You've probably heard of the more famous VTubers like Kizuna AI (recently voted one of Asia's top 60 influencers) and Ami Yamato (a UK-based VTuber), but have you heard of N-ko? Probably not, because Netflix just revealed her as its ambassador for all things anime.
Netflix Unveils New VTuber
VTubing is becoming a sensation across the globe, having grown in popularity since 2016 both in Japan and further afield. Now Netflix has got in on the act by introducing the world to its own VTuber, N-Ko Mei Kuruno.
Related: What Are Virtual YouTubers and How Can You Become One?
As with all VTubers, Netflix has used an anime avatar to represent it via the Netflix anime YouTube channel. The avatar is female and is dressed in black, with white and red hair, so she's decked out in Netflix colors. Fitting really, seeing as it is also an anime channel she's hosting!
Oh, you've probably noticed the strange ears and the spiral horns as well. Yeah, N-ko isn't just some regular virtual anime avatar, you know. She's also part sheep. Apparently.
What Will N-ko Do?
Netflix describes N-Ko's roles and responsibilities in a Netflix news announcement. They say:
Living on Netflix Anime YouTube, N-ko is our official Netflix Anime Ambassador. N-ko will connect with fans around the world by hosting her very own weekly show, The N-ko Show. Stay tuned for its first episode launching globally on April 30, 10AM (Japan time) on our Netflix Anime YouTube channel.
So, we'll have one show a week from Netflix's latest virtual hire. She'll be talking about anime, but whether that is anime specific to Netflix's own library, or anime in general, remains to be seen.
Why Has Netflix Got Its Own VTuber?
The ethos behind introducing its own VTuber is community, according to Netflix. Rob Pereyda, Head of Anime at Netflix, says:
A big part of being an anime fan is having a community to belong to where you can discuss favorite characters, recommend titles, and enjoy incredible stories together. My team and I asked ourselves, how could we personally and directly be a part of this anime fan community? Enter N-ko (pronounced e-nu-ko) Mei Kurono, our very own VTuber...
So, the VTube character is here to interact with Netflix's anime fans. Given that Pereyda says this "personally and directly" involves his team with the community, we wonder if we'll see VTube cameos from team members, too. Watch this space!
What Do You Think of Netflix's Own VTuber?
Do you think it is cool, or is this Netflix jumping on the VTuber bandwagon? Either way, this could prove to be an excellent way to learn about forthcoming Netflix anime series and see what it has in store.
