A 90-year-old woman in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, has been gaining attention online after setting a Guinness World Record as the oldest gaming YouTuber.
Hamako Mori, known as "Gamer Grandma," has more than 300,000 subscribers in her YouTube channel. "Being the best in the world at this age is a dream come true," Mori said with a big smile.
People would post comments on her YouTube channel like, ""She is better than me" or "She's too great. I can't believe it" as they watch a video showing Mori battling down enemies one after another or skillfully wielding a gun or knife in the popular video zombie game "Resident Evil." Her YouTube channel also shows videos of Mori herself enjoying the games.
She updates her YouTube channel once a week. Mori's gaming became even more notable after she was registered in the Guinness World Records in November last year, a feat which was announced by Guinness World Records Japan in May.
Born and raised in Tokyo's Asakusa district, Mori moved to Chiba Prefecture after marriage. She first encountered a video game when she was 51 years old and had finished raising a child. Having seen children absorbed in playing video games at a department store's toy section, Mori became interested in gaming.
Soon, she became addicted to playing games with such consoles as Cassette Vision, Family Computer and PlayStation. So far, she has enjoyed more than 200 game software.
When asked what she finds appealing about video games, she answered, "You can be engrossed in them and can put your heart into them." She said enjoying video games may be good for her brain as she has to move her fingers on her right and left hand differently.
In 2014, Mori came up with the idea of showing herself playing video games on YouTube after watching others enjoying gaming on the video-sharing platform. She opened her own YouTube channel with the help of her grandson Keisuke Nagao, 43, who lives with her.
Nagao, who shoots and edits her videos said he was surprised with the extent of public reaction to his grandmother's appearance on YouTube.
"I want her to enjoy playing games and appearing on YouTube. But I'm a little worried about her being too famous," he said.
In addition to games, Mori is also good at swimming, which she started when she was in her 40s. She came in second place in a masters swimming meet when she was 62 years old. She also knits so well that she sells clothes and hats that she creates.
"I have always tended to get immersed in things. I like working on things hard and quietly," Mori said. "I want to be able to play games a lot better. I would be really happy if I could die holding the game controller."
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