# 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. Em...

- URL: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/videos/the-emmy-built-on-eth-pplpleasr-on-the-future-of-storytelling
- Authors: [pplpleasr](https://a16zcrypto.com/team/pplpleasr), [Robert Hackett](https://a16zcrypto.com/team/robert-hackett)
- Published: 2026-03-12
- Updated: 2026-03-23
- Focus areas: company building
- Tags: creator economy, Voices Onchain, Founders Summits
- Format: videos

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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.

[Embedded media](https://www.youtube.com/embed/ssuLZSnFgfY?feature=oembed)

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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssuLZSnFgfY) – Behind the Fortune Magazine Cover

[01:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssuLZSnFgfY&t=106s) – Founding Shibuya, and “Permissionless Creativity”

[02:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssuLZSnFgfY&t=133s) – Winning an Emmy for White Rabbit., the First Crypto Project to Win an Emmy

[03:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssuLZSnFgfY&t=194s) – What Is White Rabbit? (Interactive + NFT Model Explained)

[05:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssuLZSnFgfY&t=353s) – From Passive Viewing to Interactive Storytelling

[07:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssuLZSnFgfY&t=439s) – Opportunities for Creatives

[08:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssuLZSnFgfY&t=507s) – Creative Inspirations (Miyazaki, Black Mirror)

[09:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssuLZSnFgfY&t=565s) – Going With Your Gut, And the Advice Should Founders Ignore

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