One gets the creeps and want nothing of it, for the other, it is one of the ways to relax or even fall asleep: ASMR.
Autonomous sensory meridian response
ASMR is an abbreviation for autonomous sensory meridian response and represents a certain sensation characterised by a pleasant, tingling sensation in the brain, goosebumps, or chills. For those who would like to set up an ASMR video to support studying, reading, relaxing or even sleeping, such a feeling can be gained when viewing and/or listening to such a video. But that is not the case for everyone. In some cases, you can relax, but you do not get a tingling sensation.
The ASMRtists, this is how the makers of ASRM videos are called, do their best to find the right trigger, in which the viewer of the videos receives a pleasant feeling. The advice you often come across at the beginning of the various ASMR videos is as follows: put in earplugs or put your headphones on to hear everything, especially because many videos are stereophonically set up.
Through YouTube, but also through Twitch, various ASMR channels have been started up in recent years with the intention of making videos that benefit the viewers and listeners. When you type ASMR with YouTube you will certainly get more than 10 million results and on Twitch ASMR has become a separate category. These positive videos may be a bit too intimate for some and perhaps give a false picture of the intentions of the creators, but another can benefit from it and thereby relax. And where one can come to rest by listening to the rain that taps against the window frame, the other can use the various ASMR videos that currently exist.
Because the creators of ASMR videos do not focus on a particular object or action, one video from the ASMRtist can not be interesting for you, but the other video does. Below you can find a number of channels from Japanese ASMRtists that are at the top according to AVO Magazine.
Hatomugi ASMR
Hatomugi is a young lady who always starts her video with the words どうも、はとむぎです (Doumo, Hatomugi desu. Hello, this is Hatomugi). Hatomugi’s first ASMR video came online on 16 March, 2015. To date, she has not shown her face, but the focus in her videos is on her hands and on the objects with which she makes sound to give the viewer and listener peace, comfort and a feeling drowsy to get to sleep easier. In the years that she is active, there are almost 10 videos (of more than 225 videos) that have been played more than 2 million times and she has even released merchandise and a CD that can be purchased through Village Vanguard. Hatomugi’s strength lies in the peace she radiates because she takes all the time for each video project. Eventually you will not encounter many videos that are shorter than 20 minutes.
Makoto ASMR
Makoto is currently no longer active on YouTube, probably because real life takes more attention. He started by uploading cooking and camping videos, which have a certain charm, but not necessarily ASMR videos, although they could be soothing to the viewers. Only in 2013 did he mark his recordings as ASMR videos. Because the general public awareness of ASMR only started after he became inactive, the videos were never viewed as much as those of Hatomugi. In total, he has 760 videos on his channel and he has also been active on Nico Nico Douga, where his role-playing videos are definitely recommended.
Yaachama J-ASMR
Yaachama’s videos are suitable for those who hate ASMR with whispers. What is striking about the videos of Yaachama, is the design of the videos. They are dark and Yaachama is also darkly dressed on screen, although the face is left out in the videos. It is nicer for the eyes to look at the dark image, especially now that YouTube can also be put in night mode, if you plan to go to bed shortly thereafter. Yaachama has now put more than 710 videos online, the first of which came online on 5 July, 2014.
ASMR Emiko Ffujio
While other ASMRtists make videos with various objects for creating pleasant sounds, Emiko sticks to ‘Slime’ with styrofoam. The videos start with a view of something tasty, but in no time you will find out that it is not edible at all. It is very interesting how Emiko makes the creations completely into a mishmash. Furthermore Emiko knows very well how to decorate the surroundings of her playground, which immediately gives a good atmosphere and it is sometimes a shame that she makes a mess of it. However, these, often short, videos make it interesting to see and I suspect that these types of videos can also be stress relieving.
ShiroRea ASMR
ShiroRea is a big fan of One Piece and that can be seen through his manga collection. He also makes his interest clear in the various ASMR videos that he has published on his channel. ShiroRea has been active as an ASMRtist since 18 August 2017 and currently knows how to interest a small group of people in his whisper videos. The quality of his videos is not that good, since he seems to be filming mainly in the evening (with his phone) from his bedroom. In terms of sound it is good and ShiroRea whispers a bit about his favourite manga and anime and he also knows how to apply humour in his videos. He is also regularly live on YouTube.
A few other ASMRtists from Japan who certainly deserve to be named: Coromo ASMR, karin ASMR, ASMR Alice and PASMO ASMR.
