Line #140 Main/VirtualYouTuber


1	%%
2	%%Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1651606899081703300
3	%%Then kept at: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=16631984940.24091800
4	%%Please don't change or remove without starting a new thread.
5	%%
6	[[quoteright:350:[[WebAnimation/{{Hololive}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/subaru_1.png]]]]
7	[[caption-width-right:350: There is, Subaru. There is.]]
8	%%
9
10	Virtual [=YouTubers=], or [=VTubers=] for short, are a type of online performer that has gained immense popularity on various streaming sites since 2016. The phenomenon originated on Platform/YouTube, hence the name; however, a large number of [=VTubers=] can be found on Platform/{{Twitch}} as well, and a few can be found on smaller services such as Platform/NicoNicoDouga in Japan and [[http://www.bilibili.com bilibili]] in China. Regardless of the streaming service used, however, [[BrandNameTakeover "[=VTuber=]" has become the default term]] for this type of performer. [[note]]Twitch prefers the term "virtual streamer," obviously not wanting to give their competition free advertising, but that isn't commonly used; in fact, they finally caved and provided a "[=VTuber=]" tag for streamers to use in early 2021.[[/note]]
11
12	Unlike [[VirtualCelebrity virtual celebrities]] such as Music/HatsuneMiku, the performer behind the [=VTuber=] is a real person, but they utilize an [[DigitalAvatar animated avatar]] to represent the character they are portraying. The avatar is "rigged" to move and react as the performer does, utilizing various forms of motion capture software. Both 2D and 3D avatars are used, depending on performer preference and available resources. [[note]]2D avatars are, in general, easier to rig up and use for streaming; 3D avatars are often reserved for special occasions or events.[[/note]] Think of them as {{puppet shows}} for the digital age.
13
14	The major appeal of using an animated avatar is that the performer is not constrained by real-world considerations (such as gender or appearance) and they can design their character to be just about anything, although most avatars are still generally humanoid in shape. Also, considering the first [=VTubers=] were Japanese and heavily anime-inspired, most who have followed utilize similar elements in their avatars to varying degrees. Many [=VTubers=] also appreciate the level of anonymity using an avatar provides. How [=VTubers=] treat their other identities varies per person: from being open about it to considering bringing them up as impolite, even if it's an OpenSecret, to a complete ban for the sake of privacy. The degree of association with the character also varies: some only use it just as a form of expression, while some provide an ExcusePlot of how the character [[AlterEgoActing became a streamer]] and [[{{Kayfabe}} request viewers to follow the setting]].
15
16	The technology behind this has been around for decades [[note]]In the 90s Creator/{{Nintendo}} created software for Creator/CharlesMartinet to portray [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]] in this manner at trade shows and conventions[[/note]], and some [[UrExample early takes]] on the concept were seen as early as 2010, such as UK-based 'animated' blogger [[WebVideo/AmiYamato Ami Yamato]] as well as [[Creator/{{Nitroplus}} nitro+]]'s mascot Super Sonico who made her debut as a [=YouTuber=] on February of 2010. However, most fans consider [[TropeMaker the first "true" VTuber]] to be WebAnimation/KizunaAI, who debuted on [=YouTube=] in 2016. Ai was the first to coin the term "Virtual [=YouTuber=]" as part of her greeting. The early [=VTubers=] used 3D avatars, and released pre-recorded videos on a regular basis. Following the lead of {{WebAnimation/Nijisanji}} and {{WebAnimation/Hololive}}, which were established in 2018, later [=VTubers=] moved more toward using 2D avatars, as well as shifting toward a live-streaming model. There are several programs that allow syncing the avatar to camera movements, like [=FaceRig=] and MediaNotes/Live2D Cubism. Other setups utilize 3D models, typically with full body tracking. There's also a community of [=PNGTubers=] who don't use a webcam and avatars are animated by voice or click, if at all.
17
18	The [=VTuber=] phenomenon came to the attention of Western audiences thanks to individuals and groups on [=YouTube=] creating translated videos of the Japanese content, several of which went viral. Western fans started supporting their favorite Japanese streamers, as well as creating their own characters on both [=YouTube=] and Twitch. In turn, many Japanese [=VTubers=] embraced their overseas fans, some studying English so they could communicate with them more readily. hololive established an English-speaking unit in 2020, with Nijisanji following suit in 2021.[[note]]Both groups also have units in Indonesia, whose members speak English regularly; Nijisanji had a unit in India as well but the unit is no longer active.[[/note]]
19
20	The conventions of [=VTuber=] streamers, including English ones, are strongly based on Japanese streaming culture, and include many distinctive elements from there. These include common streaming topics like karaoke streams (Japanese: 歌枠, ''utawaku'', literally "song stream") and free talk streams (Japanese: 雑談, ''zatsudan''), as well as popular non-stream video topics like song covers (typically Music/{{Vocaloid}} songs), a result of the influences of ''karaoke'' and ''{{utaite}}'' culture on Japanese streaming.
21
22	Related to the ''utaite'' subculture, a distinctive subset of [=VTubers=] present themselves as Virtual Singers, or [=VSingers=] for short. [=VSingers=] are functionally [=VTuber=] ''utaite'', and their contents prioritize original/cover songs over video game streaming compared to "standard" [=VTubers=].[[note]]Of note is that singing voice synthesizing programs like Vocaloid (and their avatars) are also commonly described as "Virtual Singers"; while the two definitions of "Virtual Singers" share a significant aesthetical overlap, they are fully distinct in practice.[[/note]]
23
24	In Japan, Virtual [=YouTubers=], along with [[MediaNotes/ProfessionalGaming E-Sports]], have also helped to increase (and [[PopularityPolynomial revitalize]]) interest in PC gaming in general and introduce western gaming genres such as FirstPersonShooters and SurvivalSandbox, as well as PC gaming distribution platforms such as Platform/{{Steam}} to a new audience. Besides the fact that it's easier to play games on the same system being used to stream from [[note]]streaming console games require additional hardware and set-up[[/note]], the competitiveness, cooperativeness, and high creativity potential found in these types of games has made for some very entertaining LetsPlay content.
25
26	Not to be confused with the [=VTubers=] LetsPlay channel of the WebVideo/RyanToysReview franchise, which does not utilize these concepts.
27
28	----
29	!!Related Pages on TV Tropes include:
30	[[index]]
31	[[foldercontrol]]
32	[[folder:Individual [=VTubers=]]]
33	!!The Godmother of [=VTubers=]
34	* WebAnimation/KizunaAI
35
36	!!The "Big Six" AKA [[FanNickname The Bottom Queens]]
37	* WebVideo/JuniperActias, a [[MonsterGirl Moth VTuber]] known for creating and rigging her own models, putting the ''independent'' in Indie [=VTuber=]s.
38	* WebVideo/BaoTheWhale (originally known as Hikaru Station), a Vietnamese-American [=VTuber=] who is a MemeticLoser and ''[[BlatantLies definitely]]'' does not [[PerverseSexualLust have the hots]] for [[MediaNotes/FurryFandom wolfmen.]]
39	* WebVideo/{{Shylily}}, a German Orcat [=VTuber=] from the Netherlands who is ''infamous'' for her... [[LovableSexManiac less-than-prudish behaviour]]...
40	* WebVideo/{{Trickywi}}, an English Egyptian sphynx [=VTuber=] who is [[GenkiGirl perpetually high on speed.]]
41	* WebVideo/SanagiYuzu, ''another'' [[MonsterGirl Moth VTuber]] who should ''not'' be confused with Juniper Actias. [[AscendedMeme Also a real-life Doomer Girl.]]
42	* WebVideo/AkumaNihmune, aka Numi, a Filipino-American [[HalfHumanHybrid half-demon]] [=VTuber=] who is routinely teased for being a bottom.
43
44	!!Other Indie [=VTubers=]
45	* Aliciaxlife/Aliciaxdeath, who alternates between the former as her daily live channel and the latter as her variety channel for both reaction and gaming content.
46	* WebVideo/AlienMixture
47	* Creator/JonahScott debuted his [=VTuber=] persona, Alphonse [=MacKenzie=], in November 2022.
48	* Creator/AmiyaAranha, a [=VTuber=] formerly of WebAnimation/{{Tsunderia}} below as of January 2023.
49	* WebVideo/BryanCroiDragon, alternates between virtual and regular [=YouTubing=], as of January 2022.
50	* Creator/CiaranStrange, an English voice actor who occasionally streams as their [=VTuber=] persona, Ciel "CL" Barker.
51	* Website/{{Crunchyroll}}'s mascot, Crunchyroll-Hime, debuted as a [=VTuber=] October 2021.
52	* Creator/AlejandroSaab, another English voice actor who has taken on a [=VTuber=] identity as [=CyYu=].
53	* Creator/DeepSeaPrisoner, the creator of ''VideoGame/{{Wadanohara}}'' and ''VideoGame/MogekoCastle'', made her [=VTuber=] debut in 2020.
54	* WebVideo/{{Delutaya}} debuted as a [=VTuber=] in September 2022.
55	* WebVideo/{{Dokibird}} debuted in May 2020 before retiring a year later, only to return in February 2024.
56	* Dokugai Chinami
57	* WebAnimation/{{Domics}}
58	* WebAnimation/DrCrafty made his debut as a [=VTuber=] on April 30th, 2022.
59	* WebAnimation/{{Emirichu}}
60	* [=FalseEyeD=]'s WebVideo/ThingsVTubersSay, a news [=VTuber=] focusing on [=VTuber=] news.
61	* WebVideo/{{Filian}}, whose streams are focused around {{Slapstick}} humor.
62	* WebVideo/{{Foxplushy}}
63	* LetsPlay/GarukuBluemoon, one of the ''Dem Salty Boys'' of [[LetsPlay/Lordminion777 Wade]] and Bob's pack.
64	[[/index]]
65	* [[VisualNovel/GoGoNippon Makoto and Akira Misaki]] were turned into [=VTubers=] in 2021, also as a means to gauge interest toward a ''GGN'' sequel. Amusingly, they also made a Let's Play [[RecursiveReality of their own game]].
66	[[index]]
67	* WebVideo/{{GX Aura}}, the mascot for Opera GX, debuted on August 19, 2023.
68	* Music/{{HACHI}}
69	* WebVideo/HarukaKaribu [[note]]Is now part of WebVideo/{{VShojo}} as of December 2022[[/note]]
70	* Creator/HarukiIshiya made his debut in his [=VTuber=] persona named Tenjou Haruto on July 28, 2023.
71	* Creator/HekiruShiina made her debut as a [=VTuber=] on October 31, 2021.
72	* WebVideo/{{Hyoon}} occasionally streams with a [=VTuber=] model.
73	* LetsPlay/InTheLittleWood
74	* WebAnimation/JaidenAnimations
75	[[/index]]
76	* Kim Ji-hoon of Creator/ProjectMoon runs a [=VTuber=] channel under the name Jang Schna, based on the studio's resident Schnauzer, Jang.
77	[[index]]
78	* WebAnimation/JoCat
79	* Creator/KaguraNana
80	* WebAnimation/KaguyaLuna
81	* WebVideo/{{Khyo}}, a news [=VTuber=] similar to [=FalseEyeD=] above, who uses a bunny-themed avatar.
82	* WebVideo/KsonOnAir [[note]]Is now part of WebVideo/{{VShojo}} as of July 2022[[/note]]
83	* Creator/LeonaRenee sometimes streams on Twitch as the [=VTuber=] ''Lady Hatsuu'', a catgirl. All proceeds from her streams go to Carson cats, a cat shelter in Los Angeles.
84	* WebAnimation/LilybelleAir
85	* LetsPlay/{{Lucahjin}} debuted as a [=VTuber=] in October 2020.
86	* WebVideo/{{Lumi}} [[note]]Is now part of Astraline as of September 2023[[/note]]
87	* WebAnimation/{{Mado}}
88	* Music/{{Mafumafu}}
89	* Maia Starchild, author of ''Webcomic/CendaranMarael''.
90	* WebVideo/MaidMint, debuted in July 2020 and retired in March 2021. She'd later return in April 2024.
91	* Creator/MarissaLenti debuted as a [=VTuber=] named Vixen the Reindeer in 2022.
92	* WebVideo/{{Mikeneko}}
93	* Creator/JessieJamesGrelle revealed on January 11, 2024, that they had been a [=VTuber=] in secret for two years under the name Mimcubus.
94	* Creator/MioriCelesta, a [=VTuber=] formerly of WebAnimation/{{Tsunderia}} below as of April 2022.[[note]]She is also a former member of WebAnimation/MyHoloTV, having left the group in March 2021.[[/note]]
95	* Creator/MiraPink
96	* WebVideo/MissJukeBox8
97	* Creator/MissShadowLovely
98	* WebVideo/{{Momo}}
99	* WebAnimation/MultiverseMonarch, the [=VTuber=] persona of Creator/AmandaLee who debuted in December 2021, though she still answers to [=AmaLee=].
100	* WebVideo/{{Naikaze}}
101	* WebVideo/NatsumiMoe
102	* WebVideo/{{Nebride}}, the latex- and hypno-loving slime foxgirl who either plays horror games (as a 2D vtuber) or dances in [=VRChat=] (as a 3D vtuber).
103	* WebVideo/NeuroSama, whose avatar is actually controlled by an ArtificialIntelligence rather than a human performer.
104	* WebVideo/NuxTaku
105	* WebVideo/OniGiri, a cooking Twitch streamer. Attempted a [=YouTube=] debut on November 4, 2022, but her regular Twitch chat "sabotaged" her debut, which caused her VOD to be deleted or unlisted.
106	* WebVideo/OsanaiNazuna; themed after a character from ''VideoGame/FlowerKnightGirl''.
107	* WebVideo/{{Paraltos}}
108	* WebVideo/PeoYukinoshita, a Japanese independent [=VTuber=] who is known for extensively interacting with her English-speaking fanbase.
109	* LetsPlay/PinkKittyRose, a long-time Let's Player who switched from regular to virtual in 2020.
110	* WebVideo/QuinnBenet
111	* [[https://www.twitch.tv/ranboolive Ranboo]] debuted a [=VTuber=] model in September 2023 as part of his rebrand.
112	* Randon Neuring, an Orc [=VTuber=].
113	* WebVideo/RevSaysDesu, a Babiniku who reports and criticizes drama news and Twitter controversies.
114	[[/index]]
115	* Popona, the official [=VTuber=] for {{Creator/SEGA}}. Originally created for the ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'' franchise, she eventually expanded to cover SEGA as a whole.
116	* Obake PAM, the mascot for [=PlayAsia=], debuted as a [=VTuber=] in February 2021.
117	* WebVideo/{{Rosierosa}}
118	* Ruby Rose from ''Franchise/{{RWBY}}'' made her debut as a [=VTuber=] on November 30th, 2022.
119	[[index]]
120	* WebVideo/{{Saberspark}}, an animation reviewer represented as a 2D PNG cartoon sprite. He also uses a posable retro low-polygon 3D model for his games channel Saberspark 64 and has used a proper [=VTuber=] model on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZSeZBw7G0Q his own video on VTubers]].
121	* WebVideo/{{Saruei}}, a Twitch [=VTuber=] who is [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial totally not from France, but from an alternate timeline]], and also produces adult content.
122	* WebVideo/SayuSincronisity (formerly Sayu Okami), a cyborg who mostly plays video games, often streaming for 10 or more hours in a single stream.
123	* WebVideo/{{Senz}}
124	* Creator/ShigureUi
125	* WebVideo/{{Shxtou}}, also known as Shoto
126	* WebVideo/{{Sinder}}
127	* WebVideo/{{Snuffy}}
128	* Creator/SuouPatra, a [=VTuber=] formerly of WebAnimation/HoneyStrap under Creator/NanashiInc below as of May 2023.
129	* Anime/SuperSonico. Although she officially debuted as a [=VTuber=] in 2018, she had appeared in similar online videos since February 2010, making her the trope's UrExample.
130	* Creator/HaydenDaviau debuted their [=VTuber=] persona, Sylla Aria, in September of 2021.
131	* ''WebAnimation/TailsTube'' is a web series on the official Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog [=YouTube=] channel starring Miles "Tails" Prower as a [=VTuber=]. Sonic himself would debut as a [=VTuber=] on Sega's Japanese social media accounts.
132	[[/index]]
133	* [=Takahata101=] from Creator/TeamFourStar debuted as a [=VTuber=] in January 2021.
134	[[index]]
135	* Creator/TemmieChang, best known for her work on ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Deltarune}}'', also does LetsPlays as a [=VTuber=].
136	* Creator/{{Tetel}}
137	* Creator/{{Toma}}
138	* Creator/TomokazuSugita made his [=VTubing=] debut in 2020, with a [[CrossDressingVoices female avatar]], no less.
139	* WebVideo/TonkatsuSinclair, an AffectionateParody.
140	* [[Creator/{{Unnamed}} Unnämed]] debuted in May 2023.
141	* WebAnimation/UshioEbi
142	* WebVideo/{{Vannamelon}}
143	* Vedal, the creator of the aforementioned WebVideo/NeuroSama often appears on his [=AI's=] streams as a [=VTuber=] of his own.
144	* WebVideo/VexoriaTheSunEater
145	* WebVideo/{{Vinesauce}} member Limealicious debuted as a [=VTuber=] in September 2021 (and a redebut in July 2023), going under the name Laimu. Dorb also streams as a [=VTuber=]. Imakuni debuted as a [=VTuber=] in April of 2023. Vinny also has a Meat and [[Franchise/StarWars Watto]] [=Vtuber=], though the Meat model isn't really one. Rev also has one, which he used as a joke with Vinesauce associate Mike, who also has two.
146	* [[Characters/FilmCow Vulo the Face Borrower]] is an AffectionateParody created by Creator/FilmCow, being a tentacled EldritchAbomination who steals and wears the faces of cat girls.
147	* WebAnimation/{{Wolfychu}}
148	[[/folder]]
149
150	[[folder:[=VTuber=] Groups/Agencies]]
151	* [[Creator/NanashiInc 774 inc.]]
152	** WebAnimation/AniMare
153	** WebAnimation/HoneyStrap
154	** WebAnimation/VApArt
155	** WebAnimation/SugarLyric
156	** WebAnimation/HiyokuNoCrosspiece
157	* WebAnimation/AkioAIR [[note]]March 11, 2022 - October 3, 2023; after the talent quit en masse, most of them are openly returning to their previous lives or starting new characters[[/note]]
158	* WebAnimation/{{Aetheria}} (formerly known as [=CyberLive=]) [[note]]July 14, 2021 - October 29, 2022; after the dissolution of the group, the talents are continuing as indies[[/note]]
159	* WebAnimation/AlgorhythmProject
160	* WebAnimation/{{Astraline}}
161	* WebAnimation/AtelierLive
162	* Creator/BraveGroup
163	** WebAnimation/AogiriHighSchool
164	** WebAnimation/GameClubProject [[note]]The group was dissolved after the 2019 voice actor replacement controversy[[/note]]
165	** Music/RiotMusic [[note]]This group mostly focuses on music production, but its members occasionally hold streams with their avatars[[/note]]
166	** WebAnimation/VirtualESportsProject [[note]]The company behind VSPO!, Virtual Entertainment Co., Ltd., was acquired by Brave Group on June 7, 2022[[/note]]
167	** WebAnimation/V4Mirai
168	** WebAnimation/{{Globie}}
169	* WebAnimation/EIENProject
170	* WebAnimation/{{Hololive}} - one of the first [=VTuber=] agencies, and probably the most well-known to this day
171	* WebAnimation/IdolCorp
172	* WebAnimation/{{Invicta}}
173	* Anime/KemonoFriends V Project (or "[=KemoV=]"), which launched in April 2021. [[labelnote:members]][[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYO-WfY7Tasry4D1YB4LJw Humboldt Penguin (Hululu)]], [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEcMIuGR8WO2TwL9XIpjKtw African Penguin (Cape)]] (graduated in May 2022), [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpw36mXEu3SLsqdrJxUKNA Island Fox (Shimahai)]], [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCabMjG8p6G5xLkPJgEoTnDg Coyote (Coyo)]], [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdNBhcAohYjXlUVYsz8X2KQ Dire Wolf]], [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxm7yNjJsSvyvcG96-Cvmpw Caracal]], [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNObi6xvj6QeZ0g7BhAbF7w Large-Spotted Genet (Genet)]], [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYa58DdXGAGMJQHqTxi-isA Geoffroy's Cat (Geofu)]], [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnyE-wD1pE2GZOxA6OHjW9g Brown Long-Eared Bat (Usako)]], [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtJSUW-5FnwfaivXpluABWA Jungle Cat (Gururu)]], [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKob71cjOlyYF5bgvtGuNKQ Siberian Chipmunk (Shimarisu)]][[/labelnote]]
174	* WebAnimation/LucidMultimedia (formerly known as 4V Live)
175	* Creator/MikaiInc
176	** WebAnimation/ReAct (formerly KAGAYAKI STARS)
177	** WebAnimation/SugarStella
178	* WebAnimation/KawaEntertainment [[note]]February 25th, 2022 - January 14th, 2024; after the dissolution of their talent branch, the talents are continuing as indies while the company remains an entity selling merchandise[[/note]]
179	* WebAnimation/MyHoloTV
180	* WebAnimation/{{Mythos}}
181	* WebAnimation/NeoPorte
182	* WebAnimation/NijiGen (unrelated company to Nijisanji below)
183	* WebAnimation/{{Nijisanji}} - another pioneer in the genre, likely the largest [=VTuber=] agency by number of members
184	* WebAnimation/NoriPro
185	* WebAnimation/PalleteProductions
186	* WebAnimation/PhaseConnect
187	* WebAnimation/PixelaProject
188	* WebAnimation/PixelLink
189	* WebAnimation/PolygonProject
190	* WebAnimation/PRISMProject [[note]] January 12, 2021 - March 31, 2024; after the dissolution of the agency, the talents are continuing as indies[[/note]]
191	* WebAnimation/ProductionKawaii
192	* WebAnimation/ProjectF [[note]]July 30th, 2022 - December 28th, 2023; after the dissolution of the agency, the talents are continuing as indies[[/note]]
193	* WebAnimation/ProproProductions
194	* WebAnimation/RealCorp [[note]]February 21, 2022 - January 31, 2024; after the dissolution of the agency, the remaining talents can continue as indies[[/note]]
195	* Reality Studios
196	** WebAnimation/FirstStageProduction
197	** WebAnimation/{{Specialite}}
198	* WebAnimation/ReMemories
199	* WebAnimation/{{Tsunderia}} [[note]]June 23th, 2020 - January 25th, 2023; after the dissolution of the agency, the talents keep their identities and channels and continue as indies[[/note]]
200	* WebAnimation/{{Varium}}
201	* WebAnimation/VchiBan
202	* WebAnimation/{{VDere}}
203	* WebAnimation/{{Vlievers}}
204	* WebAnimation/{{VnuEntertainment}} (stylised as V & U Entertainment)
205	* WebVideo/VOMSProject
206	* WebVideo/{{VReverie}}
207	* WebVideo/VShojo - the most popular [=VTuber=] group on Twitch, often seen as one of the "Big Three" agencies with Hololive and Nijisanji
208	* WebAnimation/{{Vyugen}} [[note]]September 25th, 2021 - December, 2023; after the dissolution of the group, the talents are continuing as indies[[/note]]
209	* WebAnimation/{{WACTOR}}
210	[[/folder]]
211
212	[[/index]]
213	----
214	!!Tropes Common to Virtual [=YouTubers=]:
215	* AdoptivePeerParent: It's common for [=VTubers=] to call their character designer "papa" or "mama," even if the designer's own avatar looks roughly the same age as their "children." Some of these pairs play up the parent-child aspect [[PlayedForLaughs for laughs]].
216	* AlterEgoActing: The original generation of [=VTubers=] fully leaned into fictional acting, but the rise of Nijisanji and their virtual streamer model resulted in most of the scene gradually phasing out of alter-ego acting. These days, while many [=VTubers=] are introduced with fictional backstories behind their avatars, and there are those who stay in-character more frequently (e.g., [[WebAnimation/KizunaAI Kizuna Ai]]), newer [=VTubers=] tend to let their real personalities shine through as opposed to strictly playing a fictional character, working elements of their character in at appropriate times.
217	** Some will be themselves when being their primary character but also sometimes stream as alternate characters that are treated as completely different people, kayfabe-wise.
218	* {{Animesque}}: There are plenty of [=VTubers=] outside of Japan who utilize an anime avatar. If anything, animesque is the rule rather than the exception. Though, there are also some aversions, sporting a different style from the common anime type, such as [[https://www.twitch.tv/kabhaal Kabhaal]], a cultist looking like he came straight out of a {{Creepypasta}}, or [[WebVideo/NeuroSama Vedal]], a simple cartoon turtle.
219	* ArtifactTitle: Plenty of [=VTubers=] are primarily based on platforms such as Platform/{{Twitch}}, and some don't use Platform/YouTube altogether.
220	* AsHimself: While the vast majority of [=VTubers=] use a character avatar with a fully separate identity from their real selves, some [=VTubers=] are existing content creators adopting a character avatar under their established identities. These are often people with an existing fanbase who find being a [=VTuber=] is a fun way to interact with their fans, with several being artists since they could just illustrate their own digital avatars. Some of the more active ones in [=VTuber=] circles include freelance illustrator Shigure Ui, hentai artist Itou Life, and ''Manga/TheElderSisterLikeOne'' mangaka Iida Pochi.
221	* BadassAdorable: Most [=VTubers=] are going for some variation on "cute" with their designs and presentation, but this does nothing to stop them wading into very tough and/or violent games and frequently triumphing.
222	* BewareTheNiceOnes: The majority of [=VTubers=] are outwardly friendly and aren't primarily antagonistic towards their viewers (save for some rare cases), and their occasional {{Troll}}ing is for comedic purposes. Despite this, all of them are quick to anger to some capacity, though some show it more than others, if saying something that could seriously annoy them.
223	* BlandNameProduct: Platform/{{Twitch}} prefers to used the more generic "virtual streamer" to describe these streamers.
224	* CastHerd: [=VTuber=] agencies are traditionally divided into "generations" - groups of members who debuted at more or less the same time. Often, each gen will have a theme as well, perhaps even [[ArcWelding interconnected lore]] to reinforce it. [=VTubers=] within the same gen tend to collaborate frequently, and are likely to become TrueCompanions if things go well. SenpaiKohai dynamics between older and newer generations are usually inevitable.
225	** Above the generation level, a successful agency might open up branches focusing on content in other languages. Hololive and Nijisanji both started out Japanese but subsequently expanded into the Chinese, Indonesian and [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff (especially)]] English-speaking markets. [=VShojo=] did the reverse, starting with English and then branching into the Japanese market, while Idol started out with English before branching out into the Spanish-speaking market, and Phase Connect and Specialite started both in English and Japanese-speaking markets at once.[[note]]Phase would later go on to launch a full Japanese Branch later.[[/note]] Bilingual and {{Omniglot}} talent is thus in high demand, as it makes organizing an IntraFranchiseCrossover that much easier.
226	* CrossDressingVoices:
227	** Babiniku, short for "Virtual Bishoujo Juniku" (Virtual Girl Incarnation), are [=VTubers=] with a female avatar and a male voice actor. While some, like Tomari Mari, use a voice changer or increase the pitch of their voice to match their avatar, others, like Nojaloli who first popularised the concept, just stick with their normal voice for the full VocalDissonance. "Reverse Babiniku" with female voice actors and male avatars are also not unheard of.
228	** Porcelain Maid in particular parodies the trope, having an overtly masculine persona (and voice) despite a female avatar.
229	** On the RecursiveCrossdressing end, there is Inuyama Tamaki, a male cross-dressing as a female who is voiced by Norio Tsukudani, the female mangaka of ''Manga/{{Himegoto}}''.
230	* {{Crossover}}: [=VTubers=] often collaborate with one another, especially for multi-player games such as {{VideoGame/Minecraft}}, VideoGame/AmongUs, VideoGame/{{ARK\|SurvivalEvolved}}, VideoGame/{{Apex\|Legends}} or VideoGame/FallGuys.
231	* DescendedCreator: Once in a while, a [=VTuber=] character designer can become a [=VTuber=] themselves, if they weren't already one before then. This is the case for Ui Shigure, who became a [=VTuber=] at Subaru Oozora's request, and Nabi Aoi, who got enough encouragement from her "daughters" Amelia Watson and Uto Amatsuka to start a [=YouTube=] herself.
232	* DigitalAvatar: The type and design of these vary.
233	* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Often the persona of a [=VTuber=] in their debut will be wildly different to what they adopt later, usually as a result of becoming more comfortable with streaming and letting other aspects of their personality shown. A common activity for [=VTubers=] (frequently as an anniversary celebration) is to re-watch their debut streams and compare it to how they act now. Fans have also taken to creating charts comparing what they thought the [=VTuber=] would be like pre-debut, how they came across at their debut, and the personality they settled into after about a month.
234	* EliteFour: The "Four Heavenly Kings" [=OGs=]: WebAnimation/KizunaAI, WebAnimation/KaguyaLuna, Mirai Akari, Dennou Shojo Siro and Nojaloli (Siro being added to the group slightly later than the others, hence why the "Four Heavenly Kings" [[OneExtraMember consist of five people]]). Due to the gap in subscriber counts between Ai and the others, some Japanese fans set her apart from the "Four Heavenly Kings," referring to her as "Oyabun" ("boss"). This has the advantage of keeping the Four Kings at four (unless, of course, one includes [[WebAnimation/{{Hololive}} Tokino Sora]]).
235	* EntertainmentBelowTheirAge: [=VTubers=] will oft be enthused by a work with a [[invoked]]PeripheryDemographic that is mostly targeted towards children (as all of them are adults, most of whom are [[SirSwearsALot very prone to swearing]]), though some do it more explicitly than others (the most prevalent case being ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'', which is shown in the page image above).
236	* FanSub: A staple for western fans of Japanese [=VTubers=], since most of their streams are not given official translations. With the growth of English speaking [=VTubers=] the reverse is also becoming more common.
237	* FantasyKitchenSink: An avatar can be just about any sort of character, as long as it can be rigged to follow the performer's movements. This leads to a wide variety of characters and concepts across the board. How much "lore" each avatar has, and how much the performer keeps to it, varies.
238	* GirlPosse: Whilst the JP branch has the 'Four Heavenly Kings', the EN side has the 'Bottom Queens'. An unofficial group of six female Indie [=VTubers=] known for their frequent collabs, each with a very large or sizable fanbase. Whilst Shylily, Bao and Numi form the core three 'Bikini Bottoms'. Yuzu, Juniper Actias and Trickywi form the secondary half. Other prominent Indies such as [[TheOneGuy Shxtou]], Oni Giri and Vienna will also join in from time to time.
239	* GratuitousEnglish: Often used by Japanese [=VTubers=], sometimes to better communicate with overseas fans, sometimes for comedic purposes.
240	* GratuitousJapanese: Lots of Japanese lingo, both from Japanese [=VTuber=]/general idol culture and particular verbal tics of specific characters, is a mainstay of the fans' vocabulary, such as oshi, DD (short "daredemo daisuki," fan with no dedication to specific stars) and so on.
241	* IHatePastMe: More often than not, a [=VTuber=] reacting to their debut streams will cringe and hate their past versions and treat them as another self.
242	* IdolSinger: There are some similarities between certain [=VTubers=] (especially Japanese performers with a focus on singing) and more traditional idols, and some shared terms (such as "graduation" for when a [=VTuber=] discontinues performing), but overall the connection is weak. Over time it has become more of a joke that Vtubers are suppose to be Idol like or seiso (wholesome/pure) then actually being seiso.
243	** {{WebAnimation/Hololive}} in particular started off advertising itself as a group of "virtual idols" and expected talent to behave accordingly (idol culture in Japan is ''very'' restrictive of their behaviour in public). But this stance weakened when they found their talents were attracting more viewers when given freedom to perform, and it is difficult to keep up an immaculate image when talking for hours on end in any event. Even more so after Western and Indonesian talents and fans who [[ValuesDissonance weren't as tied in to the subculture]] starts to flock in to the agency.
244	** One remnant of idol culture, amongst Japanese [=VTubers=] at least, is a reticence by female performers to do collabs with their male counterparts. Most fans couldn't care less, but there have been times where such a collab has resulted in some backlash from certain fans. Hololive no longer bans such collabs, but they still don't occur very often between their Japanese talents. It is also rare for mainstream [=VTubers=] to discuss openly any romantic relationships they have even if they are quite open about their real family or friendships. English and Indonesian talents are for the most part exempt from the reticence and often does collabs with their male counterparts. However, some English talents like Kiara Takanashi still declines to do collabs with male talents altogether while Ouro Kronii received some backlash for her collabs with Holostars members. Since they were never marketed as idols to begin with, Nijisanji has had little issue with co-ed streams, even in Japan, with some units even being of mixed gender.
245	** There are groups that are explicitly intended to be virtual idols, such as GEMS COMPANY.
246	** Inverted by Japanese idol singer and gravure model Nagi Nemoto: after suffering a massive physical and mental breakdown and graduating from her units, she decided to forgo in-person appearances and become a full-time [=VTuber=] (that she herself designed), turning her [[https://www.youtube.com/@nemotonagi/featured personal channel]] into a hub for her streams. However, she is slowly recovering and has decided to alternate between her virtual persona and her real self for the time being.
247	* ImprobablyFemaleCast: The majority of [=VTubers=] you will likely run across are female. There ''are'' a steadily growing number of male [=VTubers=], but they're still vastly outnumbered by the massive assortment of females. It seems as though Hololive was aware of this when establishing their male branch of [=VTubers=].
248	* InkSuitActor: A few [=VTubers=] like WebVideo/KsonOnAir or Saruei have their models designed after themselves.
249	* {{Kayfabe}}: While most [=VTuber=] streamers don't perform much AlterEgoActing and aren't acting out a fictional persona, the few streamers that actually do so requires the audience's maintenance of their WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief to believe that fictional characters are performing live streams. Commonly, the streamer's {{Out Of Character Moment}}s are re-integrated back into the fictional character's lore by both the streamer and the audience, often in ludicrous ways to [[RuleOfFunny generate comedy value]].
250	* LetsPlay: A popular category of content, especially for [=VTubers=] on Twitch.
251	* {{Mascot}}: Fans of certain [=VTubers=] may be represented in form of cute little mascots.
252	* SecretIdentity: Virtual [=YouTubers=] operating under identities separate from their standard online identities typically take great care to prevent possible leaks of their alternate online identities. While reliable speculations on [=VTubers=] pre-existing online identities are common, the fandom strongly respects the secret identity and generally avoids discussing these speculations within the fandom.[[note]]Often [=VTubers=] collaborate with other [=VTubers=] and while theoretically a small handful of them may be ambivalent, it is generally bad form to invite greater scrutiny to their colleagues who legitimately prefer anonymity.[[/note]] Meanwhile, content producers who adopted [=VTuber=] avatars under their pre-existing online identities have no such issues.
253	** Agencies who own the avatar characters, such as Hololive and Nijisanji, always treat their streamers as their avatars.
254	** Some [=VTubers=] like Inuyama Tamaki parody the concept by "officially" having their [=VTuber=] identities separate from their established content creator identities (Norio Tsukudani for Tamaki), but [[PaperThinDisguise intentionally do a terrible job at keeping the secret]] while remaining in-character and [[ButHeSoundsHandsome insist that the two identities are separate people]].
255	* TerribleArtist: The majority of them don't have experience drawing anything in detail and end up with visually crude results, which is ironic as their whole theme is being an animated character. This is why they have another artist to design their models for them.
256	* VillainProtagonist: Some of them have an "evil" alter-ego, or generally play the role of an unambiguously evil character archetype. They also continually broadcast streams in this ego, which also makes them protagonists, at least of their own streams.
257
258	!![=VTubers=] in fiction:
259	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
260	* ''Manga/MyDadsTheQueenOfAllVTubers'' is a CringeComedy manga revolving around the main character finding out to his horror not only that his favorite [=VTuber=] is a {{GIRL}}, but his own father to boot, and the shenanigens that follow.
261	* ''Vtuber Confucius'', [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin as the name implies]], is a Taiwanese comic about Creator/{{Confucius}} becoming a Vtuber after he and his disciple Yan Hui become [[FishOutOfTemporalWater stranded in modern times]].
262	[[/folder]]
263
264	[[folder:Literature]]
265	* The website for ''Literature/DorkDiaries'' has videos of Nikki, Chloe, and Zoey with [=VTuber=] models. Nikki and Zoey were given their models [[https://dorkdiaries.com/2023/01/secret-update-on-dork-diaries-book-15/ to announce updates on]] [[https://dorkdiaries.com/2023/01/the-best-field-trip-ever/ the upcoming fifteenth book]]. Chloe also got one for [[https://dorkdiaries.com/2023/02/how-do-you-tell-if-your-crush-likes-you/ videos where she gives viewers advice on romantic relationships.]] Zoey's model was used again [[https://dorkdiaries.com/2023/09/teentv-interview-on-dork-diaries-book-1/ during an interview with a TV reporter on the series' first book]], and Nikki's model was used again [[https://dorkdiaries.com/2023/09/get-your-autographed-books-online/ to announce that her books would be autographed online at the indie bookstore Bookpeople]]. In December of 2023, her model was once again [[https://dorkdiaries.com/2023/12/the-perfect-christmas-gift/ to announce that autographed and personalized Dork Diaries and The Misadventures of Max Crumbly books were available for purchase online at Bookpeople]].
266	[[/folder]]
267
268	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
269	* ''TabletopGame/YuGiOh'': The "[[https://yugipedia.com/wiki/Live%E2%98%86Twin Live☆Twin]]" archetype is a duo of young adult girls named Ki-Sikil and Lil-la whose day job is to stream on the internet using cutesy avatars. However, when summoned by the Secret Password, it is revealed that their actual profession is moonlighting as [[PhantomThief phantom thieves]], as the Fiend-type "[[https://yugipedia.com/wiki/Evil%E2%98%85Twin Evil★Twin]]" archetype. They have a rival duo in the form of Trouble Sunny, a pair of girls name Sunny and Luna who not only challenge them in the world of thieves but also vie for viewers online as rival Vtubers.
270	[[/folder]]
271
272	[[folder:Video Games]]
273	* The ''Franchise/D4DJ'' franchise has Lumina Ichihoshi, a cosmos-themed virtual streamer and musician who forms a DJ unit with three non-virtual members. [[spoiler:She later reveals herself to be ''completely'' virtual, i.e. an ArtificialIntelligence.]]
274	* A crucial plot point in ''VideoGame/LikeADragonInfiniteWealth'' involves a virtual streamer named Tatara Hisoka, who reveals that Kazuma Kiryu is alive (after previously faking his death in ''VideoGame/Yakuza6'') and slanders Ichiban Kasuga's good name on the internet, causing a massive headache for the protagonists.
275	* ''VideoGame/{{Parasocial}}'' is a horror game in which you play as a [=VTuber=].
276	[[/folder]]
277
278	[[folder:Webcomics]]
279	* ''Webcomic/ChronicallyOnline'' is a webcomic about the daily life of a [=VTuber=].
280	* ''Webcomic/MyBestFriendWhoILoveFellCompletelyInLoveWithMyVTuberSelf'': This ''yuri'' manga is, [[WorkInfoTitle like the title explains]], about a [=VTuber=] who is in love with her best friend, who is in love with the [=VTuber=]'s fictional persona.
281	[[/folder]]
282
283	[[folder:Websites]]
284	* ''Website/SCPFoundation'' has [[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6930 SCP-6930]], a [[EldritchAbomination Pattern Screamer]] who figured out how to use the internet and ended up developing a [=VTuber=] streaming persona.
285	[[/folder]]
286

Context Main / VirtualYouTuber