Forget music idols. Young people in Japan all want to be YouTubers these days.
In the short space of a few years, the YouTuber has risen to the status of near-god in the media world. As with any celebrity or star, then, many people also want to date YouTubers.
But not all YouTubers are real. Shiro is one of the latest virtual YouTubers to attract a following in Japan, the land that previously brought us 2D idols in such games as Love Plus or the digital music idol giant that is Hatsune Miku. Shiro-chan joined YouTube in June 2017, since when the busy lady has released new videos every day — several with English subtitles.
In her most recent video, the cute animated idol asks fans: Why go on a real date when you can enjoy the companionship of Shiro-chan over a home-cooked meal?
She is proving popular, it seems. The latest 24-minute video has quickly attracted over 100,000 views in just a few days.
Naturally, viewers are encouraged to watch the video while eating their own meal for the full “virtual date” experience. Her fan base her responded to the request with glee, posting their own pictures of the “shared” meals.
