Custom Requests: How to Get Something Made Just for You by a Japanese Idol, Cosplayer, or VTuber

Lead: The individual request feature is the closest thing to a private commission that mainstream platforms let overseas fans access — and it’s one of the reasons Japanese creators are flocking to RichFans®. Here’s exactly how it works and how to write one that actually gets accepted.

What "individual requests" actually are
What overseas fans actually request
How to write a request that actually gets accepted
1. 1. Be specific, respectful, and short.
2. 2. Offer a fair amount for the effort.
What overseas fans especially benefit from
Language: what to actually type

What "individual requests" actually are

An individual request is a private message you send to a Japanese creator on RichFans® with an offered amount of money attached. Unlike a tip (which is unconditional), a request is a specific ask: "here’s what I’d love, and here’s what I’m offering for it."

The creator sees your request in their private request inbox. They can:

Accept — they deliver the requested content or performance, your money is captured, and both parties see the transaction close.
Counter-propose — they say "yes, but for ¥5,000 instead of ¥3,000" or "yes, but by next weekend instead of tomorrow." You accept or decline the new terms.
Politely decline — no money changes hands, no hard feelings. Some requests fall outside a creator’s comfort zone, and RichFans® makes declining low-friction so creators feel safe saying no.

Nothing is charged until the creator says yes.

What overseas fans actually request

From the requests Japanese creators on RichFans® are receiving right now:

Personalised video shoutouts

"Please wish my sister happy birthday — she’s your biggest fan in Sydney"
"Read this Japanese phrase for me, I’m memorising it for a proposal"
"Say hi to our anime club in Vancouver"

Rough range: ¥2,000 – ¥8,000. Deliverable in a day or two.

Reading fan letters on stream

"Please read this letter on your next live stream"
"Mention my handle when you thank supporters this month"

Rough range: ¥3,000 – ¥10,000. Delivered on the creator’s next scheduled stream.

Signed photos (physical or digital)

"Sign this photo and include your character catchphrase"
"Please add ‘From your Berlin oshi’ in the signature"

Rough range: ¥1,500 – ¥5,000 digital, ¥3,000 – ¥15,000 physical (physical requires the creator willing to ship, which is optional).

Voice / audio drama snippets

"Record you saying [this line] in your character voice"
"Read this original short script — 90 seconds"

Rough range: ¥5,000 – ¥20,000 depending on length and preparation.

Cosplay-adjacent requests

For cosplayers specifically:

"Recreate this pose in your [x] costume"
"Include the [x] prop when you post your next set"
"Please film a 30-second twirl in the [character] outfit"

Rough range: ¥5,000 – ¥30,000 depending on production effort.

Fan-art commissions (for illustrator creators)

Some illustrators on RichFans® accept commissioned pieces. Terms are usually laid out in their profile — style, subject matter allowed, turnaround.

How to write a request that actually gets accepted

The Japanese creator on the other side is a real person. Two rules cover most of what makes requests land well.

1. Be specific, respectful, and short.

Bad: "Can you make me something please 😊"

Better: "Would you record a 30-second video where you say ‘Happy 25th birthday, Kenji’ in your character voice? I’d love it by Nov 12 if possible."

State the deliverable, the reason, the deadline (if you have one), and any personalisation detail. Japanese creators appreciate the same politeness they’d extend to a client — you’re not obligated to sound formal, but "I’d love" and "if possible" go a long way.

2. Offer a fair amount for the effort.

Recording a 30-second phone-camera video is different from setting up costume, lighting, and a script for a 3-minute performance. When you’re not sure, look at the creator’s pricing floor (visible on their profile), and offer the low-to-mid end of what similar past requests got. Underpricing a large ask is the #1 reason requests get declined.

If you’d genuinely love the creator to do something but aren’t sure what to offer, you can send a smaller "consultation" tip and ask them privately what they’d accept for the specific ask — they’ll usually reply.

What overseas fans especially benefit from

The individual request feature is where the language barrier falls the fastest. AI translation is built in — you can write your request in English, the creator reads it in Japanese, replies in Japanese, and you read it in English. No third-party translator. No delay.

Also worth knowing:

Payment is charged in USD when you’re in the US (or your local currency, depending on your card). The creator receives yen. No hidden double conversion.
Refunds are automatic if the creator declines. If they accept but genuinely can’t deliver, RichFans® customer support will intervene.
The creator sees your handle, not your real name. Your card statement reads "RichFans", not the creator’s name.

Language: what to actually type

You don’t need to write Japanese. Really. Every creator on RichFans® can read your English via built-in translation.

But if you want to open with a Japanese greeting for warmth, these three are safe:

はじめまして (hajimemashite) — "nice to meet you" (for a first-ever message)
いつも応援しています (itsumo ouen shite imasu) — "I always support you"
よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegai shimasu) — universal closer, roughly "thank you in advance"

Then write the rest in English. It’s expected, it’s normal, and the creator appreciates that you tried.

Ready to send your first request? Find a creator on RichFans® →