Taipei is hosting Taiwan’s largest comics and animation festival, and this year’s biggest stars aren’t traditional voice actors or artists—they’re virtual idols. Vtubers, or Virtual YouTubers, are taking the anime industry by storm, with 22 Taiwanese Vtubers making their debut at the event.
These digital entertainers, who engage fans through livestreams, Q&As and performances, are part of a rapidly growing industry expected to surpass US$1.5 billion in 2025. As Vtubers continue to gain mainstream appeal in Taiwan, some are asking if they're the future of anime fandom.
These digital entertainers, who engage fans through livestreams, Q&As and performances, are part of a rapidly growing industry expected to surpass US$1.5 billion in 2025. As Vtubers continue to gain mainstream appeal in Taiwan, some are asking if they're the future of anime fandom.
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00:00Thousands are here at Taiwan's biggest comics and animation festival to show their support
00:13for the industry and maybe even meet their idols.
00:17But this year's show is a little different.
00:19Rather than hoping to see their favorite artists or voice actors, many are here to see virtual
00:25idols, or VTubers.
00:42These virtual entertainers exist only online, as computer-generated avatars.
00:48VTubers host discussions, Q&As, and sell their merchandise through livestreams.
00:54And they're big business.
01:02The industry is predicted to reach over 1.5 billion U.S. dollars this year, and grow to
01:07three times that by 2030.
01:09And this year's festival, 22 Taiwanese VTuber girls are making their way on stage for the
01:14first time ever at an anime expo.
01:29VTubers originated in Japan in the mid-2010s, and the most popular characters are still
01:35Japanese.
01:36But that's changing.
01:37At this year's festival, Taiwanese VTubers are making their debut.
01:42In 2023, more than 40% of the top 100 most profitable YouTube livestreaming rewards
01:47in Taiwan came from Taiwanese VTubers.
01:50The industry is becoming so big that companies are signing deals with these characters, who
01:55are expected to be able to dance and sing.
02:09But despite the undeniable success of these virtual idols, not everyone is convinced.
02:26With Taiwanese VTubers making their first appearance at this year's festival, these
02:30little personas are moving from on-screen idols to real-world sensations here in Taiwan.
02:37And whether you're a fan or a skeptic, one thing seems certain, VTubers are here to stay.
02:44Kama Xi, Ed Moon, and Chelsea Wu for Taiwan Plus.