Who are these adorable doe eyed animated moe girls that are popping up all over YouTube? Easy question to answer. They are the product of a popular trend, virtual youtubers, commonly referred to as Vtubers.
Source: Club.Kidnet.Net
A Vtuber is a fictitious virtual character, mainly delivering a wide range of videos on youtube that can go from playing games to small net chatting. And these Vtubers emerge into the YouTube world when someone overlays an image (commonly anime styled) over a live subject and hosts a video. It’s pretty much the ideal method of youtubing for introverts who can’t bring themselves to show their face as they are being creative.
The method and concept is quite simple, but not to the point where everyone can do it. If the concept were to be compared to something, the best comparison to be said is vocaloid. Not everyone can do this, for it requires the right system and software to accomplish it correctly.
▍The Starting Point
One may ask themselves where this elaborate method of youtubing begins, and that’s where the question “How to Become a Virtual YouTuber” comes into play. It all really depends on the type. For example Kizuna A.I., a very popular Vtuber, works with a lot of high tech software, and there is also the fact that there is a team that keeps her functioning. A bit of a high maintenance Vtuber.
Source: Livedoor News
However there are Vtubers like Nekomasu who are emerging and are working alone and using less high tech software, and they are using what is considered the “low budget” method of vtubing.
Source: 耳かき 日曜日 東メ20
▍The Works
Whatever the method may be, it still all starts with the creator(s), their design, and their set up. You may have guessed that a Vtuber setup may differ from your average real world youtuber. The works go beyond a camera with good quality and ring lights. The setup of a virtual youtuber mainly involves facial recognition and animation software. Though combining the two are considered quite tricky. A common flaw found within vtubers is their lack of fluidity within their animation, and a slight glitch that can reveal real live face behind the character.
Well known companies in the Vtuber world like Cygames and CAPTUROID typically use the following set up: an IphoneX and face recognition attached to a head mount, the full-body xsens motion capture system, manusVR gloves, and unit 3D animation software.
Source: Xsens
▍The Shinteno
Source: Vtuber Matome
The Vtuber market in Japan is dominated by what we call “Shinteno”, or the Four Heavenly Kings. The term suggests four but there are in fact five popular virtual girls who reign over the Vtuber platform. Most recognizable out of the bunch is Kizuna A.I (center in the picture above). But don’t be fooled – she isn’t the only star here.
■ Kizuna A.I.
Source: Come To Japan
Kizuna runs two channels known as A.I. Channels and A.I. Games. Her overall design was created in MikuMikuDance. Many of her videos consist of her vlogging or doing let’s plays. After she had debuted into the YouTube world, she had a slow and steady climb to fame, but her popularity increased significantly after a let’s play video of her playing Inside was shared to an anime focused Facebook page.
■ Mirai Akari
Source: Sohu
The Mirai Akari Project first made her official debut on October 27, 2017. Her official illustrator is Mr. Kei, which is the same person who designed Hatsune Miku. However, before she was introduced her channel had originally belonged to Anime Daughter Eilene. While she is still relatively new, her numbers in subscribers continue to increase and closely match those of Kizuna A.I.
■ Siro
Source: Zerochan
Siro first debuted June 28, 2017. She is considered to be the most honest, calm, and innocent out of Vtubers. She was originally a character from an unreleased mobile game called Shojo Heiki Daisan. She mainly plays games on her channel and isn’t afraid to be funny and crack jokes as she plays.
■ Kaguya Luna
Source: Club.Kidnet.Net
Kaguya first made her debut onto youtube on September 12, 2017. She has earned herself many interesting nicknames due to her appearance and due to the way she speaks as well. Those in Japan call her “Strong Zero” because she speaks as though she is drunk and her character colors resemble a can of Strong Zero. With that said she doesn’t fail to express her quirkiness as she strives to be a youtuber to give everyone smiles.
■ Nekomasu
Source: 耳かき 日曜日 東メ20
Nekomasu first debuted on December 5, 2017. She is a female avatar portrayed by a male. The interesting thing about this Vtuber is that she (or he?) does not use any voice changers or filters – so yeah, her voice is the voice of a ossan (middle aged man). So NekoMasu’s seiyu uses their own original voice, which is an interesting fact that sets them apart from other virtual youtubers.
Vtubers have grown to be something big in such a small amount of time considering all of the four kings debuted only in 2017, and for most of them have made a statement and a name for themselves on youtube in less than a year. YouTube is a platform, home to creativity, and being different and out of the box, and it’s those exact principles that will allow virtual Vtubers to thrive and expand – but not without your support.
Go watch their videos now!
■ Kizuna A.I.
■ Mirai Akari
■ Siro
■ Kaguya
■ Nekomasu