A Japanese internet video format where simplified character avatars explain topics through dialogue using synthetic voices.
English Term: Yukkuri Commentary
Japanese (Kanji): ゆっくり解説
Hiragana: ゆっくりかいせつ
Romaji: Yukkuri Kaisetsu
A Japanese internet video format where simplified character avatars explain topics through a conversation using synthetic voices. In most videos, two characters talk to each other—one asking questions and the other providing explanations—creating an easy-to-follow narrative.
ゆっくり解説 is a conversational explanation format built around two or more recurring characters. Instead of a single narrator, the information is delivered through role-based dialogue.
A typical structure looks like this:
Question → Explanation → Reaction → Further Explanation
The characters act as stand-ins for the audience and the instructor. In many channels, the roles are consistent:
This dialogue structure allows complex topics to be broken down naturally.
The format originates from fan culture surrounding Touhou Project. Fans created simplified caricatures of Touhou characters called Yukkuri characters. These floating heads became widely used in fan videos on the Japanese video platform Niconico.
Two characters became especially common in commentary formats:
Over time, many channels adopted a standard conversational dynamic where Reimu serves as the main explainer and Marisa acts as the questioner or audience proxy.
In video storytelling, Yukkuri commentary serves several functions:
Dialogue between characters makes complex topics easier to understand.
Because the narrators are simple cartoon heads, the tone feels casual and approachable rather than authoritative.
Creators can produce videos quickly without filming themselves. The structure is usually: Question → Explanation → Reaction → Further Explanation
The dialogue structure also resembles Japanese manzai comedy, where one character plays the role of asking naive or mistaken questions while the other corrects them. This rhythm of misunderstanding and correction helps guide the viewer toward understanding.
Typical topics explained using Yukkuri commentary include:
Many Japanese YouTube channels still use Reimu and Marisa avatars even when discussing completely unrelated topics.
The format has expanded with newer speech synthesis systems. Common tools include:
New characters such as Zundamon have become popular in this ecosystem. These tools allow creators to produce entire videos using only text input and editing software. The format has therefore become a major part of Japanese online commentary culture.
The Yukkuri format represents a unique approach to online education and commentary. Instead of traditional narration or on-camera presenters, the format uses fictional characters to guide the audience through information.
This allows creators to:
For international audiences, understanding Yukkuri commentary helps explain a large portion of Japanese internet video culture.