"Japan Times" article on May 7, the original title: "like family": Japanese virtual network anchor relies on fans to enter millions a year. In a temporary studio in Tokyo, takesuka changed his usual soft voice and began to laugh, scream and dance wildly when he broadcast live to many fans in an animation image. Iizuka dubs the virtual network anchor named "Qin blowing dream" and provides action support. In Japan, such virtual network anchors turn a niche subculture into a booming industry, with top accounts earning more than $1 million a year.
With the help of a laptop, a webcam and a motion sensor worn around his neck, the 26 year old Iizuka shows the image of "playing the piano and dreaming" on the screen, and the facial expression of the character is controlled by the producer. With sharp voice, ultra short skirt and huge purple eyes, Iizuka's Avatar "Qin blowing dream" follows the popular model of virtual network anchor, and the image is usually similar to the extremely beautiful heroine in Japanese animation.
According to user local, a data company, since its emergence five years ago, the virtual network anchor world has expanded rapidly. At present, there are about 16000 active anchors in the world, and their fan base is also growing. Some local governments in Japan have begun to use them for publicity. Robert Pattinson and Zoe crovitz, stars of the latest "Batman" film, also recently interviewed the head virtual anchor in Japan.
The way of making money for virtual network anchors is similar to that of traditional network anchors: fans will try their best to reward their messages in order to get attention. In fact, the nine accounts with the highest YouTube reward revenue last year were virtual network anchors. According to the data of playboard, the nine virtual network anchors came from a Tokyo brokerage agency, and each of them earned cash gifts ranging from $700000 to $1.7 million.
Most fans only spend a few hundred yen to attract the attention of the anchor, but the most engaged people sometimes spend up to 50000 yen (about $380) to reward. Murakami HEMA, a 30-year-old auto parts inspector, is said to have spent 10000 yen to highlight his messages in red so that his favorite anchor can see them. "I very much hope she will notice me coming again." Murakami said. He Mei, a fan of another anchor, pasted posters, framed photos and key rings in his small room near Tokyo, all related to his favorite anchor "great God Shu". After work and on weekends, the 30-year-old computer engineer was immersed in the video of the anchor "great God". "She's like family to me," he said
However, He Mei said that he loved the avatar of "great God Shu" rather than the person who played her. Many fans hold this view. However, the boundary between virtual reality and reality may also be blurred. Not long ago, a Japanese court ruled in favor of the actors behind the virtual network anchor. The actor believes that the online defamation of her role is equivalent to a personal attack on her. The plaintiff's lawyer believes that the virtual network anchor can "go beyond gender, age or body... But the important thing is that there is a real person talking and reading messages and comments". (by Zhihong Osaki, translated by Chen Junan)