Who was the first vtuber? The dispute explained

Vtubing has become one of the fastest-growing categories of content creators on YouTube, Twitch, and beyond, but who was the first vtuber who inspired this trend to become as large as it is today?

Vtubers are “virtual YouTubers” who present themselves with an avatar, usually commissioned by an artist and using motion capture technology to bring them to life. Anonymous streamers will often create backstories and personalities for their avatars, like Ironmouse being a demon queen from the underworld or Claudia Moneta being a gigachad cyborg. Vtubers all but exploded during 2020’s lockdown, bringing Japan and North America’s most popular vtubers into mainstream streaming territory.

But how did vtubing all begin? There are two content creators that are considered responsible for inspiring the vtubers of today.

Ami Yamato brings animated avatars to YouTube

Ami Yamato is technically considered the first virtual YouTuber, although she never used the word vtuber. She debuted on YouTube in 2011 with a focus on vlog-style content that was popular during the era. While she did a wide variety of basic YouTube content, including makeup tutorials and local coffee shop runs, the world traveler did it while using a 3D model. Unlike newer vtubers, Ami Yamato would blend her animated character with real-life locations in the background.

Ami Yamato still posts to this day. Her latest video was uploaded two months ago. Despite how the world of virtual YouTubing has changed over the last 10 years, Ami has remained true to her own style of vlogging. While she is definitely a pioneer of virtual YouTubing, she isn’t often credited with being the first vtuber due to her completely different style.

Kizuna AI was the first famous vtuber

While Ami Yamato was the first YouTuber to present themselves as an animated avatar, Kizuna AI created the very concept of “virtual YouTuber,” or vtuber. The Japanese content creator uploaded her first video to YouTube near the end of 2016 and reached 100,000 subscribers by 2017. The following year, Kizuna AI became the first vtuber to reach 2 million subscribers. She now has 3 million subscribers on her YouTube channel and over 11,000 followers on Twitch.

Kizuna AI is a genius AI that is known for her music and talent. Fans enjoy her exaggerated and bubbly personality and expressions. She is often dressed like a regular teen girl, with bright blue eyes and a pink bow on her head, although she wears various styles of clothing in her music videos. One of her music videos has reached 18 million views.

Kizuna AI has clearly inspired the current style of avatars used by top vtubers as well as the focus on idols and entertainment. She is often treated with respect by newer vtubers who treat her as an inspiration and authority figure.

In 2022, Kizuna announced an “indefinite hiatus” after a final concert. Around that time, which was her fifth anniversary, Kizuna AI acknowledged the rise of vtubers and said she isn’t that “rare” anymore. She promised to come back with “updated AI.” There was a teaser for Kizuna AI’s return earlier this year and fans are anxiously awaiting what’s in store. For now, vtuber fans can tune in to her “live” sleep stream that’s been going on for months on YouTube.