VTuber

Some people act as online stars.

They use a cartoon face on a screen. This face moves when they move. It can even look like an animal.

A webcam tracks their eyes and mouth. This helps the digital face act real. Many people use these avatars to feel safe. They can be anyone they want to be. This fun trend is popular all over the world.

It is a new way to share stories.

VTubers are online entertainers who use digital characters.

These characters are called avatars. They are made using computer graphics. A person uses a webcam to move the avatar. The software tracks their eyes and mouth. This makes the digital face look real.

Some avatars look like people from anime. Others look like animals, such as a toucan.

Using an avatar can help people feel safe. It lets them show their true selves.

This trend began in Japan. Kizuna AI was the first very famous VTuber. She started on YouTube in 2016. Now, many VTubers work for big agencies. These companies are like talent groups. They help stars like Hololive and Nijisanji.

These groups help stars reach fans around the world. Some VTubers are even part of big ads. By 2020, there were over 10,000 active VTubers. They use sites like YouTube and Twitch to share their fun.

VTubers are online entertainers who use digital characters called avatars.

These characters are made with computer graphics. Many VTubers are YouTubers or live streamers. They often use designs inspired by anime and manga. Some avatars look like humans, while others look like animals.

Using an avatar lets people express themselves in new ways. It can provide personal comfort and safety for some performers. Some even use them to better show their true identity. This makes the digital world a place for many different voices.

To make an avatar move, performers use special technology.

Most use a webcam and motion capture software. This software tracks their eyes, mouth, and body movements. It then maps those moves onto a 2D or 3D model. Some people use virtual reality gear or hand tracking devices. They might use programs like Live2D for 2D models. Others use VRoid Studio to create 3D models. Some performers are called "PNGTubers" because they use simple images. These images change frames to show different emotions.

The history of this trend has several interesting roots.

In 2010, Nitroplus showed an animated 3D mascot on YouTube. In 2011, Ami Yamato used a virtual avatar in her videos. A weather character named Airi began live broadcasting in 2014. Later that year, FaceRig software helped people use avatars at home. The big breakout happened in late 2016 with Kizuna AI. She was the first to use the term "virtual YouTuber." Her popularity turned a small idea into a huge global trend.

Today, the VTuber world is very large and organized.

Many VTubers belong to big talent agencies. These include groups like Hololive Production and Nijisanji.

Some agencies have branches in many different countries. By 2020, there were more than 10,000 active VTubers. They use many websites like YouTube, Twitch, and Bilibili. In 2020, VTubers were a major trend on YouTube. They even appeared in big advertising campaigns. Some VTubers have broken world records for livestreaming.

VTubers connect to many things you might already know. They share many traits with professional wrestling characters. This is called "kayfabe," where a performer stays in character. They are also similar to the "idols" found in Japanese culture. Many agencies use a "graduation" term when a performer retires. This is a kind way to say they are leaving. Even the way they earn money is familiar. They use video ads, viewer donations, and special merchandise. It is a modern way to share stories and joy.

A VTuber is an online entertainer who uses a digital avatar generated by computer graphics.

These performers are typically YouTubers or live streamers on platforms like Twitch or Bilibili. While the name alludes to YouTube, they appear across many different websites. Most VTubers use designs inspired by Japanese aesthetics, such as anime and manga. They often use moe anthropomorphism, which gives human or non-human traits to characters. Some avatars represent animals, such as a toco toucan.

This technology allows performers to act without the physical limitations of their real-world identity. For some, especially those in marginalized communities, avatars provide personal comfort and safety. Transgender VTubers may also use avatars to better reflect their preferred presentation.

To bring these characters to life, performers use sophisticated motion capture technology.

Most setups involve a webcam and specialized software to track movement. This software captures the streamer's expressions, mouth movements, and body motions. It then maps these actions onto a two-dimensional or three-dimensional model. Some users employ virtual reality hardware or hand tracking devices like the Leap Motion Controller. Advanced users might use AI-accelerated facial motion capture via Nvidia RTX graphics cards. To create these models, artists use tools like Live2D for 2D textures or VRoid Studio for 3D models. High-quality commissioned models can cost up to US$2,000. Some simpler creators are known as "PNGTubers" because they use static image sprites. These sprites switch between different frames to convey various emotions or actions.

VTubing has several historical predecessors that helped shape the current landscape. In 2010, Nitroplus uploaded videos featuring a 3D version of their mascot, Super Sonico. In 2011, vlogger Ami Yamato used an animated avatar to speak to her audience. By 2012, the character Weatheroid Type A Airi appeared on a weather live stream. Airi eventually began live broadcasting with motion capture in 2014. That same year, the FaceRig software launched, allowing people to use live avatars at home. In 2015, Live2D software was added to support 2D avatars. However, the most significant turning point occurred in late 2016. Kizuna AI became the first entertainer to use the term "virtual YouTuber" and achieved massive breakout popularity.

Kizuna AI's success sparked a massive trend that transformed the digital entertainment industry. She built a sense of real intimacy with her fans by responding to their questions. Within ten months, she gained over two million subscribers. Her popularity led to the rise of specialized talent agencies. Companies like Hololive Production and Nijisanji were established to promote these entertainers.

These agencies often follow business models influenced by Japanese idol agencies. They manage performers through auditions and commercialize them through merchandise and video monetization. When a VTuber retires or leaves an agency on good terms, it is called "graduation." In many cases, the character and its assets remain the intellectual property of the agency.

By the year 2020, the VTuber phenomenon had become a global mainstream movement. There were more than 10,000 active VTubers operating worldwide by that time. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to this growth by increasing overall viewership of live streams. In July 2018, VTubers had a collective subscriber count of 12.7 million. By August 2020, seven of the ten largest Super Chat earners on YouTube were VTubers. These performers accounted for 38% of YouTube's 300 most profitable channels. This group generated a total revenue of approximately US$26,229,911, much of which came from viewer donations. The popularity also surged on Twitch, where VTubing content grew by 467% in 2021.

Individual VTubers have achieved remarkable milestones and broken various world records. Gawr Gura, a member of Hololive's English branch, overtook Kizuna AI as the most-subscribed VTuber in 2021. In 2020, the streamer Ironmouse accumulated one of the largest numbers of active paid subscriptions on Twitch. Other notable figures include Projekt Melody from VShojo, which was one of the first Western VTuber agencies.

Even technology itself is evolving within the field. In 2022, an independent VTuber named Neuro-sama gained attention for using a large language model. This allowed her to interact with her audience using a speech synthesis system.

The VTuber industry connects to several broader cultural and social systems. The way performers stay in character is similar to "kayfabe" in professional wrestling. This means the performer maintains the persona of the character during their broadcast. The industry also faces complex challenges regarding digital safety and corporate management. In 2020, Nijisanji created a team to handle harassment and provide counseling to victims. However, the industry has also seen criticism regarding the treatment of talent. For example, in 2024, Anycolor faced scrutiny following the contract termination of Selen Tatsuki. These events show that as the digital world grows, it must navigate real-world social and legal complexities.