A Virtual YouTuber (often abbreviated as VTuber) is a content creator who uses a digital avatar to engage with their audience on platforms like YouTube. These avatars are typically animated characters that can be customized to reflect various personalities and styles, often resembling anime or cartoon characters. VTubers use motion capture technology to animate their avatars in real-time, allowing them to interact with viewers through live streams or pre-recorded videos. This trend has gained popularity, especially in Japan, where many VTubers have built large followings and even collaborated with other creators and brands.