A virtual YouTuber, or VTuber, is a content creator or personality who uses a 2D or 3D digital avatar for online videos and/or livestreaming, often assuming a character as well. Despite the name, VTubers are not limited to the YouTube platform.
The term was first popularized by Kizuna Ai, who called herself "the world's first virtual YouTuber". Many others followed suit, and the explosion in popularity of the practice lead the term to be used even outside of YouTube, with the Japanese defining VTubers based on the creator declaring themselves as such before considering additional factors.
Many variations on the term "VTuber" exist, including "Virtual Singer" / "VSinger" (for those that exclusively make music, not be confused with Vocaloid China), "Virtual Liver" / "VLiver", and "Virtual Streamer" / "VStreamer". In China, the term "Virtual Uploader" / "VUP" is more commonly used alongside "VTuber", after first being coined by Xiao Xi on Bilibili. In English, "PNGTuber" and "GIFTuber" are used to refer to VTubers who use those formats, rather than 3D models or Live2D. In Japan, "VLiver" is also used to refer creators and companies in the 'walled garden app' niche, such as IRIAM and AniLive, apps which viewers use to watch VTubers who stream exclusively on them.
This tag includes anything directly related to VTubers, including parodies, references, fictional VTubers, concept art of unreleased VTubers, VTuber mascots, and VTuber agency staff members. This tag does not include family members or friends of VTubers, or things merely associated with VTubers.
