[2024ver.]Japanese Gamer Influencers[My hot 20]

Japan produces a large number of exceptionally high-quality games. As a result, many influencers stream these games, making them a convenient tool for marketing purposes.

The platforms most popular among Japanese gamers are YouTube and Twitch. YouTube primarily focuses on video content, while Twitch is known for live streaming.

These influencers have a significant number of followers. Their followers’ interests are deeply centered on either the games or the influencers themselves.

We have selected 20 of the most popular Japanese gamer influencers. In addition to the two platforms, we will also discuss professional gamers.

Japanese Male Youtube Gamer Influencers

1st : HikakinGames

HikakinGames is one of Japan’s leading gaming YouTube channels, with approximately 6.22 million subscribers as of November 2024. This channel is one of the four channels run by HIKAKIN, and it offers a variety of content, primarily focusing on gaming live streams. Popular games such as Minecraft and Fortnite are featured in his gameplay videos, which have received high praise from viewers.
One of the most popular videos on HikakinGames is “Hikakin’s Super Mario Odyssey Gameplay Part 3 [Giant Buddha in Ice!?],” which was published on December 14, 2017, and has recorded around 26.64 million views. Another highly successful video, “Hikakura 2 Part 10 – Cave Diamond Hunt, Huge Haul!? Unexpected Discovery!? [Minecraft],” was released on October 7, 2018, with around 26.5 million views. These videos combine HIKAKIN’s humorous commentary with his skillful gameplay, making them highly appreciated by his audience.

Comments from viewers include, “HIKAKIN’s commentary always cheers me up!” and “After watching this video, I started playing Minecraft too.” These reactions suggest that HIKAKIN’s videos have a positive influence on his viewers’ daily lives. Furthermore, his approachable personality and active communication with his audience help foster a strong sense of connection.

2nd : Kiyo

Kiyo is an immensely popular YouTuber in Japan’s gaming community, with about 5.04 million subscribers as of November 2024. His channel continues to captivate viewers with his humorous commentary and a wide range of game selections.
One of the standout content pieces is his horror game “Poppy Playtime Chapter 3” gameplay, which garnered millions of views within a short time. Viewers flooded the comments with remarks like, “Kiyo’s screams are the best!” and “It’s scary but so funny.” His high-energy commentary and unique reactions alleviate the tension of horror games, increasing their entertainment value.

Additionally, collaborations with other popular gamers, such as Retort, Ushizawa, and Gatchman, have also received high praise. A video where they play the escape game “Escape the Backrooms” together was particularly well-received, with comments like, “The banter between these members is the best,” and “I can watch this over and over again.” Their teamwork and individual personalities resonate deeply with their audience.

His gaming style is characterized by what is called “brake sounds,” which refers to his loud screams and lively talks that prevent the viewer from getting bored. These elements combine to give his videos high views and engagement.

3rd : Pocky

Pocky is a well-established YouTuber in Japan’s gaming community, with around 3.63 million subscribers as of November 2024. His YouTube channel features gameplay of horror games and indie games, with unique commentary and reactions that entertain his audience. His style blends humor and tension, making it highly attractive to fans.
One of his popular videos is “I Want to Get 1st Place in the Snake Stretching Game,” which has amassed over 9.51 million views. Pocky’s humorous commentary shines through, and his lively talks and unexpected reactions to the gameplay keep the audience engaged. Many viewers have commented, “It’s been a while since I laughed so much!” and “The game itself is simple, but Pocky’s commentary makes it so much more fun.”

His horror game commentary is also highly praised. Viewers experience a sense of participating in the game through Pocky’s unpredictable reactions and his emotional reactions during tense moments. His light-hearted commentary helps ease the fear in horror games, with comments like, “It’s scary but I can’t stop watching,” and “Pocky makes horror enjoyable and relaxing.”

Pocky’s videos are well-edited and filled with witty commentary that keeps viewers entertained, making them more than just gameplay footage but complete entertainment experiences. He selects a broad range of game titles, from popular to niche, offering enjoyment for all types of viewers.

4th : Anija Otoja (2BRO.)

Anija Otoja is a YouTube channel with a dominant presence in Japan’s gaming community, boasting around 3.15 million subscribers as of November 2024. This channel is operated by the trio “2BRO.,” consisting of Anija, Otoja, and Otsuichi, who provide engaging gameplay content across a variety of games. Their gameplay is known for its precise coordination and humorous commentary, which has earned high praise from viewers.
One of the most popular content pieces is the horror game “The Forest” series. The first video in this series, released on May 5, 2018, has garnered around 5.86 million views. The video’s appeal lies in the trio’s teamwork and their reactions to the horror elements, drawing viewers in with comments such as “The banter between these guys is the best” and “I never get bored watching this.”

They have also appeared in a collaboration web commercial for “Borderlands 3,” which was well-received by their audience. This official collaboration highlights the extent of their influence.

5th : Hajime Shacho 2 (Hajime)

Hajime Shacho is one of the top creators in Japan’s YouTube community, and his subchannel “Hajime Shacho 2” showcases a different side of his personality. As of November 2024, this channel has about 2.65 million subscribers. Unlike his main channel “Hajime Shacho,” this subchannel focuses on game playthroughs, hobbies, and everyday life, and continues to attract viewers with its down-to-earth and engaging content.
One of the videos that drew considerable attention is “The Weird Game: Cut the Wood and Wrap It,” which has amassed around 4.68 million views. Despite the simplicity of the game, Hajime’s unique commentary brought out the charm of the game, entertaining and surprising viewers with his talking skills. Another highly praised video is the collaboration with popular YouTuber Kiyo, titled “Kiyo × Hajime Shacho: Two Geniuses Farming Vegetables (Part 1) [Minecraft PE Part 12: Google Play Game Fest],” which has 4.15 million views. The dynamic between the two made the video both entertaining and fun for the viewers.

Hajime Shacho’s gaming videos are more than just gameplay—they actively engage and surprise the audience while evoking emotional reactions. This style sets him apart from other gaming YouTubers, and comments like “I found this game because of Hajime Shacho” and “No one else makes me laugh like he does” reflect his impact on his audience. He also interacts with his viewers in the comments section, further strengthening his popularity.

“Hajime Shacho 2” offers a more casual and approachable vibe compared to his main channel, providing content that resonates with viewers on a personal level. His cheerful personality and high entertainment value make his videos essential for gaming fans, and he will continue to bring smiles and surprises to his viewers, enriching Japan’s gaming scene.

Japanese Female Youtube Gamer Influencers

1st : ほんだのばいく（HondaNoBaiku）

Known as an actress, Tsubasa Honda launched her YouTube channel “HondaNoBaiku” in September 2018, where she primarily shares gaming content. Within about a month of opening the channel, she surpassed 1 million subscribers, and by June 2020, her subscriber count exceeded 2 million, reflecting her immense popularity.
On “HondaNoBaiku,” most of the content consists of gaming live streams, where Honda herself plays the games. One of the most notable streams was her first live stream of the survival horror game ‘Dead by Daylight,’ which saw over 140,000 simultaneous viewers, receiving a great deal of attention. Additionally, a puzzle-solving live stream in May 2020, where viewers joined her in solving puzzles, helped her channel surpass 2 million subscribers.

The reason for the popularity of Honda’s gaming content lies in her deep love and knowledge of games, as well as her friendly communication with viewers. She shares the fun she has while playing games, which resonates with her audience. Furthermore, her interaction with viewers through comments and real-time responses during live streams creates a closer connection with her fans.

In addition, in July 2020, Honda posted a promotional video for the remote drama “Killed Remotely,” which garnered around 5 million views, further solidifying her popularity outside of gaming content. As such, “HondaNoBaiku” has become a platform for Honda’s multifaceted charm, with high expectations for her future endeavors.

2nd : kson ONAIR

kson ONAIR is a Japanese game streamer who provides a variety of content on YouTube. As of November 2024, her channel has about 1.27 million subscribers. Her videos consist primarily of gaming live streams, along with content related to crafts, casual chats, and more, offering a diverse range of entertainment.
One of her most popular content pieces is her gameplay of the “Yakuza” series. In this series, she plays as the in-game character “Kei,” which has attracted considerable interest from her audience. Furthermore, her humorous commentary and deep understanding of games have received high praise from viewers.

In addition to gaming streams, she also engages in live streaming, valuing real-time interactions with her viewers. Over the past 30 days, she has streamed 16 times, with an average stream time of approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes. Despite the long streams, many viewers actively participate, leaving lively comments.

The appeal of kson ONAIR lies not only in her gaming streams but also in her versatile talents. She shares content on a variety of subjects, including crafts and English lessons, attracting a wide audience. With over 88.17 million total views, her popularity is undeniable.

3rd : ゆきりぬ（Yukirinu）

Yukirinu, a popular YouTuber affiliated with UUUM, provides a variety of content related to gaming and lifestyle. As of November 2024, her YouTube channel “Yukirinu” has about 1.01 million subscribers.
Her channel features a wide range of videos, including gaming streams, makeup tutorials, fashion, travel, and solo meals. Especially in her gaming streams, her bright and approachable personality has earned high praise from viewers. For instance, the video “I Bought a 350,000 Yen PC Even Though I Don’t Work” has garnered significant interest.

One reason why Yukirinu’s videos are so popular is her natural and down-to-earth speaking style. Viewers feel as though they’re enjoying games with a friend thanks to her authentic reactions and comments. Additionally, she places great importance on communicating with her audience, engaging in lively exchanges in the comments section and during live streams, which further strengthens the bond with her fans.

Moreover, she actively collaborates with other popular YouTubers, and videos with creators such as Hanao Dangan and QuizKnock have been well received. These collaborations have allowed her channel to reach an even broader audience.

4th : 明日香ちゃんねる（Asuka）

Asuka Channel is a YouTube channel run by the female game streamer Asuka, who primarily streams games like “Super Mario Maker 2” and other Nintendo games. As of November 2024, the channel has about 825,000 subscribers and over 1,700 videos.
One of her most popular videos is the “Super Mario Maker 2” gameplay video titled “If You Pick Up an Item, It’s Over! A Mushroom Storm Right from the Start!” released in September 2023. This video, in which she tackles a unique course where mushrooms rain down from the start, received high praise from viewers. Another popular video, “Yoshi’s Course That Can Only Be Completed by Stepping on Yoshi! No Way… But It’s True!” released in August 2023, showcased a new way to complete a course using Yoshi, attracting significant attention.

The appeal of Asuka Channel lies not only in her gaming streams but also in her versatile skills. By providing content in various fields, such as crafting and English lessons, she attracts a broad range of viewers. Her videos have garnered a total of over 88.17 million views, showcasing her high popularity.

5th : 茶々茶（chachacha）

Chachacha is a female YouTuber who enjoys high popularity in Japan’s gaming community, primarily posting gameplay videos of the “Monster Hunter” and “Pokémon” series. Her YouTube channel “Chachacha” has garnered support from gaming enthusiasts.
Her “Monster Hunter” series content has particularly received high praise. For example, her video titled “Monster Hunter Wiles Frame Rate Measurement Results (Manual) and How Low FPS Makes Hunters Stronger—The Dark System Explained [Monster Hunter Wiles Demo]” has garnered about 290,000 views within a month. In this video, she provides a detailed analysis of the game’s frame rate and its impact on players. Her specialized perspective and in-depth explanation are highly appreciated by her viewers.

Another popular video, “Monster Hunter Wiles Early Access! The Bow’s ‘Infinite Power Attack,’ ‘Just Dodge to Recover Stamina,’ and More New Features! [Monster Hunter Wiles Early Play]” reached about 240,000 views within 3 months. In this video, she showcases new game features and weapon characteristics with actual gameplay footage, and viewers commented, “The explanation of new features was easy to understand,” and “Seeing it in actual play helped me understand it better.”

Furthermore, her video titled “Monster Hunter Wiles Latest Information! PV4 Released! Extinct Species as the Flagship Monster! New Monsters, Release Date, Release Time, Price, Recommended Gaming PC Specs, and Limited Edition Goods! [Monster Hunter Wiles]” achieved about 150,000 views within a month. This video summarizes the latest game information in an easy-to-understand way, with comments like, “Thanks for summarizing all the latest info,” and “I appreciate the detailed information provided,” showing her strong research and communication skills.

Japanese Twitch Gamer Influencers

1st : 釈迦（Shaka）

Shaka (SHAKA) is a dominating figure in Japan’s gaming streaming scene on Twitch, captivating many viewers with his exceptional gameplay and engaging commentary. His Twitch channel “fps_shaka” surpassed 1 million followers on December 13, 2022, and has continued to grow since then.
Syaka’s streams primarily focus on FPS games such as “APEX Legends” and “VALORANT.” His advanced skills and strategic play in “APEX Legends” are especially praised by viewers. His streams attract an average of 20,000 to 30,000 simultaneous viewers, placing him among the top Japanese streamers.

What makes Syaka’s streaming style stand out is not only his professional gameplay but also his humorous commentary and active communication with viewers. This allows viewers to enjoy not just watching the game but also interacting with Syaka, enhancing the appeal of his streams through this two-way communication.

Syaka also actively participates in various tournaments and events. In August 2021, he won the “Twitch Rivals: VALORANT Japan Showdown,” a streamer tournament hosted by Twitch. Such achievements prove his gaming skills and have earned him trust and support from his viewers.

Furthermore, Syaka frequently collaborates with other popular streamers. His collaborative streams with Yuta Seki (StylishNoob) and SPYGEA in a unit called “3BR” are particularly well-received by fans. These collaborations offer new entertainment for viewers, combining the personalities of each member.

2nd : スタイリッシュヌーブ（Stylishnoob）

StylishNoob (Yuta Seki) is a standout streamer in Japan’s gaming community, with approximately 600,000 followers on Twitch as of November 2024. His streams are mostly held at night, with viewers tuning in to enjoy his reactions and humorous commentary.
Formerly a professional gamer, he is known for his outstanding skills in FPS games. He has played for Japan’s “Overwatch” team and currently focuses on popular titles like “Apex Legends” and “VALORANT.” His streaming style is not only defined by his technical gameplay but also by his interactive communication with viewers and witty exchanges with other streamers.

One of the most praised aspects of his content is his collaborative streams with other popular streamers. For instance, his collaborations with Syaka and SPYGEA have captivated audiences with their flawless banter and discussions, drawing numerous comments and high ratings. These collaborative streams offer a fresh sense of entertainment, combining the unique personalities of each streamer.

StylishNoob’s popularity is rooted in his high skill level as a pro gamer and his intimate communication with viewers, as well as his humorous interactions with other streamers. These elements combined have solidified his position in Japan’s gaming streaming scene.

3rd : 加藤 純一（Junichi Kato）

Junichi Kato, known as “Unko-chan,” is a massive presence in Japan’s gaming streaming scene. His Twitch channel surpassed 1 million followers on September 8, 2024, making him the third Japanese streamer to reach this milestone, following Syaka and Yuta Seki.
His streaming style focuses on a wide variety of gaming titles. He is particularly known for his emphasis on interactive communication with viewers, responding to comments in real-time, and his humorous banter. As a result, viewers feel a strong sense of connection, as if they are playing games alongside a friend.

One of his most popular streams is his series on popular games. For example, the video titled “The Man Who Might Finally Clear Yureidol” uploaded to his YouTube channel “Junichi Kato – Unko-chan’s Video Archive” garnered 3,447 views within about two months. The appeal of his streams lies in his unique gameplay and his skillful use of humor to draw viewers in.

Kato’s Twitch channel regularly reaches 30,000 to 50,000 simultaneous viewers, with some streams attracting hundreds of thousands. This astonishing number of viewers is evidence of the widespread support for his content.

In addition to his gaming streams, Kato is involved in diverse activities, including managing his esports team “MURASH GAMING” and opening a beauty salon called “CUT Jun.” These efforts outside of gaming have enhanced his brand and expanded his fanbase.

4th : かせん（Kasen）

Kasen (k4sen) is a talented and popular streamer in Japan’s gaming community, currently a member of ZETA DIVISION. As of 2023, his Twitch channel has over 570,000 followers and is well-supported by a large audience. His streams cover a wide range of games, focusing on FPS titles such as “VALORANT” and “Apex Legends,” as well as board games and casual chats.
Kasen’s streams are highly rated, especially his plays of “VALORANT” and “Apex Legends.” Viewers are captivated not only by his advanced gameplay skills and strategic thinking but also by his humor and lively commentary during his streams. His tournament commentaries and analyses are also extremely popular, and he has demonstrated his skills in many events.

In the “1st Crazy Raccoon Cup Street Fighter 6” held on June 25, 2023, Kasen and his team, including Yuta Seki, Kuzuha, and UMESAN, took home the victory. His excellent gameplay and quick decision-making were praised by viewers, and his commentary skills were further recognized. His active participation in such events enhances his influence even more.

Additionally, Kasen hosts his own event, “The k4sen,” where he actively works to energize the community. Through these activities, Kasen is not only recognized as a game streamer but also as a leader within the community.

5th : スパイギア（SPYGEA）

SPYGEA is a popular streamer in Japan’s gaming community, with about 610,000 followers on Twitch. His streams mainly focus on FPS games such as “Apex Legends” and “VALORANT,” where his exceptional aim and strategic gameplay captivate many viewers.
In particular, his “Apex Legends” streams stand out for his high-level aiming skills and team play, earning him praise from viewers. During his streams, tens of thousands of viewers tune in, with active chat filled with comments. Viewers often remark, “Watching SPYGEA makes me feel like I’m improving too,” and “His explanations are thorough, and I’ve learned a lot.”

SPYGEA also attracts attention through collaborative streams with other popular streamers. In particular, his joint streams with Syaka and StylishNoob have been enjoyable for viewers, thanks to their synchronized gameplay and witty commentary. These collaborative streams often exceed the typical viewership numbers, with many comments expressing how much viewers enjoy the chemistry between the three.

Additionally, Spygea regularly holds charity streams and is actively involved in social contribution activities, broadening his influence beyond just gaming. Viewers often express their admiration for him not only as a gamer but also as someone they respect as a person.

Japanese Pro Gamer Influencers

1st : かきp（Kakip）

Kakip is a VTuber who operates on YouTube, offering a wide range of content, including game streams and casual chats. His channel, “Kakip Ch. Kakip,” has approximately 6,460 subscribers as of October 2024, with a total view count of about 2.67 million.
Kakip focuses on creating engaging content that encourages viewer participation and avoids monotony. He places a strong emphasis on interactive communication with his audience, ensuring that viewers enjoy the experience. His main game streams feature popular titles such as “Minecraft,” “Apex Legends,” and “Genshin Impact.” Through these games, his humor and gaming skills captivate the audience.

One of his most highly praised content series is his “Minecraft” streams, where he runs a server with viewers, creating a participatory experience that resonates with the audience. His humorous commentary and unique perspective also offer fresh entertainment to his viewers.

Moreover, Kakip aims to share his personal growth story with his audience, and his perseverance despite being bad at games has won him much sympathy. His challenging attitude and fresh approach to new projects keep viewers excited and engaged.

Kakip’s channel launched its first stream on November 11, 2022, and gained a large following in a short period. This success is a result of his creative content and active interaction with his audience.

2nd : ふぇぐ（Feg）

Feg is a highly popular Japanese gaming influencer on YouTube. His channel, “Feg Channel,” has approximately 200,000 subscribers as of November 2024. His content mainly consists of game streams and commentary, with a particular focus on the card game “Shadowverse.”
One of Feg’s most highly praised videos includes his gameplay from a “Shadowverse” tournament, as well as his deck-building commentary. These videos stand out with impressive view counts and high ratings compared to his other content, reflecting his deep knowledge and expertise in the game. For example, a tournament gameplay video received hundreds of thousands of views and many comments such as “This was really helpful” and “Your gameplay is amazing.”

Feg’s influence is significant partly because he is a top player with experience winning official “Shadowverse” tournaments. As such, his gameplay and commentary provide valuable insights for other players. His explanations are also beginner-friendly and help convey the depth of the game, earning him broad support from various audiences.

Viewer reactions further illustrate Feg’s influence. Many comments in the comment section express gratitude like “I improved my rank thanks to Feg’s videos” and “I always learn from you,” showing that his videos contribute to improving viewers’ gameplay. His personality and humor are also highly praised, with comments like “Feg’s commentary is funny” and “I never get bored watching him.”

3rd : むぎ（Mugi）

Mugi is a popular Japanese gaming influencer who creates content on YouTube, with approximately 115,000 subscribers. His channel primarily offers game streams and commentary on a variety of content.
One of his most praised videos is titled “【Clash Royale】The deck used by the world’s top 1 and 2 players that has been popular since the beginning, now the strongest deck ever. Simple strategy explanation.” This video, released on November 24, has accumulated about 40,000 views. The reason for the video’s attention is his introduction of the decks used by top players and the clear explanation of strategies. Viewers are interested in learning from these top players’ strategies to improve their own gameplay.

Mugi’s channel shows a view-to-subscriber ratio of about 57.67%, which is significantly higher than the average for channels of a similar size. This indicates that his content is highly appreciated by his viewers. Moreover, his average engagement rate is 2.01%, which also exceeds the average for similar channels. These statistics show the strong connection between Mugi’s videos and his audience.

Additionally, Mugi consistently posts new content, with an average upload frequency of every five days. This high update rate keeps his viewers engaged and ensures that they always have fresh content to enjoy.

4th : ときど（Tokido）

“Tokido Channel” is a YouTube channel run by Tokido, a professional fighting gamer in Japan, which was launched on February 11, 2022. The channel has about 3,000 subscribers and has posted 522 videos, with a total view count of around 34.7 million. The average number of views per video is about 66,481, showing strong viewer support.
Tokido offers a wide range of content, including fighting game streams, tutorials, and live streams. His videos that feature matches against other pro players and in-depth game technique explanations are particularly popular. For example, the video titled “Sho & Daikoku compete in the ‘Just Parry King Contest’【Part 1】” garnered a large number of views in the first week of its release. This video showcases top-tier player techniques and strategies, and has been highly praised by viewers.

Comments from viewers include “Tokido’s explanations are very easy to understand” and “I learned so much from the professional perspective,” showing that his tutorials contribute to improving viewers’ skills. Many also express gratitude, saying “This video helped me improve my gameplay.”

5th : 翔（Kakeru）

“IBUSHIGIN | Kakeru” is a YouTube channel run by Kakeru, a prominent Japanese gaming influencer. His channel offers a wide range of gameplays and in-depth commentary that captivates viewers and introduces new ways to enjoy gaming. His videos, particularly those focusing on the latest game titles, have gained significant popularity.
Kakeru’s channel is known for not just playing games but diving deep into their appeal through his understanding and unique approach. His videos are helpful for players of all levels, with clear explanations that make them particularly appreciated. Additionally, his lighthearted commentary and unique reactions enhance the enjoyment of his videos.

One of the most highly praised aspects of his content is his strategy guides and series gameplay. For example, his series on popular games has been well-received, with Kakeru’s skills and detailed analysis shining through, leading to a high number of views and comments. His collaborations with other popular influencers also draw attention, and the diversity in his gameplay keeps his viewers engaged.

Kakeru’s high upload frequency ensures that viewers have access to fresh content regularly. This continuous activity not only broadens his fanbase but also strengthens the trust he has built with his audience.