Job Discussion Forums

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

Ehhhh, I generally agree that the Jvloggers should be taken, first and foremost, for entertainment value, but there are some who are worthwhile. Hikosaemon, for example, I think is a great resource and is always incredibly fair, not to mention AN ACTUAL FLUENT JAPANESE SPEAKER. I really respect the guy.

Victor/Givemeabreakman, while more in the entertainment category, is great fun to watch as he rambles over his chu-hi. I don't give his opinions and views so much stock and he looks to shake hornets' nests, but at least he's never boring.

I liked Mimei's more poetic free-form video diaries but no idea if she still does them. They were kind of different from the usual "Guy stands in front of camera and rambles for 30 minutes." Haven't bothered to keep up with her stuff though.

Need to shout out Ami Yamato, this slightly mysterious but charming (British-?)Japanese woman who basically creates these incredibly interesting, if short, CG shorts with her character. Seriously trippy.

Also, the elephant in the room, Kanadajin3's "White Japanese People," while melodramatic and ridiculously hokey, was her one video that I think wasn't completely worthless and a shame that she just isn't rational enough to step back and explore such an overlooked topic with sensitivity and empathy instead of stupidity and bathos. I already said my piece on the rest of her output and I think TokyoLiz and nights said it far better and more coolly than I ever could.

Besides that, I don't watch (m)any of them because not my deal, but I'm certain they're lovely and interesting people. You'd also be surprised how many Japanese people, even if their English isn't perfect, will sit and watch these things. 2ch has more than a few dissections of their collective works and my then-girlfriend in Japan was the one who introduced me to Mimei and she knew a whole slew of other Japan-based youtubers.

What a world.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Rusty, great tip about Hikosaemon, thank you. I'll be watching this series for a while - How Not to Screw Up in Japan - https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIFKAGoXm024JAkZwDd_itS3LHK6zHbbl

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Kpjf, from what I saw, Kanadajin3 lacks experience, maturity and cultural-language competence. Housewife advice, my bum!

I think that, when you have lots of manure on the Internet, plant flowers, or at least propagate them. i recommend to you Venetia Stanley-Smith, the Kyoto grandma who had a wild youth but settled down to make tea, garden and write books. On her NHK TV program, she narrates in both Japanese and English. She has a wealth of advice about Japanese cuisine amongst other things.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4sbMyOjDu4M

When I grow up I want to be like her.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Waking up this thread.

Thanks again, Rusty, for the links two the two oyajis, Hikosaemon and Victor/Gimmeabreak. It's good listening while Sunday puttering.

Last weekend, Mr. Righto and I watched Rachel's (of Rachel&Jun) rant about unicorns. It 's true, says Mr. Righto. He gets tired of the open mouth stares we get because Mr. Righto, the ojisan, is holding hands with me, the middle-aged white lady.