‘VTubers,’ or ‘Virtual YouTubers’ are now becoming some of the most popular and influential online voices on the video and streaming platform, according to a report published by YouTube on the annual trends.

Hyderabad: The online creator landscape is witnessing a new shift, with a new kind of a star emerging as a popular alternative to humans on YouTube.

‘VTubers,’ or ‘Virtual YouTubers’ are now becoming some of the most popular and influential online voices on the video and streaming platform, according to a report published by YouTube on the annual trends.

According to YouTube’s 2024 Trends Report, a sample of just 300 virtual creators generated over 15 billion views in 2024, with 1 billion of those views coming from the U.S. alone. These animated avatars, often inspired by anime or gaming aesthetics, are redefining how audiences connect with creators — offering a unique blend of performance, anonymity, and authenticity.

Unlike traditional influencers, VTubers don’t appear as themselves. Instead, they perform through computer-generated avatars that allow for greater creative freedom and a layer of separation from real-life identity. This new medium is particularly popular among younger audiences and emerging creators who may feel more comfortable expressing themselves behind a virtual face.

Citing a creator as an example, the report highlights the popularity of Hatsune Miku — a Vocaloid character and symbol of fan-driven content — exemplifies this evolution. With over 5.5 billion views in 2024 alone, Miku represents how virtual performers can dominate even long-established online spaces. Similarly, creators like @Neurosama and @SakuraMiko have cultivated massive followings, showing the potential of virtual identities to draw real engagement.

The phenomenon isn’t just limited to anime-style VTubers. Platforms like Roblox and VRChat are enabling more casual virtual content creation, while hyper-realistic avatars like @LilMiquela and @CodeMiko push the boundaries of what’s digitally possible.

A recent survey revealed that 57% of viewers aged 14-44 watched VTuber content in the past year. In Japan, more children now aspire to become VTubers than YouTubers, pointing to a generational shift in how fame and creativity are pursued.

As tools for virtual creation become more accessible, expect the line between virtual and real to blur even further.

Going by the growing popularity of the trend which enables creators, especially the camera-shy ones, let an avatar be the face of the video, it is safe to say that we may see VTubers, overtaking YouTubers in no time.