A VTuber describes a YouTube creator who uses an avatar in place of actually appearing on camera. (VTuber is short for “virtual YouTuber.”)
Typically depicted in anime style, VTubers are currently most common on Japanese-speaking channels. Kizuna AI, often considered the first modern VTuber, has more than 10M subscribers across various social platforms.
KizunaAI and other popular VTubers often utilize high-tech production equipment, including full body-motion rigs.
For newer channels, a webcam and basic face-tracking software can suffice. VTuber Maker, a dedicated VTuber tool on Steam, has over 400 reviews.
And the trend is spreading from Japan. A YouTube survey found that 47% of all viewers worldwide are open to watching content from fictional or virtual characters.
Activ8, the creators of
Kizuna AI, raised a $8.7M (1B yen) Series C round last year for global expansion of its virtual YouTubers.
And COVER, a VTuber talent agency responsible for 16 of the top 20 VTuber channels by reach, has raised $8.7M to date.
What's next:
VTubers are part of the virtual creators meta trend.
A HypeAuditor study found that virtual influencers get nearly 3 times more engagement than traditional influencers.
Lil Miquela has 3M followers on Instagram. Unlike most VTubers, she is photorealistic. And she’s starred in campaigns alongside Bella Hadid, Millie Bobby Brown and Steve Aoki.
Brud, the company behind Lil Miquela, was acquired by Dapper Labs in October.