N-ko, a "sheep-human lifeform", is Netflix's
attempt to tap into the appeal of VTubers - characters animated
by motion capture that have built a loyal audience on YouTube in
Japan by singing, dancing and interacting with fans.
The character is performed by a company employee and will
introduce anime shows available on the streaming service,
according to a video https://youtu.be/pTF_b_9q5o8 uploaded on
Tuesday.
Netflix and other streaming services hungry for content are
turning to anime to secure local subscribers and exploit the
global market for such shows that is seen by many in the
industry as undercommercialized.
Japanese anime and Korean drama "play really well around the
region as well as in-country and occasionally could be very,
very global in their interest and desire", Netflix Co-CEO
Theodore Sarandos said on an earnings call last week.
Anime is among industries boosted by spending during the
COVID-19 pandemic, with a movie from horror fantasy series
"Demon Slayer" breaking domestic records and reporting a strong
opening weekend in the United States last week.
(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Giles Elgood)
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