Today we enter the world of a YouTube celebrity. If you’re an avid user of the popular video sharing site, chances are you’ve encountered the videos of Magibon — those big eyes and tiny face looking up at the camera, sometimes with a message, often with none. Surprising even her, the videos garnered millions of views, most of them from Japan, which lead this American 22-year-old to start learning — and using — Japanese, without leaving her bedroom in the state of Pennsylvania. PingMag catches up with Magibon during a recent visit to Tokyo, to find out what it takes to make it big on YouTube.
Written by Jean Snow
When did you start creating these videos and putting them up on YouTube?
I think maybe a year and a half or two years ago.
Why did you start?
I was playing around with YouTube — it was still sort of new to me — and I was watching a lot of Japanese music videos. I then realized I could put something up, so I plugged in my webcam, waved a bit, and then put it on YouTube just to see myself. I didn’t think anyone else would watch it, besides me or my friends.
And then the complete opposite happened! How long did it take before you realized that people were checking out that video?
Within a week or so it had several thousand views on it. I realized that there had been a link to it put on a really popular Japanese message board called 2channel. I was so psyched because I love Japan — I’ve tried my whole life to get a Japanese penpal — and suddenly thousands of Japanese people saw my face.
So you realized you had a big audience from Japan. How long did it take before you started using Japanese in the videos?
After I did a few videos, I wanted to try and thank people on 2channel. I was using really broken Japanese, using machine translations, to try and say “that’s me” and “thank you.” From that point, I was writing in video information, or comments, trying to use Japanese.
And then there’s the “arigatou” (thank you) graphic at the end of your videos. When do you start adding that, and how do you create that animation?
I don’t remember exactly when I started. It used to be a different one every time I think, just whatever I felt like at the time I was making the video. Now I always make it “arigatou.” Before, on my old Windows computer, I was using Movie Maker to create it. Now I have a new laptop, a Mac, and I’m using iMovie.
You have a blog written in Japanese, when did that start?
Over a year ago, I think.
Is that hard? Are you first writing in English and then translating, or doing it directly in Japanese?
I do both. It’s kind of hard because when I write on my blog I have to keep in mind that it needs to be really simple, so that my Japanese can be understood. So I try to think of ways that I can write the sentence in Japanese, and then I have to either look up the words that I want to use, or if I’m short on time I put some very simple English into an online translator, and then go back in and try to fix it up.
Is there a particular reason you don’t have one in English?
It’s not that I’m against having one in English, but it doesn’t fit with what I’m doing right now. I really want to live in Japan, work in Japan.
OK, so now you’re really pushing to get to Japan. What is it that you want to do here?
I want to be a singer.
Are you using your videos to try and do that? Because a lot of your videos are silent…
I just recently decided that that’s the direction that I want to go in. I wasn’t sure what I could or should do before, because I kept thinking, do I have any talents, can I do anything? But recently I’ve decided that singing would be good.
For now, are you able to live off what you do on YouTube?
I’m in the YouTube partner program, so they put advertisements next to my videos — whichever ones I choose to add — and then they share the revenue. It’s not very much money, but I still live with my mom, so I’m able to fully concentrate on this now.
How often do you make new videos?
It depends. There are times when I really get into it and I do two or three a week, and then there are other times where I just don’t have any inspiration or creativity, and I’ll just do two or thee in a month. Recently, I didn’t do a single video for a whole month. I’ve always done it based on how I’m feeling.
And when it comes time to make a new video, is there a lot of thought that goes into what you record, or does it come from experimenting?
I get out the webcam and turn it on, and then if I feel like talking or saying something then I do, and if I don’t then I just do the non-speaking ones.
Do you record a lot and then only keep the bits you find interesting?
Sometimes. There are some videos I’ve done where it’s a clip that cuts to something else, and then to something else, and that’s probably a time where I was sitting there for over an hour, and it just turned into a one-minute video.
You’ll do that, being in front of the camera for an hour?
Yeah, like get something to eat, then take it to my computer, and turn on the webcam. I’ll just sit there and think while I’m eating, and then if I think of something to say I say something, or get bored and just make faces, or take a bite of food or something, or show what I’m eating.
Does it take a long time to edit the video and prepare it for YouTube?
It depends. Sometimes it takes a long time, sometimes it’s really straightforward. I used to put music in my videos, and those are the ones that took a really long time, because I would have to try to make things match with the music, and make the length and everything go with the song. But that was a long time ago, and since they’ve started cracking down on copyrighted material, it got me thinking that maybe I shouldn’t be using songs in my videos.
Sure, you wouldn’t want to get in trouble. So we all know that you really like Japan, but what is it about this country that you like so much?
I don’t know, something just kind of clicked. I think a lot of people just identify more with a different culture than their own. And that’s how it is with me and Japan. I like dramas, and J-pop, and I like the Japanese language…
What about anime and manga?
I like that stuff, but I try to stay away from it a little bit because I’m a very habit-forming person, and if I get into anything like that then it will take over my life. There’s a lot of people watching me right now who are already saying that I must be an anime otaku or something, and that I have no idea what Japan is, and that I only want to go there because I think it’s an anime-land.
Well, at least you’ve had a few chances to come here because of your videos, and to experience the country firsthand. Your latest visit was for a YouTube event. What did you do for that?
For the event, I didn’t know for days ahead of time what I was going to be doing there, and then when I got there we decided that they would just ask me some questions in Japanese, and that I would try to answer in Japanese. Also, the Fatblueman band — who wrote the “Magibon Song” — was there and I got back on stage during the performance.
And what do you think about all these song and video homages to you, since there are almost as many as the number of videos you’ve done yourself?
The nice stuff is really touching — without that stuff I don’t know if I would still have the strength to be in Japan, and to try and go after what I’m going after. I’m really thankful for all that stuff. And my mom likes to watch those videos. She watches them a lot.
There are also a lot of critical videos, that make fun of what you’re doing. How do you react to them?
I ignore that stuff. I haven’t seen most of them, because if it looks like it’s going to be negative, then I just ignore it. From the time I started doing this, that stuff has been around. At first it was really hard. When somebody says something to insult you, your natural reaction is to stick up for yourself, and that’s what I really wanted to do. But something was stopping me, telling me not to acknowledge them. There are a lot of people looking, a lot of them getting inspiration from what I do, and so I have to be careful about what side of myself I show to people, because that will affect their thoughts and their feelings. I only want to show patience and happiness to people.
You obviously think a lot about your audience. Once your videos became popular, did you change the way you made them, to better accommodate that new audience?
In some ways yes, and in some ways no. Because people really like the non-speaking videos, I continue to do those. Some people are really touched by them.
People are touched by them? In what way?
Because it’s a like a blank slate, it can be whatever you want it to be. There are a lot of other videos on YouTube — some of the most watched ones — that have a lot of arguing and negativity, and then you have my videos, with just silence, maybe just a smile, or a wave. To some people, that’s really meaningful for them, to just make everything stop for a minute, and have someone just smile at them.
But it’s hard to please everyone. When I first started making the videos, when they first started becoming popular, I was listening to people’s suggestions and trying to do what they wanted. Some would say that I needed to make the videos longer. Then I’d get other messages from people saying they were too long, that I needed to make them shorter. Same for using English or Japanese. So it’s pointless. If I do what I’m feeling, that always works out the best anyway.
Can you tell me more about your previous trips to Japan?
The first time was a joint invitation by Weekly Playboy magazine and Gyao. That trip was fun and magical, but very stressful: the TV, the cameras, the radio, all at once. I had never done anything like that before, and I was being thrown into it. Maybe everyone was under the assumption that because I have a lot of popularity or fame that I’m a professional or an entertainer. But really, I have a slow life in Pennsylvania, I don’t ever do anything but the internet and YouTube. On the second trip, there was a little bit more time.
And why did you come that second time?
The Tokyo International Film Festival. I did the voice of a little French boy, one line in a movie called Blue Symphony, and we actually got put into the film festival.
How did that happen?
Someone working on the movie knew my YouTube videos, and had the idea that my voice might be good for that part. They wrote to the editor of Weekly Playboy, who was always working with me, and so I knew it was a real offer. I recorded the voice on my own computer at my house, right into my microphone built into my laptop, in my kitchen. I waited until everyone was asleep so it would be quiet, and took the clock out of the kitchen because it was ticking. I recorded the line and emailed it to them.
And why did he think that you could do the voice of a young French boy? Did you use French in any of your videos?
I made a video once where I was reciting a French poem, and I think that I immediately deleted it or I made it a private video. But of course, when I put up a video there are people who somehow save it to their computer, and so it turns up again. It’s floating around somewhere. It’s not very good. It’s one of those things where I just had my computer out and I felt like doing something.
Nothing ever truly disappears from the web! So what’s next for you?
I recently decided that I want to sing, and so that’s what I’m going to pursue now. My real love though is television, I love Japanese television.
You know, in Japan, a lot of famous people sing, and appear on dramas, and do all this stuff, so maybe that’s what you could do?
That’s what I was thinking. Right now, if I have a talent in singing that I can grow, then that’s a way for me to enter into entertainment. And if I can achieve any kind of success with singing, then maybe someday, when my Japanese is better, then I can try acting.
What about YouTube, are you planning on continuing to make videos?
I would really like to continue with YouTube, but like I said, I do everything based on how I’m feeling, and so I can’t really see the future. But as of now, I don’t have any plans to stop using YouTube, and I’d like to continue.
Do you already have plans for another trip to Japan?
I’m trying my best to not have to leave, to stay as long as I can! (laughs)
Thank you, Magibon, and good luck with your quest to move to Japan!
138 Comments
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As of December 31, 2008, PingMag and sister site PingMag MAKE are both on extended hiatus, and will not be updated for the foreseeable future. We are eternally grateful for your fantastic support over the years.
Important Notice
31 Dec 2008
Ryu Itadani: A World in Colors
29 Dec 2008
Magibon: From YouTube to Japan
26 Dec 2008
Benedetta Borrometi: Cheerful Paintings for All
24 Dec 2008
Nakagin Capsule Tower: Architecture of the Future
22 Dec 2008
Cute and Pop! 60s Girls Comics by Eico Hanamura
19 Dec 2008
Japan’s Hi-Tech Toilets
17 Dec 2008
Amusement: Gaming Culture Meets Art and Fashion
15 Dec 2008
HIROCOLEDGE: A New Tradition that Blends into Modern Times
12 Dec 2008
Masato Seto: The Sweet Allure of Betel Nut Beauties
10 Dec 2008
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[...] Magibon: From YouTube to Japan (tags: Japan Youtube Internet-Meme) [...]
Posted by: links for 2008-12-26 | Nerdcore on December 27th, 2008 at 2:30 am
I just lost all respect for Pingmag.
seriously, an article on a wapanese? not cool.
Posted by: giz on December 27th, 2008 at 3:12 am
Oh please, she’s not nearly far-gone enough to count as Wapanese. It would take more obesity, cosplay, and figurine collecting to get her that far. On the other hand, living with your mother and making YouTube videos all day is another sort of lame.
Posted by: earl on December 27th, 2008 at 4:56 am
Like she said, she makes the videos to put a smile on peoples’ faces. She’s innocent and sweet - even if it’s an act - there aren’t many girls left who like being innocent, sweet and ladylike anymore. This is refreshing. Best of luck to Magibon from a fan, but I don’t think the brutal cut-throat world of music is the right direction for you. I think whatever success will come has to come from your Youtube presence. Focus on growing the number of subscribers and views you get as fast as possible. That’s the best direction for your career in my opinion.
Posted by: Kevin on December 27th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Wow, exploitive.
Posted by: kooby on December 27th, 2008 at 8:17 am
WOW can’t wait to see her AV. Bukakeke by group of hot japanese men. nice cream pie video hot hot
Posted by: Anonymous on December 27th, 2008 at 8:37 am
I am surprised at the reactions many of you have expressed. I’ve been reading Pingmag articles for almost a year now, specifically because it enlightens me to fun, quirky and beautiful things. Sometimes these things aren’t easy to define, and sometimes they are downright ridiculous.
But all in all, Pingmag seems to be an overall expression of the thousands of colorful, strange, different and marvelous things that encompass the idea “Japan”.
Magibon is just another chapter in that book, and your surprise at seeing an article like this makes no sense. Which is less fitting here on this site–the article about Magibon, or using phrases such as “wapanese” while trying to pin people into negative stereotypical corners?
Posted by: Sarah Ruth on December 27th, 2008 at 9:03 am
It’s not a bad article, after all we all need a bit of variety in our reading ;)
Posted by: SeW8000 on December 27th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Why is okay to use sexually abusive language against Magibon? I hate that whenever a woman does anything the internet responds in harassing, ugly ways. It doesn’t matter what kind of woman you are men will find something wrong with how you act. Act too sweet and it’s just a coy act. Act to ’slutty’ and your a whore. Why can’t we just be human?
Posted by: bird on December 27th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
just because she has a beautiful face?
Posted by: dakonger on December 27th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
HaHa Hot AV! Sweet Sweet
Posted by: PrincessD on December 27th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Excuse me bird, it’s not men that have a problem with Magibon, in fact, 90% of Magibon’s supporters are men. It’s women that hate Magibon and say mean, spiteful things about her because they are jealous of her success. You are wrong.
Posted by: To bird on December 27th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Great article and pictures. Very informative. Thank you.
Posted by: 120gigs on December 27th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Sheesh, what negative reactions, i’m not used to read that from pingmag readers… I totally agree with Sarah Ruth! Never heard of Magibon before, but I think she’s cute and funny!
Posted by: Fem on December 27th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
???? what da hell??
is this real pingmag article?
Posted by: jimo on December 27th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
One of the best articles in a long time
Posted by: magnoy on December 27th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
[...] - Big eyes big in Japan. Magibon on Pingmag. [...]
Posted by: Sharing the Love « TokyoMade blog on December 27th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Hey, I think this is nice article about weird but nice phenomena. I don’t see anything wrong in this girl or videos she makes and I totally understand why she is popular in Japan and why would pingmag want to us tell her story.
I also think that her being a singer is logical for someone popular and young as she is.
All of you - stop being so negative and un-cool!
(I’m not a fan, that’s the first time I’ve heard about her, and I think she’s great!)
Thans pingmag ^x^
Posted by: aragornital on December 28th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Pingmag, you normally have so nice articles about creative and productive people with a craftmansship. Im sorry but I dont understand what she does and why her staring into her webcam has any relevance here. Its not because Im envious of her success, I just dont see what it has to do with your previous great articles. :(
Posted by: Emma on December 28th, 2008 at 12:43 am
It is a nice article, but I also reflect on it negatively as well. I’ve never heard of her up until now, but I get offended that she just suddenly decides that a singing career will be the right path for her. From her response, it just seems like she suddenly wakes up one day and decides (at age 22), “Oh! This is something I can do with my life!” while there are many individuals who have been trudging on the entertainment road since young, and striving hard to do so. Her enthusiasm in entering the entertainment business doesn’t seem very genuine to me, but rather a whimsical stroke of luck.
Yes, she’s cute and all, but there are many cute girls out there–what makes her so special from the rest? Just because she’s one of the first to post videos of herself on Youtube? She’s trying too hard to look “cute” and “Japanese,” which the existing Japanese idols can already do themselves.
Posted by: zhou on December 28th, 2008 at 3:12 am
I don’t think I’d ever heard of Ping magazine before finding a link to this article. That’s no reflection on the magazine itself, just proof that I haven’t had time to enjoy every good thing in the world. But I thank Ping for this worthwhile article. It’s interesting to me that Magibon has become so popular without appealing to the worst in people. And it’s surprising (and a bit depressing) to see how that infuriates so many other people. We live in a strange world, and Magibon’s story is both an encouragement and a warning. If Ping’s other articles are so much better than this one, then I’d better get reading and find out what I’ve been missing!
Posted by: ldedear1999 on December 28th, 2008 at 5:34 am
honestly, i find her a little annoying, but still, its a very interesting phenomena from the internet world. i knew about magibon but never really understood how it happened, so its nice to see a imparcial article about it, even if i was surprised to see it in pingmag.
Posted by: Anonymous on December 28th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Why does this creature always look like she’s on the cusp of bursting out laughing.
Posted by: Internuts on December 28th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Innocent face ? what’s the hell ??
The worst part of japanse’s “pop” culture.
Posted by: T on December 28th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Wow, she is so cute!
http://www.privacy-tools.at.tc
Posted by: Johnny Boy on December 28th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
i bet magibon’s parents are good-looking too. She should give credit to her parents.
new AV star!
Posted by: dakonger on December 28th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Hey! All the best to Magibon! ^_^
I’m glad things are going well.
By the way, she’s a really cute petite. I hope we see her in Playboy magazine (she being 22…)!
Posted by: johny johny on December 28th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I agree with most peeps on this. All though it was a well written and interesting article, I feel it was a bit off as a usual ‘pingmag’ topic.
And those who think Magibon is ’sooo cute!!!!’ please get a clue(see my website link). It’s all about angle shots and keeping the mouth close. Gurl got some jacked up grillz.
Posted by: stuff like that on December 28th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
hi dear all,
im a 20 years old young lady,
this is my opinion:
we can’t deny the fact she is popular and making money for herself and other biz, so can you see the value of her?
the sociology of the world has slowly changed, things is about international and universal.
thou is hard/new/weird/whatsoever for many people to accept this kinda case (i think her expression is so not natural >.<;) but,
we should respect of someone’s choice about their own career.
this is a part of japanese culture if you noticed, big eyes, small face, pale skin is in any anime & manga character.
lastly, i hope to see greater article in pingmag. happy new year everyone and thanks for reading till here!
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Posted by: Donna Kelly on December 28th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
she’s nothing more than a video whore
n.
Posted by: neil on December 29th, 2008 at 11:02 am
oh shoot.. she needs to see a dentist man!
Posted by: akder on December 29th, 2008 at 11:12 am
I didn’t learn anything from this.
Sorry.
Even if this article had addressed any of the issues brought up in some of these responses (sexuality, objectification, the realities of the entertainment business, etc.)
…I still doubt I would have learned anything.
Next!
Posted by: Kate on December 29th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Do you mean Youtube is powerful? that PingMag will report all about her from now on?
Oh ya, “Design and Making things”
Posted by: Yoya on December 29th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I don’t get it, she stares at a camera for 40secs at a time & she’s famous? back to art & design plz
Posted by: rozarin on December 29th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I don’t see why this article is upsetting to some of you. It’s harmless and PingMag explores all different facets of Japanese culture.
Posted by: Marcus on December 29th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
[...] PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about ?Design and Making Things?
Posted by: Magibon: From YouTube to Japan on December 29th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
just as bad as Applemilk.
Posted by: giz on December 30th, 2008 at 2:22 am
…even the stupid facets of japanese culture. It enfuriates to see so many people (women & men) working REALLY hard to survive in this world and then comes along this little lady who gets rewarded for staring at a camera… and not much else. She’s milking them allright.. I wonder how much this will last. Bad Ping Mag!! Bad!!
Posted by: Francisco on December 30th, 2008 at 7:37 am
OMG and now I saw her teeth… no wonder she keeps her mouth shut. Worst article on Ping Mag ever!
Posted by: Francisco on December 30th, 2008 at 7:44 am
PingMag has lost at lot of respect in my eyes for this article. Buh!
Posted by: William on December 30th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I support Magibon and her activities. She’s a sweet girl. I want a sweet charming girl like that.
Posted by: Tory on December 30th, 2008 at 9:03 am
[...] Magibon: From YouTube to Japan [Ping] [...]
Posted by: What DS Game Does Magibon Study Japanese With [Ds] | Cada Bit on December 30th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Magibon is the new Hello Kitty
Posted by: Josh on December 30th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I’m both enamored of her and envious at the same time. Enamored because she merely expressed herself creatively and she’s getting to Japan in her own way. And envious because she’s really done nothing to earn her fame other than being an attractive female that looks somewhat Asian.
Hats off to her for her success, but it’s only because she’s attractive. If she were overweight, less attractive or 28, for example, no one in Japan would even look at her.
One question: is she of Asian heritage? We can’t ignore that, either.
Posted by: Tensigh on December 30th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
To the editors, please take note of the comments. This is an epic failure of the usually finely crafted articles profiling deliciously obscure, incredibly gifted people that we look to PingMag for. Profiling this YouTube idiot has lowered the brand status of PingMag and does not encourage me to continue to visit or recommend this site to friends. PLEASE have the new guy running your site go back and look at the last couple of years of PingMag posts and tell him to get back on track. This kind of post really, really undermines the credibility PingMag has built up.
Posted by: Pop on December 30th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Those tits….in her house all day?….what a waste.
Posted by: JPN on December 30th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Such a disappointing choice of topic.
Time for some damage control.
Posted by: JPN on December 30th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I have to agree with most people. This isn’t the quality of work we have been used to see in PingMag :/
But I’m sure just because one article isn’t TOP Quality as usual, doesn’t mean PingMag will be forever lost.
Posted by: PR on December 31st, 2008 at 1:19 am
Pingmag, don’t listen to the haters. The Magibon fans outnumber them 2:1, but they just prefer to stay silent and shy like the Magibon herself.
Posted by: Rory on December 31st, 2008 at 4:50 am
I don’t understand why people are so evil…
Posted by: ksenia on December 31st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
[...] Magibon: From YouTube to Japan [Ping] [...]
Posted by: What DS Game Does Magibon Study Japanese With [Ds] | Console Informer on January 1st, 2009 at 6:46 pm
She’s cute, like a Anime come to life, I can see why the Japanese are fasinated with her, just as she’s fasinated with Japanese culture.
I’ve seen a pretty young Asian girl in Austraila doing something of the same thing.
Some of you people offended or think this is not ping worthy, well, lighten up
Posted by: Tosh on January 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 am
Yeah, why are you covering this stupid girl? Oooh, she wants to be a singer now…? Good luck with that nasty grill. I guess let’s wait and see if she has any talent (which I HIGHLY doubt). Gag. Ping Mag, I am disappointed.
Posted by: Doctress Julia on January 5th, 2009 at 7:10 am
i dont see anything wrong with following your gut and just doing what you feel is right. Thats how i have lived my life and i too have had similar success like magibon. Quite often people push to have a career in the entertainment industy for ALL the wrong evil reasons…money…fame…but she wants to make people happy and it will continue to work for her and she will continue to be successful until she / or if she/ becomes jaded and is doing it for the wrong reasons…and that is the difference between people like magibon and people who strive and work hard their entire life to achieve something they probably arent supposed to be doing. Fate is working with magibon right now and will contiune to do so if she continues to follow her gut feelings.
Magibon is the evolution of a species …weather or not she realizes it yet she is very in tune with everything going on around her. More people should learn to live this way they would be much happier…life is not only about college and then becoming stuck in some lame 9 to 5 job …life isnt about SETTLING for just anything its about following your heart and being a dreamer…negativity is pointless. dreaming and being whimsical is everything…for what exactly is life anyway ?
Posted by: Brooke on January 6th, 2009 at 3:12 am
If you have a problem with the art-form, attack the art-form. Don’t extend crude remarks to the artist. How totally un-Ping-worthy.
Posted by: Lm on January 6th, 2009 at 8:03 am
[...] PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about “Design and Making Things” » Archive &raq… - [...]
Posted by: The PHA : Bookmarks for January 6th from 01:15 to 01:15 on January 6th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
While I don’t quite get the appeal of Magibon (beyond a cute face) and won’t be joining her legion of fans, I don’t see why some people are quite so angry (or sexist) about it. She’s done well exploiting a new medium and may get a real career out of it. After all it’s easy to knock her but she’s been successful in what she’s set out to do and for that I support her.
Posted by: MiNGLED on January 7th, 2009 at 7:02 am
so, not japanese??? buaaaa… :’(
Posted by: david on January 8th, 2009 at 6:23 am
While I’m pro-sexist I’m also pro-Magibon because she represents everything the feminists hate: a charming, sweet, beautiful submissive girl. I like her for the way she calms me down after I put a bitch in check.
Posted by: Tom on January 8th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I’m no Magibon fan, but hey, at least she’s not stripping in front of the net to get attention unlike some other girls. I’m not sure about having this on pingmag though.
Posted by: the man on January 14th, 2009 at 2:32 am
She’s cute and she knows that so why not make profit of that? All her haters are just envious.
Posted by: Marcel on January 14th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
People are also attacking PingMag for interviewing her and they ask the question, “Isn’t PingMag suppose to be about Design and Making Things?”
Well, Magibon is MAKING THINGS. She made YouTube videos that became popular. There is also a concept flow in the way she designs the content in her videos. Some people us pencils or Photoshop, Magibon uses her facial expressions, the webcam, and basic digital video editing tools.
I think the main problem lies with the interviewer/writer. The article did attempt to explore her creative process (the choice of linguistic medium, the conceptualization process, digital tools etc).
But seriously what do you expect from this sweet simple girl? She won’t be able to giving you insight into the latest MAYA, 3D Studio Max, Avid or some cool digital EFX tools.
Webcam + Windows Movie Maker.
C’mon, this is standard YouTube fare, and from the quality of her videos, the interviewer/writer could have formulated more interesting questions.
I am not here to drop journalism advice of course. I think PingMag did the cool thing to explore this phenomenon, but failed to give it the uniquely PingMag (Design and Making Things) touch.
Magibon designed a concept and moving image of herself that worked very well for the self-casting era. The images were made with simple tools, and Magibon made it happen for herself with a tool that makes it easy to reach out to a wide audience.
So don’t condemn PingMag for interviewing her. She did design and make something that many people liked.
But do remind PingMag that they could’ve done a better job with the interview angle.
Then again, maybe Magibon’s simple answers made an important point:
You don’t need deep and difficult processes to create something that connects with and appeals to a large audience.
And that inspiring frame of mind, PingMag fans, is what this magazine is all about right?
Posted by: Steve on January 18th, 2009 at 4:49 am
I have a message for those who hate Magibon.
For those who hate or are jealous of Magibon, I believe the problem is due to their personal insecurities. Truth is it is not because of Magibon’s popularity they have a problem with - but because the fact that Magibon can do so much right now and reach out to so many people that ‘infuriates’ them. It is this mindset that I would like to discuss and ‘correct’.
Firstly I think that whatever Magibon does good luck to her. Though I support her, as far as I am concerned its nothing to do with me. At the end of the day I am just an observer watching on the sidelines someone I don’t really know.
Yes, I admit Magibon HAS made a great use of Youtube and made herself known to the world in a very ‘unconventional’ manner. But it is because of your fascination with ‘making it big’ which allowed her fame to happen. Had you not thought Magibon was also young and cute to boot you probably wouldn’t even be half interested.
And that’s the sad truth about so-called ‘fame’ at the moment. Though we don’t mention it, fame is mostly driven by looks and we are all fascinated with it at some level. Almost everyone is thinking that ‘with my looks and talent so on etc etc’ I can get somewhere and be happy with my life. We seem to equate ‘being famous’ as equal to ‘being happy’ (hence why we hate Magibon).
Truth is we are wrong about it. Why? Because being famous is not being happy…it is two different things. There are plenty of famous people in the world but they are not living happily. Why? Have you ever thought about the loss of the privacies? And the freedoms (and social pressures) of being famous?
Life is made up of choices. If noone had told you earlier, your current life and how it is…is your choice. If Magibon wants to go to Japan it is HER choice. If you want to go to Japan and get famous - YOU CAN DO TOO. But the question is WOULD YOU?
Truth is you probably wouldn’t. And you probably wouldn’t because to you those values of privacy and freedom, and being with all your friends and family…the very anti-thesis of fame…are too great to let go….and this is the great truth about yourself. You are too scared to have made that choice yourself, hence why you are jealous of her success. Its not her fame and looks that you are jealous of, its the choices she made you are jealous of.
Truth is Magibon made a decision in her life and about the sorts of dreams she would like to pursue. Actually its a tough choice to make, to be away from friends and family. But Magibon has done so, and is living within her elements. You may call her stupid but it is THIS difference between thinking about things, and making that choice which define those who are truly successful and those who are not…and whether you are living your dream life…or not. Success is not fame but actually living your ideal dream. Even if you failed in your goals, you are still successful. So long as you at least tried.
So I have a suggestion for those who hate Magibon and are feeling miserable right now. If you want to live a really happy life, go pursue your OWN dreams and things you’ve always wanted to do….just like Magibon. Live the life you always dreamed of. Don’t count on anyone else for your own happiness. This will lead to happiness in YOUR life.
Posted by: JC on January 18th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
JC, I don’t associate being happy with being famous. I do associate having money to live a comfortable lifestyle with happiness. And have no doubt, financial instability is one of the greatest causes of unhappiness out there. I have always loved Magibon because she is fresh, cute, genuine and positive. I’ve always thought those who hates her were either jealous females or young males who’d never been exposed to a charming, friendly and submissive young woman like Magibon. Two different interpretations of why the haters hate, but I think my theory is right on the money.
Posted by: Kevin on January 19th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Well, I don’t know about being jealous, but the fact is that she misrepresented herself A LOT (not to mention allegedly ripped off some people) is a turn off. I’m not going to get into the particulars on this site but certain things I just can’t get down with.
On the other hand, people are mesmerized by the fact that she creates art out of doing nothing in particular. She’s charming in her own little way, so more power to her.
Posted by: whymustipost on January 19th, 2009 at 6:41 am
It seems to me Magibon is a performance artist. Maybe a “primitive” one. Every artist starts small and simple, and does not always know where s/he is going with it. The fact that she elicits such a strong response proves that what she’s doing is somehow important. People, analyze a little and keep open minds. This was my first exposure to Magibon. I hope she stays positive and creative.
Posted by: Anonymous In NY on January 20th, 2009 at 2:55 am
I hope she stays sexy and sweet. It’s what keeps me coming back!
Posted by: To Anonymous in NY on January 20th, 2009 at 5:27 am
Ummm well I’m not too sure about this but what she does has an artistic effect “weird” is also part of design in Japan. while creating something from nothing isn’t what she is doing here Its near enough the same thing. shes taking something that is a regular normal thing then shaping it to her own “style” thus getting her recognized by the public.
Posted by: Hello on January 22nd, 2009 at 10:12 am
cant wait her AV too
Posted by: Anonymous on January 24th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
[...] is a bizarre phenomenon that warms your heart and makes you smile. Read about her weird story at PingMag And check out her [...]
Posted by: And Everything Nice» Blog Archive » Magibon anyone? on January 24th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Funny everyone sticking up for her, did no on read that she was asked to go to japan by WEEKLY PLAYBOY??? She’s already posed in a bikini for them, her first minute in japan, do you really think she won’t whore out further than she already has?
She wants to sing.. so I’m sure there’s a Karaoke Rape AV in her near future.
Also, this is a good article by PingMag for one reason, it shows a very negative side of japan. Girls with no real talent get picked simply because of their cuteness factor. Then they’re forced into areas that demand talent, and they don’t deliver, but people STILL accept them because of their cuteness. It’s why to this day there is still a slew of tone-deaf J-poppers and god-awful actors/actresses in japanese dramas.
Posted by: Chris on January 26th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Pretty face? Charming and sweet girl with humble roots achieving her dreams? How is that a bad thing?
Posted by: To Chris on January 27th, 2009 at 5:39 am
I just assume Jean Snow was laughing his ass off before and after the interview. I agree that this lowers the quality of PingMag.. just look at all the people it lured to this website, who don’t find what she does to be exploitative, leaving their redundant defenses ad nauseam. I think the way she “moves people” with her “smiling face” is pretty equivalent to the way AVs move people. It’s both the “artist”/actress and the medium that allow uncomfortable racist imaginings to further exist and proliferate. Sure writing about Magibon will generate reader reaction and garner attention from people previously unaware of this site, but does she need any more attention? Is this the sort of culture that PingMag finds interesting and worthwhile? I thought this wasn’t another Néojaponisme…
Posted by: kira on January 31st, 2009 at 8:20 am
Kira, you’re bat shit insane. Go suck a lemon, you self-important feminazi. Normal people enjoy Magibon’s art.
Posted by: Tom on February 1st, 2009 at 2:51 pm
The backdrop in the picture of Magibon at the tops looks fake. Highlights, splices and more in weird places. What up with that? Personally, I think she’s a robot, from Altoona, PA. Cause that’s how they roll. Peace — Tomi
Posted by: tomi on February 5th, 2009 at 11:59 am
[...] mittlerweile locker über 2 Millionen Visits erreicht. Dem PingMag gab Magibon Ende Dezember ein Interview und erzählt, wie es zu ihrer YouTube-Karriere kam. Dienstag, [...]
Posted by: Interview mit Magibon « ascene.de on February 15th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I love you magibon……
Bay bay jealous hahahahahahahah
Posted by: mario on February 16th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
this was actually a very interesting interview. All the shit talking really doesn’t matter - this girl is a sign of the times, not to mention pretty smart (and determined).
Haters can’t fade it.
Posted by: 90210 on March 5th, 2009 at 2:23 am
Kenny, she’d go for your type too. I say go for it. Bag some Magibon snatch
Posted by: Kenny on March 5th, 2009 at 11:57 am
[...] was interesting to read about Magibon on Ping Mag and Metropolis as well. She became famous by her videos on YouTube. Watching her, it reminds me of [...]
Posted by: Language, culture, and communication « Experience Japan Staff Blog on March 6th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
MEH. Next.
Posted by: PENCIL on March 7th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
你咋和傻逼似的呢！！！
Posted by: 安祥征 on March 16th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
[...] http://pingmag.jp/2008/12/26/magibon/ Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)THE MAGIBON SCHOOL…The Whispertown 2000, ’Old Times’ — Video of the DayIt’ll Soon Be A Woman’s WorldGoogle To Buy YouTube? [...]
Posted by: WHAT IS MAGIBON ? « Nightman1’s Weblog on March 27th, 2009 at 2:25 am
Wow… I got an inspiration today and changed the language tab of this article.
So I barely could have found your discussion.
Well, I would like to thank editors for hiding this from us Japanese.
Most of us can’t take part in this discussion
or might not be able to even read these all comments.
I still like the US and trust them well.
But now I feel like I got a glimpse of “English speakers’ real faces on the net”.
And I also understand that ppl there who love Japan
are surrounded by much more problems than I ever imagined.
From now on, I’ll keep watching these kind of opinions on the net closely
especially when they are made in English.
Thanks for giving me a chance to get a different point of view!
It gave me some proofs and answers of a certain long-pending question of mine.
And yes, this came to be one of the most significant articles in my life. (^-^)
Posted by: a moonspeaker on April 12th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
she is not that cute, but has very big eyes. maybe she wanna be like Leah Dizon. haha
Posted by: lala on April 21st, 2009 at 3:27 pm
moonspeaker has some issues
Posted by: ms on April 24th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
did some idiot above said this shit is art or something??
Posted by: xcvb on April 28th, 2009 at 11:52 am
she’ll be on some soft core AV sooner or later, that’s how pretty girls with an empty head get ahead in Japan
Posted by: xcvb on April 28th, 2009 at 11:54 am
ahh..i don’t know what to call this. She actually models herself after japanese girls and the same japanese girls that she models herself after see themselves in her and are amazed….wow someone else actually looks like us too.
it’s one crazy mobius band. it’s as if everyone is high and has lost their brains….all she does is make oogly eyes and peace signs she must have nothing interesting to say. well maybe she’ll be a more interesting person once she learns japanese.
Posted by: domi on April 29th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
You don’t have to like all of the people, all of the time, but this is a young woman with feelings, insecurities, dreams and hopes just like the rest of us. The disrespectful tone of some of these comments is what Ping needs to be worried MORE about than the content of this article. How absolutely sad that people who don’t like the article, or disagree with her fame articulate it in such a nasty, hateful manner.
Posted by: Friendofhersister on May 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 am
Teeth, go look them up lol
Posted by: Anonymous on May 5th, 2009 at 8:43 am
This article is a fascinating look into the life of a person I’m a fan of. I was particularly intrigued by this comment, by a moonspeaker:
But now I feel like I got a glimpse of “English speakers’ real faces on the net”.
Is this a reference to the insulting comments made here? I would love to know, because I have a sense that Internet discourse in Japan is conducted with much more respect and politeness than here in the USA (where Americans routinely post really nasty personal comments and insults on Magibon’s and many other peoples’ videos). I have no way to tell if I’m right about this though, because I don’t read Japanese.
If anyone wants to give me input on this, pleas come to my blog (which has an article on Magibon on it), and tell me about these cultural differences.
Posted by: nightman1 on May 9th, 2009 at 1:11 am
Wow, she is so cute!
Posted by: fotoğraftan para kazan on May 31st, 2009 at 2:35 am
She looks like twelve. She behaves like six. Why do we need this?
Posted by: Sulamith on June 4th, 2009 at 7:57 am
wow huge article but interesting too thought she was way younger when I first saw one of those vids.
Posted by: chrishimself on June 4th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Thank You for the excellent site and journalism.
Posted by: Antalya Evden Eve Nakliyat on June 18th, 2009 at 2:35 am
Sure is a lot of haters out there…
Posted by: legalize_it_1222 on June 28th, 2009 at 7:47 am
thank you have got…
Posted by: kabin on July 1st, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Jezuuuuss is this girl 22? I thought she was like 10 or something! I’ve never understood why people wave and say hello in a webcam and then post it on youtube… such a waste of time!
Posted by: Natsume on July 2nd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Wow.
A lot of you guys scare me.
Not only the sexist butt heads, but the crazy sour grapes here too.
To those people…
1.) Turn off the computer
2.) Step away from the computer
3.) Keep going until 20 feet away
4.) Live life
Posted by: mau on July 13th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
uh..
Posted by: khunt on July 14th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
This is a very interesting cultural phenomenom. The success of magibon’s anime eyes and silent passive expressions of emotion (asianposes.com anyone?) is cleary inside the framework of japanese aesthetics. Aren’t you curious enough about japanese culture and aesthetics to stare in wonder about what is happening here?
Some comments here, oh boy, they make the article a lot more fascinating.
Posted by: ino on July 18th, 2009 at 5:27 am
Interestin idea.
Posted by: istanbul airport transfers on July 25th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Who could imagine oneday you will be famous!
Posted by: istanbul tour on July 25th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I recently decided that I want to sing, and so that’s what I’m going to pursue now. My real love though is television, I love Japanese television.
Posted by: istanbul ataturk airport transfer on July 25th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Also, this is a good article by PingMag for one reason, it shows a very negative side of japan.
Posted by: istanbul hotels shuttle on July 25th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I didn’t learn anything from this.
Sorry.
Even if this article had addressed any of the issues brought up in some of these responses (sexuality, objectification, the realities of the entertainment business, etc.)
…I still doubt I would have learned anything.
Posted by: ataturk hotels transfer on July 25th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Ummm well I’m not too sure about this but what she does has an artistic effect “weird” is also part of design in Japan. while creating something from nothing isn’t what she is doing here Its near enough the same thing. shes taking something that is a regular normal thing then shaping it to her own “style” thus getting her recognized by the public.
Posted by: istanbul tour on July 25th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
To some people, that’s really meaningful for them, to just make everything stop for a minute, and have someone just smile at them.
Posted by: airport shuttle istanbul on July 25th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
So I have a suggestion for those who hate Magibon and are feeling miserable right now. If you want to live a really happy life, go pursue your OWN dreams and things you’ve always wanted to do….just like Magibon. Live the life you always dreamed of. Don’t count on anyone else for your own happiness. This will lead to happiness in YOUR life
Posted by: ataturk airport transfers on July 25th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
This kind of post really, really undermines the credibility PingMag has built up.
Posted by: istanbul turkey hotel on July 25th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
People are touched by them? In what way?
Posted by: istanbul shuttle buses on July 25th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I made a video once where I was reciting a French poem, and I think that I immediately deleted it or I made it a private video.
Posted by: ataturk airport transfers on July 25th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
In some ways yes, and in some ways no. Because people really like the non-speaking videos, I continue to do those. Some people are really touched by them.
Posted by: istanbul transfers on July 25th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
What a good idea to get out the webcam and turn it on, and then if I feel like talking or saying something then I do, and if I don’t then I just do the non-speaking ones.
Posted by: sultanahmet hotels on July 25th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
waw
Posted by: istanbul traveller guide on July 25th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
nothing special!
Posted by: Anonymous on July 30th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
silent films are back! hooray youtube!
Posted by: nico on July 31st, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Interestin idea.
Posted by: evde ek iş olanakları var on August 6th, 2009 at 6:27 am
at first i thought wrongly of her, until i started feeling bad for her, and started liking her a lot more, its because i know the truth and it’s not what people say
god bless her <3
Posted by: linda on August 8th, 2009 at 8:41 am
at first i thought wrongly of her, until i started feeling bad for her, and started liking her a lot more, its because i know the truth and it’s not what people say
Posted by: ek gelirde inanılmaz fırsat on August 11th, 2009 at 7:49 am
[...] Did you already heard about Magibon? She is one of this YouTube-superstars. But somehow in a japanese version. She got famous for doing… literally nothing. The video above for example is showing is her art and was watched over 5 million times! Read in depth about her at Pingmag. [...]
Posted by: Monkey and Banana » Magibon - Silent Superstar on August 22nd, 2009 at 1:32 am
It’s amazing how some things work. Some people film themselves doing absof-uckinlutely nothing and get famous. Some people work like dogs to achieve a fraction of that.
Seriously, that blind 80 year old basker I see every morning has way more talent then this thrash. And he gets way less recognition.
Damn.
Posted by: GTFO THE INTERNET on August 27th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
para kazanmanın yolları
Posted by: para burda kazanılır on September 11th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Recognition ain’t everything in my life.
Posted by: a moonspeaker on September 13th, 2009 at 8:44 am
antioksidan içeceği
Posted by: Türkiye foreve on September 21st, 2009 at 3:24 am
moonie, your life is a sad one ): tsk tsk. anw, what’s up with this article!
Posted by: Anonymous on September 23rd, 2009 at 4:04 am
aww, shes effing cute ^^
Posted by: Angel on October 2nd, 2009 at 2:33 am
Симпатична девушка =)
Posted by: Виссарион on October 2nd, 2009 at 8:06 am
She pimped herself out on fanboy forums a year before the got any attention on YouTube. She took “donations” from her gullible fanboys. She conversed with them about sexual matters e.g. her own chest. She posed for Playboy shortly after arriving in Japan. Get a clue people.
Posted by: truth seeker on October 12th, 2009 at 8:22 am
this is well …
I don’t know what in the hel is wrong whit people that like her I mean she is born whit this looks if a ugly person want to do this no one would watch it and come on “go pursue your OWN dreams and things you’ve always wanted to do….just like Magibon” all people have dreams and they do all for them. look at me I want to go to japan to and I love Japan but I#m just a 15 yeas old russian girl from germany I don’t have money my parents working hart I love to draw and I’m good at it I have talent but well what can I do now whit it xD ? and she is not even that cute O.o if you look closer she hes a long face and well some other parts …
just can’t understand ._.
Posted by: nana on October 21st, 2009 at 5:34 am
man, there sure are a buncha haters out there…gone and do yo thang lil’ japanese american girl
Posted by: pookie jenkins on October 27th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Correction. She’s not a ‘lil japanese american’, she just AMERICAN. Essentially a wannabe-wasabi.
Posted by: Spike on October 31st, 2009 at 2:50 am
she is so cute.. i want to move to japan.. the ladies are so beautiful there.. ugh.
Posted by: Michaels Applw Piw on November 30th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Japanese people are uptight comformists, brown-nosers to their boss and anyone above them in social stature. They are a racist disgusting tribe. Can’t wait till this dumb-ass bitch gets there and gets the surprise of her life.
Posted by: YH on January 13th, 2010 at 10:30 am
you said it YH and they and SHE doesn’t recognize that her mannerisms are basically mocking the japanese by copying them. She thinks she is mimicking what she loves but when you do it you ridicule it. If she merely spoke japanese but acted herself all this would have not happened. its an american white girl wanting to be japanese not a white girl who loves the japanese. What we need is candid vids of her when she is not “on” when she is at school or talking to her friends and parents and people around her street and town in the US and what Im saying will become apparent. Its one thing to love a culture its quite another to mimic them and take it on as an ‘act’. believe you me she does not act like that when she is walking down the street in her hometown.
Posted by: Jay originally from Penn on January 15th, 2010 at 5:38 am
I adored Magibon chan (san) first time I ever saw her precious face. I am a creative myself and I could see nothing but sweet sincere thoughts behind those big animae eyes. Japan is her calling. I saw a beautiful girl working at McDonalds in Nakano-Ku. a Man bowed to us as my Girl friend and I entered and he presented to us the shortest line. There at the register was a girl much like Magibon. adorable with big eyes. Let her live her dreams she is a gift to humanity Especially to America and Japan. I dont trust other countries with her delicate talent and looks. I wish she would view some of my Japan videos and make a personal comment on my Geisha friend.
All the best to you Magi! Hugh
Posted by: Hugh on January 29th, 2010 at 4:27 am