Best VTubers of 2024: Watch Hours and Superchat Wrap-Up
Metaverse | Extended Reality
3-minute read
The VTuber industry in 2024 has been nothing short of eventful, with a wave of new talents and the graduation of several well-known VTubers. Many VTubers are also exploring new revenue avenues and platforms, expanding their reach through Twitch subscriptions and other means. Both major agencies and independent creators have delivered impressive results this year. From total live stream watch hours to Superchat earnings, the data highlights the vibrant growth and diversity of the VTuber market. Let's dive into the "2024 VTuber Highlights" compiled from VSTATS, StreamCharts, and Playboard.co to see which VTubers have reached new heights and what exciting trends are emerging.
Top VTuber Watch Hours: Kuzuha Takes the Crown for the Second Year
Total watch hours are a key indicator of a VTuber's activity and influence, reflecting fans' engagement with their content. In today's content-saturated world, capturing and maintaining fan attention is no small feat. According to VSTATS, which aggregates data from platforms like YouTube, Twitch, SOOP, and CHZZK, Kuzuha from Nijisanji topped the 2024 watch hours chart with over 40 million hours, maintaining his status as a fan favorite for the second consecutive year. (His frequent streaming schedule certainly plays a big role in this!)
Kuzuha's year-end highlight reel. (Source: Kuzuha Channel)
Here are the top 10 VTubers by total watch hours in 2024:
| Kuzuha (Nijisanji) | Total Watch Hours: 41,251,280 | Main Platform: YouTube |
| Usada Pekora (hololive) | Total Watch Hours: 37,386,012 | Main Platform: YouTube |
| Kanae (Nijisanji) | Total Watch Hours: 33,576,023 | Main Platform: Twitch |
| Sakura Miko (hololive) | Total Watch Hours: 27,478,478 | Main Platform: YouTube |
| Ironmouse (VShojo) | Total Watch Hours: 26,559,879 | Main Platform: Twitch |
| Hakui Koyori (hololive) | Total Watch Hours: 24,038,679 | Main Platform: YouTube |
| Oozora Subaru (hololive) | Total Watch Hours: 23,609,356 | Main Platform: YouTube |
| Hiiragi Tsurugi (Neo-Porte) | Total Watch Hours: 13,681,553 | Main Platform: Twitch |
| Lauren Iroas (Nijisanji) | Total Watch Hours: 13,566,078 | Main Platform: YouTube |
| Akami Karubi (Crazy Raccoon) | Total Watch Hours: 12,749,677 | Main Platform: Twitch |
Looking at these figures, the top 10 are dominated by members from hololive and Nijisanji, with no independent VTubers making the list. YouTube remains the leading platform, but Twitch is gaining ground. Notably, the independent Taiwanese VTuber "Yan Hua" ranked 26th with 8.76 million watch hours, and KSP from the Meridian Project ranked 45th with 6.47 million hours, being the only two Taiwanese VTubers on the list.
YanHua streaming with XR Elite in VRC. (Source: YanHua ch.)
VTuber Superchat Earnings Rankings
Superchat earnings, often referred to as donations, are a direct way for fans to show support during live streams. Especially during major events, Superchat earnings can reflect fans' enthusiasm and loyalty. Here are the global and Taiwanese Superchat rankings based on Playboard data:
Global Superchat Earnings Top 3
| Minato Akua (hololive) *Graduated and left hololive | Superchat Earnings: Approximately USD 540,550 |
| After announcing her graduation in early August 2024, Minato Akua's streams saw a surge in Superchat support, culminating in a record-breaking final stream on August 28 with 750,000 concurrent viewers. | |
| FUWAMOCO (hololive EN) | Total Earnings: Approximately USD 411,213 |
| This twin VTuber duo has captured the English-speaking market with their humorous interactions and consistent streaming schedule. | |
| Sakamata Chloe (holoX) | Total Earnings: Approximately USD 385,122 |
| During her third-anniversary concert in late November 2024, Chloe announced she would stop streaming from January 26, 2025, leaving fans supportive yet saddened by her decision. | |
The orca taking a break. (Source: Chloe ch. 沙花叉クロヱ – holoX -)
Taiwan VTuber Superchat Earnings Top 3
| Cygnus (SpringFish) | Total Earnings: USD 53,943 |
| Cygnus, a VTuber from the Xtreme Deep Field Project, is a chaotic meme black hole who excels in singing and playing the piano. Known for her signature "Good Morning" series that allegedly forces fans to wake up early to watch her streams (not really). Last October, she successfully debuted in 3D. | |
| HercuLes (Independent) | Total Earnings: USD 51,700 |
| Known for her candid and varied discussions, this independent Taiwanese VTuber overcame controversies last year to emerge as a dark horse. | |
| Taiga Torako (Taiwan Yahoo) | Total Earnings: USD 50,654 |
| Under Taiwan Yahoo, this Japanese VTuber has improved her Chinese skills, giving fans a sense of accomplishment as they watch her grow. | |
Despite the ups and downs in the VTuber industry in 2024, the future remains promising. Reflecting on the year, from Usada Pekora being nominated for TGA's Best Content Creator to Ironmouse topping Twitch subscriptions, the VTuber industry continues to defy expectations and is steadily gaining ground in the Western market.
As COVER CEO "Yagoo" Tanigo Motoaki mentioned, 2025 will see more international brand collaborations with VTubers, offering more physical merchandise and strengthening the bond between creators and fans. Additionally, the lowering of barriers in modeling and real-time motion capture technology will attract more creators from various fields, injecting new energy and possibilities into the community.
