Why Do VTubers Use Anime Avatars?

• Author: Theo Wise

• Editor: Nicole Mejias

You’ve probably come across VTubers if you’ve spent any time in the wild world of online entertainment. They’re internet stars who use digital avatars instead of showing their faces. This trend really kicked off back in 2016, when Kizuna AI, a virtual persona from Japan, took the YouTube scene by storm. Since then, more and more influencers are going virtual.

One thing you’ll notice is that most VTubers have avatars that look like anime characters. It’s not just a coincidence—it’s become a defining trait for VTubers. Anime gives these VTubers the freedom to create vibrant, unique, and sometimes downright outlandish personas that stand out from the crowd.

So, why exactly do VTubers love anime avatars so much? That’s what we’re here to figure out. We’re going to dive deep into the reasons why anime has become such a big part of VTubing, and how it helps these virtual stars create a name for themselves in the fast-paced world of online entertainment.

What Is A VTuber?

Gawr Gura from hololive EN.

The term VTuber is short for "Virtual YouTuber," which is a pretty self-explanatory term. They’re entertainers who use cool computer graphics to become animated personas on screen. Think of it as putting on a digital mask that lets you be anyone, or anything, you want to be. Their avatars are extremely important as it’s their online identity so they can be very sophisticated. So much so that they can create all sorts of content, from gaming videos to live chats and even concerts.

As I previously mentioned, the VTuber craze started back in 2016 with a character called Kizuna AI. Although she wasn’t the first person to do it, she did coin the term and popularize it. A bit like Michael Jackson and the Moonwalk.  She really set the bar for what VTubers could be. Suddenly, everyone wanted to get in on the VTuber action. Soon we had stars like Kaguya Luna and Mirai Akari lighting up our screens, each adding their own unique flavor to the VTuber world. 

Many people also attribute the success of VTubers to the anime art style itself. The anime art being much more vibrant and expressive than its western counterparts, made it the perfect medium for a VTuber avatar. VTubers rely on a myriad of facial expressions and tracking software to relay their emotions through their avatar. Using an anime inspired avatar with large glistening eyes and dynamic facial features, makes the persona feel more lifelike to the online viewers. Anime artists are also very diverse in their approach to creating characters. Some, as we know, with rigorous attention to detail that create a level of intensity and seriousness around a character. On the flipside we have anime characters as simple as Saitama who with their simplistic design give off a comedic tone.

Fast forward to today, and VTubers aren’t just a Japanese thing anymore—they’re taking over the world. Thanks to big leaps in technology, anyone with a good idea and a bit of creativity can become a VTuber. Big names like Hololive are leading the charge, bringing VTubers from all corners of the globe together under one banner.

Anime’s Impact On Digital Culture

Once a unique facet of Japanese culture, anime has stormed onto the global stage and has become a significant player in pop and digital culture. It’s not just about quirky characters with gravity defying hair and exciting plot lines; anime’s influence runs deeper, shaping everything from fashion and music to online entertainment.

Take a look at fashion, for example. Anime-inspired clothing lines and accessories have become a hot trend around the world. Huge brands such as Supreme, Vans and Adidas have done collaboration with Akira, Sailor Moon and of course Dragon Ball Z. Anime has also seeped into music, with musicians using anime-style visuals in their music videos or creating songs for anime soundtracks. And let’s not forget about the explosion of anime-inspired video games, which have become a multi-billion dollar industry.

But it’s in the realm of digital culture where anime has made its biggest mark. Online platforms are flooded with anime-inspired art, memes, GIFs, and of course, VTubers. In fact, some of the most followed VTubers are anime characters. But why is anime so popular in digital spaces?

Well, it’s all about freedom and creativity. Anime allows us to bend the rules of reality, offering endless possibilities for storytelling and character design. It’s this versatility that makes it a perfect fit for the digital world, where there are no boundaries to what can be created. Plus, with its vibrant visuals and engaging narratives, anime just has a way of capturing our attention and sparking our imagination like nothing else. In a nutshell, anime has become a powerful force in digital culture, shaping the way we express ourselves, entertain ourselves, and connect with each other online. And as the digital world continues to evolve, it’s clear that anime’s influence is here to stay.

VTubers, Anime Avatars and Their Digital Identity

This brings us quite nicely onto why anime avatars work perfectly for VTubers. The creative freedom that anime avatars bring allows the VTubers to carefully craft their own narrative and unique identity that distinguishes them from the rest. Each avatar, with its own look, style, and personality. Which acts as a brand in itself, helping VTubers stand out in an increasingly crowded digital landscape. Not to mention the interesting lore behind each character that helps add depth to the performance on stream.

Many people often wonder where these avatars come from. The truth is that most avatars have talented VTuber artists to commission their pieces for them. If the VTuber works for a big talent agency then they will likely have artists on board to handle it for them. However, independent VTubers have to turn to private artists if they don’t have the expertise to make one themselves.

Another important aspect is the layer of anonymity that these avatars provide. Not all content creators are comfortable putting their real faces out there, and anime avatars offer an exciting alternative. They can step into the shoes of their digital persona and engage with their fans without compromising their privacy. It’s for this reason that many popular streamers such as Amouranth and Pokimane have dabbled in VTubing. Explaining that despite their amazing success in the streaming industry, if they had to do it all over again, VTubing would be the way. Preserving their identity would make them feel so much safer in day to day life.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, anime avatars boost fan interaction. Most of the time VTubers create their avatar with their own interests in mind and not just their fans. They often want to make something that’s comfortable and mirrors their own personality as they will need to uphold it for hours at a time live on the internet. They make VTubers more approachable and relatable, which helps to build a stronger connection with their audience. Fans can interact with these avatars during live streams, follow their stories, and even buy merchandise featuring their favorite VTubers, creating a more immersive fan experience. At the end of the day, most fans of VTubers tend to be fans of gaming and anime which makes the choice fit the demographic perfectly.

Popular VTubers and their Anime Avatars

Kizuna AI, the first official VTuber, emerged with an iconic anime look; the big glinty eyes, schoolgirl outfit and large bow in her flowing hair contained all the tropes of a traditional anime character. Using this anime avatar with a catchy design and a lively personality, Kizuna quickly skyrocketed to fame. Some could say that it was this success alone that inspired the formula that many would soon follow.

But it wasn’t just her looks and waifu status that won fans over; Kizuna’s engaging content, which included everything from gaming streams to life advice, made her a well-rounded digital persona that viewers could connect with. Having a person behind the avatar operating in real-time was the closest many had gotten to a real life anime character! We already know how fanatical the anime fandom can be, so it makes perfect sense that an anime character that they could interact with would break the internet, more or less.

Then there’s Hololive, a division of Cover Corp that has been instrumental in popularizing VTubers! As of December 2023, the company boasts a roster of 87 registered VTuber talents, who collectively amass an astonishing 81 million subscribers. This staggering number is not just a testament to their popularity but also to the effective use of anime avatars that resonate deeply with a global audience.

The company’s strategy of branching out to various countries has played a critical role in its success. By creating regional branches and recruiting talents from different parts of the world, Hololive has localized its appeal. This global expansion has not only diversified their talent pool but also broadened their audience base, making the VTuber culture more inclusive and accessible. Anime avatars have been extremely useful in Hololive’s success. The avatars, crafted with distinctive aesthetics and personalities, have allowed for a unique form of viewer engagement. The anime-style avatars enable a blend of the familiar and the fantastical, offering an immersive experience that traditional video content cannot. This has been a key factor in their massive following and the growing trend of using anime avatars in virtual streaming.

The Independent VTubers

Bao The Whale, an indie VTuber.

Alongside corporate giants like Hololive, there has been a significant rise in popular independent VTubers, such as Ironmouse and Zentreya. These independent talents demonstrate the versatility and broad appeal of the VTuber model.

Ironmouse, known for her energetic and engaging personality, has carved a niche for herself with a significant following. In December 2023 Game Awards, Ironmouse won creator of the year at The Game Awards. An incredibly prestigious title and feather in the cap of VTubers alike, winning creator awards without ever showing their face! Her success highlights how individuality and unique content creation are equally important in the VTuber space. Similarly, Zentreya’s rise to fame underscores the potential for diverse character concepts and streaming content.

The success of these independent VTubers is indicative of a larger trend in the digital landscape. It shows that while large corporations like Hololive have set the stage, there is ample room for individual creators to make their mark. Their growing popularity also signals a shift in content consumption patterns, where audiences are increasingly drawn to personalized, character-driven experiences.

In each of these cases, anime avatars have played a crucial role in their success. These avatars aren’t just eye-catching—they’re an integral part of the VTuber’s brand, making them easily identifiable from just a few simple features.

The Future of VTubing and Anime Avatars

The logos of various VTubing companies.

So, where is the world of VTubing headed, and what’s next for anime avatars? The VTuber trend is only getting hotter, and it’s not showing any signs of cooling down anytime soon. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more sophisticated and lifelike anime avatars. The technology is now becoming more accessible to the general public which is why so many independent VTubers are popping up. Large agencies like Hololive and Nijisanji are hosting more auditions to recruit the young talent making internet celebrities and gossip of their own. 

It didn’t take long for this to enter the American market as VShojo the first american based VTuber Agency began recruiting western based talent. As well as discovering new talents they also work alongside popular indie VTubers offering equipment and opportunities for mutual growth. Some of the notable names we previously discussed, Ironmouse and Zentreya, work under the umbrella of VShojo to collaborate with other VTubers and reach different audiences.

VTubers avatars are not only going to look better, but also move and react more naturally. Advances in motion capture technology could make VTubers more involved in our day to day lives than they already are. Thousands of fans flood arenas for live VTuber concerts to see their favorite stars perform at a life-size scale. Ironically it’s the freedom of being virtual that makes these concerts so exciting and immersive. Being only limited by the imagination of the design team.

Final Thoughts

Ironmouse from VShojo.

So, why should we care about VTubers? Well, they’re changing the game when it comes to online entertainment. With their mix of colorful characters, interactive shows, and out-of-this-world designs, VTubers have found a special place in our hearts. And they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. So, if you haven’t checked out the world of VTubers yet, there’s no better time than now.

As artists push the boundaries of anime aesthetics, we can look forward to seeing even more creative and unique avatars that help VTubers stand out from the crowd. Some speculate that there will even come a time that VTubers outnumber regular content creators on the internet.

So, if you’re as big a fan of anime and gaming as you think you are… then why not dive into the wonderful world of VTubers? There are so many different personalities to choose from that you’re bound to find someone that puts a smile on your face!