Graduate Interview | MN Mein: Turning Curiosity About Live2D into a Profession

What inspired you to start learning Live2D? Why did you want to study it?

Honestly... I have partly forgotten what first inspired me, XDD. Maybe I thought VTuber rigging was cool, or that the technology for making illustrations move was amazing? I am naturally curious and always want to try different things, so I signed up for the course.

In Taiwan, people often grow up hearing that artists will starve or that there is no money in creative work. As a result, neither my university major nor my work experience had anything to do with this field.

But after drawing since 2015, I still felt, "I really do want to draw and create." So I wanted to gain more skills and increase the value I could offer.

Did you have a particular goal when you first started learning Live2D?

I did not have a very specific goal. I hoped that I could make a living from it, or at least work in a related field. In short, my goal was to become a professional rigger, and I am still working toward that now.

After starting the course, what was different from what you had imagined?

The classes were just a little... long, XDDDD. Apart from guest sessions, I do not think we often finished on time.

I have taught before, and I was the kind of teacher who always ended class exactly on time, so the idea of extending lessons so enthusiastically amazed me. Teacher Soda is incredible, XDD.

What was the biggest thing you gained from the modeling course?

The most tangible gain was, of course, Live2D rigging technique: the ability to complete an entire VTuber model and even take commissions.

Beyond that, I think the greatest gain was the people I met. Through the course, I got to know classmates with many different backgrounds. I am extremely introverted and even a little solitary, so meeting this many people feels almost like a miracle in my life (?).

Which lesson left the strongest impression on you?

The hair physics lesson in week four. It felt as though we only began using the physics interface extensively in the fourth week. The model for Xiaoliyi in the sixth cohort had curly hair and was especially difficult to handle, so that lesson remains vivid in my memory.

Was there any memorable advice from an instructor or teaching assistant?

I am sorry, but... I cannot really think of any at the moment, XDDD. From the first assignment I submitted in the sixth cohort onward, I was rarely told that anything needed major revision.

If I had to choose, it would be the animation assignment from the first week of the sixth cohort. Teaching assistant Huacha told me that my work was excellent for someone encountering Live2D for the first time. That gave me a great deal of confidence when I had no related knowledge and laid the foundation for everything I learned afterward.

What is the greatest benefit of having teaching assistants review your work?

They can help identify issues that I have overlooked. After staring at a model for too long, you can become numb to it and stop noticing what needs revision. A teaching assistant can quickly find the problem areas and point you toward the right adjustments.

You can also ask questions whenever a problem comes up, which makes it much more efficient to overcome difficulties during the learning process.

Which part of rigging do you enjoy most?

I most enjoy working on the facial features, especially the eyes, although it is a love-hate relationship. I love making a refined, beautiful face, but I hate feeling that I have not made it beautiful enough.

Are there any rigging details you are especially particular about?

The face has to look good, especially the eyes. VTubers spend most of their streaming time framed from the shoulders up, so the face needs to be attractive for viewers to keep watching.

I am personally very particular about the eyes. They are the windows to the soul, after all, and the quality of the eye rigging strongly affects the finish of the entire face. (If you know a VTuber who streams with their feet on camera most of the time, please introduce us.)

What is the hardest part of rigging?

Trusting myself. I know those words may sound strange, but it is true.

"Does this angle look good?" "Should the nose move a little farther over?" "Does the hair move naturally like this?" Questions like these constantly circle through my mind while I work. Trusting my own aesthetic judgment is difficult and exhausting for me. More than physical fatigue, the hardest part is the psychological burden of doubting myself.

What moment gives you the greatest sense of achievement?

When the model starts moving. Whether it is only blinking or just the mouth moving, seeing something I made come to life makes me especially happy.

If I had to choose the most rewarding part, it would be the synchronization during face tracking. When the model can reproduce the facial expressions I make with a high degree of accuracy, it feels incredibly satisfying, almost as if it were a real person.

How would you describe your own rigging style or distinctive qualities?

The eyes are probably the most distinctive feature, because I am especially particular about them. I have heard that the eyes in my models can look rather alluring, particularly when they are narrowed. Some people even say my models have a recognizable "Mein flavor."

Is there a technique you have not yet tried but would like to take on?

I want to create many different kinds of cool things, such as special effects, 3D objects, and stylish transitions when switching props. But my top priorities right now are improving face-tracking synchronization and making models easier to control. I want the smallest, easiest facial movements to produce the widest possible range of character expressions.

What advice would you give to students who are about to begin the course?

The most important part of learning is not being afraid to ask questions. If you encounter a problem, ask right away rather than staying stuck on your own for too long, because that can quickly drain your motivation.

If this is your first time using Live2D, I would say that finishing the work is more important than making it perfect. Learning builds through repetition: completing the first project is what makes the second and third possible.

Finally, approach the course with a relaxed and cheerful mindset—and perhaps set aside just a tiny bit more time than you expected for the lessons, XDDD.