I have found a new space - ‘Japan somewhere’ - in which a hypothetical Japan is conjured by multiple Youtubers in the virtual environment.
Teppei is Japanese (sorry I don't know his full name) but he often reflects on his time spent in Spain and England in Japanese-language monologues, conversations and livestreams for his followers. Hence 'Nihongo Con Teppei'. Teppei is a punkish musician and a sensitive rebel who hated sports at school and likes a glass of whisky. He is also a new man - a house husband maybe - with a young son who also features in his jingle.
I don't know Teppei's actual name, sorry, but here's a photo from one his Youtube Livestream events:
Teppei has an alternative approach to language teaching: a sort of combination of homespun philosophy which is extended in playful banter with Noriko. Teppei and Noriko.
You’ll see Noriko (I can only find her first name, sorry) on Instagram as well as Youtube - she'll be somewhere near her home in Northern Ireland where she lives with (I think) a Portuguese husband, speaking enthusiastically to learners about ice cream and beer and text books (and much more).
@Norijpteacher on Instagram
When they are together in the Teppei and Noriko Podcasts, Noriko is figured as more serious, while Teppei’s inspired thoughts seem to be almost ‘without filter’ (I say 'almost' - because he is very polite). Noriko is delightfully ‘normal', awkwardly returning pragmatic responses while Teppei experiments with a new ‘cute’ voice, or a 'boring teacher' voice, or a song.
Teppei proposes that Noriko has more energy and is suited to Youtube Live, while he says he tends to be a bit less ‘genki’ (energised); while Noriko reflects on her natural Obasan (kind aunty) persona. In fact they are both a lot of fun, almost like a double act.
Teppei’s comments sometimes seem a bit embarrassing to Noriko and this has been commented on by gleeful fans. Teppei talks about farting and orifices, and observations on the edge of taboo. But Teppei’s skill is in remaining just this side of modesty (for instance, if he's talking about the colour of Noriko’s knickers, then he'll be sure to talk about the colour of everyone’s knickers, including his own).
Prompted by Teppei’s speculations about collecting online 'partners' with 'invisible legs' during lockdown, I am now getting curious about the chemistry between Teppei and Noriko. They do seem to be very close, but as we know, you can never quite tell online. They use their meetings as a space for a kind of complicity and self-reinvention, delighting in the international sphere of their followers and of 'Japan Somewhere'.
In Japan 'Proper', Youtubers/Podcasters are self-consciously reasonable and respectful of the consensus, but alternative culture is never far away. Noriko and Teppei seem to be creating an alternative 'life world' with their followers - I mean in this space between 'Japan Somewhere' (between you/me/Noriko/Teppei) and Japan 'Proper'. Combined with the ambiguity of comedy these language study scenarios contribute to a wider alternative discourse. Language learning like this is based on hypothetical situations and flights of fancy, and - following Teppei's tag for 'TEP Talks', to me, these are ideas worth spreading, because they are making a contribution to free thinking everywhere.
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