初見

• Reading: しょけん
• Romaji: shoken
• Kanji breakdown: 初 (first) + 見 (see/view) → first time seeing, watching or playing something for the first time
• Pronunciation: /ɕo.keɴ/

Meaning

First-time viewer or player — used to announce that you are watching a stream or playing a game for the first time, experiencing it blind.

A staple of Japanese streaming culture, 初見 is commonly typed in live stream chat as a greeting to let the streamer know you are a new viewer. In gaming context, it means playing a game completely blind without guides or spoilers. Streamers often welcome 初見 viewers, and 初見プレイ (blind playthrough) is a popular content format.

Examples

1. 初見です、ネタバレなしでお願いします。 First-time viewer here — no spoilers please.
2. このゲーム初見でクリアできる人いるの？ Is there anyone who can actually beat this game on their first blind playthrough?
3. 初見の反応が面白いから実況動画が伸びるんだよね。 First-timer reactions are so entertaining, that's why let's play videos take off.

Usage Guide

Context: streaming chat, gaming communities, social media

Tone: friendly, self-introducing

Do Say

• 初見です、よろしくお願いします (First-time viewer here, nice to meet you)
• 初見プレイの感想聞かせて (Tell me your impressions from your blind playthrough)

Don't Say

• 初見なのにネタバレするのはマナー違反 (Spoiling things when someone says 初見 is bad etiquette)

Common Mistakes

• Confusing 初見 with 初回 — 初見 emphasises the blind/unspoiled aspect, not just 'first time'

Origin & History

Standard Japanese word meaning 'first viewing/meeting,' repurposed by streaming and gaming culture in the 2010s. Commonly typed in live stream chat as a self-introduction.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s streaming culture

Generation: Streaming viewers and gamers (teens-30s)

Social background: Streaming and gaming community

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan in streaming and gaming contexts. One of the most common words in Japanese live stream chat.