On 21 December, the company released hololive, a smartphone app for iOS and Android enabling users to view virtual character live streams using AR camera technology. Ĭover debuted Tokino Sora ( ときのそら), the first VTuber using the company's avatar capture software, on 7 September 2017. Kizuna AI, who began the virtual YouTuber trend in 2016, was another likely inspiration. According to Tanigo, the idea for a "virtual idol" agency was inspired by other virtual characters, such as Hatsune Miku. Īt the end of March 2017, the company showcased a tech demo for a program enabling real-time avatar motion capture and interactive, two-way live streaming. Cover at first focused on augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) software, and received funding from incubator firms Tokyo VR Startups and Recruit. And don’t even get me started on the crazy meme potential from some of these streams – Gura’s “a” scream alone could sustain memes for years, LOL.History 2016–19: Beginnings and growth Cover's logo from 2016 to 2019Ĭover Corporation ( カバー株式会社, Kabā Kabushiki-gaisha) was founded on 13 June 2016 by Motoaki "Yagoo" Tanigo, an entrepreneur who had developed video game characters in collaboration with Sanrio at the content company Imagineer and founded various startup companies. Seeing my various oshis turned into gacha characters or put in wild rap videos just brings the biggest smile to my face. The community and culture around VTubers is just as important! Fans come together to make fan art, memes, remixes and full on animated music videos featuring their favorite girls. This stuff is more addicting than gachas, I swear!īut the appeal of VTubers goes far beyond just their kawaii models and anime hijinks. Just don’t blame me when you blink and realize you’ve spent 8 hours binging Gura’s giggles and Korone’s screeches. So if you haven’t already fallen down the VTuber rabbit hole, I can’t recommend it enough for anime fans wanting that next evolution of fandom. And as an unrepentant degenerate weeb, that’s everything I could ask for! They let you immerse yourself in a fantastical world populated by your new virtual BFFs. I have mad respect for the hustle!Īt the end of the day, I think VTubers have struck gold by combining anime’s escapist appeal with the parasocial comfort of streamer culture. It’s so cool seeing English VTubers flex their otaku knowledge in things like VTuber quizzes and watchalongs. There’s room in my heart for indie Vtubers too!Įven western anime brands have tapped into the craze, like Vshojo’s goth princess Veibae and princess of darkness Nyanners. Related Top 10 list of Hardcore Ecchi Anime(Uncensored)Īnd I’d be remiss not to mention the absolute tear that Nijisanji has been on lately too! Virtual faves like Ein, Finana, and Pomu have risen fast with their chill, relatable vibes. It’s this multimedia boom of content that has skyrocketed many like Kizuna AI to stardom with millions of fans. They feel like your hilarious weeb besties!īut VTubers also create original songs, casual chitchat streams, insane 3D concerts, and participatory experiences taking advantage of their virtual identities. Their chaotic collabs and mix of gaming fails, expressive model reactions, meme references, and otaku banter make for comfy streams that just hit different. Whether they’re losing their minds over jump scares in horror games or passionately singing anime OPs, their reactions feel so over-the-top genuine and endearing!Īnd omg don’t get me started on the legendary Hololive English crew like Mori Calliope, Gawr Gura, and Takanashi Kiara. These girls commit fully to their virtual alter-egos when streaming, bringing so much energy and personality to every zany reaction. So while you tune into a real human, you see their kawaii anime model reacting on screen instead! It creates this whole new imaginary character.Īnd lemme tell you, these anime girls come in all flavors – we’re talking chibi nekos, sassy tsunderes, raging yanderes, mysterious eldritch entities…you name a trope, there’s a VTuber appealing to that niche, LOL.īut what’s incredible is how talented the human entertainers are behind the avatar. For the uninitiated, VTubers are streamers who use animated virtual avatars provided by companies like Hololive and Nijisanji. And I gotta say, I am SO here for this cute, chaotic, comfy new wave of virtual influencers! As a proud degenerate, let me break down for you why every anime and gaming fan needs some VTubers in their lives. Listen up my weeb friends! If you haven’t noticed, VTubers and their hilarious virtual antics have completely taken over the anime scene.
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