Iizuka, a virtual YouTuber who voices and animates a character called Yume Kotobuki, posing before a livestream at a studio in Tokyo. Virtual YouTubers have transformed a niche Japanese subculture into a thriving industry where top accounts can rake in more than a million dollars a year. — AFP
TOKYO: Mayu Iizuka sheds her soft-spoken personality and starts cackling, screaming and waving wildly in a makeshift studio in Tokyo as her avatar appears on a livestream before hundreds of fans.
Virtual YouTubers like Iizuka, who voices and animates a character called Yume Kotobuki, have transformed a niche Japanese subculture into a thriving industry where top accounts can rake in more than a million dollars a year.
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Iizuka, a virtual YouTuber who voices and animates a character called Yume Kotobuki, posing before a livestream at a studio in Tokyo. Virtual YouTubers have transformed a niche Japanese subculture into a thriving industry where top accounts can rake in more than a million dollars a year. — AFP
Iizuka hosting a livestream at a studio in Tokyo. — AFP
Virtual YouTubers like Iizuka, who voices and animates a character called Yume Kotobuki, have transformed a niche Japanese subculture into a thriving industry where top accounts can rake in more than a million dollars a year. — AFP
Virtual YouTubers like Iizuka, who voices and animates a character called Yume Kotobuki, have transformed a niche Japanese subculture into a thriving industry where top accounts can rake in more than a million dollars a year. — AFP
Iizuka preparing for a livestream at a studio in Tokyo. Virtual YouTubers have transformed a niche Japanese subculture into a thriving industry where top accounts can rake in more than a million dollars a year. — AFP
Enthusiasts attending an exhibition dedicated to virtual YouTubers in Chiba. — AFP
Enthusiasts attending an exhibition dedicated to virtual YouTubers in Chiba. — AFP
Kazumi, who asked to be identified only by his first name, posing with his digital illustrations of his favourite character and virtual YouTuber Mio Ookami, at his home in Yokohama. — AFP
Enthusiasts attending an exhibition dedicated to virtual YouTubers in Chiba. — AFP
An enthusiast collecting badges during an exhibition dedicated to virtual YouTubers in Chiba. — AFP
Kazumi, who asked to be identified only by his first name, creating a digital illustration of his favourite character and virtual YouTuber Mio Ookami, at his home in Yokohama. — AFP
People queueing up to buy merchandise at an exhibition dedicated to virtual YouTubers in Chiba. — AFP
Kazumi, who asked to be identified only by his first name, creating a digital illustration of his favourite character and virtual YouTuber Mio Ookami, at his home in Yokohama. — AFP
People attending an exhibition dedicated to virtual YouTubers in Chiba. — AFP
Kazumi, who asked to be identified only by his first name, creating a digital illustration of his favourite character and virtual YouTuber Mio Ookami, at his home in Yokohama. — AFP
People queueing up to buy merchandise at an exhibition dedicated to virtual YouTubers in Chiba. — AFP
Iizuka, a virtual YouTuber who voices and animates a character called Yume Kotobuki, preparing for a livestream at a studio in Tokyo. — AFP
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