Virtual YouTuber crowned in Japan

These virtual YouTube character is even creating an industry exploding in value. Each top account can earn more than 1 million USD per year.

Sister Mayu Iizuka put aside her usual humble demeanor and tried to display a fun and lively personality in her homemade studio in Tokyo, Japan. She is voicing and animating her avatar during a live stream in front of hundreds of fans watching on YouTube. The character’s facial expression is controlled by another person.

The video is made to make fans feel like they are interacting directly with virtual stars. Some viewers are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for their comments to be featured during the live stream.

Since appearing about 5 years ago, the world Virtual YouTuber has grown rapidly, with around 16,000 characters streaming every day globally. Their fans are also growing on other platforms like TikTok and Twitch.

The 9 highest earning YouTube accounts last year were all virtual YouTubers. Each of these accounts has raised $700,000 to $1.7 million. In particular, all these 9 accounts belong to a company in Tokyo, Japan.

Usually, virtual YouTubers don’t reveal their true selves to their fans. Fans also often give all their love to the character, not paying attention to who is actually playing them.

Mr. Kazumi, a virtual YouTube star fan said: “She acts like your mother sometimes, very nice but sometimes like a lover, sometimes very childish. She gives us different sides so I don’t think she is just one person. Overall, I feel like we’re family, her and the fans.”.

But after 4 years of running a virtual YouTube character, Iizuka made the difficult decision to make her identity public.

Sister Mayu Iizuka, creator of the virtual YouTube character Yume Kotobuki, shared: “Part of me fears that Yume fans will be disappointed to know the real person behind her. Because Yume has big, glittery eyes and perfect bust.”.

Iizuka said that Yume’s bold personality is gradually seeping into her.

“I’m becoming more and more like Yume. I used to be shy about public speaking but Yume is a proficient streamer, so being the character Yume has helped me speak more confidently as Mayu Iizuka”.

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