Fuji TV proved itself the forerunner of equal opportunity employment for digital labor earlier this week when they announced they had brought CG character Lune Anri on board as the network’s newest announcer.
The announcement came during a press conference event held on October 1 in Roppongi, Tokyo. Following the announcement, 22-year-old Anri took the stage to introduce herself and share her feelings regarding her selection.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Lune Anri, a new announcer at Fuji TV,” she said in a high-pitched digitized voice. “I’m still inexperienced, but I’ll do my best to quickly become familiar with the work so that I can catch up to, and then overtake my senior announcers.”
“I hope to rival Ayako Kato in particular,” she continued, throwing down the gauntlet for Fuji TV’s most popular female announcer in front of the press.
Anri is the first digital announcer to work for a major television network and will take over for Yurika Mita on the popular late-night talk program Pan Series, which has developed a cult following for always featuring beautiful young female announcers, as well as appear in a new program called Nippon no Mini.
Regarding the relinquishment of her position on Pan Series to Anri, Mita comments that she has “mixed feelings,” but warmly offers her support, saying, “We’re only a year apart, so if there’s ever anything troubling you, please consult with me anytime.”
Fuji explains that Anri was created as a part of an initiative to strengthen the integration of their programs with social networks and digital devices such as smartphones. In addition to her television appearances, Anri will also be used as a “key icon” in advertising and promotional campaigns.
It also appears that Fuji TV is hoping to capitalize on the popularity of digital idol Hatune Miku. In Japan, many female television announcers already hold something of an idol status among male viewers, who will often watch whatever program they appear on regardless of the content. In theory, Anri could become a major asset for Fuji TV if she can appeal to both the female announcer fanboys and virtual idol otaku crowds.
However, initial reaction to the digital announcer has been largely unfavorable, with many net users criticizing her rudimentary “Playstation 1/Nintendo 64-era” graphics and awkward, choppy movements and spider-like arms.
It looks like young Anri will have to work hard if she wants to prove herself to the people of Japan. Rest assured RocketNews24 will be here every step of the way to watch this wig-wearing mass of polygons send Fuji TV down in flames.
Source: Mainichi JP (Japanese)
▼She even has an official profile on the Fuji TV website. Apparently her charm point is her smile, which is interesting considering her mouth seems to be frozen in place with digital Botox.
