Cointelegraph
--
What is a VTuber, and how do you become one in 2025?
Key takeaways
A Vtuber is a real person behind a digital avatar, blending performance, storytelling, and creativity to connect with audiences through livestreams, games, podcasts, and more.
Becoming a VTuber involves designing a unique avatar (2D or 3D), using motion capture for animation, and leveraging software tools like Live2D, VSeeFace, and AI voice modifiers.
In 2025, VTubing success often starts with short-form mobile platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Cross-posting to Discord, X, or Twitch helps build community and drive monetization.
Aspiring VTubers should be aware of risks like burnout, privacy breaches, platform dependency, and unpredictable income.
Virtual YouTubers, or VTubers, have gained popularity in recent years. VTubers create content for their channels using computer-generated avatars.
Although VTubers are particularly popular in Japan and other Asian countries, the trend is slowly spreading across the world.
So, what exactly is a VTuber? How does VTubing work, and how can you become one in 2025?
This article explores what a VTuber is, the tools and software, and how to start VTubing in 2025.
What is a VTuber?
Have you ever scrolled Twitch or YouTube and stumbled upon a virtual anime-style character live streaming, playing games and chatting with viewers? That was a VTuber.
A VTuber is a digital content creator who uses a virtual avatar to produce videos or live content.
These avatars are often animated in real-time using motion tracking and face capture, creating an online personality. These avatars can look like anime characters, animals, robots or even abstract creatures.
However, behind every VTuber is a real person, using their voice, expressions and personality to bring the character to life.
But how does an avatar actually copy your movements?
Motion capture, or mocap, is the technology behind avatars that records a person’s movements using sensors to create realistic animations for virtual characters in games, movies or virtual reality. It converts real-world movement into digital 3D data for more lifelike animation.
Some VTubers are run by professional businesses or agencies, while others are single creators with their own background stories and hand-crafted avatars.
Whether they’re broadcasting games, selling merchandise, podcasting or just vibing with their audience, VTubers have established a space where technology meets creativity, and it’s growing day by day.
VTuber vs. traditional YouTube content creator
Aren’t VTubers just YouTubers with cool avatars? Well, not exactly. It all comes down to how they show up on screen. While traditional YouTubers appear as themselves, VTubers use animated avatars to represent their online persona, whether a space alien or a talking cat.
The core content and interaction with the audience might be similar. Still, VTubing often leans into storytelling, roleplay and unique esthetics to create a more immersive experience for their fans, making the methods and approaches differ.
Did you know? In 2024, the VTuber market was valued at $2.55 billion; by 2035, it is projected to reach $20.0 billion.
How VTubing works and what tools are needed
As more creators dive into VTubing, the preparation required has also evolved, with a greater emphasis on crafting recognizable and unique characters to stand out in a crowded space.
Below are the key aspects that make up the process of becoming a VTuber, ensuring your avatar captures attention and engages audiences.
Virtual avatar
The process of creating a VTuber avatar in 2025 begins with concept development that involves designing the avatar’s appearance, personality and backstory.
Once the concept is in place, you can move on to creating the 2D or 3D model using specialized software such as Live2D Cubism for 2D models and Blender, Viverse Avatar or Vroid Studio for 3D models.
Choosing between a 2D or 3D avatar depends on your desired level of detail and animation, with 2D offering a more stylized, simpler look and 3D allowing for more dynamic, lifelike movement and depth.
After designing the avatar, the next step is rigging, which involves adding bones and joints to enable movement. This process is done by using rigging software like Live2D or VUP for 2D and tools like VSeeFace for 3D models. These tools allow the virtual avatar to replicate the performer’s movements, making the character blink, talk and gesture in real-time.
To capture and animate the performer’s movements, many VTubers use face-tracking mocap software such as VTube Studio or VSeeFace to track facial expressions.
Livestreaming and content creation
The VTuber can start creating livestream content once the virtual avatar has been designed and animated.
Livestreaming on platforms like YouTube and Twitch and gaming streams can be realized using software like OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS.
To edit pre-recorded videos, creators rely on software such as DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro. Additionally, voice changers like Voicemod or MagicVox can help modify the creator’s voice to match their avatar. Custom graphics and overlays can be created using tools like Photoshop or Canva.
Engaged audience
The power of the virtual avatar to have real-time conversations with the audience is a unique feature of VTubing. Building a credible brand is essential to becoming a successful VTuber, just like it is for other types of content creation. This means creating a unique character or identity for the virtual avatar and creating content that appeals to the intended audience.
How to become a VTuber in 2025
Besides the core aspects of VTubing covered above, there are a few more essentials to consider if you’re serious about starting VTubing in 2025.
Use AI or avatar builders: Tools like Inworld or Ready Player Me offer plug-and-play solutions with simple customization. These are ideal for beginners who want to skip drawing and rigging. AI can also help with real-time voice modulation, AI-powered NPCs, or “non-player characters,” for collabs and even AI-generated scripts. Some VTubers are blending AI sidekicks into their streams.
Customize stream setup: In 2025, customizing your VTuber stream setup entails incorporating stylish overlays, notifications, background music and chat widgets. Also, practicing your stream flow is essential to ensure smooth delivery of voice, emotive reactions and transitions.
VTubing on TikTok and mobile: Short-form VTuber content is booming, especially on TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Many new creators start on mobile-first platforms before moving to full streams. Creating and sharing videos on platforms such as TikTok, X or Discord is essential for cross-platform marketing to reach new audiences, move your fans across platforms, and attract potential brand partnerships for sponsorship and ads.
Did you know? Kuzuha from Nijisanji topped the 2024 view hours chart with over 40 million hours, retaining his position as a fan favorite for the second year in a row, according to Vstats, which compiles data from websites such as YouTube, Twitch and Soop.
VTubing trends of 2025
Due to developing technologies and shifting audience tastes, starting a VTuber career in 2025 means understanding the latest trends to stand out in an increasingly crowded industry.
Niche content
In 2025, standing out as a VTuber can also mean going niche. GFE or BFE, girlfriend or boyfriend experience, continue to lead the charge. These formats build one-sided emotional connections with fans who often become long-term supporters through monetizing exclusive content on platforms like Patreon.
Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) content continues to thrive, though creators must now carefully navigate platform rules to avoid demonetization. This content is designed to trigger relaxing tingles through soft sounds and visuals. Gaming and “Let’s Play” content continue to be a cornerstone while being an oversaturated niche.
In the end, the most prominent VTubers in the competitive landscape of 2025 are those who establish a clear identity, respect boundaries, and provide consistent, emotionally resonating material.
2D esthetics
Anime-style VTubers remain fan favorites, but 2025 has brought an extra layer of polish. Expect hyper-stylized 2D models with dynamic lighting, soft shading and intricate accessories. Subtle breathing, animated eyes and natural motion physics are raising the bar for Live2D designs.
Focus on culture and uniqueness
Avatar localization and distinctiveness extend beyond language; it entails modifying features, content and tactics to conform to regional norms, cultural preferences and local regulations. Platforms may increase user engagement by creating a feeling of community and relevance by customizing themselves for particular geographic areas.
Decentralized identities and NFTs
Some VTubers use blockchain to secure their avatars and sell collectibles such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), helping monetize the avatars.
Risks of becoming a VTuber in 2025
While the VTuber space continues to grow rapidly in 2025 — with better tools, bigger audiences and even corporate sponsorships — aspiring creators should be aware of the risks involved.
Here are key challenges to consider before jumping in:
Burnout and creative fatigue: VTubing often requires constant content creation, livestreaming and staying in character, which can quickly lead to exhaustion without proper balance or breaks.
Privacy and doxxing threats: While VTubers use avatars to remain anonymous, popular creators are still at risk of having their real identities exposed, especially in toxic or competitive environments.
Platform dependency: Most VTubers rely heavily on platforms like YouTube, Twitch or TikTok. Sudden algorithm changes, demonetization or account bans can drastically affect visibility and income.
Monetization challenges: Generating steady income as a VTuber isn’t guaranteed. Success depends on audience growth, sponsorships and fan support — all of which can take years to build.
High upfront costs: Creating a professional-grade 2D or 3D avatar, along with streaming equipment and software, often requires significant financial investment before any returns are made.
Intense market competition: As the VTuber space grows globally, it becomes harder for new creators to stand out without a unique niche, strong branding or technical polish.
AI impersonation and deepfakes: In 2025, advanced AI tools make it easier for bad actors to clone VTuber voices or designs, increasing the risk of content theft, brand damage or viewer confusion.
So, becoming a VTuber in 2025 offers creative freedom, global reach and new career paths — but it’s not without challenges. From financial risks to mental strain and evolving tech threats, success requires more than just a good avatar. Do your research, protect your privacy, and approach the journey with both passion and preparedness.
A Vtuber is a real person behind a digital avatar, blending performance, storytelling, and creativity to connect with audiences through livestreams, games, podcasts, and more.
Becoming a VTuber involves designing a unique avatar (2D or 3D), using motion capture for animation, and leveraging software tools like Live2D, VSeeFace, and AI voice modifiers.
In 2025, VTubing success often starts with short-form mobile platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Cross-posting to Discord, X, or Twitch helps build community and drive monetization.
Aspiring VTubers should be aware of risks like burnout, privacy breaches, platform dependency, and unpredictable income.
Virtual YouTubers, or VTubers, have gained popularity in recent years. VTubers create content for their channels using computer-generated avatars.
Although VTubers are particularly popular in Japan and other Asian countries, the trend is slowly spreading across the world.
So, what exactly is a VTuber? How does VTubing work, and how can you become one in 2025?
This article explores what a VTuber is, the tools and software, and how to start VTubing in 2025.
What is a VTuber?
Have you ever scrolled Twitch or YouTube and stumbled upon a virtual anime-style character live streaming, playing games and chatting with viewers? That was a VTuber.
A VTuber is a digital content creator who uses a virtual avatar to produce videos or live content.
These avatars are often animated in real-time using motion tracking and face capture, creating an online personality. These avatars can look like anime characters, animals, robots or even abstract creatures.
However, behind every VTuber is a real person, using their voice, expressions and personality to bring the character to life.
But how does an avatar actually copy your movements?
Motion capture, or mocap, is the technology behind avatars that records a person’s movements using sensors to create realistic animations for virtual characters in games, movies or virtual reality. It converts real-world movement into digital 3D data for more lifelike animation.
Some VTubers are run by professional businesses or agencies, while others are single creators with their own background stories and hand-crafted avatars.
Whether they’re broadcasting games, selling merchandise, podcasting or just vibing with their audience, VTubers have established a space where technology meets creativity, and it’s growing day by day.
VTuber vs. traditional YouTube content creator
Aren’t VTubers just YouTubers with cool avatars? Well, not exactly. It all comes down to how they show up on screen. While traditional YouTubers appear as themselves, VTubers use animated avatars to represent their online persona, whether a space alien or a talking cat.
The core content and interaction with the audience might be similar. Still, VTubing often leans into storytelling, roleplay and unique esthetics to create a more immersive experience for their fans, making the methods and approaches differ.
Did you know? In 2024, the VTuber market was valued at $2.55 billion; by 2035, it is projected to reach $20.0 billion.
How VTubing works and what tools are needed
As more creators dive into VTubing, the preparation required has also evolved, with a greater emphasis on crafting recognizable and unique characters to stand out in a crowded space.
Below are the key aspects that make up the process of becoming a VTuber, ensuring your avatar captures attention and engages audiences.
Virtual avatar
The process of creating a VTuber avatar in 2025 begins with concept development that involves designing the avatar’s appearance, personality and backstory.
Once the concept is in place, you can move on to creating the 2D or 3D model using specialized software such as Live2D Cubism for 2D models and Blender, Viverse Avatar or Vroid Studio for 3D models.
Choosing between a 2D or 3D avatar depends on your desired level of detail and animation, with 2D offering a more stylized, simpler look and 3D allowing for more dynamic, lifelike movement and depth.
After designing the avatar, the next step is rigging, which involves adding bones and joints to enable movement. This process is done by using rigging software like Live2D or VUP for 2D and tools like VSeeFace for 3D models. These tools allow the virtual avatar to replicate the performer’s movements, making the character blink, talk and gesture in real-time.
To capture and animate the performer’s movements, many VTubers use face-tracking mocap software such as VTube Studio or VSeeFace to track facial expressions.
Livestreaming and content creation
The VTuber can start creating livestream content once the virtual avatar has been designed and animated.
Livestreaming on platforms like YouTube and Twitch and gaming streams can be realized using software like OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS.
To edit pre-recorded videos, creators rely on software such as DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro. Additionally, voice changers like Voicemod or MagicVox can help modify the creator’s voice to match their avatar. Custom graphics and overlays can be created using tools like Photoshop or Canva.
Engaged audience
The power of the virtual avatar to have real-time conversations with the audience is a unique feature of VTubing. Building a credible brand is essential to becoming a successful VTuber, just like it is for other types of content creation. This means creating a unique character or identity for the virtual avatar and creating content that appeals to the intended audience.
How to become a VTuber in 2025
Besides the core aspects of VTubing covered above, there are a few more essentials to consider if you’re serious about starting VTubing in 2025.
Use AI or avatar builders: Tools like Inworld or Ready Player Me offer plug-and-play solutions with simple customization. These are ideal for beginners who want to skip drawing and rigging. AI can also help with real-time voice modulation, AI-powered NPCs, or “non-player characters,” for collabs and even AI-generated scripts. Some VTubers are blending AI sidekicks into their streams.
Customize stream setup: In 2025, customizing your VTuber stream setup entails incorporating stylish overlays, notifications, background music and chat widgets. Also, practicing your stream flow is essential to ensure smooth delivery of voice, emotive reactions and transitions.
VTubing on TikTok and mobile: Short-form VTuber content is booming, especially on TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Many new creators start on mobile-first platforms before moving to full streams. Creating and sharing videos on platforms such as TikTok, X or Discord is essential for cross-platform marketing to reach new audiences, move your fans across platforms, and attract potential brand partnerships for sponsorship and ads.
Did you know? Kuzuha from Nijisanji topped the 2024 view hours chart with over 40 million hours, retaining his position as a fan favorite for the second year in a row, according to Vstats, which compiles data from websites such as YouTube, Twitch and Soop.
VTubing trends of 2025
Due to developing technologies and shifting audience tastes, starting a VTuber career in 2025 means understanding the latest trends to stand out in an increasingly crowded industry.
Niche content
In 2025, standing out as a VTuber can also mean going niche. GFE or BFE, girlfriend or boyfriend experience, continue to lead the charge. These formats build one-sided emotional connections with fans who often become long-term supporters through monetizing exclusive content on platforms like Patreon.
Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) content continues to thrive, though creators must now carefully navigate platform rules to avoid demonetization. This content is designed to trigger relaxing tingles through soft sounds and visuals. Gaming and “Let’s Play” content continue to be a cornerstone while being an oversaturated niche.
In the end, the most prominent VTubers in the competitive landscape of 2025 are those who establish a clear identity, respect boundaries, and provide consistent, emotionally resonating material.
2D esthetics
Anime-style VTubers remain fan favorites, but 2025 has brought an extra layer of polish. Expect hyper-stylized 2D models with dynamic lighting, soft shading and intricate accessories. Subtle breathing, animated eyes and natural motion physics are raising the bar for Live2D designs.
Focus on culture and uniqueness
Avatar localization and distinctiveness extend beyond language; it entails modifying features, content and tactics to conform to regional norms, cultural preferences and local regulations. Platforms may increase user engagement by creating a feeling of community and relevance by customizing themselves for particular geographic areas.
Decentralized identities and NFTs
Some VTubers use blockchain to secure their avatars and sell collectibles such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), helping monetize the avatars.
Risks of becoming a VTuber in 2025
While the VTuber space continues to grow rapidly in 2025 — with better tools, bigger audiences and even corporate sponsorships — aspiring creators should be aware of the risks involved.
Here are key challenges to consider before jumping in:
Burnout and creative fatigue: VTubing often requires constant content creation, livestreaming and staying in character, which can quickly lead to exhaustion without proper balance or breaks.
Privacy and doxxing threats: While VTubers use avatars to remain anonymous, popular creators are still at risk of having their real identities exposed, especially in toxic or competitive environments.
Platform dependency: Most VTubers rely heavily on platforms like YouTube, Twitch or TikTok. Sudden algorithm changes, demonetization or account bans can drastically affect visibility and income.
Monetization challenges: Generating steady income as a VTuber isn’t guaranteed. Success depends on audience growth, sponsorships and fan support — all of which can take years to build.
High upfront costs: Creating a professional-grade 2D or 3D avatar, along with streaming equipment and software, often requires significant financial investment before any returns are made.
Intense market competition: As the VTuber space grows globally, it becomes harder for new creators to stand out without a unique niche, strong branding or technical polish.
AI impersonation and deepfakes: In 2025, advanced AI tools make it easier for bad actors to clone VTuber voices or designs, increasing the risk of content theft, brand damage or viewer confusion.
So, becoming a VTuber in 2025 offers creative freedom, global reach and new career paths — but it’s not without challenges. From financial risks to mental strain and evolving tech threats, success requires more than just a good avatar. Do your research, protect your privacy, and approach the journey with both passion and preparedness.
Disclaimer: Includes third-party opinions. No financial advice. May include sponsored content. See T&Cs.