The year 2024 was a bittersweet one for the VTuber world. On the bright side, VTubers’ influence expanded beyond niche circles, with the industry continuing to grow even post-pandemic. Unexpected cross-industry collaborations emerged, cementing VTubers as an undeniable cultural force. However, alongside this rapid development, issues such as job-related challenges and labor disputes came to light. The number of graduations reached a record high, with over 200 VTubers saying farewell to their audiences this year, including several with millions of subscribers.
| Year | VTuber Market Value (Japan only) | VTuber Graduations (Global) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | TBD* | 224 |
| 2023 | ¥80 billion | 198 |
| 2022 | ¥52 billion | 116 |
| 2021 | ¥31 billion | 54 |
Here at Vchavcha, we’ve rounded up the major events of the VTuber scene in 2024, supplemented with quantitative search trend data* to give you a deeper perspective!
*Note: While the 2024 market value is still under estimation, leading VTuber agencies and research firms remain optimistic about future growth. Search data is sourced from Google tools but may vary depending on language, timeframes, and other factors. This article was translated with the assistance of ChatGPT. Please feel free to let us know if there are any issues with the translation.
[02/05] Nijisanji Terminates Selen Tatsuki Without Prior Notice
| Keyword | Global Monthly Search Volume | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Selen Tatsuki | 301,000 | +508% |
In early February, Nijisanji unexpectedly closed Selen Tatsuki’s social media channels and announced the termination of her contract, citing multiple violations and misleading statements on social platforms. The decision quickly sparked discussions within the community, with influencers and collaborators close to Selen expressing disappointment in Nijisanji’s handling of the situation.
Nijisanji issued a statement to investors, emphasizing that the decision had minimal impact on its stock value. They also had talents such as Elira Pendora, Vox Akuma, and Ike Eveland comment on the matter, which triggered mixed reactions of anger and sadness among fans. This led to a significant wave of unsubscriptions from Nijisanji EN and extended the conversation beyond the VTuber community.
The controversy began to subside after Nijisanji CEO Riku Tazumi issued an apology and promised to improve internal management practices.
[03/19] The World’s No.1 Male VTuber is in Indonesia! Reaches 2 Million Subscribers
If you were asked to name the male VTuber with the highest subscriber count globally, your first thought might be Nijisanji’s Kuzuha. However, the reality may surprise you! Japanese startup AKA Virtual has successfully tapped into Indonesia’s vast market potential, establishing itself as one of the leading VTuber companies in the region.
One of their top talents, Akemi Nekomachi, capitalized on the short video trend and achieved a major milestone in March, surpassing 2 million subscribers. As of today, his subscriber count has reached an impressive 2.33 million, setting a new benchmark for male VTubers.
This phenomenon highlights the power of short videos and signals that Southeast Asia will play an increasingly significant role in the VTubing industry in 2025.
[05/23] Hoshimachi Suisei Becomes the First VTuber Featured on GQ Japan’s “10 Essentials”
| Keyword | Global Monthly Search Volume | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 星街すいせい | 301,000 | +22% |
After making history as the first VTuber to appear on the popular music channel The First Take, Hoshimachi Suisei has set another milestone for the VTuber community! In May, Suisei became the first VTuber to be featured on GQ Japan‘s “10 Essentials,” where she shared her top ten daily must-haves.
Interestingly, this eternally 18-year-old star revealed her surprising fondness for spicy mentaiko and her regular use of Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa to soothe her throat.
[06/21] Hololive and VSPO Expand Aggressively into Western Markets
| Keyword | Global Monthly Search Volume | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|
| hololive EN | 18,100 | +22% |
| VSPO EN | 5,400 | +815% |
Nijisanji EN is still dealing with the lingering effects of its early-year controversies over talent management. Seizing the opportunity, competitors Hololive and VSPO have ramped up their investments in overseas markets.
Hololive CEO Motoaki Tanigo delivered an English speech announcing exciting developments, including the debut of EN’s fourth generation, a collaboration event with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and a world tour concert—all of which have fans buzzing with anticipation. Meanwhile, VSPO has made bold moves by venturing beyond Japan, entering the English and Chinese markets for the first time. They introduced several new VTubers, each specializing in a specific gaming genre, continuing their unique focus on esports.
[06/23] Springfish Becomes the Official Ambassador for Taiwan’s Paris Olympic Team
As Taiwan embraces Olympic fever, VTubers are joining the action! Springfish, the leading VTuber agency in Taiwan, has been appointed as the official ambassador for the Taiwanese Olympic team, proudly supporting the nation’s athletes.
This groundbreaking collaboration opens up new possibilities for VTubers in the realm of sports events. The head of Springfish stated that the company’s vision is to integrate virtual culture into everyday life, and they hope this partnership will inspire greater public interest in both the sports and content industries.
[06/29] The First VTuber Kizuna AI Teases a Comeback!
| Keyword | Global Monthly Search Volume | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|
| キズナアイ | 90,500 | +234% |
Kizuna AI, the first VTuber in history with nearly 3 million fans, went silent after her 2022 farewell concert. But at the end of June, long-awaited news finally arrived! Her official channel suddenly launched a mysterious livestream, showing only a blurry image of Kizuna AI with the cryptic word “Cognition,” sparking massive fan speculation. The stream reached a peak of over 110,000 concurrent viewers.
Now, the endless loop has shifted to a countdown, announcing her return on February 26, 2025—the anniversary of her final concert. Will Kizuna AI evolve into a true AI VTuber, or could there be more surprises in store? Fans eagerly await this historic comeback!
[07/05] MLB Los Angeles Dodgers Host “hololive Night”
| Keyword | Global Monthly Search Volume | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers tickets | 135,000 | +82% |
The Los Angeles Dodgers collaborated with hololive to host “hololive Night,” an event that brought VTuber fans and baseball enthusiasts together. During the game, Gura performed the baseball anthem “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” adding a unique touch to the atmosphere as the Dodgers secured an 8–5 win over the Brewers. The evening ended with a drone show accompanied by hololive’s song “Shiny Smily Story,” featuring chibi illustrations of Gura, Pekora, and Suisei.
Dodgers ticket searches skyrocketed by 82% that month, making this collaboration not only a win-win but also a perfect example of VTubing seamlessly integrating into everyday life!
However, hololive wasn’t the first VTuber to appear in American professional baseball. Just a week earlier, independent VTuber Kōri-Oujo made her debut at a Texas Rangers minor league game, performing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” alongside adorable raccoon mascot. Following the event, Kōri playfully released a video declaring herself the VTuber who beat hololive!
[08/28] 750,000 Viewers Worldwide Witness Minato Aqua’s Graduation LIVE
| Keyword | Global Monthly Search Volume | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 湊あくあ | 1,000,000 | +1,000% |
In August, hololive star Minato Aqua shocked her 2.2 million fans by announcing her graduation due to creative differences with the company. Her final 3D LIVE performance reached a record-breaking peak of 750,000 concurrent viewers, setting a new milestone in VTuber history.
The livestream’s intensity was remarkable, with the chat scrolling at lightning speed as fans from around the globe poured in messages of support and farewell. To put 750,000 viewers into perspective: this number ranks among the top five YouTube livestreams in Japan’s history, trailing behind monumental events like the Nintendo Direct with 2 million viewers and Snow Man’s New Year’s Eve livestream with 1.32 million viewers.
[09/29] Ame Raises $210,000 for Ocean Conservancy with Heartwarming Campaign
| Keyword | Global Monthly Search Volume | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Amelia Watson | 135,000 | +508% |
Hololive EN founding member Amelia Watson, beloved by 1.8 million fans, announced in September that she would no longer be streaming. Before stepping away, Ame created a heartfelt farewell event in the VRChat metaverse: a 3D aquarium showcasing Hololive members transformed into various sea creatures.
The event also served as a fundraiser for Ocean Conservancy, and thanks to the overwhelming support of her fans, $210,000 was raised for marine conservation efforts. This campaign highlighted the positive impact VTubers can have on real-world causes.
[09/30] Ironmouse Tops Twitch Subscriptions, Surpassing Kai Cenat
| Keyword | Global Monthly Search Volume | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Ironmouse | 201,000 | +172% |
Ironmouse demonstrated her extraordinary influence this September during a charity subathon aimed at raising funds for the Immune Deficiency Foundation—a cause deeply personal to her, as she has long battled an immune deficiency disease. Since 2022, she has held annual events to rally her community’s support for this important cause.
This year’s subathon broke records. Over an impressive 30 days of continuous streaming, Ironmouse surpassed 300,000 paid subscribers, overtaking the previous record held by popular streamer Kai Cenat to become Twitch’s subscription champion.
Kai graciously congratulated Ironmouse on her achievement and later hosted his own subathon to reclaim the top spot. In a heartwarming gesture, Kai ended his event by debuting as a VTuber, interacting playfully with Ironmouse, and expressing his admiration for her inspiring efforts.
[11/15] Hoshimachi Suisei’s Hit Song “ビビデバ” Reaches 100 Million Views
Hoshimachi Suisei has done it again! Her single “ビビデバ” reached over 100 million views in November, becoming the second VTuber song after Shigure Ui’s “Loli God Requiem ☆” to hit this milestone. Since its release, “ビビデバ” has opened the doors for VTubers into mainstream music, with its visibility and popularity surpassing the usual VTuber audience. The song has charted on Japan’s Billboard and Spotify, and many people who are not VTuber fans have discovered Suisei through it. The media has even referred to her as an “exception” among VTubers.
[11/16] VShojo Sets Sights on the Japanese Market
In a move that mirrors the efforts of Japanese VTuber companies Hololive and VSPO expanding into the English market, VShojo, home to renowned VTubers like Ironmouse and Kson, is now making a push into Japan. The agency first acquired independent VTuber ヘスティアハピネス and then introduced three new VTubers to form the group “NOVA,” marking an exciting new chapter. This development is worth keeping an eye on!
[11/19] Usada Pekora Nominated for Content Creator of the Year at TGA
| Keyword | Global Monthly Search Volume | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Pekora | 40,500 | +49% |
This year, a rabbit-eared girl made her way into the world of gaming’s “Oscars”—The Game Awards (TGA). Usada Pekora of Hololive earned a nomination for Content Creator of the Year, competing against formidable contenders, including Indian influencer TECHNO GAMERZ, with a staggering 43 million subscribers, and others with at least 4 million.
According to industry sources, only five out of the 100 media outlets involved in the selection process were from Japan. In other words, Pekora’s nomination owes much to the support of English-language media, allowing her to share the stage with global stars. It’s hard to imagine that Pekora’s charm could cross language barriers to reach international audiences, and during that month, searches for “Pekora” surged by nearly 50%.
[11/22] South Korean Virtual Boy Band PLAVE Takes the Stage at MAMA Awards, Collaborates with Lee Young Ji
| Keyword | Global Monthly Search Volume | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|
| PLAVE | 135,000 | +49% |
The MAMA Awards, often regarded as the “Grammy Awards of Korea,” is a major event in the K-pop industry. This year’s event stood out not only for being held in the United States for the first time but also for a groundbreaking performance by South Korean rapper Lee Young Ji, who collaborated with the virtual boy band PLAVE to perform her hit song “Small Girl,” which has amassed over 50 million streams.
During the performance, PLAVE showcased their impressive vocal skills, captivating female fans. The seamless integration of virtual and real elements in the performance left audiences in awe. Most notably, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in the evolution of VTubers, demonstrating that they are no longer confined to subculture but have officially entered the core of the global music industry.
[12/15] Winners of the 2024 VTuber Awards Announced
The second annual The VTuber Awards took place this year, hosted by popular VTubers Filian, with nearly 3 million subscribers, and Shylily, who is approaching million-subscriber status. The nominations featured many rising stars, including Dokibird and Neuro-sama. The biggest winner of the night was hololive, who claimed nine major awards thanks to their massive fan support. However, behind the numerous accolades, there was also some sad news: Ceres Fauna, the winner of Best ASMR and Best Just Chatting, announced her graduation, following in the footsteps of Minato Aqua.
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