Japanese VTubers (Virtual YouTubers) are content creators who use virtual avatars or characters, often animated, to produce videos and interact with their audience on platforms like YouTube or other streaming services. These avatars are generally animated using motion capture technology, allowing the VTuber to represent themselves without revealing their real identities.
VTubers became especially popular in Japan, and they engage in a wide range of content, including gaming, live streaming, singing, chatting, and more. These personalities create their unique virtual personas, each with their distinct characteristics, backgrounds, and storylines, attracting a diverse audience.
Japanese VTubers have gained immense popularity, not only in Japan but also internationally, due to their entertaining content, engaging personalities, and interactive nature with their audience. Some VTubers have formed agencies or groups, collaborating on content and live streams, further expanding their reach and influence.
With the growing popularity of VTubers, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 leading VTubers in Japan for 2024
Subscribers: 368K
YuNi is a female Japanese VTuber.
She mainly posts videos of her singing, and calls herself “the world’s first virtual singer (Vsinger)”.
Subscribers: 396K
Aoi is a female Japanese VTuber.She is active as a multi-talented artist with the concept of “cheering leader of your heart.” She mainly distributes videos of cover songs on her main YouTube channel “Aoi ch. She also distributes videos of songs for children on “Aoi’s Kids.
Subscribers: 782K
HIMEHINA is a duo comprised of Hime Tanaka and Hina Suzuki.
As virtual artists, they primarily focus on music activities such as singing and dancing, but also share a variety of content on YouTube, including live gaming and variety videos.
Their YouTube channel boasts 780,000 subscribers, with total video views surpassing 200 million. In May 2023, they released their third album, “Chochin Ankou,” which topped the Oricon Digital Album Ranking and iTunes and more Hi-Rez Album Ranking.
Their emotionally expressive vocals and unique worldview have garnered widespread acclaim.
Subscribers: 2.03M
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.
Subscribers: 2.05M
Korone started her YouTube channel in 2019, focusing mainly on live game streams as a VTuber.
She has gained significant popularity overseas, initially becoming known for her imitations of sound effects from Banjo-Kazooie.
Subsequently, she has interacted and collaborated with numerous overseas game developers, even appearing as an Easter Egg in some cases.
Subscribers: 2.25M
Shirakami Fubuki started her activities in 2018, broadcasting live streams almost every day on YouTube and Bilibili.
Her videos primarily feature live gaming broadcasts, chatting, and singing. Additionally, she showcases her talent in drawing and frequently shares her artwork.
Subscribers: 2.37M
Usada debuted in 2019 as a third generation of hololive. Her nickname is Pecorar and she mainly does game streaming, singing, chatting with viewers. She likes plum wine and in 2020, one plum wine brand collaborated with her, making an original package.
Subscribers: 2.88M
Houshou Marine debuted as part of Hololive’s 3rd Generation, where she proudly serves as the Captain of the Houshou Pirates.
Her goal is to save up enough money to buy a pirate ship, which is why she is currently active as a VTuber on YouTube. Known as “船長 (senchou)” – “Captain,” her content includes illustration creation, live gameplays, singing, and more. Her rapid-fire speech, engaging topics, and quick-witted responses attract a large following.
Additionally, she showcases her drawing skills through live broadcasts with other professional illustrators and shares her artwork on Twitter.
Subscribers: 4.4M
Kizuna Ai is the world’s first VTuber. She uploaded her first video on her YouTube channel, “A.I. Channel,” on November 29, 2016, and currently boasts 4.4 million subscribers.
Her character background portrays her as an AI who has gained independence, appearing as a 16-year-old girl.
Her videos cover a wide range of content, including discussions, parodies, gameplay recordings, singing, and dancing. Additionally, she actively participates in real-life activities and advertisements, featuring in TV programs, and radio broadcasts, and even releasing a photobook.
Subscribers: 4.41M
Gawr Gura is a female Virtual YouTuber who primarily speaks English, debuting in 2020 as part of the first generation of hololive English. She is currently the most subscribed VTuber worldwide.
Gawr Gura excels in music games and singing. Since her debut as part of Hololive English’s first generation, she frequently streams gameplay content in English, garnering significant attention from international fans.
Her Japanese name, “がうる・ぐら,” was also chosen as one of the top 100 Internet Buzzwords of 2020.
Many of the top VTubers are open to sponsorship and paid promotions, which is a great opportunity for brand partnerships. Recent campaigns have shown that VTubers can be an effective way to reach a niche audience.
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