【For Businesses】 How to start being a V-Tuber: Key Points for launching a successful new project

When beginners try to start VTuber activities, they often find themselves stuck with unanswered questions like “What equipment and software do I need?” or “How do I create an avatar?” Time passes without resolution, and they end up not starting at all. This leads to a situation where the interest and passion are there but ultimately nothing comes out of it. 

However, viewers don't necessarily demand “perfect avatar designs” or “professional-level sound quality.” What matters more than equipment is the storytelling that deepens the bond with fans and the content created by the VTuber themselves.

There might also be a misconception that starting as a VTuber requires “a huge budget and expensive gear,” but it's possible to keep costs down if you just set up the bare minimum environment and work with what you have. 

For example, many cases exist where creators started with just a microphone costing a few thousand yen and free streaming software in the early days, then gained viewers through subsequent effort and ingenuity. Overly fixating on equipment or promotion can actually delay action.

Therefore, in this article, for those considering a VTuber debut, we'll introduce the “Essentials for Starting as a VTuber” – covering planning, avatar creation, promotion, and equipment – focusing on key points.

＜Article Highlights＞

・Learn essential steps during the planning phase of starting a VTuber channel

・Discover methods for designing your VTuber character

・Gain tips for creating a promotional plan when launching your VTuber channel

・Understand what you need to prepare before your first live stream as a VTuber

Start planning the “storyline” for your VTuber debut

Viewers are drawn to the story, not just the appearance

The key to a VTuber's success lies not in their avatar's appearance, but in a story viewers can emotionally connect with. Viewers are drawn more to the character's background, inner struggles, and efforts than to a “charming character” or “distinctive looks.”

For example, a VTuber who initially struggled with viewer engagement and considered quitting after a few months might start streaming with the theme “Changing myself, taking on the challenge again.”

Key Points for Creating Storytelling

1. Tell the Backstory: Infuse drama into the character's or your own background.

2. Emotionally Resonant Presentation: Show setbacks and efforts in real-time to create an “emotional connection.”

3. Evolve the Story: Storytelling isn't a one-time event; it evolves continuously throughout the entire streaming career.

The growth narrative of “how they reached their current state” is a powerful trigger. Plan it carefully to ensure it resonates.

Self-analysis is crucial for creating your story

To create compelling stories, VTubers themselves must really look into their personal interests and characteristics to clearly define “what they want to convey” and “what value they can offer viewers.”

Simply wanting “to gain popularity” won't create stories that resonate with viewers. Through this self-analysis, it's crucial to identify “elements viewers can relate to” drawn from your own experiences and values.

For example, consider the following flow:

“Why do I want to become a VTuber?” → “I want to connect with people who share my passion for games through the games I love.”

“What value can I offer my viewers?” → “Providing beginner-friendly explanations and fun gameplay videos.”

“What is the core of my story?” → “The effort to keep pursuing my dreams and building friendships through gaming.”

Use this self-analysis to define your activity strategy and aim to become someone who earns genuine support.

Set your goals based on why you want to start as a VTuber

Once you've clarified “Why do I want to become a VTuber?”, set specific goals to keep your activities focused and prevent losing direction. Ambiguous goals easily lead to confusion and setbacks.

For example, setting concrete goals like “Aim for 1,000 followers” or “Maintain one stream per week for six months” allows you to define both short-term and long-term actions.

Steps for Defining Your Purpose

1. Specify your purpose: Clarify your purpose based on self-analysis

2. Set short-term goals: (e.g., Reach 100 channel subscribers within 3 months)

3. Set long-term goals: (e.g., Secure a sponsorship contract within one year)

The more concrete your goals are, the clearer your next steps become. Start by taking that first step and build upon small successes.

Decide who your target audience will be

Identifying the right audience for your content significantly impacts your ability to gain fans as a VTuber. A vague mindset of “anyone will do” makes it difficult to resonate with viewers.

To avoid being perceived as “just another similar VTuber,” understand what content your competitors provide and to whom, then clearly define your unique selling points.

For example, if your main focus is game commentary, target gamers who enjoy specific games.

Practical Steps

1. List your strengths (e.g., vocal character, hobbies, skills) and consider what value you can offer viewers

2. Define your target audience's age, gender, interests, lifestyle, etc., in concrete terms

*Example: “Gamers in their late 20s who work full-time,” “Housewives who enjoy baking”

3. Research similar VTuber genres and analyze their audience reactions and preferred content

4. Define your unique selling points: Organize how your streams differ from competing VTubers

*Example: “Game commentary incorporating voice acting,” “Interactive cooking streams with viewer participation”

Meeting viewer needs maximizes your stream's appeal. Narrowing your target audience will help you effectively gain fans.

Set your streaming schedule post-debut

Creating a manageable streaming schedule makes it easier to sustain your activities. Setting realistic frequency and time slots is crucial for long-term commitment.

Starting with one stream per week and gradually increasing the frequency is an effective approach. Additionally, streaming during prime time (8:00 PM to 10:00 PM), when viewers are more likely to tune in, allows you to efficiently grow your fanbase.

Steps to Decide Your Schedule

1. Confirm your personal rhythm

・Realistically assess the time you can dedicate to streaming (e.g., weekend evenings, one hour on weekday evenings)

2. Research times when viewers are most likely to tune in

・Set streaming times aligned with your target audience

・Weekday evenings and weekend afternoons tend to be popular, so adjust through trial and error

3. Create your streaming schedule

＜Example Streaming Schedule＞

・Sunday: Talk Stream (8:00 PM - 9:00 PM)

・Wednesday: Game Commentary (9 PM - 10 PM)

・Last day of the month: Special Broadcast (Viewer Participation)

4. Create a Flexible Plan

・Start with 1-2 times per week initially, gradually increasing frequency as you get comfortable

・Begin with broadcasts lasting 30 minutes to 1 hour

Rather than seeking a perfect schedule, it's crucial to start with a feasible plan. Take it step by step without rushing.

Introducing a “Seasonal System” to VTuber Activities

VTuber activities are often thought of as endless, but this can lead to a loss of freshness. Introducing a “seasonal system” like TV dramas, regularly changing themes, is a good way to sustain viewer interest.

<Example>

・Season 1: Character origin story

・Season 2: Streams dedicated to clearing a specific game

・Season 3: Real-time Q&A sessions with viewers

Decide on these plans and ensure you can maintain them after your debut.

How to start as a VTuber: How to create your character/avatar concept and design

Establishing a compelling character concept ensures the overall design direction remains consistent and creates characters that captivate the audience.

Design isn't just about visual appeal; it's also crucial to incorporate relatable personalities and backstories that viewers can connect with. Rather than relying on exaggerated settings, simply reflecting the everyday worries and joys of the audience can surprisingly heighten their sense of familiarity.

During the concept phase, focus on target audience empathy and consistency to plan characters that will resonate.

Working backwards: Start with character traits (personality/background) before designing appearance

Traditionally, when creating a VTuber concept, the “appearance” is decided first, followed by filling in the personality and background. However, this method often results in a disconnect between the appearance and inner qualities, preventing the character from gaining depth.

Conversely, there is also a method where the character's “inner self”—meaning their personality, goals, and story—is developed first, and then reflected in their “appearance.”

For example, if the personality is “a hardworking individual overflowing with a sense of justice,” the costume could incorporate energetic colors, or accessories could feature symbolic “stars,” visually expressing the inner qualities.

Steps for Designing from the Setting

1. Write down elements like the character's “background,” “dreams,” and “experiences of failure”

2. Design clothing, hairstyles, and colors that embody these inner traits

3. Test the completed character through a trial broadcast to see if viewers find them relatable

An appealing character ≠ an eccentric concept

Many VTubers tend to think that “being unique = having an outlandish concept,” but what viewers truly seek is ‘relatability’ and “narrative depth.” Characters with overly complex concepts make it difficult for viewers to connect emotionally.

For example, a “character who is an alien from a future planet with special abilities” may stand out, but the concept is so complex that viewers might struggle to follow. On the other hand, a VTuber who “wasn't noticeable in school but is striving to change their life through streaming” is easier to relate to and gains much more empathy.

Steps to Design for Relatability

1. Create a simple, easy-to-understand character background

2. Supplement the setting with elements viewers can “relate to themselves”

3. Focus on a growth story within everyday life, not on pursuing eccentricity

Reflect “viewer desires” in your character

Viewers unconsciously project their unfulfilled desires onto characters. Designing VTubers as these “wish-fulfillment agents” fosters deeper empathy and support.

If viewers harbor the unfulfilled desire to “travel the world,” create a “travel-themed VTuber” and run streams where the VTuber explores global topics on their behalf.

Steps to designing an avatar

1. Research the unfulfilled desires of your target audience

2. Incorporate these desires into the character's backstory

3. Broadcast content aligned with the audience's desires

Find your “core concept” from trends

On the internet, “empathy” and “short videos” are currently trending. Based on these trends, we design concepts around themes like “modern approachability.”

To create a sense of familiarity, examples include VTubers themed around “everyday life” or characters incorporating real-life part-time jobs and hobbies into their streams. Aligning with the short video trend, creating “short yet intensely memorable” stories lasting 30 seconds to 1 minute is also an effective approach.

Steps for designing around trends

1. Research the latest VTuber trends on social media and YouTube

2. Incorporate relatable settings that align with the trends

3. Optimize the character's activities for trending platforms

Create humanity through “internal contradictions” in your character

“Characters who are too perfect” may be objects of admiration, but they often come across as unapproachable. Conversely, characters who are slightly flawed and possess contradictions feel more real to viewers.

A character who is “usually serious and quiet, but becomes competitive and emotional when gaming” is easier for viewers to relate to. Creating this “gap” makes the character feel more appealing.

Steps to Design Using Contradictions

1. Establish 2-3 personality contradictions for the character

2. Develop stories or streaming concepts that leverage these gaps

3. Naturally showcase contradictions during streams to emphasize “humanity”

Incorporating these ideas makes the VTuber concept feel fresh and relatable to viewers, taking the first step toward building a fan community.

2D or 3D? Choosing how to express your character design

Understanding the differences between 2D and 3D based on a character's intended use and making the optimal choice allows you to create a character that feels just right to the audience.

2D allows for cost-effective designs that feel approachable to individuals, while 3D places greater emphasis on movement.

For example, if you don't decide upfront whether to create in 2D or 3D, you risk ending up with a design that's half-hearted and unsuitable for either format.

Key Points for Choosing 2D or 3D

・Select the format that aligns with the project's goals and concept

・Consult a specialized designer to clearly understand the advantages and disadvantages for each use case

We've also published aguidebook (in Japanese) summarizing character creation methods, so please refer to it as well.

Decide between in-house production or outsourcing

Determine the scope your company can handle internally and collaborate with reliable external partners to achieve smooth, high-quality avatar production.

Failure to accurately assess your company's skills and resources, or having ambiguous criteria for selecting external contractors, increases the risk of overburdening internal operations and delivering subpar results that fall short of expectations.

For example, creating prototypes in-house and then having external partners refine them based on that data is an effective approach.

Key Points for Choosing Between In-House Resources and Outsourcing

・Clearly define the scope of work your company can handle and create a division of labor plan as needed

・Review the external partner's portfolio and past performance to assess whether they can deliver as expected

Utilize each of these ideas to advance the creation of distinctive characters (avatars).

Promotion ideas and methods for starting as a VTuber

Build a community with high “fan engagement”

If you only send out one-way messages, viewers lose opportunities to feel like they want to support this VTuber's activities.

By nurturing the community, viewers develop a stronger sense of belonging, thinking “I'm part of this project too,” and they become more deeply invested in supporting the VTuber.

For example, responding to comments on social media or acknowledging listeners during streams makes it easier for viewers to engage.

Steps to Strengthen Your Community

・Actively incorporate viewer comments and suggestions, reflecting their requests and concerns

・Close the distance with viewers through real-world events and exclusive content

Foster two-way communication with your audience. This will not only boost view counts and stream engagement but also increase word-of-mouth among viewers.

Create branding opportunities through “collaborations”

Collaborations with influencers, companies, and products highly relevant to VTubers significantly boost appeal to viewers.

For example, accounts that aren't updated regularly are easily forgotten by viewers and struggle to generate engagement. Furthermore, without collaborations with popular VTubers or related brands, opportunities to reach new audiences become limited.

Steps to Utilize Collaborations

・Create a posting schedule and release new content regularly

・Develop joint projects with popular VTubers and related companies, conducting mutual promotions

Increase the opportunities for fans and viewers to think, “This VTuber is interesting!” and aim to expand your fanbase.

Relying solely on ads isn't always effective

Many companies use ads to promote VTubers, but advertising investment in the early stages is highly inefficient.

This is because viewers are unlikely to be interested in a “VTuber they don't know.” When scaling up, wait until the reasons for their popularity are clear.

Steps to Avoid Wasting Advertising Budget

1. Post several short videos as a countdown before the first stream (communicate the character's personality and uniqueness)

2. Prioritize real-time chat and responding to comments to strengthen the “interactive” relationship

3. Conduct cross-promotions with other small-scale creators and VTubers to naturally share audiences

Identify the right timing to rapidly increase recognition, and focus first on building a solid foundation.

Showcase an appealing ‘growth’ process that earns support

Positioning “character growth stories” as the core of your promotion helps attract fans who easily connect emotionally.

While some fans prefer characters that feel like finished works of art from the start, others are inspired by watching characters steadily grow.

Steps to create a process story

・Declare a goal (e.g., aiming for XX followers, competing in XX tournament) and pursue it alongside your audience

・Even if you don't achieve it, share the honest story and the effort behind it to deepen bonds with fans

・Release the story bit by bit via social media and short videos to sustain long-term interest

Fans form strong bonds and cheer you on because they see your hard work and know you're taking on challenges. Leverage the unique charm that only your character possesses.

Don't be bound by the conventional wisdom of “only live streaming”

While VTubers are often perceived as primarily focused on live streaming, this image is becoming outdated. In reality, short videos and clip-style posts on social media expand recognition much faster.

Prioritize sparking initial interest when planning promotions.

Steps to Increase Awareness

・Post short 1-2 minute videos across multiple platforms to establish an activity history from the outset

・Consider live streaming on TikTok and Instagram, not just YouTube

・Avoid announcing schedules; boost buzz with surprise guerrilla streams

Test for unexpected fan attention by posting short videos and guerrilla streams across multiple platforms while building your activity history.

Reference: Sakuma H, Hori A, Murashita M, Kondo C and Hijikata Y (2023) YouTubers vs. VTubers: Persuasiveness of human and virtual presenters in promotional videos. Front. Comput. Sci. 5:1043342. doi: 10.3389/fcomp.2023.1043342

How to start a VTuber: What equipment should you prepare before your debut stream?

Distribution Schedule Template

To create templates, we recommend searching for “schedule templates” on Canva or similar platforms.

Content Planning Template

Organize your template structure by delivery title, delivery purpose, and delivery flow (overall framework). When searching on Canva, try keywords like “proposal template”.

Use templates that fill in these items to execute planned deliveries.

<h3>What equipment & software is needed for your debut?

Focusing solely on the equipment and software needed for streaming won't gain popularity if the content and communication aren't compelling. However, streaming in an unsuitable environment can lead to poor audio and video quality, potentially ruining your hard work.

For example, using a low-quality microphone can cause muffled sound, making it difficult for viewers to understand the content. A PC with insufficient specs may experience issues like video freezing during the stream, damaging the project's credibility.

You don't need expensive gear to get good results. In the early stages, prioritize creating a stress-free experience for your audience by choosing cost-effective equipment without overextending yourself.

Essential Equipment: PC (with sufficient specs to run smoothly)

To stream and operate your avatar, you need a PC with adequate specifications. Generally, a PC capable of handling game streaming is sufficient.

Source: Dell

＜Recommended Specifications Reference＞

・CPU: Intel Core i7 or higher, or AMD Ryzen 7 or higher

・GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or higher (RTX series recommended when using 3D models)

・Memory: 16GB or more

・Storage: 500GB SSD or larger

Essential equipment: Microphone

Source: Logicool

Sound quality significantly impacts your audience's experience, making USB microphones a convenient and recommended choice.

For example, the Blue Snowball Ice offers excellent sound quality at an affordable price. On the other hand, if you plan to monetize your content in the future, investing in a higher-end model like the Blue Yeti series could be worthwhile.

Examples: Blue Yeti / Rode NT-USB Mini

<h3>[Beginner] Summary of how to start preparing for your VTuber debut

<h3>Video planning & production skills from a marketing perspective: “It's not just about making videos”

Essential equipment: Webcam (for motion capture)

You'll also need a camera to track facial expressions. While a webcam may suffice in some cases, consider a dedicated device for greater accuracy.

Examples: Logicool C920s, iPhone (used for avatar tracking).

Essential equipment: Headset (earphones)

Since this equipment is primarily for listening to audio during streaming (especially game streaming), you can substitute with earbuds if you don't have specific preferences. Prioritizing clear audio and smooth processing/connection speeds has a greater impact, so headsets aren't as high a priority as other equipment.

Example: Logicool G PRO X

Non-essential software: Avatar creation software

Source: VRoid Studio

VRoid Studio is free and offers intuitive operation. Please note that commercial use requires the following conditions:

・Use by educators or students at educational institutions for educational purposes

・Use for sharing the production process or usage methods of VRoid Studio

・Use for verifying functionality with VRoid Studio during promotional activities for products like pen tablets

・Other uses specifically authorized by the official team

※As of December 2024

Non-essential software: Live streaming software

OBS Studio is free software for live streaming. Being open-source, it has no subscription model or paid version, making it easy for first-time users to get started. It includes all the essential features needed for live streaming and recording, such as video capture, audio mixing, and scene composition.

Non-essential software: Motion capture software

Source: VTube Studio

VTube Studio allows you to add facial expressions and head movements to 2D avatars created with Live2D Cubism, as introduced in the previous section.

Kalidoface is software that can be used by a wide range of people, as it not only allows you to add motion to avatars provided within the app, but also enables you to import your own avatars and perform motion capture work.

Optional required software: Video editing software

DaVinci Resolve enables high-performance video editing for free.

Prioritize acquiring these tools one by one. Refer to reviews and gradually find what suits you best.

Let's summarize the key points so far.

• Viewers are drawn not by appearance, but by relatable backgrounds and growth stories. Therefore, make the character's inner world and narrative the core of your content.
• Deeply explore “Why do you want to become a VTuber?” and concretize the value you can offer viewers to create compelling storytelling.
• Characters that incorporate viewers' daily lives and unresolved desires, creating relatability, gain more empathy than those with outlandish settings.
• Switch up character origin stories or specific theme streams seasonally to keep viewer interest fresh.
• Prioritize two-way communication by incorporating viewer feedback and participation to build a stronger fan community.
• Set up minimal equipment to reduce streaming stress while creating an environment where viewers can immerse themselves in the story.
• Consider strategies to reach a broader audience by posting short videos and doing guerrilla streams on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, not just YouTube.
• Instead of aiming for perfection from the start, share setbacks and challenges in real-time to draw viewer support.

Successful VTuber debuts hinge on creating a story that fosters an emotional connection with viewers. This requires starting with self-analysis, defining your purpose and goals, setting your target audience, designing your character, and then creating an effective promotion plan.

Don't get too caught up in streaming equipment or character appearance; prioritize building bonds with your audience to become someone they want to support.

A beginner guide to getting started as a VTuber

Let's summarize the key points so far.

• Viewers aren’t drawn in just through aesthetics and visuals, but by relatable backgrounds and growth stories. Therefore, make the character's inner world and narrative the core of your content.
• Really think about “Why do you want to become a VTuber?” and focus on the value you can offer viewers to create compelling storytelling.
• Characters that incorporate viewers' daily lives and unresolved desires, creating relatability, gain more empathy than those with outlandish settings.
• Switch up character origin stories or specific theme streams seasonally to keep viewer interest fresh.
• Prioritize two-way communication by incorporating viewer feedback and participation to build a stronger fan community.
• Set up minimal equipment to reduce streaming stress while creating an environment where viewers can immerse themselves in the story.
• Consider strategies to reach a broader audience by posting short videos and doing guerrilla streams on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, not just YouTube.
• Instead of aiming for perfection from the start, share setbacks and challenges in real time to draw viewer support.

Successful VTuber debuts hinge on creating a story that fosters an emotional connection with viewers. This requires starting with self-analysis, defining your purpose and goals, setting your target audience, designing your character, and then creating an effective promotion plan.

Don't get too caught up in streaming equipment or character appearance; prioritize building bonds with your audience to become someone they want to support.

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Marketing Perspective in Japan: Beyond Just Creation

NOKID provides creative planning and production for PR using characters, events, and video content. Effective videos balance business and creative perspectives, e.g., short clips optimized for TikTok, designed to capture attention in the first 2–3 seconds.

For first-time animation or PR-focused content, feel free to consult with us.