※Originally published on note, Aug 1, 2024.
A few days ago, after watching a large-scale project, I wrote about how amazing HoloEN’s bold use of cartoon-style expression is—how they take advantage of the fact that they’re “basically anime characters.
That got me thinking about other creators who share that same love for exaggerated, cartoonish fun.
So, let me introduce one of my favorites: Maid Mint Fantome.
Mint streams almost every day—even while I’m writing this.
Today she’s playing Pooh’s Home Run Derby,
facing off against those cursed forest creatures throwing inhuman pitches.
Her little chibi avatar has dark circles under her eyes from the struggle. It’s adorable.
When she yells “Oh no!” “Oh my god!” or “Kyaaaa!” in her bright, cartoonish English,
it honestly feels like watching a Saturday-morning character come to life.
It’s delightful, in the same way old Powerpuff Girls reruns used to be—
something you can just let play in the background and feel happy.
Every once in a while, she drops a line in Japanese she’s been studying.
That little accent, that earnest intonation—
it’s the kind of cuteness that could save the world.
For many overseas creators, the Japanese language itself already sounds cute,
so when they speak it, it becomes pure “moe.” I love that.
Her model is packed with all kinds of gimmicks, and when those big round eyes roll around,
the usual “chibi figure” feel shifts into something even more cartoon-like.
When she makes noise with eyes that huge, everything she says feels cute no matter what it is.
It’s that feeling of “I just love this face,” and once you fall for a face,
simply watching it move is enough to make you feel happy.
The original joy that Vtuber culture sought—“a beautiful girl character speaking with a will of her own”—
shifts from a life-sized girl whose human presence you can sense,
to a more comical, animated form, becoming an even more unreal character.
It’s fascinating, and I’m honestly jealous of the English-speaking scene
where people enjoy watching someone stream for hours in this form.
Adding effects makes it even better.
Overseas creators tend to use these kinds of 2D-style visual tricks a lot.
They keep polishing their “OBS craft,” always thinking about how to keep the screen from feeling dull.
There’s a real creator spirit in that.
This is one of my favorite chatting layouts.
By tweaking the layout cleverly, you can create the kind of visual “lies” that only 2D can pull off.
What is “cute,” really?
What does it mean to wear a 2D character?
What are people seeking in it?
Is it a beautiful-girl game heroine who falls for the otaku?
Or is it the entertainer who pursues humor and visual expression—the feeling of an animated character?
Lately, I’ve been watching the cultural and perceptual differences between Japan and overseas,
and honestly, enjoying the depth of it all
Whenever I post clumsy English on Twitter,
English-speaking fans reply, teach me vocabulary, and interact with me.
After more than ten years on Twitter,
it feels like I’ve finally found a new way to enjoy it, and it keeps me going.
What I saw across the sea,
what you see in me and my work from across the sea,
why you respect Japanese culture—
I’ll be thinking about all that slowly,
watching Mint Fantome get mad at Tigger’s ridiculous pitches.
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