So what I've been looking into this week is mostly just articles doing small cataloging of the Virtual Youtuber movement. One of the first companies to really adopt these types of influencers is the social network service and mobile game company, GREE. Virtual Youtubers are considered part of the live entertainment industry and many companies have hired them on as part of their online PR or talent pools. [1] [2]
In this particular image, the VTuber Manami Isora was invited to present in the company's financial summary briefing.
GREE has worked with the IKinema motion capture software [3] to create these interactive virtual characters that are then used for Youtube videos. Wright Flyer Live Entertainment is their subdivision that focuses on their virtual influencer talents.
VTubers capitalize on Japan's mascot character branding for their businesses. These are examples of virtual influencers being used as company mascots or for commercial means:
Using ranking website, it's easy to track the channels added to the listings and their popularity over time. I'd like to use this to help compile my quantitative data.
Following this, I'd like to research more into self-made popular VTubers or VTubers with unknown companies and how these influencers are building themselves up. I'd also like to look at the rankings list in more detail to see why the top influencers are staying on top and start comparing their content, designs and personality.
In this particular image, the VTuber Manami Isora was invited to present in the company's financial summary briefing.
GREE has worked with the IKinema motion capture software [3] to create these interactive virtual characters that are then used for Youtube videos. Wright Flyer Live Entertainment is their subdivision that focuses on their virtual influencer talents.
VTubers capitalize on Japan's mascot character branding for their businesses. These are examples of virtual influencers being used as company mascots or for commercial means:
- [website] - Kizuna Ai as an ambassador to Japan
- [YouTube] - Hoshina Com as a PR manager for the online shopping and rental company, DMM.com, but functions like a regular vlogging channel
- [Youtube] - Cocoro, the mascot for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical company, Rohto. [4] Their vlogs are focused on self care advice and product promotion, but is a casual and comical way.
Ranking
As of September 2018, there have been upwards of 5000 Virtual Youtubers, according to the User Local website, that ranks the current top influencers. What started as 1000 YouTubers in March, exceeded 5000 by September. [5]Using ranking website, it's easy to track the channels added to the listings and their popularity over time. I'd like to use this to help compile my quantitative data.
Future Thoughts
I see virtual idols as a step up from mascot branding into an industry where the mascots become another product for their company's to sell. I think a study of these characters is important to understand how to create influential character designs and personalities that suit a variety of purposes.Following this, I'd like to research more into self-made popular VTubers or VTubers with unknown companies and how these influencers are building themselves up. I'd also like to look at the rankings list in more detail to see why the top influencers are staying on top and start comparing their content, designs and personality.
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