“VTubers” are having a moment in live streaming. VTubers are real people who perform online using animated avatars, often styled like anime characters, that move with their facial or body tracking. Most stream on YouTube or Twitch, racking up Gen Z and Millennial followings as they stream games, sing karaoke, or chat with their audience. And while some VTubers work independently, many join agencies that create their characters, handle marketing, plan events, and connect them with sponsors in exchange for a share of earnings. The biggest of these, COVER Corporation’s Hololive, manages 87 VTubers with over 80M subscribers collectively, producing sold-out live shows, exclusive merch, and even virtual worlds. Holoive talent even teamed up with the LA Dodgers, and later this month they’re taking to the Radio City Music Hall stage. They’re also seeing a rise in annual views for YouTube videos related to VTubers, averaging 40M in 2024, pointing to growth in the VR technology business. (Mashable)
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