Virtual creators take center stage in online culture revolution

What was once considered a quirky niche of internet fandom has now become a defining force in online content: Virtual Creators are no longer just a novelty — they’re a cultural movement reshaping how we think about creativity, identity, and authenticity in the digital age.

A new Culture & Trends Report, released by YouTube, highlights the explosive growth and influence of Virtual Creators and Virtual Artists, revealing a vibrant, rapidly evolving creative landscape that blends cutting-edge technology with powerful human storytelling.

Virtual creators, also known as VTubers and CGI influencers, have surged in popularity, averaging 50 billion annual views related to VTuber content over the past three years. In 2024 alone, just 300 Virtual Creators on YouTube racked up over 15 billion views, including 1 billion from U.S. audiences.

Originally dismissed as a passing trend, these animated personas now stand at the forefront of content innovation. Whether streaming games, performing music, or building digital fanbases, they are revolutionizing what it means to be a creator.

The report categorizes the virtual creator landscape into four main types:

• VTubers – Anime-inspired avatars, often developed by agencies like hololive, known for livestreaming and fan interaction.
• Gaming Virtual Creators – Creators using game engines like Roblox and VRChat to shape characters that perform in both digital and real-world trends.
• Virtual Artists – Musicians like Hatsune Miku and AI-generated pop stars like Naevis from K-pop group aespa who perform entirely in digital form.
• Virtual Humans – Hyperrealistic avatars such as Lil Miquela and Code Miko, designed to closely mimic real-world influencers and performers.

These virtual personas are powered by a mix of live motion capture, CGI tools, video game engines, and AI technologies. As platforms become more accessible, the entry barriers to creating a digital persona continue to lower — democratizing virtual fame.

Despite their artificial appearance, virtual creators are often viewed as more authentic than traditional media personalities. According to a 2024 EMEA survey, 61% of viewers said YouTube creators — including virtual ones — feel “authentically themselves.”

This paradox lies at the heart of their appeal: by hiding the face, many creators feel more free to reveal the soul.

The line between niche and mainstream continues to blur. Events like the hololive New Year Game Festival, which featured over 50 VTubers and trended globally, show how virtual personalities are now central to YouTube’s most popular content.

Even brands are taking notice — Hatsune Miku recently starred in a McDonald’s Japan campaign and appeared virtually at major global events like Coachella and the Fortnite Festival.