The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun
‘Gamer Grandma’ sets Guinness world record
A 90-year-old grandmother in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest gaming YouTuber.
Known as “Gamer Grandma,” Hamako Mori has more than 300,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel. “Being the best in the world at this age is a dream come true,” Mori said with a big smile.
People post supportive comments on her YouTube channel while watching videos of the nonagenarian battling enemies or skillfully wielding a gun or knife in the popular zombie video game “Resident Evil.”
Her YouTube channel, which she updates once a week, also shows videos of her playing the games.
Mori’s gaming became even more notable after she was registered in the Guinness World Records in November last year, a feat 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 video games when she was 51 years old, after seeing children absorbed while playing them in the toy section of a department store.
Soon, she became addicted to playing games on the Cassette Vision, Nintendo Entertainment System and PlayStation, among other consoles.
In 2014, Mori decided to upload videos of herself playing 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 Mori’s videos, said he was surprised by all of the attention his grandmother’s channel receives. “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 playing video games, Mori is also good at swimming, which she started when she was in her 40s. She came in second place in a senior swimming meet when she was 62 years old.
“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 a game controller.”