Amid an emerging trend in online personal interactions, Japanese vtuber agency Otagroup introduces a new digital counseling service that stands out for its unique approach. Instead of relying on artificial intelligence or typical influencer content, Otagroup invites clients to engage with elderly virtual talent, blending traditional advice-giving with modern streaming culture. Virtual YouTubers, or “vtubers,” have mainly populated the space with younger characters, but Otagroup features women aged 75 and older, including the celebrated 86-year-old vtuber Hiroko. The fresh initiative aims to build intergenerational connections and answers to the need for genuine conversation in today’s digital-dependent society.
Public attention previously centered on Otagroup’s viral elderly vtuber personalities, gaining momentum after Hiroko’s appearance on social platforms like X and YouTube. Earlier reports about elderly vtubers highlighted their entertainment value rather than structured interpersonal services. This recent move to formalize online counseling as a rentable service diverges from standard vtuber engagements, shifting the focus from pure performance to personalized interaction. Comparable services in the vtubing world remain rare, positioning Otagroup’s venture as a notable experiment within the developing digital companionship market.
How Does the Rental Granny Service Operate?
Otagroup’s counseling service, dubbed “rental granny,” enables users to apply online and be matched with a suitable vtuber grandmother for scheduled sessions on Zoom or Google Meet. This facilitates a range of activities from life advice discussions to appearances in video projects. Otagroup stated,
“We realized that the experience of having someone that can rely on you greatly contributes to the wellbeing of the elderly.”
The application process is designed for accessibility, allowing individuals seeking support to connect quickly with seasoned vtuber grandmothers.
What Are the Goals for the Elderly Participants?
The company highlights two-way benefits from these digital connections, reflecting both social and personal development goals. While the service intends to provide support for younger users grappling with urban loneliness, it also addresses elderly participants’ desires for engagement and purpose. As Otagroup describes,
“Our goal is to boost the self-esteem of the elderly, while also helping resolve issues of young people in urban areas as well.”
The arrangement seeks to foster emotional wellbeing on both ends, leveraging the appeal of vtuber personas.
Will Otagroup Expand the Available Virtual Grandmas?
Plans are underway to broaden the platform’s reach by seeking collaborations with nursing homes. The agency is working to expand its pool of elderly vtuber talent while emphasizing potential profitability and market growth. Commercial partnerships may lead to a larger roster of grandmothers, potentially influencing the future of virtual support networks and cross-generational interaction models.
Otagroup’s approach challenges typical assumptions about the use of virtual personas, focusing instead on authentic connection rather than entertainment alone. Similar ventures, such as AI companions, focus on simulation rather than the involvement of real-life wisdom bearers. Key factors for sustainability include avoiding exploitation and ensuring that participants benefit meaningfully from these digital interactions. Readers curious about intergenerational communication may find value in observing how Otagroup’s model evolves with wider adoption, particularly as the lines blur between digital and offline mentorship.
- Otagroup launches a vtuber grandma counseling service, “rental granny.”
- The initiative matches clients with elderly virtual grandmothers for online sessions.
- Plans include expanding the talent roster by collaborating with nursing homes.
