By Neil Patel

If you follow video marketing trends, you might have noticed an increase in animated videos starring anime-style avatars. This content is created by VTubers, and it’s taking content creation by storm.

Top VTubers have millions of followers and earn hundreds of thousands of dollars a month.

According to experts, the industry is on the rise. HyperSense shared that the number of total VTuber subscribers increased by 28 percent in 2019, while the total views of Vtuber content increased by 99 percent.

At first glance, this might not seem like a serious trend. However, marketers and brands like Mattel and KFC are leveraging virtual YouTubers to drive serious engagement.

What exactly are VTubers, and why should you care? Here is what you need to know to become a Vtuber or use this new trend to grow your business.

What Are VTubers?

VTubers (short for virtual YouTubers) are content creators who use animated avatars and stop motion graphics in their videos, rather than their physical likeness. Like most vloggers, they talk to the camera and share their thoughts on a wide range of topics and products.

Some of the top virtual YouTubers include Kaguya Luna, Kizuna AI, The Omega Sisters, and Kiryu Coco.

The trend has exploded in popularity in recent years, with top content creators earning millions of dollars. VTuber Kiryu Coco, for example, earns approximately $134,000 per month.

What Do VTubers Do?

VTubers use animated likenesses to share music videos, gaming tips, impressions, live streams, and even product ads. Many use manga-styled avatars, often with large eyes, small mouths, and brilliant hair colors. Despite being animated, the avatars are often strikingly life-like.

Here’s an example of one of the original VTubers, Kizuna AI.

While the personality, voice, and physical likeness vary by creator, most are high-energy, fun-loving, animated personalities.

VTubers, like other YouTubers, create a wide range of content. Some play video games, model clothing, share their thoughts on political situations, review movies, or even release their own music videos.

Many also partner with brands to promote products and services.

The History of VTubers

In 2011, Japanese YouTuber Ami Yamato created a 3D avatar to share her feelings about moving back to London after spending several years in Tokyo. Her avatar is slightly more subdued than the anime versions many VTubers use, but her avatar is influenced by Japanese culture and graphic novels.

While that first video was more of a journal entry, later videos take on a more humorous angle. For example, Ami imagines herself on a blind date with the Mandalorian in the Star Wars universe, or interviewing Godzilla.

In 2016, the Kizuna AI channel launched and has racked up more than 4 million subscribers. Unlike Ami Yamato, Kizuna AI is a fully AI, fully autonomous digital celebrity. The channel was originally managed by the company Activ8, which later built an entire company for managing the character and …read more

Source:: Kiss Metrics Blog

Author: Aaron