Contemporary virtual YouTubers are often characterized by a mix of conventional femininity and “unladylike” behavior. Yet, while the most prominent creators are able to explore more varied and even subversive topics than traditional idols, they are in many ways still beholden to a set of rules and expectations for what an idol “should” be.
May 19, 2021 • Subscribe
More like this
My experiences with Hololive Vtubers in 2020 (English)
Hi. If you haven’t seen me post a blog post before, what I use this for is that, once a year is finished, as I’m a bit of…
My Deep Dive Into Idol VTubers
Join me on a rollercoaster of decision-making as I weigh the pros and cons of joining Idol VTuber agency versus going solo.
My experiences with Hololive Vtubers in 2020 (Japanese/Indonesian)
Hi. If you haven’t seen me post a blog post before, what I use this for is that, once a year is finished, as I’m a bit of…
Doxing and Harassment – How Vtubers and More Suffer Online
A little over a month ago, the vtuber Mano Aloe quit her job after only a couple of weeks since her debut on YouTube. While the timing seems…
In Defense of Hololive: Breaking Down the Standards of Idol Culture
Anyone hanging around the AniSphere as of late has probably noticed an uptick in the rise of discussions about Virtual YouTubers, AKA v-tubers, and their unavoidable presence on…
How much do the VTubers Make | Famous VTubers’ Income
When you start watching your favorite VTuber, a question might pop up in your head: how much do the VTubers make?. Let's get to the answers!
Making Up and Making Waves: How Tropical-Rouge! PreCure rewrote narratives of femininity and fairy tales
Tropical-Rouge balances historical attitudes with refreshing, contemporary ideas that grant its young female characters agency and thus delivers a great message to its target audience.
Understanding Femininity: How to Balance it in Character Writing
Despite the title this is not a post which will unravel the mysteries of women. I am a man, I do not understand women. But I do understand…
Princess Connect #15 — Idols! Idols! Idols! Idols!
…No. Impressions: One step forward, three steps back. Compared to last week's episode, it at least remembered that it did introduce some kind of story in the…
Japan Idol Who Went Viral Quitting Group Gets Best Revenge
Former Idol Onodela Popko made waves when she quit her group after just one week over bullying. What's she up to now?
Hololive and the Year of Amazing Dancers
I once described La+ Darknesss as having a level of skill and confidence in dancing nearly unmatched all of Hololive. That was back in March, shortly before 4th…
How Kurapika vs Uvogin SHATTERED Shonen Expectations!
Subscribe and hit the bell notification so you don't miss when a new video is posted!! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqliODFiFvhB4C1gobR_PYg?sub_confirmation=1 ----------------------------------------------------------- CHECK OUT THIS PLAYLIST FOR HUNTER X HUNTER ANALYSIS CONTENT!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAIotagY4qooyHKSoFWIn_9fs6CQocbD0 ----------------------------------------------------------- CHECK OUT THIS PLAYLIST…
On Idols and Context
People are people.
Gurazeni: Money Pitch, Karakuri Circus, Lupin III, Lupin the 3rd Part V, Macross
Expectations of a genius
期待 きたい expectation; anticipation; hope Common word, Noun, Suru verb Sentences, Kanji details I would never say I’m smart, but if grades are any indication I have an aptitude for academic…
Hololive Alternative, Takamori, and the Speed of Memes
Hololive Alternative is a 2d animation project depicting the Virtual Youtubers of Hololive as active characters within a world. Two “teasers” are out currently, and they’re a treat…
How a VTuber Went Viral #01 — Girl Makes Faces
Spoiler: It's by being a normal VTuber. Impressions: I know I said this in the season rundown, but this show is baffling to me. Google virtually any VTuber's…
Flowers, Expectations, and the Perils of Interactive Fiction
I had a variety of subtopics in mind for my return to Flowers, and we’ll probably get to a few of them, but at the moment, I can…
How Much Do VTubers Make? Agencies Tell All
We've all wondered how much our favorite VTubers make! Now we have the answers as some of the major VTuber agencies reveal their splits.
Pick of the Week: Idols, Clubs, and Maidens
MICHELLE: I’m reluctant to tout anything from TOKYOPOP, given that I am still bitter about past deeds, but I must admit that Ossan Idol! looks really fun. I’m…
Pick of the Week: Cupcakes, Demons, and Idols
ASH: I feel like to keep the peace at home, my pick this week should be Spider-Man: Fake Red (I may need more than one copy). But while…
Pick of the Week: Soda, Idols, and PTSD
MICHELLE: I’m intrigued by [Oshi no Ko] and Honey Lemon Soda, but how could I not pick the finale of Lost Lad London, which I have enjoyed exceedingly…
How Kindred Spirits on the Roof both represents and exploits queer teen girls
The first time I read Kindred Spirits on the Roof, I was surprised and even grateful, because it often felt like the game was speaking to my questioning…
GARO -VANISHING LINE- How Can Show be Both Too Long and Too Short?
Titles: 牙狼<GARO>-VANISHING LINE- Genre: Horror, action, gore, drama Episodes: 24 Studio: MAPPA The …
Rise of the Bread Dogs: Hololive, Precure, and Pokémon
There must have been something fermenting in the collective imagination of 2022. Last year gave us not one, not two, but three different forms of media featuring cute…
How Kurapika vs Uvogin SHATTERED Shounen Expectations!! | Anime Analysis
What components of a fight do we see in countless shounen that we've all come to expect? In this video we're diving into Kurapika vs Uvogin to determine…
One Shots / “Subversion of Expectations”
Mobile Suit Gundam made its premiere in April of 1979, making 2024 the 45th anniversary of the franchise. Subsequent Gundam series followed suit, having premieres in April before…
MY HERO ACADEMIA, THE THREE SEASON RULE AND HOW FANDOM CAN SHAPE EXPECTATIONS
Hello and hello! Hopefully everyone is healthy and content. A heads up is due here, I don’t know where I’ll be going with this short post. Just some…
Arurandeisu [Hololive]
Pizza Papa About Arurandeisu or Aruran is a male vtuber belonging to Holostars (of Hololive). Unlike most male vtubers who emit “pretty boy” or “bad boy” vibes, Aruan…
Izzy Stars’ Vtubers of 2021
Top … Vtubers Last year, I pooled together a bunch of random thoughts about select Vtubers I’d watched a lot of in my first year being properly introduced…
“Great” Expectations
What is it about con men and great heist epics that enthrall us? Is it the intricacies of the plot in order to make this succeed? Is it…
Only Acting: Performativity, Expectations, and Experience
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about “Only Acting”, the lead single off of British pop trio Kero Kero Bonito’s sophomore album Time ‘n’ Place, one of my…
Redefining Traditions and Expectations: Turning Red
Turning Red is Disney Pixar’s latest theatrical animation, and its focus on life as an Asian middle schooler hits close to home. Like many Asians from North America,…
I★CHU – Idols and Nonsense
There aren't many idol show fans out there, certainly not boy idols. But I am! And I will never stop talking about it. This time I look at…
End Of 2023! Expectations For 2024!
Happy New Year From Arum Journal!
Funimation Gone! New Spice and Wolf!
The hosts of the Otaku Spirit Animecast tackle the madness that is Funimation being consumed by Crunchyroll! What does it mean for anime and dubs …
Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Season 1: What if Solo Idols?
You know, when I originally planned to write this post this was the only part of the Nijigasaki series. Then the week before I wrote this, that changed…
Nijisanji, Hololive, and the Virtual Youtuber Kayfabe
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…
Gone Beachin’
We’re taking a break from normal Thursday operations for a day at the beach while the weather is still relatively warm. Non-Sakura reviews will return Friday.—RABUJOI STAFF
Gone Gamblin’
We’re in A.C. as of Thursday afternoon, so no anime reviews until Sunday afternoon at the earliest. Have a lucky day—RABUJOI STAFF
Gone Beachin’
We’re taking a break from normal operations for an extended weekend at the beach. Reviews will return either Sunday or Monday.—RABUJOI STAFF
Gone “Girl”
The first season of this show was fraught with peril and genuine danger. I mean, you could really lose an eye (as evidenced by our maiden up there)…
Anime Taste Testing: Oblivion Battery and Viral Hit
Nearing the end of the premiere list now. The adage “saving the best til last” does not apply when it comes to seasonal anime releases.
Which anime and manga are both horny AND inclusive?
How can horny series be welcoming to a non-cishet white male gaze? Are there any titles that fit the bill? For our ace readers: are there series about…
Koseki Bijou [Hololive]
Kaelaaaaaaa! About Koseki Bijou is a member of Hololive Advent and can be considered the 3rd gen of Hololive EN. She has oddly similar vibes as Gawr Gura…
Fauna Ceres [Hololive]
Uuuuuuu About Fauna is a member of Hololive EN gen 2. She has famously claimed that she “never wears pants”. She was an independent vtuber before accepted into…
A-chan [Hololive]
Nai desuyo! About A-chan is … not actually a vtuber. She is a manager at Hololive. She is more like dai-manager. She was originally Tokino Sora’s personal manager…
Hololive: Kaela Kovalskia
A vtuber of Hololive Indonesia branch. History There isn’t much drama behind Kaela. She was an OL before being employed by Hololive. Ironically, this reflects her personality. Basic…
Kureiji Ollie [Hololive]
Crazy Ollie About Kureiji Ollie is a member of Hololive ID branch, so she is an Indonesian. The reason she is called “Kureiji (crazy)” is that she is…
Hololive: Hoshimach Suisei
A diamond in the rough to be discovered. Then discovered. History Hololive has five Gen 0 members. Out of five, three of had them brutal starts. Tokino Sora,…