VTuber stands for “virtual YouTuber”. In this digital age, virtual avatars can become internet celebrities. In recent years, more and more people in Japan have joined the ranks of VTubers, let’s get to know the 10 most popular VTubers in Japan!
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Table of Contents
What is VTuber?
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VTuber is the abbreviation for “Virtual YouTuber”. In Japan, live broadcasting video culture started on the Nico Nico Douga (ニコニコ動画) video platform until YouTube became the preferred choice. Becoming a YouTuber has even ranked on a 2021 survey of Japanese elementary school students’ ideal career list.
As the name suggests, a VTuber is a virtual character, which is operated and dubbed by a person or a team behind it. It uses motion capture devices and sensors to recreate human movements on the virtual character, or uses software such as web cameras and FaceRig to realise the action, to make the avatar look alive.
— Kizuna AI @スリープ中💤 (@aichan_nel) February 26, 2022
The first VTuber to exist is “Kizuna Ai” who debuted on November 29, 2016. She was made as part of a project called “Project A.I.” by Japanese company Activ8. Since then, more and more VTubers have been born. As of October 2021, there are more than 16,000 VTubers active on the internet. In Japan, there are also VTuber-specific agencies such as hololive production, ANYCOLOR Inc., and Upd8. Moreover, the work of a VTuber is not limited to online videos, but also appearances in TV programmes, or serving as publicity for companies and organisations. Although there are no VTubers present in the 2021 Japanese Youtube Video Rankings, as VTubers become mainstream, it can be expected to enter the Top 10 in the coming years.
Since the person behind a VTuber does not need to show their appearance in public, they can maintain their privacy even if they become famous, which is a great appeal for people who want to work as a VTuber. At the same time, the virtual characters mostly adopt unique character designs, interesting personalities, and are not limited by age. They are quickly loved by the audience, and are popular in Japan and overseas. Due to the separation of the VTuber operator and the character, VTuber can continue activities for a long time in principle. However, many fans are attracted by the charm of the operator, so when he/she is replaced or a scandal is discovered, fans will become upset.
Writer's Pick
Top 10 VTubers in Japan (2023)
After coming to know what VTubers are, let’s get to know the Top 10 VTubers in Japan based on the number of followers they have as of August 3, 2023!
1. Gawr Gura
Gawr Gura is an English VTuber affiliated to Hololive. She debuted on September 13, 2020. Her unique character setting is that of a descendent of the Lost City of Atlantis who is over 9,000 years old and originally lived under the sea. Because she was bored down there, she came to the surface. She is nicknamed「サメちゃん (same-chan)」- “Little Shark” by fans as she often wears a shark headgear.
Gawr Gura is good at music games and singing. After debuting as Hololive English’s first generation unit, she often broadcasts gameplays in English. She has successfully attracted the attention of overseas fans. Her number of subscribers had reached 500,000 within 2 weeks of her debut, becoming the fastest growing number of subscribers in the history of VTubers.
Gawr Gura now has 4.32 million subscribers, making her No.1 in rankings. Her Japanese name, 「がうる・ぐら」was also selected as one of 100 Internet Buzzwords of 2020.
2. Kizuna Ai (キズナアイ)
As mentioned above, Kizuna Ai is the first VTuber in the world. She uploaded her first video on her YouTube channel called “A.I. Channel” on November 29, 2016 and currently has 3.08 million subscribers. Her character background is an AI that has gained independence, and looks like a 16 year old girl. Her videos mainly focus on discussions, parodies, gameplay recording, singing and dancing. She also participates in many real-life activities and advertisements, starring in TV programmes, radio broadcasts, and has even released a photobook. It is not surprising that she has been for a long time the ladder of the VTuber industry.
However, after the concert “Kizuna Ai The Last Live ~ Hello World 2022~” on February 26, 2022, she went on indefinite hiatus. At the same time however, a Kizuna Ai anime adaptation project was announced, “Kizuna no Allele (絆のアリル)”. The first season aired from April 4, 2023 to June 20, 2023 while the second season will air in October 2023.
3. Houshou Marine (宝鐘マリン)
Houshou Marine debuted as part of Hololive 3rd Generation. She claims to be the Captain of the Houshou Pirates. In order to save money to buy a pirate ship, she is currently active as a VTuber on YouTube. Her nickname is「船長 (senchou)」- “Captain”. Her video content includes illustration creation, live gameplays, singing, etc. Her fast-paced speech, intriguing topics and responses attract many viewers, and she has gathered a large number of 2.51 million subscribers.
She covers a wide range of topics from TV shows she watched in her childhood, current events on the internet, anime from the 90s to 00s, as well as plenty of otaku culture knowledge and internet memes; in contrast with her mature female image. She is also good at drawing and does live-broadcasts of her drawing with other professional illustrators, and posting her own work on Twitter.
4. Usada Pekora (兎田ぺこら)
Usada Pekora is also a member of Hololive having had her debut on July 3, 2019. Her character is an adorable bunny girl who loves carrots and feels lonely easily. Her videos mainly focus on live gameplay, chatting, and singing. However, her gaming skills are average. She often shows an arrogant attitude in the game but then gets frustrated, which makes the audience laugh and find her funny and cute. Her YouTube channel has 2.25 million subscribers.
She is also very popular overseas. Her way of talking where she adds “ぺこ (peko)” at the end of the sentences is endearing.
5. Mori Calliope
Mori Calliope and Gawr Gura are both affiliated to Hololive. Mori Calliope debuted on September 12, 2020 as the first English VTuber just a day before Gawr Gura. She also has a unique character setting as the first apprentice to the Grim Reaper. Because of advanced medical treatment in the modern age causing a decline in the reaping business, she uses her VTuber activities to attract people in order to harvest their souls, but in fact she is a caring an dkind person.
Mori’s videos feature live gameplay broadcasts and singing. She is very good at rapping. Her first 2 EPs “Your Mori” and “JIGOKU 6” hit No.1 on the iTunes Album Chart in Japan and the U.S. She has also recently collaborated with ONE PIECE to release “Future Island”, a theme song to commemorate the release of the manga’s 106th volume. The number of subscribers to her YouTube channel number at 2.23 million.
6. Shirakami Fubuki (白上フブキ)
Shirakami Fubuki debuted as part of Hololive’s 1st Generation on July 3, 2019. She is a fox highschool student who lives in the mountains near Fairy Forest. Her videos mainly focus on live gaming broadcasts, chatting and singing. She is also good at drawing and often contributes her own work. She has 2.15 million subscribers on her YouTube channel.
7. Inugami Korone (戌神ころね)
Korone is a member of the group “Hololive Gamers” that is centred on live game broadcasts. Korone’s setting is as a dog who works at a certain bakery in the city. She spends her spare time playing video games after looking after the shop. She calls herself a “virtual dog person”. She has a record of playing “Dragon’s Lair” for more than 19 hours on live broadcast. Among Hololive’s many VTubers, she does the most live broadcast endurance challenges to see how long she can continuously play games on live broadcast.
Korone is very popular overseas. She became famous after imitating the sound effects in Banjo-Kazooie. Later, she also interacted and collaborated with many overseas game developers, such as becoming an Easter Egg. Her Youtube Channel has 2 million subscribers.
8. Hoshimachi Suisei (星街すいせい)
Hoshimachi Suisei debuted as an independent VTuber on March 22, 2018 before being recruited into Hololive in 2019, making her part of Generation 0. Her character setting is an idol VTuber who likes to sing, chase stars, and is forever 18 years old. She is good at many things like playing games, singing, dancing, painting, etc. Her YouTube channel has 1.9 million subscribers.
She, together with TAKU INOUE, formed the music unit “Midnight Grand Orchestra” in 2022, also releasing a solo album and holding concerts. She is the first VTuber in history to star on THE FIRST TAKE singing “Stellar Stella”.
9. Minato Aqua (湊あくあ)
Minato Aqua, Hololive 2nd Generation member, is set to be a virtual maid wearing a sailor-style maid outfit. Her videos are mainly gameplay broadcasts, and sometimes live song covers. Due to her superb gaming skills and passion shown during live broadcast, she is highly popular with audiences, and has a YouTube channel with 1.81 million subscribers.
She has released a number of singles, and in 2020, held her first solo concert “AQUA IRO SUPER☆DREAM♪” to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of her debut. Her second solo concert “AQUA IRO in WONDER～☆LAND♪” was held in 2022.
10. Sakura Miko (さくらみこ)
Hololive Generation 0 Sakura Miko is an elite shrine maiden of the virtual Sakura Shrine. She was sent to Japan by the Gods and became strongly influenced by Japanese subculture, learning about anime, games and idols, and decided to become a virtual shrine maiden idol. Her streams are mostly game-focused, including small talk, singing, and movie-watching parties on Twitch. She actively plans large-scale cooperation projects, such as holding sports games in Minecraft, and has a good relationship with many VTubers. Her YouTube channel has 1.81 million subscribers.
To Close
VTubers are a new form of online entertainment in this modern age. There are many choices of VTubers who can speak Japanese, English, or some other foreign language. Even if you don’t know Japanese, you can still watch VTuber videos to understand Japanese pop culture!
