VTuber NewsDrop Presents VTubing Culture Survey at ONLive 2026
The presentation frames VTubing as a mature cultural sector with its own infrastructure, media crossovers, and career paths, rather than a niche streaming hobby.
Key Facts
- VTuber NewsDrop presented the survey at ONLive 2026 in Pasig City, with the reference page published on August 17, 2026.
- The presentation is timed to Kizuna AI's 10th anniversary in November 2026.
- IRIAM US is approaching its second anniversary as a mobile VTubing platform.
- Warudo powered the Meet & Greet 3D Project at OffKai Expo Gen 5, using a custom plugin for real-time head tracking.
- Natsume Kurusu's light novel A Misanthrope Teaches a Class for Demi-Humans was adapted into a TV anime that aired earlier in 2026.
Reporting from 1 source: VTuber NewsDrop.
VTuber NewsDrop presented a survey of VTubing culture at ONLive 2026 in Pasig City, timed to approach Kizuna AI's 10th anniversary this November. The presentation covered the growing accessibility of VTubing and the evolution of its technology, with footnotes referencing the outlet's published stories and notable VTubers. Mobile apps were a focus: AniLive pioneered mobile VTubing for overseas audiences before rebuilding as Avvy, an avatar creator usable on stream, while IRIAM US became a leading mobile platform nearing its second anniversary. The presentation also cataloged hardware and software, from VICON's industry-standard motion capture used by COVER to affordable options like Rebocap and SlimeVR, plus Warudo, which powered OffKai Expo Gen 5's 3D meet-and-greet project. Beyond streaming, the survey noted VTubers appearing in concerts, trading cards, literature, esports, and theater, citing examples like Tokino Sora's TV appearances, Natsume Kurusu's light novel adapted into anime, and Hoshimachi Suisei's agency Studio Stellar for her mainstream music career.
- AniLive hosted a VTuber agency that debuted talent in a marathon format; Lulu Lasso and Aurix "Rixxy" Brightful stood out before the platform shut down and rebuilt as Avvy.
- IRIAM US is home to Celes Aurion, who hosted Nyan Nights: Overdrive during OffKai Expo weekend, and Otoharu Riyo, who made an UTAU voice bank called RIY▷.
- VICON motion capture is used by COVER in its studios and endorsed by Azeru; the outlet also flagged a streamer who has been tracking with the system since last year.
- Rebocap is an affordable 3D tracking option; VTuber Meltymim went viral for leaving her room mid-stream while wearing full-body tracking.
- SlimeVR is popular among VRChat streamers and works with Meta Quest and Mocopi; Warudo powered OffKai Expo Gen 5's meet-and-greet 3D project via a custom plugin that tracks visitor head position in real time.
- Lina Hoshino reverse-engineers Live2D .moc files as a bonus mention.
- Cross-media efforts include Oshi Push, VCard, V-Daisho, and hololive Dreams; Nova Aokami appeared on Grand Archive, and VSPO! EN's Arya Kuroha is set for Xross Stars TCG.
- Literature: After The Demon Hungers sold as a graphic novel, Mikeneko's novel (loosely translated as The Girl Who Connects Souls Hears the Voices of the Dead) had a bookstore release this year, and BondLive EN's Cocone Kurobane writes Lin & Leonidas under the pen name CK Blackwater.
- Anime crossovers: Shirakami Fubuki and Natsuiro Matsuri appeared on The Detective is Already Dead; Asano Ruri joined voice agency Crocodile in 2021; voice actors Yuko Miyamura and Jonah Scott have tried VTubing.
- Theater: Otogi-banashi starring V.W.P and SURGE!!! topbilled by Raki Kazuki and LAZULI is viewable until August 25; Genzuki Tojiro works as lyricist, composer, and arranger for production unit Sixth Floor.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- VTuber NewsDrop We Are All Surrounded by VTubers, We Just Didn’t Know It Yet