Today is 1st October, the National Day of People's Republic of China!
今日是十月一號，中華人民共和國的國慶日！
Time to make a wish:
Let there be peace in every country and people's hearts.
I wish everyone,not only Chinese, good health and happiness.
許願時間：
願每個國家與人們的心中都帶著和平與平安。
希望所有人（不只是中國人）健康與幸福。
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Now, let's move on to today's topic!
I am Marcella！
Remember the Japanese version Youtube I introduced to you last Tuesday?
Does the name
Niconico remind you anything?
Well, some of you may have tried watching videos uploaded by nico-users there or even posted a comment! (I hope you've enjoyed that)
This time, I would like to show you another site for watching videoclips,
Bilibili .
Although the layout of the homepage doesn't look similar, many said that Bilibili is a "copy" of Niconico.
The upper one is the homepage of Bilibili while the lower is the Niconico (Taiwan) homepage.
The only similar design is the ranking list on the right, which is not contained in the Japanese homepage of Niconico.
↓↓↓Home page layout of Niconico (Japan)↓↓↓
Well, if there's not much difference, why people call it a "copy" of niocnico?
Now check out the mascot of Niconico and Bilibili.
↓↓↓Bilibili Niconico↑↑↑
Both mascots/ logo appear as a white TV with facial expression.
They way videos are played also shows similarity between the two sites.
This video shows a comparison in the commenting system of the two sites.
Comparison is done by playing the same video (a cover of Iroha Utau by GuruTamin, a popular Japanese singer who often do covers of songs on Niconico )on the two sites and
Comments by the users of both sites appear on the screen like shooting bullets continuously, (which is why the comments are called Barrage(彈幕),which is one of the biggest features of Niconico)
0:03- 0:35 Niconico
0:35-1:00 Bilibili
1:00-1:27 Niconico+Bilibili
I think most of you observe the similarity of these two sites.
Is this site really only a copy of Niconico??
In my opinion, I think it's more than a copycat.
Firstly, we need to consider the existence of Bilibili. In Mainland China, most computers cannot access Niconico, due to Internet control. Bilibili is the only way they can enjoy entertainment from other places, ie Japan. Japanese videos are reprinted to Bilibili. By this mean people in mainland China is able to follow the pop trends in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
↓↓↓Recent uploaded Japanese animations, with Chinese subtitles, translated by nitizens without receiving any payback
Most animations are uploaded within a week after being broadcasted in Japan, which means the hot topic is still boiling when they are uploaded to Bilibili ↓↓↓
↑↑↑Hey！！ Attack on Titan is on the top of the list!!! Reminds me of my friend's posting!
http://bilingualsmurf.blogspot.hk/2013/09/attack-on-titan-attack-on-bilingual.html
Check it out!!! It's COOL!!!!!!↑↑↑
Although many worry about copyright problems(which is worth worry about), I think this can be one of the best ways to spread local culture.
Secondly, what Niconico and Bilibili has brought to us.
Niconico has provided a platform for normal people (like me), to share their creativity with others. One of the greatest different we can see between Niconico and Youtube is that, the percentage engagement of Niconico users are greater and it is much easier to become eye-catching on Niconico.
Moreover, due to one of the most special feature of Niconico, everyone can do live broadcasts on your computer. Everyone can be a star!!!! Attractive, isn't it?
↓↓↓This is the layout of Niconico Live. There are all types of live broadcasts pending. See the "Start broadcasting" button?After pressing this button, anyone can start his/ her own live broadcast on Niconico.↓↓↓
Niconico has made many who has talents turned into a star, like Gero, Daisuke, 96neko,(singers who have published their own CDs), 40mP, Nero (songwriters). All of them carry their own characteristics and were all normal persons before their first posts on Niconico.
What about Bilibili?
Other than those who are famous on Niconico, Bilibili also has their own stars. For example,
Lan Shao (嵐少),who is famous for commenting on Japanese games,
Yue sheng Dubbing Club (月聲配音社), an outstanding group of voice cast re-dubbing famous Japanese animations in Chinese ( in Mandarin and other Chinese dialects（Main character in Gintama speaks Cantonese LOL). They also do covers of songs in Chinese.
↓↓↓There's a famous uploaders list on Bilibili , showing popular uploaders and those who has contributed much on Bilibili.↓↓↓
A great difference between Niconico and Bilibili is that, you need an account to watch videos on Niconico, which means logging in is required. However, Bilibili video clips are opened to everyone. (you still need to login for commenting)
What I can conclude from these is that: although Bilibili has the "body" of Niconico, it has a totally different "soul".
1. Videos on Bilibili has explore its own way to gain fame.
2. Popular video clips on two sites are sometimes different, showing the diversity in preference of Japanese and Chinese or even Taiwanese, Hong Kongese and Chinese in Mainland China.
3. Some videos uploaded on the sites show social realities. With different background, focus of uploaders and audiences of different places is diverse.
ie:
This is an obvious example of cloned video showing local colours.
It's a cover of Ring Ding Dong, a popular Korean song by SHINee, （a Korean group） in Chinese.
It has the same melody and rhythm of the original song. Yet, the lyrics are changed and made it into a spoof version.
Some common slang in mainland China is used. For example,
2)金坷垃, it is the brand of a fertilizer which made an over-exaggerated TV commercial in mainland China, Chinese treated it as a joke. Pop network culture in China
3)王老吉, this is the brand name of a canned herbal tea popular in Hong Kong and China.
4. Niconico still has it's unique feature, ie live broadcasts, which doesn't clash with Bilibili.
There are still lots of arguments within the community about copyright problems.
The existence of Bilibili and other similar sites has aroused dissatisfaction of Niconico users.
However, reproduction across boundaries by cloning can be an important process for cultural growth.
We cannot banish their existence.
Sites which have commented on Niconico and bilibili:
http://www.ptt.cc/man/C_Chat/DE98/DFF5/DA89/M.1293187768.A.918.html
http://www.techbang.com/posts/4203-bilibili-vs-niconico
