Female YouTube streamer Valkyrae was taken aback when she stumbled upon a surprising statistic: Japanese content creators dominated the latest list of the “Most Watched Female YouTube Gaming Streamers in August” on Stream Charts. What’s even more interesting is that all of them were virtual YouTubers! The concept of watching a cartoon character comment on a live online video may seem surreal, but it has gained surprising popularity worldwide. What started as a niche Japanese trend has now gained more traction, especially due to the pandemic. In fact, more countries are now launching virtual content creators, and companies are even leveraging them for marketing purposes.
Valkyrae, upon discovering the popularity of YouTube Vtubers, couldn’t help but contemplate why she didn’t start as a Vtuber herself. In an interview with Sportskeeda on August 30, 2023, she expressed her surprise at being the only American on the list while Japanese vtubers dominated the other spots. She even joked, “I feel like I should have been a Vtuber.” She later admitted that it was too late for her to become a virtual content creator.
Now, let’s delve into the reasons behind the popularity of vtubers and how they work. Vtubers, or “virtual YouTubers,” are content creators who typically appear as Japanese cartoon or anime avatars. To some, this may seem perplexing, but there are several reasons why people find vtubers fascinating. Firstly, the anime art style has a broad appeal, particularly among younger audiences. Additionally, vtubers have the flexibility to portray any character with fictional backstories. For instance, Gawr Gura, a popular English-speaking vtuber, takes on the role of a friendly sea creature from Atlantis. This encourages viewers to imagine how these animated personas interact with them and other content creators.
Furthermore, vtubers provide a unique space for individuals controlling these avatars to explore topics they may not feel comfortable discussing while revealing their true identities. This has opened up conversations about taboo subjects like coping with depression, attracting those who seek a safe space for discussing such matters. Moreover, vtubers allow content creators to share their talents without the fear of being judged solely based on their appearance. Many engage in entertaining conversations, while others release songs as vtubers. Some even take it a step further by showcasing their dancing skills through motion capture technology.
Believe it or not, companies have begun recognizing the potential of vtubers as marketing tools. CEO Insights Asia, a business news website, referred to this trend as the future of digital content creation. Airline company AirAsia and streaming giant Netflix are just a couple of examples of brands adopting vtubers as mascots and promotional assets.
In conclusion, vtubers are gaining immense popularity globally, dominating the YouTube streaming space. It’s only a matter of time before we see more vtubers featured on the homepage. If you’re interested in starting a vtuber career, now is the perfect time, as it has become more affordable and accessible. Numerous vtuber creators can help you create and customize your avatar in no time. However, remember that engaging your audience with captivating content is still crucial. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and phenomena, including vtubers, by visiting Inquirer Tech.
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