In Japan, girls are crazy over virtual boyfriends. Webkare (Web Boyfriend in Japanese), a mix between a social network and dating simulation site, is Nippon’s newest web sensation. Geared exclusively towards girls, the site attracted over 10,000 members just 5 days after its release on September 10, racking up 3.5 million page views in the same time frame.
The site is a huge hit over here. Girls sign up and become members of a social network but also users of a dating simulation in cartoon style. They have to try to hook up with one of four male Anime characters (who are the “stars” of the site) through “conversations” and must collaborate with other Webkare members in order to move on in the game. Eventually they conquer the heart of the chosen cartoon boy.
It’s pretty weird but clever. Dating simulations have been popular in Japan for quite a while now, but Webkare marks the first time the concept has been brought online and combined with social networking functionality.
Girls choose between one of four different male cartoon characters they want to hook up with upon registration. They can then “communicate” with their digital crush in cartoon-like sequences to try to win over his heart over the course of the game. It’s also possible to meet other boys later in the story, which uses a virtual high school as the main setting.
Interaction is quite limited, as users themselves can neither type text nor “speak” to the characters. Instead, Webkare will display a short cartoon clip if you click on the boy you like (some of the clips include voice samples such as “What’s up?”, “Do you always stay in the class room until dark?” “Leave me alone!” etc.), driving the love story forward step by step.
Important conversations or events can be stored in the album section of the site as “memories”.
On the surface, Webkare’s social network functions are kept to a minimum. There are profiles (including the “Propeta” feature that lets you decorate your profile with small branded icons, similar to the HotLists used in HotOrNot profiles), a direct messaging system, a discussion board and a Twitter-like microblogging function. But the social aspect is actually quite distinctive, as members need to befriend each other and collaborate. LinkThink, the company behind Webkare, is strangely secretive about the game mechanics, however, making it hard to figure out how to advance in the game. For example, it seems to be essential to “talk” to the boyfriends of other users and view their profiles and albums.
Currently usage is free, with display ads and affiliate links as main sources of revenue. Webkare’s future monetizing strategy could include turning the concept into a video game or novel, merchandising, product placement, selling virtual items, expanding the concept to cell phones, developing a version for male users or offering premium memberships.
Another obvious option is internationalization, but here the question is if such an idiosyncratic way of curing loneliness 2.0 could succeed in the US or Europe as well. Reportedly, 52% of members are Japanese females in their twenties, with thirty-somethings accounting for 18% of the user base.
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说实话，日本人太变态了。
Errr, so abnormal japanese
同意..
Not as abnormal as China’s “one child” policy. Not as bad as forced abortions of baby girls in China.
neither as abnormal as Sarah Palin’s anti-abortion policy.
How do you think Sarah Palin’s abortion theories are abnormal? Abnormal as in uncommonly good, yes. But I know your thoughts on this matter are LIBERAL! Don’t you realize that abortion stops a beating heart? It is murder!
replace the cartoons by pictures of the Jonas Brothers and it could work in USA.
It always amazes me how Japanese cartoon characters look always Caucasian.
It just looks Caucasian to you and other non-Japanese (and probably non-Asians). But to the Japanese, they look Japanese. Strange, I know…
杂说喃。。。
They don’t have square jaws, large noses, thick brow ridges and huge muscles. They don’t look Caucasian to me.
They only look Japanese because of the Anime influence over the years. I see white faces, when I watch most anime characters. Red and Blonde hair japanese. c’mon, I know they can dye the hair and wear colored contacts but please. White beauty is what they aspire to be like. Besides having japanese names, clothing and body proportion everything else indicates frail metrosexual white boys. Its ok, Japan is so crazy it doesnt matter.
The funny part is when they do try to make other races, they turn out exaggerated or super stereotypical. Not saying other cultures havent done this too but the Anime genre can and does have some racist/stereotypical charicatures. Whether it was intentional or not.
You’ve Got To Be Kidding….
If anime means “Japanese want to be white”, then cartoons mean “Americans want to be talking singing animals”.
Couldn’t agree more with you…this is really abnormal…
i found that japanese’s boyfriends look like their girlfriends especially in cartoon.
这些男朋友还真女性化…
no more abnormal then those Girl talk board games from the early 90s, where it’s this popular board game that girls play where you go around the board collecting points and trying to score a date with your guy of choice (I just remember the ad, the girl picks up the fake phone that comes with the board game and says “It’s Dan, Dan’s my man”).
They’ve been shilling this stuff to girls for a long while, so quit your superiority complex - it’s pretty much the same thing.
Definitely does not pass the Turing Test.
A female in her 20s is not a girl, though parking your love life in a virtual world arguably keeps you as one.
日本人的创造力值得欣赏。
hello cool
Wow, they really enjoy it in virtual world.
the “virtual” dating is popular in Japan, so not surprised about it~
try it later.
ha.
http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=1672
“No one was more surprised than Japanese film star Maiko Kawakami to hear that her fluffy poodle was really a lamb in disguise.”
Girls choose between one of four different male cartoon characters they want to hook up with upon registration.
“Where is his virtual peepee?” “Can we have babies?”
In my opinion Japanese market is very different in adaptation and technology perspective, but the way the virtual worlds coming up I think by 2020 all dating and relationships will be online… but may be new companies will come up like SpermEx… for a speedy delivery to the suitable girl or wife !!!
already exists for dogs. you can get a champion stud’s sperm vial delivered by UPS. if you have $6,000.
This is just really whacky. It will probably not take over in any other country.
whacky? how closed-minded! and misspelled! i wish it would come to the us, i’m sure lots of girls would love it.
Maybe they should make a game where the guys compete for the girl instead of the other way around. Maybe in Japan, girls try to win the boy, but in America, we like to have to guy win our hearts.
Cartoons always been cool, ever since our childhood
Dont forget to checkout http://savitabhabhi.com cartoons..
indian porn cartoon
Wow! Japanese technology is definitely becomes better everyday. Now they had created this cool social network. CONGRATS
darn. times like this i wish i could read/write japanese.
Somehow this isn’t shocking…
And they are wondering that Japan’s population is aging more and more…
Some things just shouldn’t be virtualized
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WCI3jJ27AI
Anytime you can help people escape from regular life, you’re necessary…
good work!
What’s “weird” about this is the fact that it’s cartoon-based. Who wants to “date” a cartoon character?
What’s not weird is the underlying motivation - to seek superficial satisfaction online. Online porn and chat rooms - many unsavory ones included - serve the same exact need. Japanese girls are seeking the same satisfaction and are no different from the rest of us.
That said, the cartoon aspect still bothers me…
Help us. We are being held hostage in here. Champps West Bloomfield. MI
This is nothing new. In case you weren’t aware, grown men have had virtual girlfriends in the western world for years. We just label it porn over here.
I know a lot of single women who would probably prefer a cartoon over the real guys that they meet.
Love stinks. lol!
Japanese always come out with some unique ideas, though they have similar hair styles like the animes!
Good point on the Japanese hair style -
Hi love to be your friend
How is 10,000 members in 5 days a “sensation?” That’s as sensational as a new “can i haz chezburger” picture.
actually less, i love cats.
i agree — how can this possibly be considered a sensation with 10k users?
> Another obvious option is internationalization, but here the question is if such an idiosyncratic way of curing loneliness 2.0 could succeed in the US or Europe as well.
okay, that’s a really worthless point. this would OBVIOUSLY never succeed in the US or Europe due to the cultural gap. Korea/TW/CN/HK are possible.
Only 10K users … that’s hardly a “sensation”. Is TechCrunch hyping non-news again?
Get a free XBox! Or whatever you want, really. http://freeeverything.weebly.com/
I think only Japanese girls would picky enough to actually prefer a “virtual boyfriend” to a real one…
You can add this MSN bot, it acts as your perfect boyfriend: perfectboyfriendbot@hotmail.com
this is actually sort of cool…im sick of real men. its too bad theres not an english version of this site…
I’m not really sure Japan is real itself.
Perhaps it’s a virtual place entirely.
Like in the Matrix.
本当に。それは面白いね。
wow
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I have virtual girlfriends (I’m watching them love each other now), so I guess I can understand the appeal.
It looks like a great idea. I guess it will become very popular in Japan.
Ok so I want to know what kind of promoting they did in order to get 3.5million page views in less than a week. Someone needs to hook me up with their promoters lol
oh my..i thought adopting an aibo as pet was weird enough
ほうんとおもしろいです。
Cheers to masturbating at the computer…………
TC, bring more Asian bloggers: China, Malaysia, Philippines, Korea. It’s really interesting to hear what’s new and what’s cool in their parts of the world.
great , but dont have any boy friend in social life ?
Cleverly made, but how does the site have income? Memebership fees and/or ads?
I honestly think that it would be kinda cool if they translate it so we could play it in the US. it looks really cute
i kinda think that we would make it more of a game though which is possibly what they think too, ya know like the ones where you take care of dogs or cats?….some of you guys take it too seriously 
great, something else for them to commit
suicide over. filthyrichmond.blogspot.com
hai
Nice, can I be one of the boys? I love Asian girlfriends!
http://www.anonymize.us.tc
wow if these girls wanted a real boyfriend they could definately find a huge surplus of em in my city!
Ridiculous as ever.
that is cool and something new.
Absolutely crazy. Only in Japan. I love it.
maybe a good idea, but can i see the boys naked, much better.
Hopefully these gals will get ready for some real action, from Korea.
This is lame, I want to see some real ass. Take off your pants.
This is the saddest thing ever for one reason. This type of stuff has been available for guys for a long time, the Japanese just love it and they have small fanbases for the stuff internationally as well, so why the double standard? Why is this so sad to me? Because Japanese girls are the HOTTEST girls the world has ever known, they are the ultimate fantasy. Anyone would have them, why the HELL would THEY need virtual boyfriends, this is a tragedy, I’ve got to move to Japan and fix the situation before it gets any worse.
And this, gentlemen, is why it’s incredibly easy to get laid in Japan. 懐かしい。。
Right … Feeling insecure? Keep dreaming.
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