My general assessment is that he recognized that there is a big niche for what he does. Once he went in with the Dokibird he saw the money and how popular it got his channel so he decided that since he is somewhat knowledgeable of weeb shit, he would keep doing it as it was a good fit for him. Is it a grift? So far it doesnt seem that way but only time will tell. It all depends if the person doing the "grift" decided to stick to things and not pull a Matt Walsh or Candace Owens that they flip flop on shit because it benefits them.
I think the main problem people have is some of the guests he has invited. The AkioAir girl was shit.