Investment-oriented YouTubers gather in force! 2019 Year-End Summary Special Roundtable Discussion (Part 1)

On a certain day when the year-end approaching footsteps could be heard, surprisingly a large number of investment-focused YouTubers gathered at the FX攻略 editorial department. It turned out they all wanted to shoot a collaboration video together. Since it sounded interesting, I said OK, but the print edition got hijacked too, and the interview started with Mr. Kanit Trader as the host!?

First impression of Oli
“Suspicious.”

Kanit Trader (hereafter, Kan)Today, under the FX攻略 project, five investment-focused YouTubers with unique personalities have gathered. I traveled here from the sea, from Hokkaido; Oli is from Osaka; Riona from Hokkaido; Buma from Osaka; You-Che from Tokyo. In other words, a lineup that could be said to be gathered from all over Japan. We have received several questions from FX攻略, and we’ll proceed by answering them.

So the first question is, “What are your impressions of each of you?” Each person will answer about one member. I’ll start first. It has been about two years since I started live streaming, but before I started, the only investment-focused YouTuber I watched was Oli.

OliActually, I’m quite a veteran.

KaniAmong this group, I started after Oli. How about the others’ order?

You-CheI started in February 2019.

Riona (hereafter, Riona)I started on June 10, 2019.

Uma (hereafter, Uma)I started around the end of June 2019.

KaniThen Uma is the youngest, right? But as for age…

UmaNo, I’m actually younger.

KaniBack to the topic, my first impression of Oli was “suspicious” (laughs). It’s understandable since investment YouTubers were all seen as suspicious back then. In FX YouTubers, people who claim to win or move large amounts of capital were thought to be operating on demo accounts, so I wondered if these people might be trying to make money. But after actually meeting Oli, my impression completely changed; Oli’s views on markets and methods were easy to understand and very helpful. Also, I liked the watch Oli wore. But you could only buy it if you had real money, so I hope to earn that much too.

OliKani is also earning, isn’t he?

RionaYes. He bought a Rolex watch, didn’t he?

KaniThat was a gift for the project, I bought it.

You-CheHer appetite speaks for her. It’s proof that she eats a lot of good stuff.

KaniIf you only eat kani (crab), you’ll end up like this. So Oli, how about you?

Continuing daily streaming
is amazing

OliWhen I began, there were few competitors, and after me Kan started. I edited recorded videos like live commentary and posted them, which was a different style from Kan’s live streams. I wondered, “Is this also a valid style?” The methods differ too: Kan focuses on ultra-short-term scalping, while I take a mid- to long-term view. It was especially intriguing because our approaches were so opposite. Now, I respect that he continues streaming daily.

KaniThank you. Riona, how about you?

RionaKani is blushing a bit, isn’t she? I’m Uma.

KaniUma and I are practically peers, right?

RionaYes. When I visited Osaka, she immediately wanted to meet me and we streamed together at a Starbucks because there was nowhere suitable to stream otherwise.

KaniThat legendary Starbucks stream.

UmaWe did it at a Starbucks in Dotonbori.

RionaThat led to a sense that streaming could be fun, and I’m glad various media have highlighted that opportunity. My first meeting with Uma was at Kan’s seminar in Sapporo. Uma came as a listener, and I hadn’t started YouTube yet. When I went to the seminar to see Kan, Uma was sitting in the front row. At first, I thought she looked intimidating, but after talking, she was very unique, funny, and kind.

KaniI see. Now it’s Uma’s turn.

UmaI’m You-Che.I’m You-Che.I’m You-Che.I’m You-Che.

I’m actually You-Che. Sorry for the repetition.

You-CheI’m really You-Che. The best part is that Oli is a fast speaker, which makes the content dense.

OliI can sound fast and still be understandable.

You-ChePeople used to complain that fast speech is hard to follow, but those who are used to it can listen at 2x speed, so I often suggest listening at double speed.

KaniI see. Lastly, how about You-Che?

You-CheRiona. My subscribers have left comments saying “Riona is funny,” and I also found it interesting that she became a YouTuber after working for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. There were many bad ratings; I wondered if she might be dubious, but after meeting her and talking, I felt she’s a dedicated person who genuinely pursues FX. She has the most surprising contrast.

RionaThank you for the compliment.

People who are
beginning to draw attention

KaniNext question: “Are there any YouTubers you’re currently interested in?” It’s a tough question. Oli, please start.

OliRecently I worked with Dora FX. Dora has been losing, so I thought maybe he’s building on that as a selling point. When we met and talked, he said, “I want to win,” and he’s seriously determined to win. There are some similarities in trading philosophy, so I want to root for him. But after meeting him, he started having a lot of bad runs (laughs).

KaniI’m not sure about that.

OliI started to wonder if there really is such a thing as a counter-deity.

KaniThis may be off-limits, but Dora used to upload videos that competed with Oli. Did you discuss that?

OliWe talked a little about it. Actually Dora was my antagonist. But “Yesterday’s antagonist is today’s friend,” and now we’re on good terms.

KaniThat’s a nice situation. Riona, how about you?

RionaThere are many investment YouTubers, but one trader I’m concerned about is Ono FX. I’m Ono’s listener, and the reason I became a YouTuber was, “This way of living exists too.” Ono once posted a video saying “I’m quitting FX,” so I worry about him. I’ve even collaborated with Kan and Ono, so I keep an eye on him.

KaniI wonder what will happen to Ono. Uma, how about you?

UmaRecently I’m curious about VTuber Takahime Aoi. They trade various currency pairs, and their investment approach is quite solid, but there are many mysteries about them.

KaniIndeed, many mysteries. What type of person are they?

UmaSince they’re a VTuber, they’re presumably an idol-type, but they use strong Kansai dialect. Their content is very serious, like “I think this will break out on a long-term timeframe.” The appearance is cute gal-like, but their speech is like an Osaka aunt, so the contrast is funny (laughs).

KaniWe don’t know what’s inside though.

UmaWe don’t know at all. That’s what makes them interesting. I’m curious how they’ll evolve.

KaniThen what about You-Che?

You-CheI’d say Sa (the mentalist-investor). I’m told to discuss fundamentals, but I can’t; I think Sa has things I don’t. Sa explains fundamentals in an easy-to-digest way through beginner-friendly videos, and I think that’s why their subscriber count grows. I believe they’ll be the biggest growth among us in the future.

More and more new people
are entering

KaniIndeed, it’s easy to understand. Finally, there are two more individuals I’d like to mention. One is Dobadoba Gakuen. I haven’t interacted with Dobadoba, and I’m not sure how they feel about me, but I do check out their channel.

UmaI watch them too.

KaniTheir communication skills are incredible. As channels grow bigger, it becomes harder to talk individually with each viewer, but Dobadoba speaks to each person with care like, “Good job, see you tomorrow.” It’s tough and not easy to do.

The other person is Tama Kiyabanu (Kiyan Takamiko) from Okinawa. I haven’t spoken with them, but I’m curious. It’s interesting to see a female investor making this kind of format. The industry welcomes new entrants all the time, and recently more women are joining. Investment-focused female YouTubers are fewer than males, so I’m looking forward to how they’ll progress.

To be continued next time

FX攻略 April issue (on sale February 21) will also feature this!