Sakana was then asked about what benefits, if any, an already established VTuber could have if they join an agency. The CEO explained that such talents would have a reliable support system and management team.
The indie VTubing scene is quite prolific and active, so Sakana was asked if it was competitive in the Western industry. He explained that it’s very messy and convoluted, and that there’s tribalism and drama going on in the indie scene.
As the CEO of Phase-Connect, Sakana was asked if he was ever concerned that the actions or poor decisions from some companies could result in potential talent avoiding smaller companies. To this, he gave a confirmatory answer.
Someone asked Sakana what advice he would give to a VTuber searching for an agency that would work for them. He explained rather simply that they should do research and due diligence, and that they need to develop critical thinking skills to navigate the process.
Sakana considered the question of what life skill he found to be the most useful when running his own company, and he explained that it was important to learn to better deal with emotions.
Someone asked about the possibility of certain corporations pushing talents into being VTubers against their wishes. Sakana explained that corporations in general need to make sure prospective talents are comfortable with the job.
Humorously, when Sakana was asked where he saw Phase-Connect in five years, he replied that he hoped his company will still exist in five years.
A question arose regarding Sakana’s stance on selling a portion stake in his company for pure profit, but it was dismissed with a response that Sakana would never do it.
The evolution of VTubing was brought up. The shift from static, skit-based content to live-streams was highlighted, and Sakana was asked if he expected another shift in the future. Sakana was not really sure about the shift from skits to live-streaming, but he said that VTubing will change as it goes.
Given the thousands of VTubers that exist, someone asked Sakana if he thinks that the industry has hit a saturation point, to which he replied that apparently it has not.
Plenty of VTubers have merch emblazoned with their images, which is eagerly purchased by passionate fans for growing collections. When it comes to merch, someone asked Sakana what considerations he puts into VTuber merchandise and if he hopes to create more varied merchandise in the future. Sakana explained that cost was a factor in such considerations, and revealed that unit cost isn’t the primary factor. The art itself is, given that they have to commission high quality art for commercial purposes.
Sakana was asked about VTuber behavior and traits, and what good and bad habits he observed in VTubers. He explained that VTubers need the drive to grow and mental maturity, especially when decisions are being made.
Becoming a VTuber could be intimidating, so the CEO was asked if a potential talent needed to know everything going in, or if they could learn along the way. Sakana confirmed that it is definitely possible to learn along the way.
As the CEO of Phase-Connect, Sakana was asked about what sort of things a company would need. He replied that they would need money and a drive to keep going, even when things go bad. He went on to explain that personality, mentality, and work ethics are also important.
He was also asked how closely he and his company watch advancing technology as it pertains to VTubing. Sakana explained that he tries to keep a close watch on it. Phase-Connect mods and readers bring in new technologies, but they have yet to see a “pivot-worthy” technology, as it’s mostly “value-added” technology for model-rigging.
Finally, the relationship between VTubers and corporations was brought up, and Sakana was asked if a system where they act traditionally will work, rather than a standard contractor-like relationship. Sakana thinks it would, but it would require more fail-safe capital.
More questions about the industry from the eyes of Phase-Connect’s CEO were answered during the two-and-a-half-hour stream, which can be viewed here:
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