When a VTuber’s Over-the-Top Idolization Needs to be Toned Down Due to World Events

One might simply find the idea of a VTuber constantly rambling about their idols and role models as if they are gods funny, ignoring all accusations of blasphemy or idolatry that fundamentalists might throw at them – But this has some consequences apart from said issue:

Following news regarding a possible human metapneumovirus outbreak in China, Emiko Hosokawa was concerned over the way her VTuber talent Ciel Chandelleur was going, namely Ciel’s joke belief of considering Asagi, the vocalist of the visual kei band D, to be a personal god of hers as well as her particularly over-the-top behavior surrounding said belief. Due to its possible similarities to cult-like experiences Hosokawa experienced during the coronavirus pandemic, Hosokawa has stated that she is in an urgent need to tone down this aspect and adjust her VTuber’s personality accordingly – even if said detail about the VTuber seemingly worshipping a musician is not canon to her lore – in case a controversy might arise due to Ciel’s demeanor regarding references to her oshi is perceived as “cult-ish” by others; especially in the scenario that the outbreak ever got out of the Chinese authorities’ hands.

“I admit that I really view that bloke as one of my career motivations aside from Kamijo” – said Hosokawa. “But creating a VTuber as a homage to either of them and having her “deify” these musicians is another can of worms to deal with – Given the unfortunate implications of said behavior. I mean, it might be funny to see a VTuber acting like a larger-than-life yandere towards someone they consider as their oshi, but in dire situations like what we are risking facing now, that has a risk of forming an actual cult surrounding either of them, their oshi, or both. Doomsday-type beliefs or not – It is important that I need to tone down her particularly hammy attitude regarding her admiration to the point of idolization towards a musician as old as my own mother.”

For us at Drillimation Systems, the Prophet doesn’t make any character or musical group any form of “gods”. While Eastern religions are polytheistic, most Western religions are monotheistic and don’t allow more than one deity to worship.