The Emmy Built on ETH: Emily Yang aka pplpleasr on the Future of Storytelling

Four years ago, artist Emily Yang aka pplpleasr began a creative journey that would help break new ground at the intersection of art, technology, and community.

In this episode, we sit down with Emily — founder of Shibuya — to talk about her evolution from illustrator to Emmy-winning storyteller.

Emily shares how Shibuya is pioneering “permissionless creativity,” using crypto rails to fund, build, and co-create original IP with global communities. Her breakout project, White Rabbit, became the first crypto-native project to win an Emmy (Outstanding Innovation in Emerging Media), proving that grassroots storytelling can reach mainstream acclaim. We dive into:

• How White Rabbit crowdfunded alternate story endings

• What it means to turn audiences from passive viewers into active participants

• Why efficient capital formation is a game-changer for creatives

• Building outside traditional studio systems

• The creative tension between community input and artistic vision

Plus, Emily's biggest inspirations (Ghost in the Shell, Miyazaki, David Lynch, and more).

00:00 Behind the Fortune Magazine Cover 01:46 Founding Shibuya, and “Permissionless Creativity” 02:13 Winning an Emmy for White Rabbit., the First Crypto Project to Win an Emmy 03:14 What Is White Rabbit? (Interactive + NFT Model Explained) 05:53 From Passive Viewing to Interactive Storytelling 07:19 Opportunities for Creatives 08:27 Creative Inspirations (Miyazaki, Black Mirror) 09:25 Going With Your Gut, And the Advice Should Founders Ignore

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