Valkyrae Launches Media Company ‘Hihi’ to Produce Anime and Original Content

Rachell “Valkyrae” Hofstetter, a YouTube star and co-owner of 100 Thieves, has taken a major step in her career by launching her own media company, Hihi Studios. The company is set to focus on producing original intellectual properties (IPs) for anime, graphic novels, and film, with Valkyrae’s passion for anime serving as a major inspiration for her creative vision.

Valkyrae, who boasts over 4 million subscribers on YouTube, has long been a prominent figure in the gaming and entertainment space. Over the years, she’s modeled for Gucci, appeared in music videos for artists like Machine Gun Kelly, and even lent her voice to the anime Tribe Nine. Now, she’s expanding her creative reach by founding Hihi Studios, with plans to create anime-inspired projects that aim to resonate deeply with audiences.

hihi!!! so excited to finally announce the launch of my media company @hihistudios !! My love for animation has only grown and now excited to be able to be involved in creating entertainment across tv, film, and other mediums! Stay tuned 🙂 pic.twitter.com/WHTn7oRQH6

— RAE (@Valkyrae) September 27, 2024

In an interview with Variety, Valkyrae expressed her deep love for anime and animation, which has been a driving force behind her decision to start Hihi. “I have always loved anime and animation, so it definitely will inspire our projects in the storytelling and community around the various fandoms,” she explained. While the company’s primary focus will be on anime, Valkyrae is open to exploring a variety of storytelling mediums, including graphic novels, comic books, and manga.

At its launch, Hihi Studios secured a major co-publishing deal with GlobalComix, a digital graphic novel platform. This partnership will help fund, develop, and distribute the studio’s first IP, giving Hihi a strong foundation for its future projects. Valkyrae emphasized that the studio aims to not only produce anime and shows but also offer related merchandise and products, both digitally and physically, ensuring a comprehensive approach to building IPs.

One of Hihi Studios’ key goals is to create stories that tackle contemporary themes, while also honoring the legacy of Japanese anime and manga. Valkyrae stated, “We are not afraid to broach hard topics like death or war. Ultimately, I feel the greatest stories are the ones that can tap into the universal experiences of discovering who we are as human beings, stories that the viewer can relate to and definitely focus on entertaining audiences.”

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Valkyrae has long been a fan of anime, even serving as a presenter at Crunchyroll’s 2023 Anime Awards. With Hihi Studios

, she hopes to bring her own creative ideas to life through new anime and graphic novel projects. According to Valkyrae, Hihi is already working on multiple projects, with plans to deliver fresh and innovative content to fans. “It’s something I plan to be involved in for, hopefully, many years to come,” she shared.

The name Hihi itself has a personal significance for Valkyrae. In her interview with Variety, she revealed that she often greeted her community with the phrase “hihi” during her streams, and she thought it would be a fun nod to her fanbase. “I wanted the name to be easy to remember, welcoming, and I love the symmetry of the logo,” she explained.

As Valkyrae embarks on this new chapter with Hihi Studios, her goal is to push boundaries in storytelling while staying true to her love for anime and animation. With her strong background in entertainment and a dedicated fanbase behind her, Hihi Studios is poised to make waves in the world of anime, graphic novels, and beyond.

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