A couple of weeks ago, I talked about how important torrents and streaming videos are to otakus in exile. Another great online tool for plugging in is Ustream.tv, a live-streaming video site, where anyone can set up a channel and begin broadcasting about anything.
Fortunately for us otakus, there are several people who broadcast live from Japan every day, and they give us a peek into a variety of different topics.
1. Video Game Feeds
Video Game Streaming of Hentai Golf
From First-Person Shooters (FPS) to sports games, you can tune in to watch someone’s desktop live as they play a variety of video games and chat with their online buddies.
2. Live-Streaming Anime
Streaming Anime on Ustream.tv
Occassionally, you can catch some live anime on Ustream. If you don’t have satellite television with live TV from Japan, this could very well be the next best thing. The only problem for most Americans though is that there is no subbing. … On the bright side, you can use this as an opportunity to practice your Japanese comprehension.
For a taste of it, go to mitsugo’s profile on Ustream. (Note: if they’re not broadcasting, you won’t see a live feed.)
3. Manga Artists
Akiba Nagito's (秋葉 凪人) Working Live Screencast on UStream.tv
One of my favorite things to watch on Ustream.tv is manga creation. Several manga artists (mostly H manga) broadcast their desktops live as they create some incredible works of art. The creation process is amazing to witness. You can watch the masters at work, see how they use the tools of the trade, and interact with them (if you write to them in Japanese).
Here’s a quick list of manga artists I follow:
4. Other forms of voyeurism
Unoumae-dori cam on Ustream.tv
I could go on and on with the types of shows you can tune in for on Ustream, but I can sum up the rest with one word — voyeurism. From karaoke and people simply working at their desks to live radio and views of Japan, you’ll be able to watch it.
A few channels include:
- Unoumae-dori – A webcam view of Unoumae-dori
- heal_and_on – A webcam view of a woman named Natchi working
- okikurashoten – A webcam view of Miyakejima
- papasone – Streaming J-pop show
- From Hokkaido Japan – Streaming cam of a town in Northern Japan
Caveat
While these channels are a real treat when they’re live, they aren’t on 24/7 or even daily or weekly; so you kind of have to deal with that level of inconsistency. Also, most of the shows’ owners do not speak or write in English, so I wouldn’t expect much communication from them if you don’t speak Japanese.
If you’re okay with all of that, then you should enjoy using Ustream as one more tool for plugging in and getting your Japanese fix. Enjoy!