In October 2025, the Brave group Award 2025 was held to celebrate excellence across the company and its 18 group subsidiaries. The prestigious Best of Brave group Award, given to the individual who most embodies the spirit of the Brave group, was awarded to Aya Saya of ENILIS Inc.
Aya Saya, Manager, VLiver Business Team, Character IP Business Division, ENILIS Inc.
Aya Saya joined ENILIS Inc. in February 2025 following a business integration with brossom Inc. As a manager for the ENILIS VLiver Project, which hosts nearly 200 VLivers, she quickly established a robust operational structure and spearheaded the project’s rapid growth. Behind this achievement was her profound determination to leap into a new environment as a project leader, carrying the responsibility for over 100 VLivers and staff members while navigating the bittersweet farewell to former colleagues.
We sat down with her to discuss the story behind her award and her meticulous approach to managing and supporting individual VLivers.
“I Had No Idea What Was Happening” — A Surprise Announcement
── Congratulations on winning the Best of Brave group Award! How did you feel when you first heard the news?
Saya: Thank you! It was so sudden that my mind went completely blank. I actually replied, “I don’t understand what’s happening right now, so I’ll get back to you later.” I even checked the recipient name on the DM several times to make sure it was really meant for me (laughs).
── In his recommendation, Mr. Sugeno (Director of ENILIS) mentioned that staff members expressed a strong desire to keep working with you, even as the company structure changed. Is there anything you keep in mind when building relationships with your team?
Saya: Actually, the operations team and I have never met in person.
── Wait, not even once?
Saya: That’s right. We see each other on screen, but we are a fully remote team.
── How do you build trust in a completely remote environment?
Saya: I strive to create an environment where we can talk frankly about anything, almost like a family. In the VLiver business, management plays a vital role. However, personally absorbing the emotions and thoughts of nearly 200 VLivers and facing them with sincerity every day is not an easy task. That is why I want to be a source of security for the staff members who handle those responsibilities.
“I Have So Many Teammates” — The View from the Stage
── Looking back at the journey from joining ENILIS to winning this award, what moments stand out to you?
Saya: In February 2025, I joined ENILIS as a project lead, bringing along over 100 VLivers and the staff I worked with in my previous role. To be honest, I was overwhelmed with anxiety at first. But I told myself, “If I don’t stay strong, the VLivers and staff who followed me will feel even more uneasy.” I gave it my all every single day.
During that time, Mr. Sugeno and Mr. Oishi, along with other ENILIS members, were incredibly supportive. My confidence grew as we overcame challenges one by one. Simultaneously, the VLiver business staff worked harder than ever, wanting to lighten my load. I feel this further deepened our bond of trust.
When I looked out at everyone from all the group companies while standing on the award stage, it hit me: “I have so many comrades.” I am truly glad I came to ENILIS. I am also deeply grateful to the staff who have supported me since my previous job and the VLivers who believed in me and followed my lead.
Bittersweet Farewells and the Resolve to Move Forward
── Could you tell us about your background and what led you to join brossom?
Saya: Since I was a child, I’ve loved spaces where people are having fun. From my part-time jobs as a student to my career today, I’ve consistently stayed within the Entertainment industry.
I first encountered brossom in 2022. I used to do some streaming myself, and through those connections, I started helping friends with their own activities. As I began to find fulfillment in seeing the results and reactions to the projects I worked on, a friend suggested I might be suited for management. That encouraged me to pursue it as a profession, and I applied to brossom, which was operating a VLiver production at the time.
── What were your honest thoughts when you first heard about the business integration between ENILIS and brossom?
Saya: Honestly, it felt like being hit over the head with a hammer. I looked up to the former CEO and members of brossom like family. The thought of leaving them to go to ENILIS while carrying the responsibility of over 100 VLivers and a staff team on my own… I was filled with nothing but anxiety. At first, I couldn’t envision a future at all.
However, the leadership at the time pushed me forward, saying, “You’ll be absolutely fine, so go with confidence.” Those words allowed me to finally commit and say, “Alright, let’s give this everything I’ve got.”
── What was your first impression of ENILIS?
Saya: My first interview was with Mr. Hoshi (President and CEO of ENILIS) and Mr. Sugeno. Perhaps because I was so stiff and nervous, they both treated me very frankly. They walked me through the current situation very carefully. I remember messaging my team immediately after to tell them, “They are very kind and supportive people; we can relax.”
── Were there any specific challenges regarding the transition?
Saya: I put a lot of focus on explaining the situation to our VLivers and staying close to their feelings afterward. Many were anxious about the change in management, and I received various opinions every day. I constantly asked myself, “How can we, as operations, communicate this to best alleviate their fears?” and I continued to face each of the 100-plus members individually.
Even when discussions were difficult, I felt that this was the essence of management. Our mission and purpose are to support VLivers so they can stream safely and happily. I now feel that overcoming those hardships led to our growth as a team.
A Culture That Values “Giving it a Try”
── It has been about 10 months since you joined ENILIS. How has the experience been?
Saya: My stance is to move with as much speed as possible and do things to the fullest without fearing failure. I feel ENILIS is very receptive—or rather, it has a culture rooted in respecting the desire to “give it a try.”
When I feel uncertain, I consult with Mr. Sugeno or Mr. Oishi, and then I proceed with confidence. I receive feedback and move on to the next challenge. I feel this environment, which supports you while guiding you toward self-sufficiency, is truly unique. I can move this boldly only because of their support.
── What do you and the staff value most when interacting with VLivers?
Saya: What we value most is simply listening. Currently, nearly 200 VLivers belong to the ENILIS VLiver Project, which means there are 200 different sets of values, personalities, and daily conditions. I start by listening and then judge—based on their state—what words to use, what tone to take, or whether it’s best to leave them be for the moment. However, I always leave the final decision on their actions to the individuals themselves.
The reason a small staff can support nearly 200 people is solely because each VLiver is autonomous. It is because of their hard work that we are able to run alongside them.
Expanding Possibilities Without Fear of Failure
── What is your vision for the future of the ENILIS VLiver Project?
Saya: Since the project only began in earnest this May, I want to keep taking on challenges without fearing failure. Specifically, I want to expand the possibilities for each individual, such as building a system for them to debut as VTubers—a request we hear often—or launching initiatives that produce famous VTubers from this project.
The Entertainment industry is a place where you can express yourself freely. We will support everyone with all our might, focusing on utilizing and growing their unique personalities. If you want to try something new or feel the excitement, please feel free to audition. Once you try being a VLiver, you’ll understand the joy of it immediately.
── Finally, what are your own personal goals for the future?
Saya: Someday, I’d like to try a role where I support people involved in management—someone like a “school nurse” that you can tell your real feelings to, even if you can’t tell your “homeroom teacher.” I’ve seen the struggles of those fighting on the front lines up close. It makes me happy when the staff looks like they’re enjoying themselves, and when they seem to be struggling, I truly want to help them. That support is what makes my work worthwhile.
That said, there are still mountains of things I want and need to do with the ENILIS VLiver Project. I hope to keep running with the staff and VLivers while continuing to let everyone at ENILIS look after me!
(November 10, 2025)
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・ENILIS: Surpassing 200 Talents in Two Years, Driving Business Expansion with VTubers and VLivers
