Is Ishowspeed Really Getting His Own Anime? the Truth Behind the Variety Exclusive
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
The Watkins-Owens deal marks an inflection point for studio development slates. For years, Hollywood treated social video stars primarily as low-budget marketing tools or novelty voice-cameo talent. Streaming executives now view top creators as fully realized intellectual properties with pre-sold global demographics.
Traditional studios face massive headwinds in originating new, organic youth franchises. Legacy broadcast networks and basic cable have largely lost touch with audiences under 25, who consume the vast majority of their narrative media through TikTok, YouTube, and specialized streaming apps. By acquiring rights to an established internet icon like Watkins and pairing him with a respected showrunner, Big Shot Pictures is bypassing the costly awareness campaigns required to build original animated characters from scratch.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
