Mori Calliope Sakura Liqueur: A Harmony of Taste, Art and Culture

No alcohol for persons under 18  

With over 2.55 million subscribers, the immensely popular VTuber Mori Calliope once again teams up with Taiwanese company We’s Star to launch a new line of collaborative sakura-themed sake (technically, it’s liqueur rather than sake). Featuring her signature pink as the main visual and blending traditional Japanese aesthetics, each bottle perfectly captures Mori Calliope’s unique charm.

As a founding member of hololive English, Mori Calliope has been a trailblazer in expanding hololive’s presence in the English-speaking world. Beyond her vibrant streaming career, she has made a strong mark in the music scene with her deep, powerful voice—effortlessly switching between intense rap and smooth, gentle R&B.

Since signing with Universal Music for her major label debut, she has performed theme songs for popular anime titles such as One Piece and Suicide Squad ISEKAI. This year, she also graced the stage of the 2025 Osaka Expo opening ceremony, further proving the rising influence of VTubers in mainstream culture.

“Kachou Fuugetsu”: A Dialogue Through Mori Calliope’s Grace and Gaze

Currently open for pre-order, the new collaboration sake series comes in two themed designs. Leading the lineup is the refreshed edition of MoriZakura もり桜—titled “Kachou Fuugetsu” (Flowers, Birds, Wind, and Moon). Inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics, the label features four beautiful illustrations by renowned artist Loiza. Each bottle showcases Mori Calliope in different elegant poses, surrounded by falling cherry blossoms. Her gaze, flowing garments, and serene aura express a refined elegance that takes your breath away.

[Exclusive Interview] Artist Loiza Shares the Inspiration Behind the Label Design

What inspired your design for the new sake label?

At the heart of the concept, I didn’t want the label to be just “beautiful.” I wanted it to evoke a sense of season and emotion. The name MORIZAKURA already brings to mind springtime and cherry blossoms, so we started with the theme of Kachou Fuugetsu—“flowers, birds, wind, and moon”—and explored how to express traditional Japanese aesthetics in a modern and stylish way.

Loiza

I imagined the bottle itself as a calm and graceful woman—someone who doesn’t speak with words, but communicates through her posture and gaze. That emotional tone became the foundation for the entire design.

How did you decide on Mori Calliope’s poses across the four label designs?

To me, these four illustrations form a kind of visual story:

The first design, “Raising a Glass,” feels like an invitation to join her in appreciating the blossoms and savoring the flavor—it carries a subtle sense of ritual and mystery.

The second one shows her holding a paper umbrella and a fox mask, her body turned slightly to the side. This moment represents a shift in the scene, evoking a sense of joyful transition.

In the third illustration, she smiles softly in a close-up pose. It’s as if she’s drawn nearer to the viewer—like the warmth and openness that comes after becoming slightly tipsy.

Finally, the fourth image shows her seated with the mask removed. It captures the quiet, lingering emotion at the end of the evening—a moment of peaceful reflection, revealing the self behind the mask.

Loiza

These four pieces represent a small emotional journey. Through subtle body language, I aimed to express a gradual change in her mood.

Did you happen to sip a little while drawing (laughs)? Did the flavor of the sake influence your design process?

I actually did sip while drawing—tasting the aroma and flavor helped a lot! The sake has a fruity note, slightly sweet, and not overly strong. Instead of a harsh kick, it gently spreads through the mouth and down the throat. That kind of lightness with a lingering finish became the rhythm I wanted to express in the design.

I avoided cluttered compositions and made sure to leave plenty of negative space in each piece—like the flavor slowly unfolding. For the color palette, I deliberately used a lot of soft pinks and light golds, to capture that feeling of elegance on the first sip, followed by a lasting impression.

These illustrations aren’t just about character design—they’re also my visual interpretation of the sake itself!

After hearing directly from the artist, it’s clear that this isn’t just a simple collaboration—it’s a true work of art that blends aesthetic beauty with collectible value. The MoriZakura もり桜: Kachou Fuugetsu series officially opened for pre-orders in June in both Japan and Taiwan, so fans won’t want to miss out!

Each bottle is shipped with a randomly selected label design. For those who wish to collect all four elegant illustrations, we recommend purchasing the full set—which comes complete with every design plus an exclusive traditional-style hanging scroll featuring Mori Calliope in a graceful, classic look. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any fan’s collection.

Ichirin Hana: Bringing the Beauty of Hanami into Your Home

Another offering in the MoriZakura もり桜 series is the beautifully re-released Ichirin Hana, a fan-favorite from a previous collection. This version features a charming 330ml round bottle, inside of which rests a full Yoshino cherry blossom—delicately preserved in the sake itself. Through the clear glass, you can admire the bloom as if it were floating, frozen in time.

Upon opening the bottle, a fresh aroma reminiscent of Aomori apples fills the air. The first sip brings a gentle, romantic balance of sweet and tart—making this a carefully crafted piece that delights the eyes, nose, and palate all at once.

As Mori Calliope once shared in a past video, the inspiration behind this collaboration sake comes from one of Japan’s three great sakura festivals: the Hirosaki Sakura Festival in Aomori. The goal was to blend the breathtaking sight of blooming sakura with the joy of sipping sake under the blossoms.

Even if you can’t be in Aomori yourself, the fragrance and flavor of MoriZakura もり桜 can transport you to that very moment—letting you savor the emotion of spring, wherever you are.

In addition, each bottle comes with a bonus chibi-style pin badge (four designs in total)—collect all four by purchasing the full set! You’ll also receive a beautifully crafted sakura-shaped tag featuring a replica of Mori Calliope’s signature. Ichirin Hana is also available for pre-order in both Japan and Taiwan. Perfect for fans and collectors alike.

Fun Fact: What is a Liqueur?
MoriZakura もり桜 is classified as a liqueur. Liqueurs are distilled spirits infused with added ingredients such as herbs, spices, fruits, or agricultural products. Through processes like steeping, extraction, and flavoring, they become “reconstructed spirits” with a richer, often sweeter profile than regular hard liquors. They’re commonly used in cocktails, baking, and cooking. In fact, a familiar example of a liqueur is umeshu—Japanese plum wine!

Melody Meets Sake: A Curated Mori Calliope Pairing Playlist

To complete the MoriZakura もり桜 experience, we’ve selected three classic Mori Calliope tracks that pair perfectly with a glass of this delicate sake. After all, when taste, scent, and beauty are all present—why leave your ears behind?

Whether you’re relistening while waiting for your order to arrive, or hitting play the moment you pop the cork, these songs will elevate your hanami-inspired sake journey to new heights.

As the first sip of sakura sake gently spreads across your tongue, its sweetness blooms—just like Mori Calliope’s unexpected charm. That soft smile in the music video, and the heart-stealing “chu~”—it’s in these tender moments that we see beyond her cool, sharp rap persona. Hidden beneath is Kawaiiope—a mischievous sweetheart who melts your heart. The sweetness lingers, sip by sip, until you’re completely enchanted.

As the alcohol begins to seep into your senses and your nerves slowly awaken, Mori’s original track “Off With Their Heads” starts to play. Beneath the sake’s sweet, soft-pink appearance lies a surprising kick—just like the song’s intense energy. With each lyric striking deep, you realize that the fox mask on the label wasn’t just for aesthetics—it’s the very same mask Mori holds in the MV, a hidden detail that invites another layer of appreciation.

As the buzz settles in, queue up “Tokyo Friday Night”, a smooth collaboration between Mori Calliope, beloved voice actress Kana Hanazawa, and music producer Joint Beauty. The mellow rhythm of city pop flows like a gentle wave, as if quietly bidding farewell to the night. In its soft, dreamy melody, you find yourself drifting—lightly tipsy, lulled into a sakura-tinted dream where voice and blossom entwine.

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