What is a VTuber on Twitch and YouTube?

Game streaming has been a fun hobby for many on Twitch and YouTube and, for some, it’s a full-time job. Now, the medium has evolved into different genres, including VTubing. Here’s everything you need to know about what exactly a VTuber is and how you can become one yourself.

Who are VTubers on Twitch and YouTube?

A VTuber is someone who live streams on Twitch and YouTube as a digital persona. Typically, they are depicted as anime-inspired characters, but that isn’t always necessarily the case. Popular VTubers like Gawr Gura, Leaflit, and Mori Calliope all have their own personalities and back story, providing more context for viewers of their channels. The streamer behind the model usually acts like themselves, but they can accentuate their personalities to fit an anime aesthetic. Popular VTubers are typically charismatic and can keep their chat entertained for hours.

For some VTubers, using a model instead of their faces on camera feels way more comfortable for them. They are unrestricted and feel more inspired to showcase their personality through their voice and in-game actions. There’s also a large audience for the VTubing scene which helps the streamer stand out among the fierce competition on Twitch and YouTube. Tails from the Sonic The Hedgehog series has even tried VTubing.

How to become a VTuber

To become a VTuber, there are many options available to you. The first option is a PNGTuber. This type has a still image that is placed in the bottom right corner of your stream. You can’t showcase different expressions but your emotion is expressed solely through your voice.

Next, you can be a 3D VTuber. There are default models through VRoid Studio that you can edit to your liking. Once you’ve created the character you’d like, you can export it and place it in VSeeFace. Turn on a camera, so you can be tracked, and you’re good to go.

Lastly, there’s a 2D VTuber that looks most like a traditional anime you’d find on Crunchyroll. However, this option is usually the most expensive. You can find a talented artist on Fiverr like greirinka and then commission them. After that, you’ll want to hire a rigger, who takes your model and forms the bones to help with animation. When both of these goals are complete, you can then use a program like VTube Studio for showcasing your model and then animating it by tracking your face.