The VTubing industry, which has been a major phenomenon in livestreaming over the past few years, experienced its first audience decline in 1.5 years. According to a report from Streams Charts and VSTATS.jp, this decrease was mainly due to a downturn in YouTube’s performance in Q3 2024 after peaking in the previous quarter.

However, there’s good news in this data: Ironmouse, a female VTuber from Puerto Rico affiliated with the VShojo agency, recorded the highest audience growth, even surpassing other popular VTubers globally.

The decline in total VTuber viewership in Q3 2024 marks a pivotal moment for the industry. After YouTube set record highs in Q2, the platform saw a significant drop that impacted the VTubing sector overall, given that YouTube is a primary platform for VTubers to reach global audiences. Although Twitch currently hosts more VTuber channels, the most popular VTubers continue to focus their content on YouTube.

On the other hand, Japanese VTubers continue to dominate, accounting for around 43% of all VTubers worldwide, while those from the United States make up 20.4%. The majority of VTubers are female, comprising over 70%, while males represent only 27%. The remaining percentage includes Babiniku—male VTubers who use female avatars and sometimes voice changers.

Ironmouse: Soaring as the Fastest-Growing VTuber in Q3 2024

The report also highlighted that Ironmouse, an English-speaking VTuber based in Puerto Rico, saw a 48.5% increase in viewership in Q3, making her the fastest-growing VTuber at the moment. Ironmouse is a member of VShojo, an American VTuber agency that, alongside Hololive and NIJISANJI, has been increasingly dominating the global VTubing market.

Ironmouse’s success in penetrating the global VTubing market reflects a shifting trend, with Western VTubers gaining more traction in an industry once dominated by Japan. Streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube are becoming key arenas for international VTubers to showcase their talents to a worldwide audience.

VTubing Trends and the Future According to Experts

Nazar Babenko, Product Manager at Streams Charts, emphasized that this decline is an important turning point for VTubing. He noted that YouTube Live’s 4% share decrease in Q3 2024 affected the entire VTubing industry. Nonetheless, platforms like CHZZK have shown growth, suggesting that viewer preferences may be shifting.

"Big names like Ironmouse are still leading, but emerging talents have the potential to reshape the VTubing landscape. The contrasting dynamics between agencies and platforms will be something to watch closely in the future" said Nazar Babenko.

Looking forward, Streams Charts and VSTATS.jp will continue to monitor the evolution of VTubing. For agencies and creators, understanding these trends is crucial to building effective strategies for reaching audiences and maintaining relevance in the global market.

Top up Cheaply, get lots of benefits, only at Dunia Games