Virtual Idols Archives | Otaku No Culture

AI Actors Aren’t Truly 100% Human — Tilly Norwood Is No Rising Star

Ari Folman’s The Congress foresaw the rise of digital actors. Today, AI-generated “stars” like Tilly Norwood demand new guardrails. Without disclosure, consent, and compensation, real performers risk being replaced by code.

Anyone who has seen The Congress knows it was ahead of its time. Now, AI-generated digital actress Tilly Norwood brings that vision to life, almost prophetically. In Ari Folman’s film, Al (easily read as AI) represents Robin Wright in a near-future scenario where she sells her likeness to a studio; a computer system carries on her career, and she is no longer allowed to act. Today, as more actors license their faces and voices for digital reproduction, Norwood’s rise signals a turning point—raising questions about authenticity, creativity, and the future of performing arts.

Actor Eline Van der Velden calls Norwood a “creation… an act of imagination and craftsmanship, not unlike drawing a character, writing a role or shaping a performance.” Yet in a different article, she adds, “We want Tilly to be the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman… economic issues are driving the movie and TV business toward AI production.” Which is it—a harmless experiment, or a cost-cutting replacement for human performers?

Continue reading “AI Actors Aren’t Truly 100% Human — Tilly Norwood Is No Rising Star”

Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf Connection is set to Feature the Musical Stylings of Kaede Higuchi and Kanae

There’s more than Dungeons and Dragons in store with Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! The music of Kaede Higuchi and Kanae will close off and may tie in to what’s going on when this anime debuts!

Kaede Higuchi and Kanae’s New Single Yummy Yummy VTubing is very popular in Asia and they’re becoming much more mainstream. According to the latest news, the ending theme for the anime, Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! will be sung by virtual idols Kaede Higuchi and Kanae. These two talents from the Nijisanji group operated by ANYCOLOR Inc. are getting noticee, and their song “Yummy Yummy” is set to debut January 29, 2025 and the series will begin broadcasting that month.

As for when this phenomenon will be noticeable in the Western world, that’s still an uncertainty. I fully expect it to happen at some point, but for now, I will just watch what this fast paced industry is pumping out and offer some editorial when it’s appropriate. I’m more curious about the anime, hence my interest about this news!

Continue reading “Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf Connection is set to Feature the Musical Stylings of Kaede Higuchi and Kanae”

Holofes 2022: Link Your Wish and Quick Review

To see these augmented reality performances for real had my curiousity, but I settled for the free online content which was satisfactory.

Archived on YouTube for a limited time. See below for links.

In Japan, Hololive held their annual Super Expo. It’s now into its third year and it took the Makuhari Messe Event Hall on March 19 and 20 by storm. There were two days worth of things to do at the venue, including a concert featuring many talents from the VTuber world. The company offered an in-person event and virtual show. I settled for what was made available to view for free (i.e. online) and am reviewing that content. As for what occured at the venue, what’s being summed up here is based on reports from those who attended.

A single day pass was 5,500 ($46 USD) and the weekend ticket was￥10,000 ($84 USD). With that price, I hoped this blog’s criticisms from before would be addressed. A few things did get changed, but other aspects remain the same for this augmented reality experience.

Continue reading “Holofes 2022: Link Your Wish and Quick Review”