5 Key Highlights from the VTuber Q3 2024 Report

Recently, the streaming statistics and analytics website Stream Charts released a VTubers Q3 2024 Report, revealing for the first time a decline in growth during the third quarter of 2024. Could this be a warning sign for the VTuber industry, especially for independent VTubers? The report also presents some interesting data and insights. Let's explore the top 5 highlights!

1. First Decline in VTuber Growth

In the third quarter of 2024, VTuber data showed a decline for the first time, particularly in two metrics: "number of channels" and "hours watched".

As seen in the graph below, number of channels fell below 5,000, marking the lowest point in the past eighteen months. Additionally, there was a slight decrease of 1.5% from the previous quarter's 439 million hours.

Regarding the decline in VTuber growth, Stream Charts attributes the primary cause to the performance downturn of major platforms YouTube and Twitch. Especially in Q2, YouTube set historical records in viewing time, average viewers, peak viewers, and active channel count, so Stream Charts suggests there is no need for excessive concern about this phenomenon.

2. Female VTubers Still Dominate, Taiwanese Vtubers Make the List!

Unsurprisingly, female VTubers still make up over 70% of the overall VTuber population. Additionally, as the birthplace of VTuber culture, Japan accounts for 43% of VTubers globally; moreover, Japanese participation in VTuber activities is higher than in other countries, with Japanese VTubers accounting for 69.4% of the total global viewing hours, which is quite remarkable.

Recently, the United States has also been swept up in VTuber culture, with 1/5 of VTubers hailing from the US; interestingly, Taiwan has also made the list, with Taiwanese Vtubers contributing 2.4% of the VTuber population, which is about eight times higher than Taiwan's global population share (approximately 0.29%)!

3. Hololive and NIJISANJI Lead, Independent VTubers Hold One-Third.

Hololive and NIJISANJI together account for over 40% of the viewing figures, while VShojo ranks as the third largest in the market. Although Hololive and NIJISANJI have seen growth, VShojo experienced the most growth in Q3 (10.5%), largely thanks to Ironmouse, who held a very successful subscription marathon (subathon) in September, setting a new record for paid subscriptions.

Nevertheless, independent VTubers still maintain a significant share, accounting for one-third of the viewing hours, although Stream Charts reports a slight decline of 4.6% in Q3 for this group.

4. Pekora Plays Too Much 'Black Myth: Wukong'

In the third quarter of 2024, the VTubers with the highest viewing hours were NIJISANJI's Kuzuha, Hololive's Sakura Miko, and Ironmouse from Puerto Rico.

Oozora Subaru also improved significantly (22%) from the previous season, mainly due to her participation in a week-long GTA marathon with other Hololive VTubers in September.

Additionally, the report notes that Usada Pekora's performance fell by 28% from second to fifth place, as she spent too much time playing 'Black Myth: Wukon', which did not attract as many viewers as her streams of 'Monster Hunter: World' in the second quarter.

5. Most Popular English-Speaking VTuber: Ironmouse

It's definitely VShojo's Ironmouse, who has left the second-place AdmiralBahroo far behind.

However, it's worth noting that Hololive EN also performed quite well, with six VTubers making the list in a short time, even pushing Filian, whom we previously recommended, down to eighth place!

Although the VTuber industry has experienced its first decline, it remains vibrant overall. With new content and creativity, as well as various interesting events, perhaps Q3 2024 is just a short-term fluctuation, and the future of VTubers, including English VTubers, still holds much promise. Who knows, the next quarter might even reach new heights.