VTubers are here to take over the streaming world.
The financial viability of online video game streaming is no longer in question as many choose to take up the webcam and keyboard. Unfortunately for the many struggling streamers still trying to make a mark, a new titan seems to be making a move on the lucrative industry: cute anime girls playing video games.
What is a VTuber?
A VTuber is a video game streamer that makes use of an anime avatar using 2D or 3D models. The avatars follow the movement of the streamer's face and head to a small extent. The streamers play video games exclusively through their respective anime personas while keeping their own identities a secret. This layer of mystery definitely adds to the charm. This was a genius move from their part as the world has been seemingly entranced by the absolutely insurmountable amount of online streams and VODs from nearly a hundred VTubers.
The most successful VTubers can be found streaming under the banner of the Japanese VTuber Talent Agency named Hololive. The streamers under Hololive have a variety of models featuring humans, humanoid animal girls, vampires, androids, humanoid mythical creatures, and many more. The current reigning English-speaking VTuber, Gawr Gura, uses a model patterned after a shark.
Cover Corp.'s CEO and founder Tanigo “Yagoo” Motoaki stated that he views his large group of online streamers similarly to the popular Japanese idol girl group, AKB48. AKB48 notably also has a wide number of idols in their roster.
“We're operating a VTuber streamer group called Hololive. In regard to Kizuna Ai that was just mentioned, she's more like a solo star so to speak. In contrast, we basically operate our streaming group in a similar fashion to the popular idol group, AKB48.”
The members of Hololive aren't only restricted to the small screens wherever streaming services are possible. Hololive has also appeared live in a stage performance event, the VTuber group is also set to appear on stage once more later this year.
From humble beginnings
Hololive formed as a response to the inspiration from existing online virtual characters such as Kizuna Ai and Hatsune Miku. Operations for the VTuber group began with the debut of a single talent in 2017, Tokino Sora. Numerous streamers with varying model designs and personalities debuted soon after in batches. This led up to the meteoric rise in popularity in 2020.
Hololive initially only operated with Japanese streamers but has since branched out to signing on streamers from other countries as well. An English unit debuted in September of this year for the benefit of fans that couldn't understand Japanese. The creation of the first five-man English Hololive squad was almost immediately a success considering the number of views and subscribers the streamers have amassed in their short time.
By the Numbers
Gawr Gura leads the charge for the Hololive English unit, surpassing all of the established Japanese VTubers by being the first one to reach over one million subscribers on her YouTube channel. Gawr Gura's English only streams have helped her become more accessible to the majority of English-speaking people in the world. It is also worthy of note that Gura has only been actively streaming for a little over one month after the English unit debut earlierthis year.
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- Gawr Gura (EN) – 1,230,000
- Inugami Korone (JP) – 1,030,000
- Shirakami Fubuki (JP) – 1,000,000
- Usada Pekora (JP) – 868, 000
- Minato Aqua (JP) – 798, 000
- Kiryu Coco (JP) – 774, 000
- Houshou Marine (JP) – 751, 000
- Akai Hato (JP) – 726,000
- Uruha Rushia (JP) 647,000
- Natsuiro Matsuri (JP) 634,000
However, the Japanese Hololive VTubers don't fall far behind them as their antics have earned them almost as many subscribers and viewers. Inugami Korone, a Japanese VTuber who assumes the persona of a dog girl, only recently broke through the one million subscriber milestone. There will surely be more VTubers breaching one million in the coming weeks. The English-speaking VTubers in general have been successful considering their brief streaming tenure.
VTubers also found alternative ways to make interesting content beyond gaming. Several VTubers have branched out to try different types of content on their respective channels. VTuber Akai Haato found success with her zany cooking videos. Several VTubers such as Nekomata Okayu and Inugami Korone, regularly hold karaoke streams. There are even VTubers that simply chat with their audience during streams.
Traditional streamers and video game content creators need to stay wary of this impending wave. The newcomers to the streaming scene are dominating the platform through sheer chaos. There are also many VTubers that find success outside of Hololive. With majority of the population staying in-doors due to the pandemic, these Vtubers are doing an amazing job putting a smile on many people's faces in these trying times. Anime girls have taken over video game streaming, and they're not stopping soon.
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