yeah, the social dynamics of streaming are vastly different at scale and i was mainly talking about the biggest vtubers, though i think it is fair to generalize to them because that's where the vast majority of viewer-hours are spent.
i think the main problem is that the same word (streaming/vtubing) is used to refer to what might as well be two completely different means of social interaction, depending on the audience size
a stream with a very small audience is similar to hanging out on the couch with the fellas while one person plays a video game on the tv, a stream with a very large audience is more like attending a concert or sports game
I'm not sure how well regarded Angel Beats! is nowadays, but it was the Ultimate show for an anime lover in 2010. it really had everything: a ridiculous premise, goofy highschool antics, original j-rock music, stylish action, extreme melodrama, 2 different girls... + a weird rocker guy with a faux-English catchphrase
i think it's largely forgotten now, i haven't seen anyone mention it in years, the only reason i was able to write about it was because i stumbled upon the OP song in a rhythm game recently and that unlocked memories. however, i do think it's more evidence for my "bad anime used to be better" theory (alternatively: "bad anime isn't as good anymore")
thanks, i put way too much effort into writing on here... i hope that with enough practice i'll one day be able to write somewhere more prestigious, like at a substack or in "nonstop life", the allegiant airlines inflight magazine
it's the place for long-form independent writing on the internet now... and i do go there a lot... according to a "substack summer" graphic they emailed me i read 792k words in 345 posts there this summer...
This one made me cackle uncontrollably... also the timeline of products on their company website is absolutely batshit -- https://www.ryohin-keikaku.jp/eng/about-muji/history/ -- I LOVE 2010's product: the right angle sock
oh yes the right angle sock, it's kind of a big deal, there's a big display and poster promoting it in the store. the 2020 product on the product timeline is the "cricket cracker", which appears to be exactly what it says on the tin...
even if this site glitch doesnt get resolved for me, i think finding your site is worth it haha
it wouldn't really be "suboptimalism" if it wasn't hosted on a platform with occasional glitches...
it's kept me occupied for over two years...