Virtual YouTubers: Where Did They Come From

If you’ve ever explored YouTube live streams you might have come across some hyperactive anime characters playing video games. In fact, if you’ve moseyed around any streaming platform you might have found some of these here too. These animated characters are known as VTubers and have taken the internet by storm. Today we’re here to answer the important question of where did they come from?

What Is A VTuber?

Before we dive into where they come from we should probably explain exactly what VTubers are. The term VTuber stands for Virtual YouTuber which is the main platform on which they thrive. VTubers are essentially an animated avatar, controlled by a content creator using motion-tracking technology to mimic their movements in real time. 

The content that VTubers produce is similar to any other content creator on the platform. They do Let’s Plays, karaoke, make music videos, talk with their chat, react to videos and even collaborate with other VTubers. While they primarily upload to YouTube they have a presence on the internet wherever you can upload your own content.

When viewers watch VTubers they are tuning in for the persona that the creator has made, ignoring the fact that they are controlled by another person. Within the VTuber community, it is actually frowned upon to seek out or even talk about the person behind the character. Mentioning it in the creator’s chat is seen as offensive as everyone is there to appreciate the entertainment for what it is.

The First Ever VTuber

The first-ever creator to upload to YouTube using the VTuber format is known as Ami Yamato. She takes on the form of a 3D-animated Japanese woman who has moved to the UK. Her uploads primarily consist of vlogs, sketches and informative videos, but her diverse range of content and erratic uploading schedule really prevented her from staying in the limelight. Ami’s character appears to be unaware of the fact that she is a virtual 3D character, given her lack of self-awareness in all of the real-life situations she puts herself in. 

Ami was still extremely successful in her own right and was even featured on the BBC in a news article all about VTubers, or what they referred to at the time as virtual vloggers 

Ami still uploads content to this day and has been asked about this whole VTuber fiasco. Despite following what it means to be a VTuber she still doesn’t consider herself one. She went on to explain that “Nobody is real on YouTube, Everyone is a persona of their true self” Regardless of her rather deep and hard-hitting response she may well be the first recorded instance of VTubing before the fandom began.

Modern Day VTubers

VTubers in this day and age are primarily Japanese virtual characters who possess all of the typical anime tropes, crazy hair, wide eyes and intricate outfits. But how did this come to be? Well, following the success of Ami Yamato a Japanese digital entertainment company called Activ8 went on to create Kizuna AI, the VTuber that would go down in history. 

Kizuna takes on the shape of a bubbly and animated, pardon the pun young woman who usually wears a schoolgirl outfit. In many fans’ eyes, Kizuna AI is the world’s first official VTuber as she did go on to coin the term. She referred to herself as a Virtual YouTuber and went on to become a viral sensation all over the internet.

Unlike Ami, Kizuna would live stream, create music videos and interact with her chat in real time which was unheard of at the time. The company Activ8 had access to recording studios and a decent production budget to make these streams possible at the time that they first started. Kizuna became so influential in Japan that she featured in many TV commercials, partnered with major companies, performed at music concerts and has even become a national ambassador for tourism!

The current VTuber culture certainly originates from Japan as there are many different rules and traditions that derive from Japanese pop culture. Things such as respectfully moving on from the company or retiring as a VTuber is known as graduating. This is named after the same process that occurs with JPop band members.

Kizuna would go on to graduate in 2020. For her graduation stream, almost 150,000 viewers tuned in live to say farewell, as well as 1,000 cameo appearances from fellow VTubers who wanted to pay their respects. Kizuna’s fruitful career led to the emergence of numerous different VTuber talent agencies such as VShojo, Nijisanji and Hololive who own some of the most viewed creators in the space.

Thanks to the development of tracking technology and good PCs becoming more affordable to make, independent VTubers are emerging by the hundreds in an attempt to land an audition with an agency. 

How To Get A VTuber Model?

So, if you’ve been inspired by Kizuna’s viral success and want to give it a try yourself you’ll first need to get a hold of a VTuber model. VTuber models are the avatar that will essentially depict your online identity so you want to make sure that you get it right.

Experienced and tech-savvy members of the community like to have a go at making their own VTuber models. As they say, if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself. However, not everyone has the time or skills to make one themselves but are still in need of a good quality avatar in their likeness. Hence, one of the most popular options is to commission a VTuber artist. Some of the most common places like Fiverr, VTuberArt, Etsy and Twitter all have talented artists that can bring your dream VTuber to life.

How Expensive Is A VTuber Model?

Asking how much a VTuber model is, is a bit like asking how long is a piece of string. Artists’ rates vary depending on how much they think their art is worth. After all, to make a fully functional VTuber it will take graphic design, rigging and animation which can be specialist skills in their own right. Oftentimes, if the price is very cheap it’s likely that the artist might not have put that much effort into it which can mean a lot more bugs and problems when it comes to streaming.

There are also lots of variables when it comes to bringing someone’s unique VTuber model idea to life. Some people might want a full-body avatar whilst others might be looking for just the bust upwards. Not to mention the various different art styles, physics or toggle animations a person might be looking for. As a general rule, the more complex your avatar the more you can expect to spend on one.

However, a rough figure could be anywhere from $200 to $2000. So keep this in mind if things seem just too good to be true.