The concept of the ‘metaverse’ has been a target of criticism for quite some time, with many arguing that its promised digital wonderland has been present since the era of CRT monitors and early online gaming. Games like Second Life, Everquest, and World of Warcraft, not to mention VRChat in 2014, have explored virtual realms. However, Aominext’s latest metaverse project introduces a refreshing take on this digital landscape.
Aominext, a company known for developing anime-styled metaverse spaces, is breaking away from the conventional soulless avatars associated with other metaverse platforms. Instead, they unveil cute anime avatars, reminiscent of VTubers shedding their uncanny chrysalis. What sets this project apart is its collaboration with an actual Japanese high school, Yushi International, grounding the virtual experience in reality.
The virtual high school offers a three-year, credit-based course with a curriculum recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. Aominext promises not just academic learning but also virtual events such as cultural festivals and e-sports tournaments for participating students.
While skepticism may be natural, this metaverse-focused project presents a compelling case. In an era where correspondence learning, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, can be socially isolating, Aominext’s initiative attempts to bridge the gap. The press release acknowledges that traditional correspondence schools often rely on platforms like Slack or Zoom, which fail to replicate the classroom experience.
Aominext’s approach combines the concept of correspondence learning with a VRChat-style space, allowing students to customize anime avatars—a feature likely to resonate with younger audiences. Despite VR not being a perfect substitute for physical interaction, it represents a significant improvement. The experiment’s success remains uncertain, but the prospect of remote students feeling less isolated is a commendable goal. Moreover, the offer to loan equipment to students free of charge adds a practical dimension to the project.
In essence, Aominext’s Anime VR High School emerges as a metaverse revolution that not only introduces a novel approach to education but also brings a touch of futurism by allowing students to earn officially recognized diplomas while embodying anime avatars.
