Virtual YouTubers, also known as VTubers are one of the fastest-growing communities on the internet, with millions of people tuning in every day to watch their content. VTubers live stream, make YouTube videos and do just about anything else that normal internet personalities do. The only difference is that VTubers aren’t real people. VTubers are virtual avatars controlled by a creator in real-time using motion-tracking software.
The designers behind the VTubers must have credit where credit’s due as they create some amazing and captivating persona’s to watch. That’s why on today’s list we’re going to go through the 10 most subscribed VTubers.
Why Are VTubers So Popular?
VTubers are extremely popular, for one, thanks to the pandemic. When people were forced inside many took to the internet in search of alternative forms of entertainment. These animated virtual persona’s made for extremely engaging content which is why many remained as fans.
VTuber’s avatars tend to take on the design of an anime character. With anime spreading like wildfire all over the world it makes sense that the closest thing to an anime character that viewers can interact with blew up! So many of the anime tropes and Japanese culture are adopted in VTuber culture, that it’s just another entertainment masterpiece we can thank our friends from the east for.
Finally, the requirements to become a VTuber are now a lot more accessible to the general public. Now more than ever independent VTubers are popping up all over the place, but we’ll get onto this in a moment. VTubers are such a popular form of media to go into because of the anonymity that the creators can preserve. VTubers can get fame, money and adoration from their viewers without ever revealing their faces or identity. A list streamers like Amouranth even explain that if they could do it all again they would be a VTuber.
How Do You Become A VTuber?
The main thing you need to be a VTuber is a VTuber model. A VTuber model is another way to describe the virtual avatar that the users masquerade as. Seeing as the avatar is going to be the online identity and persona that viewers will learn to love, meticulous planning and effort go into making them.
The main way that people like to get ahold of VTuber models is by having them commissioned by a professional artist. This option can be a little pricey depending on the artist you get but it saves all of the months of effort it takes to learn how to do it yourself. Working alongside an artist to produce a fully functional, professional VTuber avatar is well worth it if you plan on taking VTubing seriously.
Alternatively, for those who are just looking to dabble and not spend any money, there are plenty of free VTuber maker software that can produce a half-decent avatar. Once you’re doing well enough to get signed by a VTuber talent agency then you can let them take the financial hit.
But enough of the jibber jabber! Let’s get into what we came here for.
10 Most Subscribed VTubers
Our list is going to consist of both English-speaking and Japanese VTubers because today is all about the YouTube subscribers baby!
Gawr Gura
Gawr Gura is the most subscribed VTuber on the platform right now with 4.2 million subs. Many of you might have noticed her from her iconic shark head hoodie, jagged teeth and white bangs. She was part of the first generation of English-speaking VTubers from HololiveEn alongside a few other VTubers on our list. Her amusing and foolish antics on stream make her a great VTuber to watch.
Houshou Marine
Houshou Marine is a famous Japanese VTuber who takes on the form of an adorable red-headed pirate. Marine has almost 2.2 million subscribers who love to watch her play video games, sing karaoke and enjoy her silly animations with friends. Marine is also part of Hololive so it’s common to see her making content and collaborating with loads of VTubers on their roster.
Usada Pekora
Usada Pekora or sometimes known as Peko-chan by her beloved viewers is another Japanese VTuber on our list. Usada Pekora has a rather interesting appearance bearing large bunny ears and long blue plats with carrots intertwined within them. She’s mostly known for her playthroughs, recently working on Biohazard 6. And has a commendable 2 million subscribers that tune in to watch her do her thing!
Shirakami Fubuki
Shirakami Fubuki debuted as part of Hololive’s first generation of Japanese VTubers. Her appearance is inspired by that of a white-haired otaku fox which is why she has two white fox ears sprouting from her head. Her 1.9 million strong subscribers tune in to watch her play video games. Fubuki is so much of an avid gamer that she is part of a unit called Hololive Gamers.
Inugami Korone
Another Japanese VTuber on our list is Inugami Korone. She made her debut with “Hololive Gamers” alongside fellow VTuber sensation Shirakami Fubuki. Korone’s animal inspiration comes from a dog which explains the two floppy ears on her head and playful personality. She’s silly, goofy and prone to random signs of affection like sporadically kissing her costars. If you have a fondness for retro games then Korone’s channel is the one to watch; her 1.8 million subscribers seem to agree.
Watson Amelia
Watson Amelia takes on the form of an old Sherlock Holmes-esque detective with the deer hunter hat and magnifying glass to match. Watson spends streams challenging her reflexes in first-person shooters and problem-solving skills in puzzle games… rather elementary. She has over 1.7 million subscribers and is the second most popular English-speaking VTuber.
Minato Aqua
Part of the second generation of Japanese VTuber to be released by Hololive, Minato Aqua was the stand-out debutant among her peers. Her bright pink hair and french maid outfit encapsulated the fans earning her over 1.6 million subs over her career thus far. Her innocent bumbling airhead personality makes her the victim of most jokes but everyone loves her really.
Hyakumantenbara Salome
Hyakumantenbara Salome is the first Nijisanji VTuber on our list and was also the first solo debutant the company produced. People took a quick liking to her natural look and personality making her the fastest VTuber to gain 1 million subscribers, doing so in just 13 days! She’s the closest VTubing has to normal which is maybe why 1.6 million subscribers seem to enjoy how relatable she is.
Kobo Kanaeru
Kobo Kanaeru is the most famous Indonesian VTuber part of the HololiveID branch. Her impossible blue hair is made to resemble crashing waves which makes total sense because she lives at the top of a lighthouse. She has 1.6 million subscribers and counting who all love to watch her Play GTA V, Among Us and a whole number of popular games.
Hoshimachi Suisei
Last but not least we’ve got Hoshimachi Suisei or Sui-chan for short. Suisei is another Hololive Japanese VTuber who takes on the form of a forever 18 school girl who loves to sing. Suisei happens to be quite the singer producing hit songs like “Stellar Stellar” which has over 16 million views on YouTube yet she remains very modest and humble about it. She dabbles in gaming but if you came for music then join her 1.6 million subscribers.