VTuber Evolution: From Birth to Boom with Hololive, Nijisanji, and 5 Must-Know Fun Facts

For a long time, we've introduced many fresh and interesting stories about VTubers, but it seems we haven't yet delved deeply into what VTubers actually are. This time, let's trace back to the origins and see who initiated this trend. Who exactly are VTubers, and how has this industry grown so significantly over the past few years?

What is a VTuber?

Avatars, first used in the early 1990s for virtual idols, have gradually become prominent on stage. By 2010, with the rise of streaming and live broadcasting platforms, VTubers—also known as 'V-skins' in the community—made their appearance. Although also a form of avatar, their usage differs from that of virtual idols.

Suisei Hoshimachi recently claims to be a virtual idol, transitioning from a VTuber to a virtual idol. (Source: Suisei Channel)

VTuber stands for Virtual YouTuber, a content creator who uses an avatar to stream videos online, also known as "virtual streamers." They are mostly active on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Typically, VTubers do not aim for a highly realistic style; their avatars are often anime-styled, combined with motion capture and voice synthesis technologies to achieve rich voice modulation and facial expressions. For them, character setting and personal traits, as well as interaction with fans, are more important.

Pekora playing "Black Myth: Wukong" live. (Source: Pekora Ch.)

VTuber streams are incredibly diverse, ranging from basic gameplay, singing, and chatting to engaging in various challenges and interactive shows. There are also many educational VTubers who showcase their talents in different fields. Additionally, VTuber character settings are highly varied, from humans with unique professions to anthropomorphized animal characters, such as the well-known Gawr Gura from hololive—a shark-themed VTuber—and even a unique character themed as a cockroach queen. These innovative character settings not only enrich the narrative between virtual and reality but also enhance audience engagement.

Behind these virtual characters, there are usually one or more operators, known among fans as "the person behind", who control and bring the VTuber to life. Most of these operators remain anonymous to prevent their private lives from mixing with their virtual identities, a crucial aspect of VTuber culture. Fans also respect the privacy of the operators' real identities and discourage unwarranted exposure.

The Origins of VTubers: Kizuna AI, hololive, and Nijisanji

VTubers are generally believed to have originated in Japan, with Kizuna AI debuting in 2016 as the pioneer, coining the term VTuber. Her consistent content updates and engaging live streams sparked a VTuber craze, inspiring many individuals and companies to enter the field.

Kizuna AI, who went on hiatus in 2022, could there be a return in 2024? (Source: @aichan_nel)

In Japan, the VTuber craze reached a new peak in 2018, with the number of VTubers steadily increasing to 3,000, according to data. Besides individual creators, many corporations were eager to ride the wave. For instance, hololive production, initially a VR/XR content development company under its parent company COVER, shifted its focus to managing and producing VTubers following the successful debut of Tokino Sora in September 2017, enabling their business to gradually transform into a Vtuber agency/production company from 2018 onwards.

VTubers under hololive are not only popular in Japan but also perform well in English-speaking and Southeast Asian markets. In 2023, COVER's achievements were recognized, and the company was officially listed in Japan. By 2024, COVER expanded into the U.S. market, establishing "COVER USA." Today, even if you don't follow VTubers, you'll see them endorsing various products and collaborations, demonstrating hololive's influence.

Beyond hololive, Nijisanji (formerly Ichikara), established in 2017, initially developed a mobile streaming app specifically for VTubers. To promote this app, they recruited Nijisanji's first generation and allowed these VTubers to stream using the app launched by Nijisanji. As VTubers like Tsukino Mito gained popularity with her unique charm and interactive style, Nijisanji's strategy gradually shifted. They realized that VTubers could be more than just an accessory to a product; they had the potential to become independent brands.

Kuzuha, a highly popular vampire male VTuber from Nijisanji with 1.8 million subscribers. (Source: ANYCOLOR)

Subsequently, they expanded into international markets, capturing the hearts of a large female fanbase. Nijisanji was listed in Japan in June 2022 (even earlier than COVER!), continuing to compete in this fiercely competitive industry by offering more creativity and sincerity to attract fans.

VTubers Are the Ultimate Escape in Otaku Culture

Interestingly, the influence of VTubers within otaku culture is huge. According to a survey report by Yano Economic Research Institute at the end of 2023, the otaku group following VTubers spends an average of 15.7 hours per week on their activities, far surpassing other types of otaku such as PC gamers (13.3 hours), mobile gamers (11.9 hours), console gamers (11.7 hours), and idol otaku (10.8 hours). This demonstrates the penetration and strong attachment of the VTuber culture among fans.

So, how much attention has the entire VTuber industry attracted? According to another data report, in the first half of 2024 alone, the top 4000 most popular VTubers accumulated over 800 million hours of viewing time, and this number continues to climb.

5 Fun Facts About VTubers You Need to Know

1.Who is the VTuber with the highest number of subscribers?

Gawr Gura, with 4.5 million subscribers on YouTube.

2.Do female creators dominate the VTuber industry?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, female creators indeed make up the majority. Among the top 4000 VTubers, female creators account for 69.5%.

3.Which VTuber's "person behind" has openly appeared?

While more and more of the people behind the avatars are appearing on screen, one you definitely can't miss is Kson. Originally a game streamer on YouTube and Niconico as herself, she amassed a large following with her real identity. After transitioning to a VTuber, she joined VShojo in 2022. However, she occasionally appears in her real identity, even holding meet-and-greets, a relatively rare approach to identity management in the VTuber community.

4.Which VTuber is operated entirely by AI?

Neuro-Sama, created by developer Vedal, is an independent VTuber who can play games and chat with fans. With a uniquely appealing AI personality (combining philosophical musings and whimsical randomness), his interactions with the developer are also quite entertaining.

5.Who is the most senior VTuber?

From Japan's "MetaGrandma" project, all VTubers are aged 75 and above. The most active is Hiroko, who is currently 86 years old, and the oldest is Grandpa Hiroki, who is 100 years old.