Livers' reaction to company changing names from "ICHIKARA" to "ANY COLOR" [Nijisanji JP / ENG SUB]

[@hind__]

I feel like people in the comment section are projecting pretty hard about how the livers feel, if anything the Gen 1 girls are pretty open and don't sound like they're using any kind of double speak. Same with Mirei and co even if they feigned apprehension at first since it seemed a little sensitive at first. Yeah, it does feel sudden and kinda lame, but I get trying to make it a little more palatable to overseas audiences... its like the argument "everyone knows what onii-chan is" when really the entry level doesn't, and the company wants to expand as much as possible. I don't think the name change will hurt in the long run. In the end its just from "Ichikara" to "Anikara". People won't think about it much in a few weeks if at all. Now if they changed "Nijisanji", that would be another story Also "Any Color" kind of fits in with the rainbow imagery... not too bad. Still kinda lame though

[@Calgerot]

What could be a problem is that there are already companies called any color or have any color as part of their name.

[@jzesu9889]

@@Calgerot There already are lol. A quick google search and there's a HK computer consumables company with the same name, there's also an African one. That being said ANYCOLOR is easily identifiable with Inc. and the domain .jp on their website.

[@neona4733]

I do agree that as seasoned weebs it's easy to forget how much applied japanese knowledge we use when consuming content, even those who have never studied japanese. While I don't always personally prefer more accessible translation being used, I also accept that a lot of the time accessibility is more important than my preferences. In other words, I prefer things keeping honorifics, but as long as there's still audio I can just listen and it's not that big a deal if I want to know what honorifics are being used or some other language thing like that. If anything I see AnyColor as little more than an englishification to make the company more memorable to non-japanese speakers, and I suspect that even if the end result is a tad lame sounding, the overall benefit for AnyColor is worthwhile to them. I think people in charge there may be a little worried they'll miss the boat on the global rise of vtubing popularity and are trying to do whatever they can come up with to start making up for their false starts and dillydallying. Ofc, they'll probably do alright in EN, they got what really matters right: having good livers - so far the new EN girls are great. It's unfortunate that due to Nijisanji's lower profile in the west they've had a much slower start than holo girls get, but they're still seeing solid success so I'm optimistic.

[@awkwardGardener]

I like Anycolor cause it fits the openly lgbtq representation within Nijisanji.

[@DBT1007]

@@jzesu9889 Ichikara or one color also so mainstream.. "ichikara ramen" for example seems like this is a moment where the company trying to look good. but they force themselves.. their motif behind "any color" name obviously about "race and sexual orientation". So forced... it's so lame and dumb. but "ichikara" also already lame.

[@kucinglaper]

Fun fact: Kenmochi actually has his hand in Ichikara logo. He was there when Rikkun and other staff holding the meeting deciding the logo. Back then, there were less than a dozen staff (Rikkun and Iwanaga included). Kenmochi was invited because he happened to be in the office.

[@ruwells5366]

I like how he "just happened" to be there ww

[@Twertyuu]

@@ruwells5366 He's "shining his chin" there. 😂

[@Vanilla_Donut]

When I first heard the new name, AnyColor, the first thought is that it sounds like one of those printer ink/toner refill companies. AnyColor does have the same syllables and sound as Ichikara.

[@zeronxepher4167]

I even thought it was a joke at first, but I guess it is kind of understandable that they would want to expand overseas, tho I still think they could've used a better name but that's just me

[@chayanneenjoyer6461]

Lol Gundo straight to "lame" , a chat over 100 people with Tazumi and only Mito and Kaede chatting and a special opportunity to see Masked Ichikara

[@Karoshi000]

Gundou:"we'll be a big hit overseas" Also gundou:"im pulling gacha with my nips" got clipped overseas

[@noairtime]

Hmm from these clips it seems like most of the livers hold a pretty deep sentimental connection with the Ichikara name and would have preferred to keep but don't want to openly criticize the new one. That got me wondering - if they wanted to "globalize" why couldn't they create a romanji version of the Ichikara logo just like they do with Nijisanji? Keep in mind, many Japanese companies keep their Japanese names in foreign markets as well (Toyota, Mitsubishi, Toshiba come to mind)

[@lavikmee]

i think the difference is that toyota, mitsubishi are surnames and also companies that have been globally known for decades, which obviously is not the case for ichikara. Altho i personally think people overseas wouldn't bother so much with the meaning behind the *company* name (usually they would focus on the livers themselves), it seems that tazumi wanted the name to be more overseas-friendly, to increase viewership and bussiness from overseas. Whether that was necessary is a different thing though...

[@Uchiimaki]

That's understandable though. Everyone in Nijisanji is a family or they treat each other as members of the family (which is Ichikara) they are connected by a deep bond on the company name that made them successful as Vtubers so I can really understand the sentimental value of it to them.

[@jzesu9889]

Coming back to this about 8 months later. People now naturally use Anycolor (Enikara). It probably helps that in Japanese Ichikara and Enikara is pronounced almost the same so people barely need to adjust to saying a completely different word.

[@Uchiimaki]

lmao A Lory Con, Kenmochi is within the range of that

[@fadelpw511]

Noraneko has successfully destroy ichikara

[@raizel47]

"I'll release Utattemita once a week" someone give this man some stonks please

[@mulyaaditamanorman4592]

One thing that people have to considered is that Ichikara isn't just Nijisanji company now, but rather Company WITH Nijisanji in it. This kinda thing can be affecting on business decision for better or worse, especially with how often out of touch the suits are

[@PhuNguyen-ph6lx]

Kuzuha out here with the business mindset

[@Jacksonforeversprout]

Kenmochi's plan all along.

[@yuuta6563]

I saw this video on my recommended but forgot to put in the watch later playlist. Then, when I wanted to watch it, I couldn't find it and went NUTS searching for it among every single cliper channel I could remember that existed, without success. It seems youtube took pity on me and recommended the video again, thankfuly.

[@hao2000ki]

Personally, I find the name AnyColor to be pretty lame as well. I don't think they understand that the audience that is willing to give Japanese Vtubers a shot is also the same audience that is completely okay with Japanese terms and names. It doesn't really make it any more enticing for the name of the company to be in English than in Japanese.

[@dinozero2]

Did you read Riku Tazumi (ANYCOLOR CEO) statement and the reason of changing the company named? mobile.twitter.com/riku_tazumi/status/1394219627895418881

[@hao2000ki]

@@dinozero2 right right, but I was referring more to the reason they decided to make it English as alluded to by some of the members, which is to reach a wider audience across the globe. I don't have any issues with the reason they are giving for the name change. I just think the name is lame. I probably should've emphasized that my first and second sentences were in no correlation to each other. I'm sure they already wanted a name change for the listed reason. However, what I am saying is that there is a pretty likely chance for the name to be what it is due to a latent desire for it to be English to reach a wider audience. And if that's the case, I don't think they know their current and future audience. Or maybe they do know and they are trying to one-up it by expanding even further. Or maybe they just think the name is cool, it sounds like Ichikara, and it has the meaning they had intended so they stuck with it, who knows.

[@akhiira2212]

Personally, I think any color is pretty good too. Ichikara can mean 1 color and that could mean that Nijisanji is united, on the other hand Any color could mean the diversity of the livers in their company and that's beautiful. The livers probably have deep connection with the name ichikara, hope they can have that connection with the new name too.

[@RedGold999]

With the name being in hiragana, I don't see how the name could be taken to mean "1 color", since the 「から」 part is not in katakana, where it would mean "color". Though I'm sure that not many overseas viewers care about the company name, or even know about it for that matter, this also means that the name change mostly doesn't matter to us. However, with the meaning of the name being rather simple, I'm sure that anyone who cares enough about knowing the name of the company, won't be confused as to its meaning. In the end, if we were to consider the one reason given to everyone from these clips as for the name change, it's not really a reasonable or good move, but if we take into account the other reasons given for the change, it becomes a little more complicated. Instead of thinking logically, thinking emotion-wise would show that many streamers of Nijisanji are not in favor of the name change, as it holds a sentimental feeling for them and others, but are rather scared to share their true view on things when asked by the head of the company (which is extremely common in Japan). If we were to consider the feelings of the head of the company, who's feelings would you consider more important, and as a result, what name should be taken when considering the emotions of those involved? These are things to think about for anyone interested enough to form an opinion on the matter. In my personal opinion, I don't really care about the name of the company, because I almost never see the name.

[@-Raylight]

Never change Noraneko, never change xD No Kuzuha, you definitely said Ichikara's name is kinda lame lol. Somebody gives Kuzuha stocks please! Lmao Gundou-sensei is too savage Same with most of them, I liked Ichikara more. Ichikara means "From step one" or something like that. It was really important for Livers who started with it at first. Ichikara is also more catchy But I can respect their decision.

[@dinozero2]

I thought "Ichikara" mean one colour?

[@nevermind1904]

As an overseas fan I prefer everything in hiragana 🙆‍♀️

[@rarminqorset3628]

100% with you

[@mz6ta6661]

I prefer in romaji

[@nevermind1904]

@@mz6ta6661 there's that too. My line of thinking is that when they changed ichikara to anycolor, the name becomes adopted from english words, which usually means the Japanese pronounce it based on katakana spelling. For me, learning Japanese was easier when I only have Japanese words to learn, adopted words feels a bit inconsistent. And also I started with Hiragana. Romaji, I feel, is a different discussion. But at the end I don't really mind either way, they're just preferences.

[@ItsCassius]

I don't really care about company names unless they tried to rename Nijisanji itself. But like, Mirei in particular comes off as so passive-aggressive here that I almost feel unwelcome as an Overseas fan, and I typically really enjoy her content. I hope this doesn't cause a situation where Japanese livers become somewhat dismissive of growing foreign influence because they feel it is coming at the cost of their foundations.

[@sakuraiakari]

lmao that kenmochi face 🤣

[@hao9631]

I like both names but international fans probably more attached to 2434 name instead of the main company name lol anyhow if ppl are interested they will like no matter which. ANYCOLOR BANZAI

[@cx4936]

I really liked the name Ichikara but if changing names helps them expand overseas then Im good with that. (Personal opinion) I don't think it will make a difference either way, they should have just kept the original name.

[@Necroneer]

Oh didn't know they changed the name, I don't think it matters too much.

[@locxle]

New name is cool but the Logo is oversimplified, Companies nowadays pay thousands of dollars for a logo you can easily make at Microsoft word

[@lauwwijaya8107]

And no one comment the weird oji san there

[@likhasison694]

I saw someone talking about ANY COLOR and nijisanji together and i was like who tf is any color,, its sounds so much like some weird printer ink or arts and crafts company

[@WhisperingAila]

Eh. I heavily prefer just “Ichikara” since hiragana’s pretty easy to learn on its own, but if the change is already made, no real reason for me to dislike it. I’m just sort of in the middle/not really affected much feelings-wise. Though I hope they don’t lean to our crowd too much.

[@WAAAAAAGH]

I don't speak Italian, yet I still buy Italian food from Italian named companies that don't change their names to appeal to a global market. I don't speak German yet I buy German vehicles from German named companies that don't change their names to appeal to a global market. Sounds like lame corporate speak bs. Maybe Toyota should change their name as well since I apparently need some coaxing and appealing to as a foreigner before I consume a product.

[@zinedinezethro9157]

Imo ichikara or anycolor doesn't matter, since ppl will still probably be "That company that owns Nijisanji"

[@YudhaRuuzami]

Anycolor but the logo is plain black 🤦

[@Bakatora04]

Companies usually always go for simple and generic look for their logos in this days.

[@Z48654]

And what’s funny is black isn’t a color

[@juliuseffendi7041]

I bet because their company is so big that they can't put "ichi" colour anymore Yeah

[@_Seileach]

Ichikara also means "(starting) from one".

[@Crosshill]

the name ichikara is pretty forgettable for a non-native to be honest, it sounds like some kinda default company with a vague connection to nijisanji, so i get the reason for the name change but a native english speaker would see right away that its just a lil off for a company name. definitely does a better job at relating ichikara to nijisanji though, which is important cause nijisanji is their claim to fame, so its alright yeah

[@jjstcase]

ichikara (could be read as ichi color) to enikara (anycolor) because nijisanji means rainbow hahahaha smart smart

[@REI_kafa]

Ichikara changed to ANYCOLOR I think because Nijisanji not only has one color but has many colors from all parts of the world.

[@kaitoryujin8266]

ichikara = ichi kara = one color anikara = ani kara = any color hmm.. i don't think it's right~

[@yuuta6563]

Well, the rainbow has more than just a single color, after all. But still, Ichikara sounds more pleasing to my ears.

[@kaitoryujin8266]

@@yuuta6563 chikara can mean power, so yeah, it sound stronger~

[@extremegxburner]

Wait, Ichikara came from “ichi color” or one color”? Tf? I’ve been into vtubers for over a year and I just now realized this lmao

[@Kancerru]

Nope. It's hiragana so the "kara" is Japanese. That makes the name "From One" which I'm assuming refers to how they built the company from the ground up.

[@FiredAndIced]

Ichikara, or, いちから, literally means, "From (Step) One". Any Color, or, "we accept diversity." I mean, we do have non-binary livers so I guess that also matters for the non-binary friendly audiences worldwide.

[@nguyentienchung9913]

Also Gundou is like canonically gay right? There's this clip of her explain in details how she picks up girls in gay bars.

[@awkwardGardener]

@@nguyentienchung9913 Gundou is super gay, yeah. She and Hoshikawa are both bi, but Gundou has apparently slept with 20+ girls or something to that effect

[@login2730]

wait im confused (sorry im knew to this), is ICHIKARA the same company as Nijisanji?

[@phoenixwing3254]

Parent company, a la Cover is to Hololive

[@MrKeinanen]

Nijisanji (like Hololive and Holostars) are not companies but just names for the groups of livers under the company (Ichikara and Cover)

[@icesilverwind]

I guess they want something catchy for the "global audience". Like "Holo". Personally, I like '2434'. I don't usually refer to the bigger company name. Edit: OMG. "AnyKara" would've been cool.

[@davin4811]

Well the Vtuber group name is still Nijisanji it's just the parent company that change name

[@sinanyegen8907]

Ichikara sounded better

[@doggypi1532]

So what is the origin of いちから？if I translate it I am drawing in mind "From One"... Is that what it means? Like from one to hundreds?

[@kelnhide]

ichikara actually means "one color"

[@carl4889]

Similar to Nijisanji, it's a word play that can be interpreted multiple ways. I can mean both 'from the beginning/ from scratch', 'one colour', and the start of a count. There's a running gag that eventually the entire human race will be Nijisanji members at the rate they're expanding, and the counting theme plays into that.

[@doggypi1532]

@@carl4889 I see, thanks~

[@34Ekah19]

twitter.com/yurimabushi/status/1394173889173811204 1COLOR --->ANYCOLOR