A Little About Me... 🙋♀️
Hello! I'm Koharu.
I'm half-Japanese and half-English, born and raised in the UK.
I'm a music composer, creator, gamer, and the person behind Bun.E. I spend my time making music, experimenting with creative ideas, playing games, and building the little world that has grown around Bun.E.
I've always had a lot of ideas bouncing around in my head, and Bun.E has given me a way to bring some of them to life and share them with other people.
But getting here hasn't always been straightforward...
My Health... 💜
I was born with Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), a primary immunodeficiency that has affected my life from the very beginning.
CVID means that my immune system doesn't work properly, making it harder for my body to fight infections. Because of this, I require regular monthly treatment to help keep me well.
Growing up, I spent a lot of time dealing with illnesses and hospital visits that most people never have to think twice about. Over the years, my condition has also affected my hearing and my lungs. I live with hearing loss and bronchiectasis, and there are days when my health limits what I'm able to do.
I've had to learn that life doesn't always move at the pace I want it to. Sometimes I have to slow down, adapt, or simply take things one day at a time.
But being chronically ill has never been the only thing that defines me.
The Piano & My Grandmother... 🎹
Music became one of the most important ways for me to express myself.
When I was little, my grandmother encouraged me to take up piano, partly to help me with my hearing and to give me something to do indoors.
What started as something to help me became something I truly fell in love with
.
The piano gave me a way to communicate feelings that I couldn't always put into words. I could sit down, play a few notes, and somehow say something without having to explain it.
My grandmother was also one of the first people to make me believe that I could create something of my own.
That belief has stayed with me ever since. 💜
From Piano to Music... 🎶
As I grew older, playing piano slowly became composing.
I started experimenting with melodies and sounds, and eventually found myself wanting to create music of my own rather than simply playing songs written by someone else.
Over time, I became especially interested in electronic music and all the possibilities that come with creating music digitally. I love being able to take a simple idea and keep building on it until it becomes something completely different.
Music became more than something I listened to.
It became something I wanted to create.
Why I Created Bun.E... 🐰
As much as I loved creating music, there was always one part of being a musician that was difficult for me: performing it.
Because of my health and hearing, performing in the traditional way wasn't possible for me. But I didn't want that to mean I couldn't share my music with other people.
I was inspired by virtual singers such as Hatsune Miku and the idea that a virtual performer could exist beyond the limitations of a physical performer. It made me wonder if I could create someone of my own to perform my music for me.
So instead of giving up on the idea of performing, I decided to find another way.
And eventually, that became Bun.E.
Bun.E was created as a way for me to perform and share my music when I can't always do so myself. Through a virtual identity, I can create music, perform, stream, play games, and connect with people from all over the world.
It gives me a stage where I can create without letting the physical limitations of my body decide whether my music gets to be heard.
“In many ways, Bun.E is the stage I built for myself.”
FAQ
What is Bun.E?
Bun.E is my virtual identity and the way I bring together many of the things I love. Through Bun.E, I create and share music, stream games, experiment with creative ideas, and build a world that continues to grow around her. She's not a character I simply roleplay. Bun.E is an extension of my creativity and a way for me to express myself in a form that feels completely my own. Some parts of Bun.E are inspired by me and my experiences, while other parts belong to her own fictional world. Together, that's what makes Bun.E... Bun.E. 💜
Why the name Bun.E?
"Bun.E" is my own little play on the word "Bunny". I've always loved bunnies, but the idea became much more personal when I started creating Bun.E. I wanted her to be a version of me without the limitations that can hold me back. Someone who could hear, perform, create and express herself in ways that aren't always possible for me. That's why I gave her rabbit ears. Since I have hearing loss, I wanted Bun.E to have cute functional rabbit ears, turning something that has been difficult for me into something positive and meaningful. The ".E" also gives the name a slightly digital feel, which felt perfect for a virtual musician. In the end, Bun.E is a part of me, just without the things that hold me back. 😊
What's behind Bun.E's design?
Bun.E's design is a version of me without the limitations that can sometimes hold me back. I wanted her appearance to reflect the things that are important to me, while also giving her a style that feels completely her own. Her rabbit ears have a particularly personal meaning. Since I have hearing loss, they represent a new kind of hearing, replacing what I've lost in my own ears. I wanted to take something that has been difficult for me and turn it into something positive. Her purple hair is a tribute to my grandmother, whose favourite colour was purple. She was one of the people who encouraged me to discover music and believe in myself, so I wanted a little piece of her to be part of Bun.E too. The butterfly is another important part of her design. To me, it represents rebirth and transformation, reflecting the idea of Bun.E as a new digital version of me. There are other little details throughout her design that have their own meanings, but these are some of the most important ones. 🤗
What music style is Bun.E?
Bun.E is a fusion of electronic pop, J-pop, future bass, EDM and whatever else inspires me. I don't want to limit myself to one genre, and I'd rather blend different sounds together to create something that feels unique and my own. Some of my early work, which I sadly lost, was heavily inspired by artists like Porter Robinson, and that emotional, melodic and catchy style continues to influence the way I compose today. I want to create music with melodies and lyrics that people from all walks of life can connect with and find something of themselves in. I also love incorporating unique sounds into my music, from foley and nature sounds to little details you might not expect. I think those sounds can give a song its own character and make it feel like something more than just another track. Most importantly, I believe every song should have something to say. I don't want to simply ride on trends or make music for the sake of making music. Every song should have a message, an emotion or a piece of my heart behind it. 💜
What games do you play?
A little bit of everything! I enjoy all sorts of games, from big story-driven adventures and RPGs to multiplayer games and the occasional game that makes me question why I started playing it in the first place. 😅 My favourite games can change over time, so the best way to find out what I'm playing right now is to catch me on stream!
What is your hearing condition like?
I have hearing loss in both ears, which began during childhood after severe ear infections caused lasting damage. I also experience constant tinnitus, which can make hearing and understanding sounds even more difficult. Because of this, I don't always hear things the same way other people do. It can make things like conversations, music, and noisy environments challenging, but I've learned to adapt and find ways to work around it. It's also one of the reasons music and the piano became such an important part of my life. 💜
Three things you like?
Chocolate, Sanrio and Games!
Three things you hate?
Gore, Bullies and Pickles!
Are you open to collaborations?
Absolutely! I'm always interested in hearing about creative projects and meeting other artists, musicians and creators. I'm open to discussing music collaborations, composing opportunities, features and other creative projects that feel like a good fit for Bun.E. If you'd like to work together, feel free to send me a message with a little information about your project and what you have in mind. I'd love to hear about it! 💜
Send me a message!
Have a question, want to work together, or just want to say hello?
I'd love to hear from you! 💜
