BY: Rachel H. VTubers, or Virtual YouTubers, exploded in popularity in 2020. These digital personas, controlled by real people using motion capture technology, thrilled online audiences with their anime-inspired looks and fun hearted personalities. The concept quickly gained massive traction. Reaching Peak Popularity By the early 2020s, VTubers had reached their peak. Companies like Hololive which manages an extensive rosters of VTuber talents, producing a wide variety of content from gaming streams to music performances. The COVID-19 pandemic further boosted their popularity as people sought new forms of entertainment. Collaborations with mainstream celebrities broadened their appeal, drawing millions and millions of viewers. Challenges and Controversies Despite their success, VTubers faced significant challenges. The market quickly became saturated, making it hard for newcomers to stand out. High production costs and the technical demands of maintaining a VTuber persona added to the difficulties. Controversies also began to emerge, particularly around the child-like