Why is Luxiem so Popular?

The increasing international demand for anime and manga has made the vtuber craze swell exponentially to a broader audience. Since the breakout popularity of Kizuna Ai, the rise of the Vtuber trend had multiplied the number of active Vtubers from 2,000 to 4,000 between May and July 2018. This also resulted in the establishment of numerous Vtuber agencies such as Hololive Production, Nijisanji Project and VShojo.

The lockdown during the pandemic has further contributed to the escalation in viewership of video game live streaming. By 2022, there are already 16,000 active VTubers around the world.

Among these rising stars is a bunch of quirky gentlemen affiliated with Nijisanji Project. These young men have successfully stolen the hearts of many on YouTube worldwide. They managed to capture a massive following of around 800k to 1.21 million within a year! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, may I present......Luxiem!

Who is Luxiem?

Luxiem is a 5-member group under the umbrella of Njisanji Project's overseas branch, namely Nijisanji EN. Luxiem is also the company's first-ever debuted male vtuber unit. The name "Luxiem" is derived from the Latin word "lux", which means light.

Luxiem consists of 5 members including Vox Akuma, the demon; Ike Eveland, the novelist; Shu Yamino, the sorcerer; Luca Kaneshiro, the Mafia boss and last but not least, Mysta Rias, the detective.

History & Lore

Luxiem officially debuted on 20 December 2021 by appearing on Nijisanji EN's official YouTube channel, alongside each member live streaming on their individual channels. Luxiem's debut event was hosted by both Nijisanji Projects' Oliver Evans and his overseas counterpart Elira Pendora.

The members of Luxiem each come from a unique background. Every one of them possesses a particular backstory, with some dating back hundreds of years ago, most notably Vox’s. However, they all have one thing in common, every single one of them was transported to the present day from the past.

How Did Luxiem Become Popular?

Back to the question, how did Luxiem become popular? Comparatively to their peers who debuted earlier, how did they gain a wider audience? Here are some points to substantiate the explosive popularity gained by Luxiem.

1. Novelty

The vtuber faction is a subdivision of the anime and manga community with predominantly female creators, especially in Japan market, receiving a largely male audience. Since Luxiem is an all-male vtuber group, it is like a breath of fresh air in its industry.

Luxiem's announcement was highly anticipated within Nijisanji Projects' circle as it was a step in a forward-looking direction that not many prominent vtuber agencies had taken in its international audience.

2. Individuality

Each member of Luxiem is distinctive in their own way. The avatars’ design blend well with the people behind the microphone, especially their personalities and voices. When members' roles and personas do not align, it serves as a source of laughter.

For example, Mysta Rias is regarded as a naturally born genius detective but is comically dumb and slow-witted. Likewise, Luca Kaneshiro, the self-proclaimed wicked and cruel Mafia boss is actually a himbo who radiates the energy of a golden retriever.

3. Collabs

Unlike Hololive Production, Nijisanji Project's roster of livers are free to collaborate with any live streamer regardless of gender or reputation. Whether it is someone among their circle of colleagues or an individual outside their community.

Among vtubers, this has changed the norm of gender barrier collaboration. Thus, creating a fun and carefree environment without isolation.

4. Fan Engagement

Luxiem is well-known for interacting with their fans via live chat at the start and end of their live streams. Their Twitter account is brimmed with wild and wacky tweets that make the boys seem more approachable. Not to mention, Nijisanji Project does not restrict their streamers' from cracking naughty jokes. Consequently, it makes Luxiem more down to earth than other vtubers.

Luxiem also usually comments on fan-made edits and video compilations of them, particularly Mysta Rias. What's more, the boys actually give useful advice to their viewers on serious and even trivial topics.

5. Simping Culture

It is not uncommon to see fans simp on their idols. Despite the stronger simping culture in their rival, Hololive Production, Luxiem has wielded the most viewer engagement this round astonishingly. Vox Akuma knows how much his fans are thirsty for his attention and he will wisely reward them with kisses and flirting remarks.

Closure

In conclusion, Luxiem has proved to the world that male vtubers are just as worthy as their female partners. They have also demonstrated how the males can dynamically interact and perfectly collaborate with female vtubers. On top of that, Luxiem's success gave rise to Noctyx, another all-male vtuber group, and to XSOLEIL, a recently debuted mixed-gender vtuber group.

Luxiem's triumph has left a significant mark on the history of the vtubing industry and inspired more male vtubers to emerge in the market.

Source of Reference: Japantimes