Brit Schoolgirl becomes Youtube hit in Japan

[Don]

A 14-year-old Isle of Man schoolgirl has become an internet celebrity after she posted videos online of herself dancing and singing to Japanese pop songs.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8509044.stm

Rebecca Flint, from Ramsey and known online as Beckii Cruel, has had millions of hits to her YouTube anime-style cartoon character performances.

A Japanese publishing company has picked up on her fame and she is set to release her debut album on Wednesday.

Her father, Derek Flint, said it was "tremendous experience for her".

"So far it's been a tremendous adventure, not many teenage girls get to travel across the globe and have this sort of exposure," said Mr Flint, a Manx police officer.

"We've brought our children up with the internet, they've always had access to it.

"Rebecca is well aware of the online dangers, she's been well advised and has told us when there have been problems.

"This is just a bit of fun, dancing to Japanese culture."

The teenage pop icon-to-be said she first became interested in Japanese cartoons and comics when she picked up a translated copy of Fruits Basket, a Japanese girls' manga series.