Based Camp | Simone & Malcolm Collins

VTubers Have Transformed The Right Forever (The Nerdification of The Right)

Apr 8, 2026
They unpack a viral take that VTubing lets creators bypass appearance bias and reshape who can influence online politics. They trace the online right’s nerdification from GamerGate to today and why anime avatars opened space for older, thoughtful women. They name notable conservative VTubers, explore parasocial dynamics and factional conflicts, and consider how avatars change persuasion and coalition‑building.
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INSIGHT

VTubing As An Influence Hack

  • VTubing functions as a visual 'hack' that lets women present as attractive anime personas while shielding real-world appearance and age from initial judgment.
  • Malcolm Collins argues this opened paths for women over 25 and those not in the top beauty percent to become intellectual influencers on the right.
INSIGHT

Young Female Influencers Historically Dominated The Right

  • The pre‑VTuber online right skewed young and male, filtering out older women from influence because audiences favored youthful female presenters.
  • Malcolm traces this to the skeptic/edgy atheist roots that evolved into gamer‑gate and then the modern online right.
INSIGHT

Avatars Reduce Appearance Based Gatekeeping

  • VTuber avatars reduced appearance‑based harassment and public shaming, letting sensitive women engage without enduring attacks on looks or sexual history.
  • Malcolm and Simone note many female VTubers are psychologically protected by the mask, enabling fuller idea‑driven participation.
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