GeeXPlus, a company based in Tokyo that specializes in talent management and global media, hosted a panel at this year’s Anime Expo. With big names in their industry, such as Emirichu, Gigguk, TheAnimeMan, and more, this panel focused on the topic of content creation in Japan. The company, as said on their website, “aim to make Tokyo the new hub for international content creation” and allowed the audience of this panel to get a glimpse of what these creators have to offer in the future.
We were able to get an exclusive interview with one of the panelists themselves. Emily Sim, known online as Emirichu and originally based in San Diego, started her platform on YouTube with animatics and storytime animations. She talked about her reasons for moving to Japan and what opportunities came along with it.
From left to right, content creators Gigguk, Sydsnap, and Emirichu make an appearance at the GeeXPlus panel. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) I’m sure you answered this in one of your videos long ago, but a common question: why did you move to Japan?
So I went to Japan because I was reached out to by GeeXPlus, it was originally through Connor (CDawgVA). This was right when the COVID lockdown was happening, and at the time, I was thinking to myself, this seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I think I was also getting a bit of cabin fever from staying inside all the time. So I was like, ‘you know what, I’m not gonna get another chance like this.’ I want to move and just be creatively inspired again.
*Chuckles* That’s so valid. I mean, if you get the opportunity, why not? Next question, how does content creation differ in the States and Japan?
I would say it’s because it’s such a completely different environment, there are just so many opportunities that I normally would not get if I lived in the States. For example, one of the shifts in content I’ve done is collab cafes, which are very common places in Japan, and not as common in the States; it’s just become this niche, novel thing that just became a thing on my channel. Also, just getting to collaborate with other people in Japan. For example, on Spilled Ink, which is the joint art channel I have with Daidus, we got to work with a Ghibli background artist, which was, again, the opportunity of a lifetime. We probably would not have been able to do it if we still lived in the States, getting to have that bridge of merging Japanese content to an English-speaking audience.
Following up on that question, since you moved from America to Japan, did you face any difficulties switching from drawn content to adding in vlogging?
Actually, it made making content easier because I’m able to use a lot more B-roll footage. There’s just certain things that I can’t illustrate, or there’s certain things that I just have to show you through these blog footages. It makes it still visually interesting, but I don’t have to draw as much. At the same time, I feel like it still makes it stand out from typical Japan vlog content, because I still have my illustrations in there. So it still has a bit of my own flair in it.
Emirichu talking to the other panelists on stage. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) With the creation of Spilled Ink and its increasing popularity, it’s obvious that your content is different from Spilled Ink. You originate with story times and collab cafe videos, and then, and in spilled ink, you draw in different styles, trying these new art challenges out and whatnot. How do you feel about Spilled Ink versus your main channel? Because they’re obviously two very different contents.
Yeah, they’re very different. I really like it, it’s just something different and something new. One thing I really like about Spilled Ink is, not that I wouldn’t say I dislike about my channel, it’s just a breath of fresh air. In Spilled Ink, it feels okay to not be good at whatever we’re doing, because a lot of the times we’re trying something for the first time, whereas I feel like on my main channel, there’s sort of an expectation of like things should be looking better and better each time you upload. That kind of pressure is a little daunting; it doesn’t get to me that bad, but with spilled ink, I like having the security and comfort of knowing it’s okay if I screw up, because that’s kind of part of the channel learning curve.
Content creators from GeeXPlus announce upcoming releases and titles. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) Do you kinda mean that there’s been a kind of quality standard set for what a stereotypical Emirichu video should look like?
Kind of, yeah. I would never want anyone to say, “Your content is washed.” I guess it’s my own insecurity talking. *Laughs*
It’s all good. *Chuckles* Do you possibly have any tips or news for inspiring artists who would want to start content creation or are currently content creating?
I think that the biggest piece of advice I can give, just from my own experiences and observing my peers, is that I’d say a lot of times where people falter, in their passion for content creation, is if you’re trying too hard to appease to an algorithm and trying to create for the sole purpose of trying to appease an imaginary audience. A big part of what makes content creation so fun for me, especially on my main channel, is having the freedom of, “I’m just gonna make what I want, and people will be able to tell if I feel really passionate about it”, even if it’s not something people have asked for. I would just say, it sucks. It’s difficult because a lot of success online depends on whether the algorithm likes it, but I’d say if you’re in a creative field, it’s most important to focus on what makes you happy to create, or if it feels fulfilling for you.
The five lead characters in the mobile game “Love and Deepspace.” (Courtesy of Love and Deepspace) Yeah, I think that’s a big part of what people have trouble with. Myself, also as an artist, have trouble with wanting to enjoy the things I create, but also having to follow a certain trend. That’s why I’ve been really enjoying your LADS (Love and Deepspace) videos; I can genuinely see how happy you are when you talk about it. It’s always so fun.
*Laughs* Oh my god, thank you!
Of course! Our last question is, what can we expect from Spilled Ink from the future? The Emirichu channel? Daidus’s channel? I saw in Daidus’s most recent video how he wants to take a break from more storytime content. What can we expect from you guys in the future? Anything cool you want to share?
Okay, nothing as crazy as whatever you saw at the GeeXPlus panel, so don’t expect anything on that production level. I’d say for spilled ink, we’re still gonna keep trying new things. I don’t know if we’re ever gonna top that one episode of the Ghibli background artist, I’ve accepted that we peaked there. We’ll still put out those like comfy challenges, and try out new mediums and free draw days. It’s just a nice, comfortable time, and we don’t plan on quitting anytime soon. For my main channel… the usual.
*Laughs* Cafes?
*Laughs* Yeah, I’ll try to tone down on the cafe and Love and Deepspace.
*Laughs* No, I think you should keep doing them.
*Laughs* Just know that whatever I post, it’s because I wanted to.
Then, in that case, will we be seeing any AX videos soon?
Yes, there will be a vlog. It will be mostly LADS focused (*laughs*), but that’s because it’s sponsored by them.
AloJapan.com