From the Vsinger represented by Hatsune Miku to the concept of Skin (avatar) and Soul (person behind the avatar), symbolized by Kizuna AI as the starting point of VTubing, the blend of virtual and reality has developed over the years. It's likely that we have all grown accustomed to these digital twins who break through physical limitations, enter the public eye, and impact mainstream culture.
However, insiders see the intricacies, while outsiders enjoy the spectacle. Those outside the VTubing circle mostly recognize the so-called "agency VTubers" like the well-known Hololive Productions and the NIJISANJI Project. In reality, the VTubing circle is broader than most think, with many "Kojinzei VTubers" whose popularity and fanbase can rival that of agency VTubers.
So, without further ado, let's dive into what Kojinzei really are!
What is Kojinzei?
Many find the VTubing circle or the broader realm of virtual characters a bit intimidating, but the virtual world isn't too different from the real one. It often mirrors it through a concept known as digital twinning. A famous saying in VTubing captures this essence: Although virtual, their hearts are human.
Comparing work styles, agency VTubers are like office workers, while Kojinzei VTubers are akin to freelancers. In the music industry, they are similar to independent musicians.
The term "Kojinzei" in Japanese is written as こじんぜい and describes virtual hosts or content creators who operate independently, not affiliated with any VTuber agency. It also refers to personal business tax, applicable to individuals or freelancers in specific industries exceeding certain income thresholds. The closest English term would be independent.
Like freelancers, Kojinzei VTubers enjoy a higher degree of freedom, deciding their activities and content. Due to their independent operations, they often form closer connections with their fans, resulting in more vibrant interactions and stronger loyalty.
On the flip side, lacking corporate resources and team support means their content production is usually more basic, and their update frequency might be less stable. They face all challenges alone, dealing with technical, financial, and promotional difficulties.
Simply put, Kojinzei VTubers are like singer-songwriters: versatile and capable of exploring and experimenting with diverse content, making them a significant and unique presence in the VTubing circle.
Nekomasu: The first "Kojinzei"
In late 2016, Kizuna AI uploaded her first self-introduction video on YouTube, becoming the first VTuber to debut, a historical consensus. Following her, the era of VTuber Four Heavenly Kings began, including Computer Girl Siro, Kaguya Luna, and Mirai Akari, with Nekomasu being a unique case.
With his charming character design and the voice of a convenience store clerk lamenting the hardships of life, Nekomasu struck a chord with Japanese office workers. While many Kojinzei VTubers have since surpassed him in popularity, his pioneering role has inspired countless ordinary people to dream of becoming VTubers. Respect!
5 Top Kojinzei VTubers You Need to Know in 2024
1. Filian
Filian boasts 2.76 million YouTube subscribers and is a highly popular English-speaking Kojinzei VTuber. Known for her energetic and straightforward chatting style, she captivates fans with her white-haired sailor fox girl persona.
Debuting on Twitch in 2021, Filian was initially a VRChat player, differing from typical VTubers who use Live 2D avatars for streaming. She started with a full-body VRChat 3D avatar, showcasing superior control. In 2023, Filian joined the agency Mythic Talent. In the West, it's not uncommon for VTubers to still identify as Kojinzei even after joining an agency, akin to independent bands signing with labels. Since she debuted as an Kojinzei, that's what counts. Besides YouTube and Twitch, Filian also started engaging with Bilibili in 2024, gradually making a name for herself in the Chinese-speaking VTubing circle.
2. Shigure Ui
Shigure Ui, with 1.92 million YouTube subscribers, is another fascinating Kojinzei VTuber. What sets her apart is that she is an illustrator both in reality and as a virtual host.
Before her debut, she was unfamiliar with VTubers, but as the illustrator for hololive's second-generation member Oozora Subaru, she also holds the special title of Subaru's mom. Shigure Ui's first appearance was in a parent-child collaboration with Oozora Subaru in November 2018. In a New Year's collaboration the following year, Subaru expressed a wish for mom to move, leading to Shigure Ui's official debut in May 2019.
For those unfamiliar with Shigure Ui, her song is very popular, and she was the first VTuber to have an original MV reach 100 million views. Her cute dance moves with a touch of difficulty have sparked numerous short video creators on TikTok to take up the challenge, turning it into a viral sensation.
3. Shoto
Let's introduce a male VTuber next. Shoto, with 1.56 million YouTube subscribers, is a Vietnamese-American teenager living with his parents, rumored to be a top student. He primarily speaks English but loves singing Japanese songs.
Originating from Twitch, he is a geek who loves Japanese anime and games, as well as Dungeons & Dragons. His VTuber persona is that of a demon hunter—born in the city of demons, he made a vow on a cold autumn night to become a true terror to all demons.
Setting aside the chuunibyou aspect, what's special about Shoto is that he doesn't shy away from showing his real face. Although many of his streams show his deep influence by Japanese pop culture, being American, he doesn't strictly adhere to the Japanese unspoken rule of the person behind cannot be exposed. He recently spoke on this topic, arguing that seeing VTubers as fictional characters can lead to dehumanizing dangers. VTubers are real people, believe it or not, Shoto said in the video: Hey, at the end of the day, I’m just a guy that likes to use an anime avatar.
As a VTuber enthusiast, what do you think about the reflections Shoto has raised?
4. Nimu Spacecat
Nimu is a Kojinzei VTuber from Argentina, also representing one of the most iconic VTubers in Latin America and Spanish-speaking countries. She boasts 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, 2.5 million on Twitch, and an impressive 3.4 million followers on TikTok.
Debuting in 2020, she initially focused on gaming streams but later shifted to chat and reaction content. Her sense of humor and approachability have endeared her to fans. Unlike typical Live2D VTubers, Nimu often streams wearing a purple cardboard box shaped like a space cat. Recently, she even opted for a thin face mask, directly engaging with fans in a typically straightforward Latin style.
5. Alganji
Finally, I'd like to recommend Alganji, a rather unique South Korean Kojinzei VTuber. Unlike others on the list who are either cute or beautifully designed, Alganji sports a red devil appearance (arguably cute) and combines it with a cynical female voice and a frank conversational style, creating an interesting contrast. Her content revolves around chatting with fans on a wide range of topics, mostly international, and she has amassed 1.14 million YouTube subscribers to date.
Alganji, pronounced Al-gan-ji, aims to be a purveyor of knowledge, even simplifying complex topics for her audience. This recalls the encounter between Thanos and Iron Man in Avengers: Infinity War, where Thanos remarks, Stark, you are not the only one cursed with knowledge. This curse of knowledge might explain why Alganji chooses a little devil as her avatar.
Alganji debuted in February 2019 and has recently shifted towards short videos, with only five long-form videos updated this year. One recent video, Why Stupid People Are Increasing (멍청한 사람들이 늘어나는 이유), has garnered over a million views. The title is quite clickbaity, but the content is surprisingly positive—Alganji doesn't equate stupidity with ignorance or low education. Instead, she criticizes Cherry Pickers who only want to enjoy the benefits society offers without bearing any responsibilities. She argues that although such behavior might seem clever, it only harms collective efforts. Thus, Alganji urges everyone not to feel foolish for being kind-hearted; instead, they should take pride in it.
The world of VTubers is incredibly diverse. Despite extensive research and compilation for this article, it's challenging to cover everyone. On a side note, the open spatial internet platform VIVERSE, which supports the VRM 3D Avatar file format and emphasizes interoperability, recently hosted a Avatar Design Contest for Kojinzei VTubers. Looking ahead, VTubers might transcend dimensions, moving from 2D live interactions to truly living in a 3D world—an exciting prospect indeed.
For those interested in becoming indie VTubers, VIVERSE offers a powerful avatar maker to help you create your unique virtual persona. Dive into the VIVERSE and start your VTuber journey today!
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