Anime meets Politics: VTuber Revelation on Twitch

Vtuber 101: When Politicians Meet the Future of Streaming

In a surprise move, Bernie Sanders, the esteemed US Senator, recently met with popular virtual YouTuber (vtuber) Sykkuno in a Twitch stream, much to the delight of the internet. The interaction was a unique opportunity for Sanders to engage with a younger audience, and the novelty was not lost on viewers.

Imagine this: an 83-year-old US Senator, formerly a serious figure in American politics, effortlessly chatting with a catboy vtuber, surrounded by anime avatars, in a virtual environment. Yes, this is now a thing, and we’ve got the clips to prove it.

The vtuber squad, consisting of Sykkuno, Pokimane, Valkyrae, and Mark Hamill, grilled Sanders on various topics, including support for presidential candidate Kamala Harris, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and US healthcare. Despite the unconventional setting, the senator held his own, demonstrating a refreshing willingness to adapt to new mediums.

The Q&A session was initially slated to last an hour, but it went on for two and a half hours, with additional guests like Hank Green and Mark Cuban joining the conversation.

While the Honeyed Temptation of Brat Summer may have melted away, it seems Catboy Fall is here to stay. The phenomenon of vtubers has certainly captured the attention of the masses, with Ironmouse, a pink-haired vtuber, recently becoming the most subscribed to Twitch streamer with over 320,000 subscribers.

As more politicians begin to venture into the world of vtubers, it’s unlikely we’ll have to wait long before seeing another of these unforgettable moments. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll see a catboy vtuber in the White House?