Virtual YouTubers, usually dubbed “VTubers”, have been carving a niche on YouTube. These are computer generated avatars given voice, and are functionally just like any online personality. Gamerbraves got the exclusive opportunity to ask a few questions of Kikuru VTuber Agency and two of their current members, YUA Fujisaki and SHIA Sisters. We’ve mentioned Kikuru before on our site here. See if this answers some of your burning questions!

To Agency

GamerBraves (GB): Can you tell us your definition of a VTuber and how important is the role?

Kikuru (K): I think as a Vtuber, everyone has a chance as a soul, an opportunity to do things as another oneself.

GB: What are the goals of Kikuru?

K: Our goal is that everyone love our Vtubers.

GB: Do you create a character first, or look for the right voice and personality before creating the virtual character?

K: We do each pattern of them.

GB: What is the number one criteria you look for in a potential VTuber?

K: I think it will be her/his motivation toward the Vtuber.

GB: In your opinion, what makes the VTuber concept popular in Japan?

K: It’s a difficult question. At that time, we could increase followers just by singing covers. On the other hand, if some famous illustrators uploaded their drawings, we could get more followers. Currently, there are some companies that are running ads on YouTube but I´m not sure if that´s the right thing to do.

GB: Do you think VTubers can be successful outside of Japan?

K: I think it could work in countries where anime is popular. Especially, there would be a precedent superiority in Korea and China.

GB: So far, the VTubers under your agency are young ladies. Will you be recruiting any young men?

K: Yes, we will.

To YUA Fujisaki

GB: What kind of videos do you like making best?

YUA Fujisaki (YUA): I always enjoy making any kind of video but my favorite one is that I play with my followers and recently, I´m having a lot of fun with making collaboration videos. Those are more difficult to make it though LOL.

GB: If you got the chance to make a new type of video, what would it be?

YUA: I would like to make a video which is like entering inside the game I’m playing actually!

GB: As the veteran in the VTuber scene, what kind of advice do you have for any aspiring VTuber?

YUA: Nowadays, the existence of Vtuber is getting more normal than before, compared to my debut. Please don’t think so hard and just release any products you make, and after that, think over what you would like to do.

To SHIA Sisters

GB: As a relatively new VTuber, what has been your greatest challenge so far?

SHIA Vivi (Vivi): We would like to get people know about Japanese Vtubers through our videos. We are planning to make a fusion between real and virtual in some videos by using VR system. Besides, we also would like to make VR system be closer to people, and we want them to like us and our familiar spirits then get through languages and borders! We are going to invade a whole world!

GB: You operate as a pair instead of the solo VTubers common to the scene. Has there been any difficulties in managing that?

Vivi: My sister Lami is super cute and she is twice as funny as me so I always cannot stop laughing! I am experiencing the hardest time because she is too funny! Ah! There is other thing that couldn’t be seen as “hard”, when it comes to co-operating together, I try to not forget to say the words of gratitude from our mouths. That is usual but tends to be forgotten. We really take care about viewers and our crew and how we communicate with and how we show respects for others.

GB: We notice that you often do “Let’s play” videos for games, what is your favorite game at the moment and why?

Vivi: Definitely “CupHead”! I loved this game at first sight because I like 1930s American animation. I was surprised about how high was the difficulty level of the game despite how amazing the pictures are. But I feel really good when I finally cleared the stage after trying for many times! Besides, the creators of this game are particular about hand-painting (they got a Guinness certification) except coloring and they put so much love to create this game that there was no reason to not like it. I can keep talking about how remarkable this game is but I think it’s better let’s not. Play it in case you haven’t done yet! I love CupHead!

The landscape of VTubers certainly seems quite interesting. Would we one day have less real life streamers and have VTubers instead? What do you think? We wish Kikuru and their members all the best in their ventures!

You can watch YUA here and follow her Twitter here. You can watch the SHIA Sisters here and follow their joint Twitter here.