From the article:
The popular Spice and Wolf anime character Holo will make her VTuber debut on April 3, 2024, on the TOHO Animation Channel (YouTube) and the Spice and Wolf anime official TikTok.
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I couldn’t figure out whether the anime VA will also be doing the VTuber duties, or if they have somebody else performing as VTuber Holo. Finally, here is the preview image for her avatar:
This is probably not a great idea. I mean, I do like the idea of it, but I think its only good as an idea. Any kind if execution on this will not really feel proper for this kind of an IP, IMO.
That entirely depends on the seiyuu. I would, for example, trust someone like Takahashi Rie to properly represent their character (or at least decline to do it if she didn’t think she could).
Honestly if the actor/actress has good improv skills, I say go for it
Regardless of the actor, the Spice & Wolf IP doesn’t naturally lend itself to having a crossover marketing event as a VTuber, as compared to something like Serial Experiments Lain.
It would be like having a Twitch account for Aragorn as a marketing stunt for The Lord of the Rings. It would be funny or whatever, but it would not feel appropriate to the property like a Twitch avcount for Neo from the Matrix would feel appropriate to that property.
Bro Lain as a vtuber would be based
Wasn’t there recently that interactive event for the anniversary of Lain?
To me, that’s what makes it fun and interesting.
If I wanted to interact with a character from Cyberpunk The Matrix there are plenty of accounts out there already doing stuff with that vibe.
I get that it feels “out of place” but I guess it’s all just fantasy to me anyway so I’m cool giving it the chance to see what someone can do with it.
Spice & Wolf isn’t a series like SAO or Shield Hero where the players were put into a fantasy MMORPG game world, its literally just straight up fantasy. Same with Goblin Slayer or DanMachi. A Vtuber marketing event just feels inappropriate to the setting.
Obviously the IP rights holders can do whatever they want with it, Im just saying it feels wrong to me. I just think there are lots of other ways they could market Spice & Wolf that would probably be more cost efficient. I doubt that this vtuber will be raking in the massive superchat profits other vtubers make. And thats honestly why I believe they are doing a vtuber - they saw vtuber profits and wanted in. Its understandable, but to me they could have been more successful doing it with a different property.
To each their own. I’m not saying you have to feel the same as I do. I’m just saying I’ll probably check it out because it’s interesting to me. And if it sucks, oh well, I just won’t tune in. No skin off my nose
For what it’s worth, I expect it’s not about making money off the vtuber account but driving traffic for the show, novels, and merchandise. The bulk of the anime industry is built around pushing traffic elsewhere; it’s why you see so many shows that never finish. Once they stop publishing the source material (manga, novel) there’s not much point to making the show anymore. Obviously there are exceptions for outrageously popular stuff, and shows that are fully original, but the majority is made specifically to sell other stuff
So my guess is they think they can get people who watch vtubers interested in the franchise this way, and that’s the driving force
its literally just straight up fantasy.
The horror!
Same with Goblin Slayer or DanMachi.
What about them? That they’re fantasy?
Holo-live
OMG I hate you so much for that pun.
Is clever tho.
I’m sure that’s why they made a vtuber of Holo (I initially thought Hololive is a Spice and Wolf dedicated vtuber production)
Well that’s new.
Yeah, I wasn’t sure what to make of this tbh. I don’t really follow the VTuber scene at all, but it is hard to deny its growing influence within the Japanese media landscape, including whole anime based off of VTubing (is that a word?).
It’s a word.
I find it’s a pretty healthy development in what is basically a branch of the idol industry.
It has enabled indies, and the people doing it have a way better chance at maintaining a healthy work/life balance than idols of old. They can literally “unplug” and live a personal life that they can make as separate or involved as they like.
There’s no bullshit about physical appearances like fashion, weight watching, age…
And it’s been a delight to see the biggest player, hololive, actually allowing talent to take care of themselves when push come to shove, rather than going through humans like they’re some kind of consumable.
But this, taking an IP with established fictional characters, and having them become vtubers? This feels weird.
I’m not sure what it adds? People stick with vtubers because as “unreal” as they are, we genuinely like the people behind the avatars.
Yes, it’s acting and performing, but also not. I’m not sure how “hello I’m a character from that franchise you like” would work.
As a big fan of Holo, I’m kinda worried, and annoyed that they’d risk it, that this will affect the character. I don’t want to see a fantasy goddess try and fit into the real world, and I’m a little scared of what the real world might turn her into.
“POGGERS” - Holo soon
What… What is this?
I made a similar comment elsewhere but I think it will depend on the seiyuu. If they’re good at improv and understand their character it could be very cool. I imagine there are lots of fans who would love to be messed with by the wise wolf.
I’m just not sure how they will address the disparity between the story’s setting and the reality of talking to thousands of people on a computer. I’m assuming they’ll just make an effort to avoid any mention of the technology or situation, being very picky about what things they respond to.
I think there’s been a couple but the only one I was able to extract from my brain was Uzaki-chan: Link
I imagine I’m not, but am I the only one that can’t see anything positive coming out of this ?
Does that mean we can tag all art posted of her now with a Vtuber tag?
I actually thought about crossposting this to a vtuber community, but the only one I know is !vtubervids@ani.social and this doesn’t really have a video component, more news.
