Hundreds of independent VTubers are popping up all over the internet. VTubing seems to be the new era of online entertainment so today we’re going to look at some of the reasons why people start their VTuber careers.
What Is A VTuber?
VTuber stands for Virtual YouTuber and the name is pretty self-explanatory. The virtual part comes from them being avatars controlled by content creators in real-time. And YouTubers because… yes they are in fact YouTubers. Some of the most popular VTubers take on the form of anime-styled avatars who make content similar to any other internet personality. They frequently stream Let’s Plays, host Q&As, talk to chat and even make music videos.
The music thing comes from their derivation from Japanese culture where JPop bands are considered idols and so is VTubers. A lot of the terminology used in JPop culture crosses over into the VTuber community. Words like “graduation” used to describe when a JPop band member moves on from the group is the same word used to describe a VTuber who has retired and moved on from VTubing.
VTubers are highly dependent on their avatars expressing their personality. Their VTuber model is essentially their online identity so content creators spend a lot of time, energy and money on these animated avatars. Most people don’t really have the technical skills to make one themselves but it’s really popular to commission an artist to design one for you. It’s not uncommon for places like Etsy, VTuberArt, Fiverr and Twitter all to be chocked full of talented artists who are willing to create a fully functional VTuber model for the right price.
Benefits Of Becoming A VTuber
The community is rapidly growing but is still in its infancy. So if there’s any form of online entertainment you should be looking to get into… VTubing is the one. But if you’re not convinced yet then keep on reading.
Anonymity
One of the main reasons why people get into VTubing is because of their ability to preserve their real identity. Instances of this happen all the time in the music industry with artists like Daft Punk, The Gorillaz and Marshmello all attempting to hide behind a mascot. Sometimes artists want to be known for the content they produce without the invasive notoriety and fame that comes with it.
Within the VTuber community, it is actually frowned upon to ask about or attempt to find the hidden identity of a VTuber. Viewers believe that you should appreciate them for the content and persona not pry into their personal lives. Super respectful if you ask me! A lot of VTubers get millions of viewers and social media followers so it’s safe to say that they’d run the risk of being recognised in public. For those who wish to feel the adoration of millions of fans while still being able to keep your normal life then VTubing certainly provides this opportunity.
Even famous streamers like Pokimane have given VTubing a chance. Amouranth stated that if she could do it all over again that she’d become a VTuber. She explained that VTubing is the most secure form of entertainment. This possibly refers to the safety aspect of things as she is likely no stranger to insane followers making her feel uncomfortable.
Money
If we head over to some of the top VTubers channels we’ll be presented with millions of subscribers. Obviously, with this comes lots of money too. It’s estimated that the top 9 VTubers partnered with Japanese VTuber agencies make between $700 – $1.2 million in Super Chat donations every year. Most jobs sitting at a desk typically don’t pay that much.
It’s obviously easier said than done, as starting out you’ll have to create a persona, make content and build a following. But once you’ve got the formula down, the chance of going viral is significantly higher in this niche of YouTube content compared to most others.
The best thing about VTubing is you aren’t limited by the kind of content you want to make and there’s certainly no shortage of platforms to upload to. YouTube and Twitch tend to be the most popular but VTuber’s social media followings make them somewhat of an influencer in their own right.
Talent Agencies
This brings us quite nicely to VTuber talent agencies. Since the viral success of Kizuna AI the original VTuber, it didn’t take long for big companies to start dipping their toes in. Many of the Talent agencies began in Japan with two of the biggest being Nijisanji and Hololive. These agencies essentially host auditions and recruit up-and-coming VTuber talent to produce content as part of their company.
After VTubers had spread into the western media these agencies branched out to create English-speaking divisions and various other sister companies in places where they had fans. Companies like VShojo have some of the biggest rosters of English-speaking VTubers.
So you’re probably wondering, how does this help a budding VTuber? Well, partnering with a VTuber agency grant the creator access to recording studios and better equipment to improve the quality of their content. Not to mention the endless collaboration opportunity with extremely successful VTubers that are also part of the agency. Making multiple appearances on a VTubers channel with millions of subscribers is exposure that smaller channels could only dream about.
The only downside to partnering with an agency is that not much is really known about the terms of their contracts. Not many people are sure about the financials or the professional obligations to the network. There have been a few instances where agencies have let VTubers go for disclosing private information about the company.
Self Expression
Finally, freedom of expression is one of the coolest reasons why people are becoming VTubers. When you are a VTuber you have full creative control over what your avatar looks like. Some creators want to be demons from another dimension, others want to be cute furries and all of these different characters appeal to their own audiences.
In a sense, people can be whoever they want to be which is probably one of the more beautiful things about VTubers. The anonymity and freedom make for so many weird and wonderful personalities.
Final Thoughts
For a long time, people have tuned in to watch their favourite television personalities. Even if they were a cartoon, they were loved by viewers everywhere. Now that VTubing exists, the internet generation has the privilege of being able to interact with their favourite personas in real-time. If VTubing really turns out to be the future of online entertainment then it might be an idea to get on board now while it’s still young!
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