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Even if you're not into YouTube trends, chances are you've stumbled upon videos featuring anime girls in your recommended section. This type of content is racking up millions of views and gaining fans from all around the world. The individuals behind these videos are commonly referred to as VTubers or virtual YouTubers.
In this article, we'll go into the world of VTubers, exploring their origins, rise to fame, and the unique challenges that come with crafting such a persona for an ordinary person.
Who is a VTuber?
A VTuber, short for virtual YouTuber, is an online content creator who uses virtual avatars instead of showing their real face on camera. These avatars are programmed to imitate the movements of the person operating them.
The animated avatars typically resemble characters from anime series or manga, featuring large eyes, colorful hair, and distinctive voices. These characters can be either 2D or 3D. One of the most well-known VTubers is Kizuna AI, who is considered the first virtual vlogger and has expanded her reach far beyond YouTube.
Popular VTuber and Streamer Pokimane
Over the past five years, there has been a remarkable surge of interest in VTubers, with a growth rate of 6900%. The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in this phenomenon. In 2020 alone, videos featuring animated avatars amassed over 1.5 billion views.
The VTubers are the next generation of influencers. They use their creativity and storytelling skills to entertain viewers who watch their videos.
History of VTubers: How It All Started and Who Was the First VTuber?
Although VTubers have gained popularity only in the past few years, the trend itself is not a new sensation. The trend of creating virtual content originated in Japan in the mid-2010s.
The first to start uploading videos with animated images was Nitroplus. In 2010, the company uploaded videos to introduce themselves or share updates.
However, these videos were quite different from what we now know as VTubers. The animated images were created entirely in a studio by a team of animators, rather than being represented by a single person.
In 2011, Ami Yamato became the first person to upload a video with an avatar. The video featured an animated 3D image that accurately replicated all of the girl's movements. This video became a great success and sparked increasing interest in virtual avatars.
The trend not only attracted individuals but also caught the attention of companies. For instance, in 2012, the Japanese company Weathernews Inc introduced a character named Airi (Weatheroid Type A Airi) as a 24-hour weather forecaster. Two years later, Airi transformed into a full-fledged virtual blogger on YouTube, using motion capture technology to bring her to life.
Over time, the trend grew in popularity, experienced fluctuations, and gained renewed interest. In 2016, a Japanese virtual blogger named Kizuna AI burst onto the YouTube scene, quickly amassing a large following. Kizuna AI can be considered the first "virtual YouTuber" and thus the first VTuber. Her endearing personality and frequent video uploads contributed to her rapid rise in popularity in Japan.
As time went on, the VTuber trend gained momentum and became an integral part of Japanese pop culture, akin to idols in South Korea. VTubers started appearing everywhere, from billboards and marketing campaigns to TV shows.
Unlike Vocaloids, which are software imitating human voices, virtual YouTubers are real people who use visual avatars. The movements of the virtual avatar correspond to the movements of the person controlling it.
Pandemic and Entry into the Global Market
Initially, VTubers were primarily popular in Japan, appealing mainly to anime and manga fans. However, everything changed in 2020 with the onset of the pandemic. Nearly all of humanity turned to consuming digital content on a large scale.
This marked the moment when VTubers entered the global stage. Within a short period, the views on similar content reached 1.5 billion. Even individual videos on Kizuna AI's channel started gaining millions of views. Moreover, the audience expanded beyond Japan to include people from various nationalities.
Since then, VTubers have become an international phenomenon. Numerous events have been organized, featuring virtual celebrities from different countries. According to data published by UserLocal on October 19, 2021, there were approximately 16,000 VTubers worldwide.
VTubers as a Trend
VTubers, or virtual YouTubers, have become a popular trend in recent years. One of the most well-known VTubers is Kizuna AI, who has gained 3.06 million YouTube subscribers and has uploaded 1,132 videos on her channel. Kizuna AI has even been appointed as the Japanese Cultural Ambassador to the Japan National Tourism Organization, highlighting her role in representing Japanese culture.
However, Kizuna AI is no longer the most popular VTuber worldwide. In 2021, the title was claimed by the Gawr Gura channel, which boasts 4.2 million subscribers.
Hololive Production
The success of Kizuna AI caught the attention of companies, leading to the establishment of virtual YouTuber agencies. The largest VTubing agency is Hololive Production, owned by the Japanese entertainment company, Cover Corporation. As of 2021, Hololive Production represents over 50 virtual YouTubers, making it a dominant player in the industry.
PewDiePie
The rise of virtual avatars has also attracted Western media and bloggers. In 2018, the popular YouTuber PewDiePie had a conversation with Kizuna AI, which greatly increased the following for both of them.
In 2021, PewDiePie himself even created a full-fledged video using a virtual avatar.
Netflix
Netflix has also joined the trend by introducing its own VTuber named N-ko Mei Kurono. The first release featuring this virtual character was aired on the Netflix Anime channel in 2021.
Other Examples
South Korean girl group aespa has also embraced digital technology by including both real and virtual members in their group.
Additionally, the Russian-speaking market has its own VTuber, the Orc podcaster, who reviews MMO games and compares them to World of Warcraft. Being one of the first VTubers in that region, he has gained a loyal following among Russian viewers.
How do VTubers Work?
Contrary to popular belief, VTubers are not AI creations. They are operated by humans who control avatars through motion capture technology. To do this, they use specialized equipment such as a high-quality camera with a motion sensor, a laptop or PC for storing and editing content, and often a motion capture suit to detect facial and body movements.
For example, VTuber CodeMiko made a video where she explained how her suit works:
VTubers usually start with budget-friendly equipment like built-in laptop cameras and separate microphones for better sound quality. They also use software for creating animated avatars, which offer features like motion capture, customizable backgrounds, and facial expression adjustments. Popular options for this include VDraw, VSeeFace, and VMagicMirror.
Content-wise, VTubers, and traditional YouTubers produce similar types of content. They host gaming sessions, live streams, competitions, and collaborations with other bloggers. VTubers, however, have the advantage of being able to create their own unique virtual persona, allowing for endless possibilities in terms of character and content creation.
Earning with Superchat
VTubers have gained significant popularity across various platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and Bilibili. Even established streamers have started using anime-style avatars to attract more viewers, resulting in increased audience engagement and donations.
During the pandemic, VTubers' earnings have skyrocketed. According to Playboard data from 2020, virtual blogger Kiryu Coco earned over 85 million yen (approximately $810,000) throughout her time running the channel. In a single month, a YouTuber can earn $134,000 or more, with this figure continuing to rise.
Below are other major VTubers are also keeping up with Hololive in terms of revenue.
Thanks to affordable technical equipment, virtual YouTubers have the opportunity to earn significantly more than regular YouTubers. They can shoot videos and stream directly from the comfort of their homes.
Conclusion
Virtual YouTubers (VTubers) and this medium have immense potential for growth in the near future, considering the increasing shift towards the virtual world. The entertainment industry is already undergoing this migration.
This type of content blurs the boundary between reality and the online world. In the past, motion capture technology was limited to the creation of video games and films, but now it's accessible to the average person.
