what-is-conveyed-by-not-showing-oneself VTuber

VTuber

Is There Something Conveyed by Not Showing Oneself?

About this topic

What is conveyed by a VTuber not showing their appearance? The imaginative space created by not seeing a face, the 'essence' conveyed only by voice and movement, or the freedom and loneliness born from anonymity. This question deeply explores the impact of lacking visual information on communication. Is not showing oneself 'hiding' something, or 'strongly conveying something else'?

Conceptual positions
01 Imagination Activation Theory

By not showing appearance, viewers' imagination is activated, creating deeper closeness or idealization. The blank space creates 'the partner of one's own preference.'

02 Essence Transmission Theory

By not showing appearance, 'inner' elements like voice, words, and movement are conveyed more purely. External visual noise is eliminated, and only essence reaches.

03 Anonymity Liberation Theory

By not showing appearance, the streamer can hide their 'true self' while expressing freely. The position that one can live as 'another self' liberated from societal gaze.

04 Relationship Asymmetry Theory

By not showing appearance, the relationship between viewer and streamer becomes asymmetric. Viewers unilaterally imagine as the 'watching side,' while the streamer is protected as the 'watched side.'

Talk entry points

  1. What kind of image do you tend to have of an existence that does not show itself?

  2. Have you ever fallen in love with someone just by their voice? What became the trigger for 'liking' at that time?

  3. Is there a part where not seeing a face makes you feel 'relieved' and a part where it feels 'insufficient'?

  4. If a VTuber suddenly started showing their face, how do you think your emotions would change?

  5. Do you ever feel 'protected' by not showing yourself? Who do you think is being protected?

  6. What kind of 'personality' or 'worldview' do you imagine from the avatar's design and movements?

Conceptual tensions
Concealment vsEmphasis
Is not showing oneself 'hiding the true self' or 'emphasizing essence through voice and movement'? The same act holds opposite meanings.
Freedom vsLoneliness
Both the freedom gained and the connections lost by not showing oneself. Anonymity is both liberation and isolation.
Imagination vsReality
The imagination that expands because appearance is invisible and the gap with actual appearance. How to handle the shock when an idealized image collapses.
Closeness vsDistance
Sometimes not seeing appearance increases closeness, and sometimes it creates distance. How the presence or absence of visuals changes the depth of relationship.
Self-Expression vsSelf-Defense
While not showing oneself allows free expression, it also becomes a wall to protect the true self. The balance between expression and defense is questioned.
Talk note

This topic treats the 'lack' of not showing appearance not merely as deficiency but as an active form of expression and way of relating. Let's quietly converse between each other's imagination and reality.

Glossary
Anonymity
The state of not revealing one's face or real name. In VTubers, it brings both freedom and constraints by existing only through avatar and voice.
Imaginative Space
The space where the receiver can freely expand their imagination due to the lack of visual information. The 'blank space' created by not seeing appearance promotes closeness or idealization.
Corporeality of Voice
The sense of bodily presence and emotional nuances conveyed by voice alone. Without appearance, voice functions as a 'proxy for the body'.
Symbolism of Avatar
By not showing appearance, the avatar itself becomes a symbol of 'personality' or 'worldview.' Design and movement, rather than a visual 'face,' carry meaning.
Lack of Visual Information
The state of being forced to focus on words, voice, and movement because face and expressions are invisible. The focus of communication shifts to the 'inner self.'
Duality of Freedom and Loneliness
The simultaneous existence of 'freedom unbound by anyone' gained by not showing oneself and 'loneliness of no one truly understanding the real self.'
Talk prompts
Ice breaker

Tell me one experience where you strongly felt from voice or avatar alone 'this person must be like this.' Describe the image in detail at that time.

Deep dive

If you were to become a VTuber, what would you want to 'convey' and what would you want to 'protect' by not showing appearance?

Bridge

While listening to the other person's image of an 'existence that does not show itself,' quietly imagine: 'What part of the other person is reflected in that image?'

Further questions
  • Why do we feel 'this person seems kind' just from voice?
  • How does the absence of an avatar's 'eyes' or 'expressions' change how we read emotions?
  • Is there a difference in the 'passion' of fans between VTubers who don't show appearance and streamers who do face reveal?
  • Are there many people who feel they can show their 'true self' by remaining anonymous?
  • Is there a danger of creating an 'ideal partner' by not showing appearance?
  • What would change if all VTubers started face revealing in the future?