VTuber 的崛起 / The Rise of VTubers
hololive production SUPER EXPO 2023 poster art. image source: twitter.com
VTuber 的全名為「Virtual YouTuber」，其意思為「虛擬的」「Youtuber」的合義詞，中文又稱為虛擬 YouTuber、虛擬實況主、虛擬主播，現在也泛指虛擬偶像、虛擬網紅等，它源自於日本，是一種虛擬角色或虛擬卡通人物，由人扮演，並通過電腦生成的角色模型與觀眾互動，它算是日本動漫文化的延伸產物，對大多數的動漫愛好者來說，二次元的人物是只存在於螢幕中，無法與之互動的存在，但是「Vtuber」的出現卻打破了這道隔閡，實現了大多數愛好者與二次元人物互動的心願。
Vtuber 如何運作
Vtuber 的的外貌稱為「皮」或稱「V皮」，即是電腦做出來的虛擬人物形象，「皮」是觀眾的第一眼印象，有個漂亮或帥氣的外表是成功的第一步，我們必須先認識另一個名詞，這個名詞為「中之人」，這個源自於日文「裡面的人」，因為 Vtuber 是虛擬形象與真人結合的虛擬角色，角色能否讓觀眾喜愛，需要透過隱藏在內的真人操作者，「中之人」可能是個人或是團隊，它需要完成 VTuber 軟體操作、動作控制、配音、影片編輯或上架等等工作，某程度上，讓二次元人物直接「走進生活」。
絆愛（日語：キズナアイ；英語：Kizuna AI）是世界上第一位 VTuber，在2016年11月29日於「A.I.Channel」youtube頻道上傳首部影片，目前訂閱人數高達308萬人，絆愛的設定為獨立的人工智慧，外表是約16歲的少女，她的影片以清談閒聊、惡搞、遊戲實況紀錄、唱歌跳舞為主，也參與很多現實的活動及廣告，曾經是 VTuber 界的領頭羊，後因多種因素，如觀眾口味逐漸改變等，在 2022 年 2 月份後開始無限期停止活動。
根據數據分析網站 Play Board 統計，2021 年在 YouTuber 直播收到需由觀眾付費的超級留言（Super Chat），累計總金額前 10 名中，有高達 9 名都是 VTuber，且金額加總破億，顯見已有十分驚人的粉絲群，知名 VTuber 的號召力可能不小於真實世界的百萬網紅喔，它們不旦吸引觀眾目光，包括遊戲、酒類等各界廠商也看好其號召力，去年，元宇宙概念發燒，虛擬與現實間的壁壘逐漸被打破，有科技公司和ACG工作室合作演出，VTuber 將突破二次元，直接 3D 立體化，讓觀眾不只能看演出，更能在元宇宙中自由穿梭，沒有時間及地點的限制，面對來勢洶洶的各式各樣的新科技，我們可能應該要去擁抱它的來臨，而不是抗拒它，其實，台灣美術設計功力並不比國外差，也是世界著名的科技島國，我們可以大膽思考一下， 台灣創作出來的 Vtuber 未來的可能性。
VTuber, short for "Virtual YouTuber," is a term that combines "virtual" and "YouTuber." It originated in Japan and refers to virtual characters or avatars portrayed by individuals who interact with their audience through computer-generated character models. It's an extension of Japanese anime culture. For most anime enthusiasts, 2D characters are limited to the screen and cannot be interacted with. However, VTubers have broken this barrier and fulfilled the desire of many fans to interact with 2D characters.
How VTubers Work
The appearance of a VTuber is referred to as their "skin" or "V-skin," which is the computer-generated virtual character. The skin is the first impression for the audience, and having an attractive appearance is the first step to success. Behind the scenes, there is a person or a team known as the "operator" or "hito no naka no hito" in Japanese, which translates to "the person inside." VTubers are a fusion of virtual imagery and real human operators. The likability of the character relies on the skills of the operator who handles VTuber software operations, controls movements, provides voice acting, edits videos, and manages uploads. In a way, this allows 2D characters to "enter" the real world.
Kizuna AI, for instance, was the world's first VTuber and uploaded her first video on the "A.I. Channel" YouTube channel on November 29, 2016. She currently has over 3.08 million subscribers. Kizuna AI is portrayed as an independent artificial intelligence with the appearance of a 16-year-old girl. Her videos primarily feature casual chats, parodies, gaming, singing, dancing, and participation in real-world events and advertisements. She was a pioneer in the VTuber industry but suspended her activities indefinitely after February 2022 due to changing audience preferences and other factors.
According to data from Play Board, in 2021, among the top 10 YouTubers who received Super Chats (viewer-paid messages) during live broadcasts, 9 were VTubers, and the total amount exceeded one billion yen. This demonstrates the remarkable fan base of VTubers, whose influence may rival that of real-world million-subscriber influencers. VTubers not only attract viewers but also catch the attention of various industries, including gaming and alcohol, who see their marketing potential. The concept of the metaverse gained traction last year, breaking down the barriers between virtual and real worlds. Technology companies and ACG studios collaborated to bring VTubers into 3D, allowing audiences to not only watch performances but also freely navigate the metaverse without constraints of time and location.
Faced with the rapid advancement of various new technologies, perhaps we should embrace their arrival rather than resist it. Taiwan has a strong foundation in art and design and is renowned as a tech-savvy island nation. We should boldly consider the future possibilities of VTubers created in Taiwan.