Tag Archives: nijisanji

A Look at the April Mayhem of VTubing

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The past two months or so might be the most significant period in VTuber history since 2020 and the pandemic. During this time, we saw major changes in every corner of the scene.

  • Gawr Gura of hololive graduated
  • Murasaki Shion of hololive graduated
  • Nanashi Mumei of hololive graduated
  • hololive affiliate Amelia Watson made a guest appearance at Takanashi Kiara’s concert
  • hololive affiliate Sakamata Chloe made a guest appearance at Shion’s graduation 
  • Amagai Ruka debuted with her new group, Weather Planet
  • Nimi Nightmare revealed her full, non-chibi model
  • Regis Altare of Holostars returned after a long hiatus
  • Sinder was publicly called out by multiple peers for manipulating one of her artists and betraying her VTuber friends 
  • Fulgur Ovid of Nijisanji graduated
  • Ike Eveland of Nijisanji graduated abruptly, with all his content removed 
  • Matara Kan is no longer a part of VShojo
  • Michi Mochievee of VShojo celebrated her first anniversary with a 3D concert, alongside K9Kuro
  • Multiple members of V&U graduated
  • Roca Rourin of Idol Corp returned to social media after being hospitalized for months
  • Phase Connect debuted three new Phase Invaders: Clio Aite, Mari Mari, and Eepy Sleepy
  • The disastrous new tariff policies have made buying merch (including celebratory merch for graduations) devastatingly expensive for American fans

VTubers are leaving companies, reviving in new (yet oddly familiar) forms, making cameos in their old companies, and even sometimes getting dragged by their peers. So much has happened that it can be difficult to wrap one’s head around it all. The timing of it all might be coincidence or just the result of the Japanese fiscal year starting in April, but having it all hit at once magnifies the emotional impact. And this is without considering all the different big concerts or the departures and returns that occurred earlier this year!

Gawr Gura’s “Ash Again” came out basically on the same day as Michi and Kuro’s “Deja Vu.” Gura’s is an expression of the turmoil she felt while being in one of the top companies as one of the world’s most popular VTubers. Michi and Kuro’s seems to refer to their mutual pasts as part of another major VTuber company. The talk of pain and renewal from two or three different-yet-related perspectives feel as if they are engaged in a conversation, even if it isn’t intended that way. 

Shion and Mumei graduated within 48 hours of each other, and both went out singing songs named after themselves. Shion’s is new and the kind of sweet but tearful tune expected of graduations, while Mumei’s is older but is still a moving song that talks about fading into and out of memory. 

Gura and Mumei both had mini concerts instead of full ones, owing in part to the challenges faced by the hololive members who don’t live in Japan and therefore don’t have easy access to the company’s 3D studio.

With Matara Kan and the newest Phase Invaders, we see the exit of a member of a company that emphasizes independence, as well as the folding in of previously indie VTubers who largely hold onto their identity and don’t have to tiptoe around who they were before. The indie vs corporate line gets further blurred. 

Amidst all this, seeing Ame and Chloe, even if only for a moment, was like a breath of fresh air. It also made clear what affiliate status can accomplish in hololive, as there was some uncertainty what it meant versus as a normal graduation. While some fans and talents might prefer a clean break, others might appreciate the possibilities that come with staying connected to hololive. 

Meanwhile, Ruka and Nimi each showed off a model that was designed by an artist that has worked for hololive. The designs are different in many ways, not least of which are changes to the eyes and the subtle personality differences that are implied by those differences.

And while I’ve always wondered, given VTubing’s similarities to wrestling, what a VTuber heel would be like, I guess I’ve gotten my answer via the Sinder drama. Only, I wanted it more in the form of kayfabe and less in the form of backstage politicking.

Altogether, this feels like a reminder that VTubing is still a very young field of interest, realistically less than 10 years old. The most enduring people and groups might be gone tomorrow, and it might be better for fans to accept this possibility even if it hurts. But while it’s often said that fans should express their support for their faves because you never know when they might be gone, I think it’s important to show at least some moderation in terms of not letting an obsession turn into bitterness if things don’t happen the way you want. One should ideally emerge from this situation empowered by their time spent watching and cheering for talents, though I understand that’s not always possible, especially if the circumstances are extremely messy.

I have no idea what the future holds, but it might be good to step back and take a breath before moving ahead.

Laughing It Off: Celebrating Dokibird and Selen Tatsuki

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A blonde, twin-tailed VTuber named Dokibird is smiling

I originally wanted to take my time writing about why I like Selen Tatsuki, but circumstances have dictated a change of plans.

(Content Warning: Brief discussion of attempted suicide)

In what is possibly the most notorious Virtual Youtuber firing ever, the purple dragon with the infectious cackle and 800,000+ subscribers is no more, her channel now devoid of all the videos that made her famous. In Selen’s place has risen a new—or rather old—alter-ego from the woman behind the digital mask: Dokibird.

Suffice it to say, I’m a fan of Doki/Selen. And with this being the Lunar New Year season (a time she has mentioned being culturally important to her), I thought it more important than ever to explain what makes her one of my favorite VTubers.

Discovering the Dragon

I actually don’t quite remember how I discovered Selen. I might have watched her debut stream, but I can’t even check because the VOD is gone. Whatever the case, I think what made me really take notice (after her iconic laugh) is when she revealed herself to be Cantonese. She is one of the two biggest known Canto VTubers along with hololive’s Hakos Baelz, but while the latter took time getting comfortable sharing about her heritage, Selen embraced talking about it pretty immediately. That’s why I included a clip of her for my Otakon 2022 panel, Hong Kong in Anime and Manga. Her Cantonese (and sometimes Mandarin) streams were downright hilarious, and I think relatable for anyone who grew up in an immigrant household. 

From there, I quickly grew to appreciate Selen’s antics. For one, she is incredibly entertaining while teasing others, but also just as much so when she’s on the receiving end. During sessions of Apex Legends, Selen would use a combination of skill, cunning, and entertaining obnoxiousness to take heads and win games. At the same time, this combination would also sometimes land her in hot water, and the consequences were equally hilarious. The quick switch from her characteristic laugh to a loud “OH SHIT!” is delightful. She’d bring this attitude to everything she plays (even Pineapple on Pizza and Peppa Pig), but I focus on Apex not only because she’s famously strong at the game, but because I usually never watch first-person shooters. Selen actually made them fun for me.

On the topic of Apex Legends, it would be remiss of me to not mention the story of Team Snake Bite.

A Friend in Need

Team Snake Bite, the trio of Selen and holostars EN members Axel Syrios and Regis Altare, almost didn’t happen. Axel had been invited to a big VTuber-only Apex tournament, and he really wanted to bring Selen on board. The only problem: the tournament organizer, Shibuya Hal, thought Selen was too good. Unlike many other competitions, V-Saikyo is about bringing together veterans and newbies alike, and Selen potentially could make any team unstoppable: She had once reached Predator, a rank that positioned her as one of the 500 best players in the world. But Axel managed to convince Hal to let her in, with the caveat that she would be worth more points than anyone else. Regis would round out the team, arguably being underrated due to the fact that his experience with FPS balanced out his lack thereof in Apex specifically.

Part of the fun of team competitions such as this is getting to see the players practice while shooting the breeze, and in one fateful stream, Selen asked a pivotal question to her squad: If a poisonous snake bit your friend on the dick, would you be a homie and suck the venom out? This offhand bit of trolling would quickly evolve into a running gag, an official team name, and a slogan: Do not wallow, TSB is here to swallow. 

Watching Team Snake Bite is probably the most fun I’ve ever had following an FPS, and it’s all thanks to their collective antics. For example,　during scrims, they just couldn’t seem to win any games—until their coach, pro player Nocturnal, offered to buy them all pizza. Suddenly, a switch flipped, and they took not just one, but two victories. The banter, the teamwork, the chaos, and of course, Selen’s chuckles made things memorable.

Unfortunately for them, TSB underperformed in the actual event. They were possible favorites to win, but ended up in the bottom half of the results. Afterwards, Selen would describe herself as someone who gets really anxious in competition, and the skills she’s known for don’t come out as easily in a less casual setting. But this only made her more endearing: To know that Selen has an issue with nerves makes her a person of delightful contrasts. And even during the tournament, Nocturnal praised Selen for her situational awareness.

A few days after Selen’s termination and reemergence as Dokibird, Axel made a tweet:

A tweet from Axel Syrios saying TSB Forever, showing a snake emoji and a hug emoji

Take My Money

As fond as I’ve grown of the VTubing scene as a whole, I’m pretty judicious with where I spend my money. I might think the world of someone, but I always want to be cognizant of where my cash is going. That’s why it took me a while to support Selen monetarily, but it did happen eventually. 

First, I bought a voice pack or two; I wanted to show my support in small ways. Then came a very special costume reveal: a Moriarty/Arsene Lupin–inspired design to rival “Sherlock Poms,” a detective motif for fellow (now-former) Nijisanji member Pomu Rainpuff.

VTuber Selen Tatsuki dressed like Professor Moriarty
VTuber Pomu Rainpuff dressed like Sherlock Holmes

Not only did “Moritsuki” look amazing, but she even commissioned a video game based on that detective theme to go along with the costume!

Selen had already been known for being ambitious with projects. She was one of three to help bring about the VRChat mascots designed by Priichu, which are some of the best chibis I’ve ever seen: adorable, full of personality, and successful at capturing the spirit of their designs while consistent with one another. She helped expand the VRChat worlds, holding 3D concerts in lieu of actual official 3D models. Then there was WrestleSanji, basically a VTuber version of my old love, VGCW. Seeing how she went above and beyond with both the Moritsuki outfit and game, I knew I had to join her membership. 

I just didn’t expect it to last a mere six months.

One thing I regret is never getting any official physical Selen merch, especially of the Moritsuki look or her 2nd outfit (see above). Now that she’s returned to her original indie persona of Dokibird, I don’t plan on making this mistake again.

Final Thoughts

I often talk about the similarities between VTubing and pro wrestling, and in Dokibird’s situation I find another commonality: these worlds are the only two where you can have a dominant public identity, switch to a new one, and then revert back to your old self. In the case of wrestling, it literally happened just a few weeks ago. Unusual as it may be, though, I’m glad we have these opportunities to see the same person again, whatever form they take. No matter what her outer shell looks like, Doki’s charisma shines through.

Although she has plenty of strengths as a streamer, I think Dokibird’s appeal ultimately comes down to the fact that she’s just fun to be around. I have no delusions about seeing her as anything beyond an entertainer with a career that involves interacting heavily with fans, but she often comes across as just a really enthusiastic friend whose caring, yet sardonic attitude adds to her charm. Whether she’s playing her favorite games or ones that make her suffer, whether she’s just talking idly or giving insight into her own life behind the scenes, Doki is great. 

(She’s also a Transformers fan, which doesn’t hurt.)

A tweet from @dokibird stating: I will not be silenced anymore. On Dec, I was hospitalized for an attempt that was caused by a built up of bullying from within&being in a toxic&poor environment for numerous months that led to my breaking point. I requested to leave first but on more neutral terms on 26th Jan.

That’s why it still horrifies me that we almost lost her forever in the worst way possible. It would have been an absolute tragedy, and I’m grateful that she was able to come back from the brink. With her triumphant return to streaming (where she got over 120,000 concurrent viewers and over a million VOD views), I’m glad that her fans have a new opportunity to show their support. 

A pair of tweets from @dokibird saying the following: I want to say thank you everyone for all the support the last few days. After being in the darkest point of my life and silenced for so long, I honestly lost hope for my future when everything I've done was just gone. I hope I can repay all of you in the future 10 times more There's so many opportunities that opened up & so many friends I've made over the years that spoke out. Big companies still believing in me and offering to sponsor me. I've always loved supporting artists for years even before all of this so thank you for giving your voice

I don’t know if she’ll ever read this post, but that’s not the point. I hope that these words I’ve written can contribute to the collective love for her, and that they can help foster a positive environment where she can thrive.

Welcome back, Dokibird. Happy New Year.

Inktober 2022 Archive: My First Time!

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After years of hemming and hawing, I decided to actually do Inktober this past October. The results were, well, results.

Especially with the state of Twitter being extremely abunai, I decided it’d be good to just have a gallery here.

The Language Barrier of Tsukino Mito

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Tsukino Mito is one of the first Virtual Youtubers under the popular Nijisanji umbrella, and one of its most successful. At over 900,000 subscribers, her position is enviable. Yet, for as big a deal as she is, I had found it odd that Mito has not already cracked the million-subscriber mark, despite the fact that four other Nijsanji members have managed to achieve that milestone. I believe her to be one of the absolute funniest VTubers out there, but I’ve come to realize that Mito’s strength, that amazing sense of humor and delivery, is kind of a double-edged sword when it comes to her growth.

Reaching the million-subscriber mark as a VTuber generally means having some kind of reach beyond Japan. Perhaps they’re already fluent in another language like English, or they’re like Kobo Kanaeru, who got so big in Indonesia that her songs are being played in live settings like in the video above. Maybe they sing and dance on a regular basis. Or they could be really expressive, and the emotions they display while streaming reach across language barriers.

Mito, however, doesn’t really have any of those traits. That’s not to say she isn’t talented or hardworking, and 800,000+ subscribers is nothing to sneeze at, but the essence of her humor makes it harder for non-Japanese speakers to latch onto her. Her whole gimmick is that she’s supposed to be a class president who sounds very prim and proper, until you realize that what she’s actually been discussing can be incredibly dire. 

In other words, if you just listen to how she says something, Mito sounds perfectly normal, or at least soothing in a Bob Ross sort of way. In contrast, someone like Hyakumantenbara Salome plays the obnoxious ojousama role to a tee, while distinct voices like Oozora Subaru and Sakura Miko are entertaining just from how their voices sound. The example of this difference that really caught my attention was from Haachama’s video about her trip to Enoshima—many of the comments are people saying that they can’t understand a thing Haachama says, but they still love her energy. 

Mito has even mentioned being told that it’s hard for overseas fans to get into her (only 3% of her viewers are from abroad), and it’s because she does the long zatsudan chit-chat streams. She’s a very fast talker, and combined with her gentle-yet-deceptive delivery, it can be difficult for non-Japanese-fluent viewers to latch onto anything she says. She inadvertently winds up relying on the clippers to grab snippets of her streams and make them digestible, but even that involves a greater amount of work compared to clipping other VTubers.

Watching her original introduction video, Tsukino Mito said her initial goal was to get 1,000 subscribers. While she’s far surpassed that marker of success, the fact that she’s still not broken that million-subscriber mark shows the point at which the language barrier starts to become a real obstacle for the majority of non-fluent viewers. Nevertheless, I hope she can hit that milestone someday.

Hololive TEMPUS, Nijisanji ILUNA, and Attractive Male Designs

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Cover Corporation and Nijisanji, the two heavyweight companies of the Virtual Youtuber world, both recently launched a new generation of English VTubers. TEMPUS and ILUNA respectively are new steps forward for their respective organizations, with HoloTempus being the first English-language Holostars (the “dudes” counterpart to the all-girl Hololive) and ILUNA being the first mixed-gender debut group for Nijisanji English. The initial announcements were made close to each other, inevitably leading to comparisons. Among the topics of debate were who has the better character designs, with people taking sides and criticizing the other for being uglier.

Normally, I really don’t care about this sort of petty, contentious arguing. And in terms of determining who’s “better” or “worse,” I still don’t give a damn. However, what interests me is that I find TEMPUS and ILUNA to have taken different approaches to portraying attractive men. The distinction can be roughly categorized as “hardcore bishounen” (TEMPUS) vs. “mainstream bishounen” (ILUNA).

It’s not a perfect analogy, especially because each individual VTuber has a unique artist behind them. But when you look at each group’s aesthetics, as well as the actual visual styles, the comparison only grows stronger. The TEMPUS designers include Kurahana Chinatsu (Uta no Prince-sama) and Komiya Kuniharu, and the VTubers have such sharp chins and body proportions that one expects more to find in BL or even CLAMP manga—the kind of look parodied by Gakuen Handsome. In contrast, ILUNA’s designers feature among them Arisaka Aco (Bestia) and Amaichi Esora, and their VTubers have a softer appearance that reminds me of something like Genshin Impact. Given that, it’s almost no wonder that fans have found this to be a topic of contention.

But Ultimately, while visuals do play a role in Virtual Youtuber popularity, personality is also vitally important. Picking favorites comes down to how each individual balances what they care about, though I think it would be best to not bash someone for liking one over the other, as long as the core reason isn’t some bizarre tribalism. As for me, I haven’t watched enough of them overall to pick a top guy, though finding out Vesper Noir has a thing for Carmen Sandiego makes me like him.

Nijisanji, Hololive, and the Virtual Youtuber Kayfabe

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Since I last wrote about Virtual Youtubers close to two years ago, the scene has grown far beyond any one individual’s ability to keep track. One consequence of this, as I’ve come to learn, is that individual acts have started to form collectives that increase visibility for all. Two of the big ones are Nijisanji and Hololive, both of which utilize a less expensive approach called Live2D that is clearly less robust than whatever it is Kizuna A.I. has. I find the presence of groups like Nijisanji and Hololive to be curious intersections of how people interact with the internet in current times. 

Virtual Youtubers (VTubers) are essentially one part Hatsune Miku, one part livestreamer, and one part idol–the result is a kind of weird unspoken contract between viewers and creators where the notion of “authenticity” is relative rather than being some kind of absolute. One of the complaints that streamers often receive, especially if they’re extremely over the top, is that it’s all an act, and that they’re just playing to the audience in order to get more eyeballs on them. People like streamers with whom they can feel some kind of genuine connection, and a layer of “fakeness” can be a turn-off in that respect. But with characters like Tsukino Mito (Nijisanji) or Haato Akai (Hololive), there’s an obvious understanding that what you’re seeing and getting just isn’t a “real person.” At the same time, there’s still a desire that these characters aren’t fully constructed, and that some of the actual individual behind the anime mask will peek through just a bit sometimes. Fujima Sakura (who isn’t in Nijisanji or Hololive) is a prime example of this, though in that case, the person behind the character (Sally Amaki) is already well known, as is the fact that Sakura as a VTuber is part of a greater project: 22/7.

I mentioned Hatsune Miku here (and in the previous post about VTubers) not just because she’s a cute anime girl mascot who people collectively imbue with a personality and history, but because part of her charm is that her voice doesn’t sound entirely realistic. There’s an artificial quality to her that adds to her appeal, and to some extent, I can see this being the case with Nijisanji and Hololive’s VTubers because Live2D isn’t super-smooth. There’s a kind of choppiness that can drag you out of the illusion pretty easily, so you have to kind of let it work its magic on you. Perhaps it’s closer to pro wrestling in that respect. In a way, the flaws even lend themselves to a greater sense of authenticity, in that these VTubers are not presenting a supremely polished (and arguably overproduced) product. 

However, just the fact that Nijisanji and Hololive are these collectives adds another wrinkle. There’s this kind of understanding that cooperation is of mutual benefit to all those involved, but the fact that prospective VTubers basically earn the opportunity to enter these groups calls to mind the very nature of Youtube as a platform dependent on click-throughs and crossovers as a means to garner more attention. It’s not that different from something like Game Grumps, but the veneer of anime avatars makes VTubers a little more mysterious but also makes me wonder just where they’re all coming from. To what extent are they professionally honed products and to what extent are they amateur endeavors–and for that matter, does Youtube explode that difference?

It might not be such a bad thing that people can so easily become Virtual Youtubers these days. I myself have considered doing more Youtube in the past, but I’m just not a fan of putting my face out there for all to see. The way the members of Nijisanji and Hololive do it, on the other hand, provides an alternative for those who want to be out there without exposing too much of their identities. In a time when the difference between the online self and the offline self is all but disintegrated, doing this Virtual Youtuber thing can be an oasis of anonymity, albeit within a profit and attention-seeking environment.

This post was written based on a request by Patreon sponsor Johnny Trovato. If you’d like to request a topic, check out the Ogiue Maniax Patreon.