORLD DANCE PARTY"
January 6, 2023	"A 1000-Year War"
April 22, 2023	"Don't Touch the Horns"

References

1. Maitra, Tamanna. "A Look at the Current Student Body of H.P.U."
2. Kauffman, Anton. "VTubers in 2023"
3. YouTube Statistics. "greatoniprince"
4. Yasunaga, Shichirou. "Top 3 Best greatoniprince Let's Plays"
5. @arsonnnnism on Twitter. "karaoke with greatoniprince: a thread"
6. Twitch.tv. "greatoniprince"
7. Matsumura, Shirou & Hashiguchi, Sho. "The Great Oni Prince's Public Appearances, 2020 to 2023"
8. The Spider's Threads. "Official Merch Store"
9. Twitch.tv. "VERY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!! History is made TODAY 😈 🔥"
10. @gr8oniprinceluv on Twitter. "Tracking Zach-san's community's HPU opinions"
11. @waeliz on Twitter. "Concerning Zach's Safety"
12. Deacon, Isaiah. "What Exactly is The Everyman Movement? (2023)"
13. Katou, Sumire & Nippon TV NEWS 24 JAPAN. "Student and Staff Member of Hope's Peak Academy Murdered in Everyman Movement Attack"
14. JapanToday. "Interviewing Zach Katsuragi, September 2023"