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**VTubing in Japan: Origins, Development, and Cultural Impact **
Vtubing, or Virtual YouTubing, emerged from Japan in the mid-2010s as a combination of the country’s “otaku” culture, advancements in streaming technology, and the growing popularity of YouTube as a platform for content creation and consumption.
1. **Early Beginnings**: The term “VTuber” was first popularized by Kizuna AI, a virtual character who debuted in December 2016 and is considered the pioneer of the VTuber phenomenon. Using a cute and quirky anime-style avatar, Kizuna AI presented herself as an artificial intelligence and began uploading various types of content, including game streams and vlogs, that quickly gained a significant audience.
1. **Expansion of the Field**: Inspired by Kizuna AI’s success, many more virtual YouTubers started appearing in 2017 and 2018. This includes personalities such as Kaguya Luna, Mirai Akari, and the members of Hololive, a talent agency for VTubers managed by Hololive Production. The field quickly diversified, with VTubers adopting a wide range of personas and content styles, including gaming, singing, comedy, and more.
1. **Technological Improvements**: The development of affordable and accessible motion capture technology allowed for more expressive and interactive VTuber content. In the early days, Vtubers primarily used a program called Live2D to create 2D models that could move and talk in real-time. Later, some VTubers adopted 3D models, further enhancing the sense of immersion and interaction with the audience.
1. **International Expansion**: Although VTubing originated in Japan, it has since gained popularity worldwide. VTubers like Hololive’s English-speaking members and the English VTuber group VShojo have found success with international audiences, spreading the VTuber phenomenon to audiences outside of Japan.
1. **Market Consolidation**: By 2020 and 2021, several VTuber talent agencies had emerged, such as Hololive Production, Nijisanji (managed by Ichikara Inc.), and VOMS Project, effectively consolidating the market and providing resources and infrastructure for VTubers to grow and monetize their channels.
Throughout its history, the VTuber phenomenon has sparked conversations about identity, performance, and the nature of celebrity in the digital age. As a new form of entertainment and self-expression, VTubing continues to evolve, shaping and being shaped by broader cultural and technological trends.
https://vocus.cc/article/64b9fa8dfd89780001e811db