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In Japan, girls are crazy over virtual boyfriends. Webkare (Web Boyfriend in Japanese), a mix between a social network and dating simulation site, is Nippon’s newest web sensation. Geared exclusively towards girls, the site attracted over 10,000 members just 5 days after its release on September 10, racking up 3.5 million page views in the same time frame.

The site is a huge hit over here. Girls sign up and become members of a social network but also users of a dating simulation in cartoon style. They have to try to hook up with one of four male Anime characters (who are the “stars” of the site) through “conversations” and must collaborate with other Webkare members in order to move on in the game. Eventually they conquer the heart of the chosen cartoon boy.

It’s pretty weird but clever. Dating simulations have been popular in Japan for quite a while now, but Webkare marks the first time the concept has been brought online and combined with social networking functionality.

Girls choose between one of four different male cartoon characters they want to hook up with upon registration. They can then “communicate” with their digital crush in cartoon-like sequences to try to win over his heart over the course of the game. It’s also possible to meet other boys later in the story, which uses a virtual high school as the main setting.

Interaction is quite limited, as users themselves can neither type text nor “speak” to the characters. Instead, Webkare will display a short cartoon clip if you click on the boy you like (some of the clips include voice samples such as “What’s up?”, “Do you always stay in the class room until dark?” “Leave me alone!” etc.), driving the love story forward step by step.

Important conversations or events can be stored in the album section of the site as “memories”.



Currently usage is free, with display ads and affiliate links as main sources of revenue. Webkare’s future monetizing strategy could include turning the concept into a video game or novel, merchandising, product placement, selling virtual items, expanding the concept to cell phones, developing a version for male users or offering premium memberships.

Another obvious option is internationalization, but here the question is if such an idiosyncratic way of curing loneliness 2.0 could succeed in the US or Europe as well. Reportedly, 52% of members are Japanese females in their twenties, with thirty-somethings accounting for 18% of the user base.



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PhoenixRider wrote:Kinda sad, really.

Blurred wrote:Not a big deal, at least their not prostituting themselves.

user wrote:woah, they need to get laid

1st, 3rd and 4th guy looks like a girl
2nd guy looks like a typical homosexual

_Lana_ wrote:Oh god.... those girls are total whores <_<

I want English version nao ;_;

Sacchin wrote:

_Lana_ wrote:Oh god.... those girls are total whores <_<

I want English version nao ;_;

Wat O_o..

DluR wrote:truly sick lol
they should encourage them to go out and meet real people.. I mean.. as much as my dead brain understood is that those are cartoons.. not even online people. they dont exist at all. sad really

ImmortalKiller wrote:

Sacchin wrote:

_Lana_ wrote:Oh god.... those girls are total whores <_<

I want English version nao ;_;

Wat O_o..

Well, _Lana_ never said ?she? wasn't a whore.

Sacchin wrote:

user wrote:woah, they need to get laid

1st, 3rd and 4th guy looks like a girl
2nd guy looks like a typical homosexual

You should study a little about Japanese culture before you start assuming things. Dating sims are very popular in Japan. And guys that look feminine are also popular there.

user wrote:woah, they need to get laid

user wrote:why do i need to study culture to determine a guy from a girl?

Sacchin wrote:

user wrote:woah, they need to get laid

You should study a little about Japanese culture before you start assuming things. Dating sims are very popular in Japan. And guys that look feminine are also popular there.

Reise wrote:

Sacchin wrote:

user wrote:woah, they need to get laid

You should study a little about Japanese culture before you start assuming things. Dating sims are very popular in Japan. And guys that look feminine are also popular there.

I could help them with that, but my manliness might turn them off. I like a challenge.

_Lana_ wrote:Oh god.... those girls are total whores <_<

I want English version nao ;_;

Reise wrote:

Sacchin wrote:

user wrote:woah, they need to get laid

You should study a little about Japanese culture before you start assuming things. Dating sims are very popular in Japan. And guys that look feminine are also popular there.

I could help them with that, but my manliness might turn them off. I like a challenge.