Nico Nico Douga (ニコニコ動画, Niko Niko Dōga, lit. "Smiley Videos") is a popular video sharing website in Japan managed by Niwango, a subsidiary of Dwango. Its nickname is "Niconico" or "Nico-dō", where "nikoniko" is the Japanese ideophone for smiling.

Besides Piapro, Nico video is the primary source for Vocaloid Producers to showcase their finished works. As more songs were uploaded to the site, a rank system was created called the 週刊VOCALOIDランキング "Weekly Vocaloid Ranking", which is a ranking of most popular Vocaloid songs from the past week using statistics from Nico Nico Douga's metrics.

NND is most notable for scrolling marquee comments, which has become its trademark in video uploads.

Songs that become quite popular are often remixed, have videos created, or have a number of fans cover the song. In rare cases, some producers may achieve in getting signed with a record company. But more commonly producers release their works using a music service site or creating a CD. Nico video is also a place that brought together, and spawned, many doujin music groups, "Supercell" being a notable example of this.

Nico video continues to be just one of the most popular video sites for Japanese net users, winning awards and entertaining visitors.

The Japanese version of NicoNicoDouga is available in Taiwanese, Chinese and Spanish GUI. An English version is hosted differently, and links to Dailymotion, YouTube and NND videos. However, comments for external videos are hosted locally. It is currently unknown if the English Nico-Nico will allow uploads as well.

The old NicoNicoDouga for Japan worked this way, but was changed when YouTube blocked linking from NND in the past.

The English NicoNico site seems to be Niwango's attempt to spread the comment marquee culture into the west.

All Nico Nico Douga accounts works across all sites. (ie. NND accounts will be recognized in NicoNico too.) An option to link a Facebook account to NicoNico is also available.

External Links

• Official Site: Nico Nico Douga (Japanese)
• Official Site: Nico Nico (Global/English)
• Wiki: Voca Wiki

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