The 2024 Y-Tube Awards have made waves once again with the announcement of this year's winners during the exciting New Year's Eve special program aired on BS Yoshimoto. The event, aimed at honoring excellence among Yoshimoto comedians' YouTube channels, featured thrilling categories and noteworthy recipients.
Securing the title for "Best Viewed Video" was Naraoka Niko with her sensational short video, dominating the charts with 35.01 million views as of November 1, 2024. This marks her consecutive win, achieving recognition for the second year running. Niko's channel, renowned for its quirky and entertaining content, showcased the video titled "Effectively But Struggling!" and accumulated nearly 95 million views overall, cementing her status as one of the top indie creators of 2024.
Another highlight of the evening was the award for "One-Minute Video Grand Prix," taken home by Mito Cap for his impressive content titled "Unnecessary Directorial Features: Spy Movie Edition". His engaging style not only won over the audience but also garnered accolades from the studio members who couldn't hide their delight, echoing their admiration throughout the program. Mito Cap's creations, often steeped in humor and personality, have developed quite the fan following.
The prestigious "Annual Best Video Award" was awarded to Smile, underscoring their unique approach to content creation. Their nominated videos were narrowed down to three finalists, and through direct votes from the MCs, their video “Even Tokyo University Students Can't Solve! The Unsolvable Yoshitaka Quizzes” secured four votes, proving to be the audience favorite. The success of Smile reflects their ability to connect with fans through clever challenges and entertaining discussions.
Honorably commenting on the occasion, Yoshikazu Seto from Smile expressed, "I'm very honored to receive this award. But I really don’t understand it. It's such a nonsensical video, so I have no idea why it was praised." This humble acknowledgment speaks volumes not only about his character but also about the creative depth present within the Japanese entertainment sphere. His counterpart Yuuyay Yoshitaka added, "I never thought we would receive the grand prize! I’m so happy!" Both members demonstrated their genuine appreciation for the recognition received from the awards event.
The special program was hosted by various prominent comedy figures and included highlights from previously popular videos. Among the masons of the evening were popular personalities like Shizuru, Tada Yoshihito (Rice), Iron Head, Daitaku, and many others, creating a dynamic atmosphere filled with laughter and appreciation for the craft.
Fans delightedly watched not only to see the winners but also to catch fleeting glimpses of the creative genius encapsulated within Yoshimoto's comedic offerings. The program broadcasted on BS Yoshimoto (channel BS265) showcased archived features of the best content, and avid viewers could tune in online as well via the program's dedicated streaming platform for two weeks following the live airing.
Building on their recent success, the winners have expressed intentions to continue pushing the envelope with their unique brand of humor and creativity. Seto expressed his commitment to maintaining their current style, ensuring audiences can expect more of the same unpredictability and fun they have come to love.
Overall, the Y-Tube Awards serve not only as recognition of past successes but also as inspiration for future projects within the lively Japanese entertainment industry. The celebration of comedic talents during this New Year's special sends waves of excitement through fans and collaborators alike, promising even more enthralling content and design from the creators themselves.