The VTuber phenomenon has absolutely exploded in recent years! While Japan remains a hotbed, countries like China, the US, and many others worldwide are seeing their own VTuber stars rise. It seems like professionals from every walk of life are eager to jump into this booming field, and it’s easy to see why everyone wants a piece of the action.
Recently, a former member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), now a VTuber known as Cinnamon (@CNMNSN), went viral on X (formerly Twitter) with her self-illustrated comic. She shared some game-changing tips on "how to pack your backpack and carry it without getting tired," and the internet went wild!
Her two-page comic draws directly from her JGSDF "march training" days, where she'd haul a backpack packed with several days' worth of supplies for about 40 kilometers. These grueling experiences taught her a ton of invaluable packing techniques.
The first page dives into the crucial art of backpack packing, focusing on "where to put what." The golden rule? "Light items at the bottom, flat items against your back." This ensures a more even weight distribution, makes the pack more stable, and keeps it from wobbling when you need to make a quick dash.
Cinnamon also added a pro-tip: "Heavy items should go on top of the lighter ones, and as close to your back (the inner side of the bag) as possible. If you put heavy items on the outside, your center of gravity shifts outwards, making it easy to lose balance if you need to run."
Page two tackles how to pack clothes and daily essentials. Small items? Toss 'em into zippered pouches to keep things organized. For extra protection, you can even bag the entire pouch in a garbage bag before stuffing it into your pack for a makeshift waterproof layer. And for clothes, she suggests using zip-lock bags to create "daily outfits," then squeezing out the air to save space and keep them clean.
Got a super heavy backpack? How do you even get it on? Cinnamon's advice: "Lie down first, slide your arms into the shoulder straps, then roll over like a sweet potato to let the backpack naturally settle onto your back." She also recommends choosing a backpack with a waist belt, tightening the shoulder straps, and keeping the pack snug against your body to significantly reduce the burden. She noted that for daily use or disaster situations, most people won't be carrying loads as heavy as military gear, so these little tricks should be a huge help.
Beyond packing hacks, she also dished out some smart advice for "disaster preparedness kits." Her key takeaway: stock up on foods you actually enjoy eating, like canned goods, instant noodles, and supplements. Then, practice a "rolling stock" method – eat what you have and replace it with new items. She stressed, "Many people prepare long-shelf-life emergency food, but when disaster strikes, the stress is immense, and unfamiliar foods are often impossible to stomach."
She also added a few thoughtful reminders:
Pack some of your favorite snacks; they can provide psychological comfort during an emergency.
Even if water is past its expiration date, if it's unopened, it's generally still safe to drink.
Besides preparing a backpack, keep a comfortable pair of athletic shoes at home so you can quickly put them on in an emergency.
This comic was actually drawn by Cinnamon last year during the Noto earthquake. She recently saw the magnitude 8.8 Kamchatka earthquake in Russia, which made her anxious, prompting her to revise and re-release her comic to remind everyone to be prepared for disasters.
However, she candidly admitted, "I'm not a disaster expert; I just wanted to share some 'easy-to-carry' methods and 'mountain survival experiences' I learned in the JGSDF." She also reminded everyone that the JGSDF is primarily a national defense force, not a disaster relief agency.
It just goes to show how incredibly diverse the VTuber scene in Japan has become, with even former military personnel like Cinnamon (who debuted about a year and a half ago) stepping into the spotlight. These life hacks are definitely worth learning – they could seriously come in handy for daily life or unexpected emergencies!
