/vt/ - Virtual Youtubers

Finally someone that gets it. Nijisanji, along with most smaller chuubas, present their contents in a more traditional Japanesque fashion. They rely on bokke-tsukkomi interaction with their audience explicitly more than Hololive chuubas do. That's why Nijisanji (and smaller chuubas) read chats more often, talk and have discussion with chat. It's reminiscent of older NND streamers, where you, the viewers, are part of the stream. Whereas Hololive streams are more akin to watching a performance that you enjoy passively. Though you should note that what the non-Holo chuubas are doing isn't just mere viewers interaction, it's actually deeper than that. This phenomenon is a reflection, a manifestation of the Japanese psyche, of groupthink and their extreme adherence, or even dependence to the concept of fitting in with the herd. It's almost as if it's the most natural way for them to communicate. Couple with the fact that Japanese speech is heavily reliant on aizuchi (explicit verbal agreement/acknowledgment to a person's speech, e.g. everyone uttering "sou, sou" when one person is talking). To the chuuba, the viewer acts as their affirmation, but also, at the same time, the viewers receive their own affirmation from the chuubas towards their comments. It's an explicit demonstration of groupthink, en masse, and in real time, and it's beautiful. If you don't believe this is in fact what's occurring, just watch any Japanese broadcasts. Notice that they always have those window with all the panels? That's the exact same thing. That's there to show the viewers how to react, and to reaffirm them that their reaction is correct, removing the fear of "being different than the group". It's the same thing as the chat here. You're not just a viewer, you're part of the activity! You're there to affirm the chuuba and the other viewers, and they're there for you, and you're all making sure you arrive at the same idea, together. It's a very Japanese thing. It's also why Nijisanji (+ smaller chuubas that do this) are inherently more popular in Japan, whilst simultaneously have little room to expand overseas. Western culture does not have this concept. They won't get it. Aizuchi is considered rude. After all, you're interrupting someone's speech, and without adding anything to the discussion. When the performers perform, you just watch their performance and enjoy it. There is a "you vs them" divide. There is no group movement.
Whereas Hololive, of course, leans more towards the latter style. Its their chuubas themselves that try to make the contents they are doing interesting, by presenting them in an entertaining way. "memes and loud noises" as you say. They don't focus on making the contents interesting with the audience. The audience are just there to watch. To enjoy the performance. It's almost like going to a cinema. They present their content like movies do. Movies, which are, of course, largely a western invention. That's why they click so well with foreigners, because it's what's familiar to them. It's also why the dougatubers before them were more successful with foreigners. None of my Japanese friends quite liked the old style of vtubing. They said it feels alien. But they were popular outside Japan still. Of course they failed because Ai is shit, but Hololive succeeded by applying a similar technique of communication, coupled with having great luck. But they are not Japanesque. Or at the very least, they are a breed of very modan Japanese. As a side note, I believe this is also part of why the more "traditional" Hololivers are not as popular with foreigners. The "talker" Holos. Subaru, Mio, Okayu, etc. It's not only the language barrier at play here; they have their fair share of subbed kirinukis after all. But their contents are just not as entertaining when presented like that. You have to be part of the groupthink. They lean towards the "you just had to be there" style.

Rratbros? What does it mean? Is she graduating?