In recent years, the VTuber scene has been gaining momentum.
While many stars are born every day—especially from NIJISANJI, hololive, VSPO, and Neo-Porte—we mustn’t forget the independents!
Lately, independent VTubers, who generally face fewer restrictions on what they can say, have been collaborating with a wide range of major streamers.
Some VTubers even have their own TV or radio shows.
So this time, we’ve spotlighted some of the most popular independent VTubers who are on a remarkable rise!
If you’d rather support independents than big-agency VTubers, this is a must-see!
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Popular Independent VTubers | Selected from Twitch and YouTube! (1–10)
shigure ui
For people who know a lot about VTubers, when they hear “indie VTuber,” the first person that likely comes to mind is Shigure Ui.
Her main profession is illustrator, and she designed Hololive’s Oozora Subaru and VSPO!’s Chitose Yuuhi.
She’s also a skilled talker, and thanks to her multifaceted talent, she has long been a popular figure representing indie VTubers.
She’s very personable as well, so be sure to check out her streams.
nekomugi tororo
It’s no exaggeration to call Tororo Nekomugi the cutest indie VTuber in the world.
She’s not just “role-playing” a rich girl—she’s the real deal, with huge paintings displayed at home and everything.
Naturally, her upbringing is impeccable, and her refined way of speaking paired with an unpretentious personality is very well received.
Her voice is unusually husky for a VTuber, but it’s undeniably cute—that’s part of her charm.
She’s a VTuber full of delightful contrasts: her singing, her elegant chatter, the occasional playful side, and the cool, hard calls she makes in Tarkov.
You should definitely check her out.
Her interactions with Hendy in particular are top-tier.
Ponyo Ponyo Geh!
akami karubi
Right now, among independent creators, the runaway fan favorite is the VTuber Karubi Akami.
Despite playing games endlessly with almost no improvement, having a voice far from that of an idol, and above all possessing a charmingly high “chubby aptitude” born of her love of eating, she’s adored as a lovable klutz and is very popular with other streamers too.
Her character stays consistent no matter who she interacts with—even when she’s with the king of fighting games, Daigo Umehara, or the king of streaming, Junichi Kato, she never wavers.
Most viewers probably support her with the same warm feeling you’d have for a grandchild or a pet dog.
In short, Karubi Akami is a VTuber who wins people over.
kanae sensei
Among independent male VTubers, isn’t Kanae-sensei the most popular? He’s often mistaken for Kanae from NIJISANJI, but the two are completely different.
He’s known for covering current affairs like politics and the economy, as well as legal topics focused on trials and crime, and his rational, logical thinking and views are highly regarded.
He always brings topics to the table during his streams, so if you want something to listen to while you work, be sure to check out his archives.
Gacchiman V
VTuber Gatchman V, known for his distinctive look, leaves a strong impression.
Originally, Gatchman was active on YouTube as a horror game commentator, but the account he created to play non-horror games gradually became a VTuber-dedicated account.
Today, he enjoys enormous popularity both as a horror game streamer and as a VTuber.
While he has a cool persona, his sense of humor is excellent, and glimpses of his “dad” side appear here and there, creating a charming contrast that comes through in his streams.
baacharu obaachan
Virtual Grandma, an independent VTuber known for her unique style, has been gaining popularity.
He—no, she—captivates audiences with an exceptionally distinctive way of talking, drawing attention for her frank, no-nonsense remarks.
Her storytelling is especially outstanding: the way she humorously recounts those everyday, mildly infuriating moments evokes the image of a stand-up comedian.
Her charm really shines in game streams that mix in this kind of casual chat.
Thanks to her strong conversational skills, even monotonous, grindy games are fun to watch.
Be sure to check her out.
Utae Meika
Meika Utaei is a solo VTuber formerly affiliated with upd8.
He originally worked as an illustrator, but thanks to his exceptional communication skills, he’s now thriving as one of the leading independent VTubers, especially in his streams.
His Kansai-style banter with Bodoka and Hendy in VCR was particularly entertaining.
In fact, Meika has a long history as a VTuber and is considered a veteran in the V scene.
He’s funny with anyone he collaborates with, so be sure to check out his streams.