VTubers are immensely popular nowadays, and they’ve certainly entered the mainstream media. But they’ve come a long way since their humble origins as digital avatars relaying business information to people. The number of active VTubers in the world jumped from 16,000 to 20,000 between 2021 and 2022. Eight out of the top ten YouTube channels to receive Super Chats — paid comments — are VTubers.
Despite the legion of VTubers online, they are all unique and, no matter how big or small they are, they all have heart and genuinely love what they do. When it was pointed out that Kinkymation, an artist who began her VTuber career a while ago, doesn’t have a page on the VTuber Wiki, she was fine with it. “Well, I’m very small still.” She has 4.2 thousand subscribers on YouTube and 10.3 thousand followers on Twitch, but she shines in each stream as though she has millions of followers.
While the main source of entertainment for VTubers is gaming, such as Inugami Korone and her extensive gaming connections, such as an easter egg in Doom Eternal, they have a wider reach than that. Mori Calliope has become well-known for her singing talents as much as her gaming skills. AmaLee, under her moniker of Multiverse Monarch, is known for her voice acting and singing. Likewise, Gawr Gura is also known for her singing talents. Super Sonico, wearing the crown of the world’s first VTuber, before the term “VTuber” even existed, has appeared in video games, anime, and manga. Finally, Kizuna AI, the first VTuber breakout success, has held actual concerts, and has been featured in games and anime.
Many agencies have popped up to promote the many impressive VTuber talents, such as Hololive, Nijisanji, Vshoujo, and Phase-Connect. Joining an agency isn’t necessary, however. Many VTubers have found success as independent talents. While many audition for the part, others, like Multiverse Monarch — who is the noted singer and voice actress AmaLee behind the scenes — can just become one due to their already impressive fan base.
VTubers have pioneered such a huge industry that news websites like NewsDrop have been built to cater to audiences eager for VTuber news. Sites, like J-List, even sell VTuber merch, from figures to art books.
Let’s discuss the appeal of VTubers, starting with how cat girls and robots are talking to their fans on stream.
Playing the VTuber Role
Ultimately, the appeal of VTubers is in the performance and pageantry. People like anime characters, especially anime girls, and VTubers have appeal in spades. From cat girls, to succubi, robots, and goblins, there’s a VTuber type for whatever you’re in the mood for. However, they’re not really fantasy magical beings who took to Twitch and YouTube to earn money, as much as fans would love to believe. They’re just normal humans using sophisticated models and equipment to bring their digital personas to life.
VTubers use different avatars and models for their work. Some, like Kinkymation, use hand-drawn avatars, and they’re often referred to as “PNGTubers” because of this. These have limited movement, as they’re reliant on whatever the artist has drawn ahead of time. Kinkymation draws her own VTuber avatars and her large wardrobe of costumes to fit particular streams. Her effort and attention to detail are clearly displayed as her character’s expressions change on the fly.
Most VTubers, such as Monarch, use a Live2D model that allows for further movement and expression. She can move her hands and head, and her mouth and eyes are tracked with equipment worn by the actor. Special software enables viewers to see her expressions in real-time.
VTubers like Zentreya use a full 3D model, an avatar that tracks her every moment with more precise software and equipment. She also employs voice software that hides her actual voice and protects her true identity.
Though VTubers can make up a character backstory and lore, they’re typically genuine people who speak plainly and honestly to their devoted fanbase.
When asked why she became a VTuber, independent VTuber Kinkymation explained how much she enjoys it, and that it has its own conveniences. Quotes edited for clarity.
Well honestly it’s just fun for me to be a VTuber. I’ve done facecam and I like that too. But like not having to worry about how you look is a huuuge help. But I also get to use my art too! So that’s always good for me.
And they are very expressive that makes it fun too! It’s also easy to play a character to build a brand or a specific image with a VTuber with all the lore and all that. — Kinkymation
Many other VTubers likely share her sentiments.
Many VTubers have enjoyed forming their own character lore. When the voice actress and singer AmaLee became a VTuber known as the Multiverse Monarch, she created a lore video that fits her grandiose and extravagant title.
This is a relatively common practice among VTubers, and such lore videos are always exciting to see.
The Games They Play
It’s easy to look pretty and gain clout, but VTubers use games to widen their appeal.
An anime character streaming a game combines the best of gaming and VTuber entertainment for an easy win. VTubers commonly stream games, either on YouTube or Twitch. These digital idols will play video games for hundreds, if not thousands, of their devoted fans to watch and enjoy.
The games VTubers play are varied. For instance, whereas Mori Calliope played a rousing game of Monopoly in a collaboration with other VTubers, Inugami Korone played Doom. These streams, even archived, continue to draw viewers. While the game itself is important, the draw is the VTuber, so even Monopoly can be exciting to watch.
VTubers have become so closely tied to video games that they have collaborated with studios to make cameo appearances. Recently, Inugami Korone appeared as a navigator in Megaton Musashi X. Months prior, she had character elements in Sonic Frontiers, such as cosmetic gear for Sonic himself. Kizuna AI even has her own game.
The Digital Singers
Besides playing video games, VTubers, especially the VTubers attached to large agencies, sing their hearts out for their fans.
AmaLee/Monarch isn’t the only singer in the VTuber space. In fact, singing VTubers are very popular, from smaller VTubers like Temmie Chang, who is also an artist and animator, to idols like Mori Calliope, who models herself as a rapper and a reaper. Her friend and fellow Holive member Gawr Gura is a singer who styles herself as a cute shark girl. Collaborations between VTubers are common, such as Calli and Gura’s “Q”, Kizuna AI vs. Kaguya Luna rap battle, and “Saikyo Tensai Wonderful World of Korone”.
Kizuna AI was one of the most influential VTubers to ever take to the stage as a gamer and prolific singer. However, after her last concert, Hello, World 2022, she’s taken an indefinite hiatus. Still, her music is available for all to hear.
Full-length music videos, or just videos with still images and music, can be found on the VTuber’s own YouTube channel, with links to Spotify or wherever else they upload their music.
The Fans
VTubers and their fans tend to have a very close relationship, even if a screen separates them. It’s clear that the fans love these digital idols, and those same idols love and appreciate the fans just as much. The android Zentreya has a comically exaggerated rivalry with her fans, who refer to her as a “toaster.”
Fans of VTubers have their own names they embrace with honor in support of their idols. Mori Calliope’s fans are the Dead Beats and Gawr Gura’s fans are the Chumbuds, for example.
VTuber fans are among the most creative and dedicated groups around. They’ll create very interesting animations of key parts of their streams, such as Judge Magni, Calli Understands Kobo’s Sounds, and Moona and Kaela Tricked Everyone. One talented creator animated a lore video for an entire team. He also created Myth’s Bad Ending, a viral video with lore bits that Hololive fans enjoyed discovering. Their passion is undeniable, and they stand to support their VTuber idols in every stream.
The Origins of the VTuber
The first VTuber was Super Sonico. Created by Tsuji Santa, she debuted on February 12th, 2010 as the mascot for the visual novel maker Nitroplus. She would talk about herself and advertise the company’s various merchandise. Her popularity rose, and she was eventually brought into video games, anime, manga, and more.
Years late, on November 29th, 2016 the internet was introduced to the digital queen herself, Kizuna AI, on YouTube. She was the first VTuber to gain true mainstream success, and she is credited with coining the term “VTuber” as a shorthand for “virtual YouTuber.” She currently stands as the second most subscribed VTuber, with 3.05 million subscribers, behind Gawr Gura’s 4.27M subscribers, and just ahead of Houshou Marine’s 2.29M subscribers.
Are you a fan of VTubers? Who’s your favorite? Do you want to try being a VTuber? Let us know in the comments.
