Role & Future of VTuber in Thailand

Abstract

        VTubers, or virtual YouTubers, gained significant popularity among Thai adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This group of content creators utilizes virtual avatars to engage with audiences, often focusing on topics such as anime, games, music, and Japanese culture. However, as pandemic restrictions ease, viewership numbers for VTubers have declined substantially. To remain relevant in the Thai context, VTubers must adapt their roles and presentation strategies. This paper aims to analyze these necessary adjustments and explore the future prospects of VTubers in Thailand.

        The role of VTubers in Thailand is a chance for teenagers and who is just beginning their career, which want to be voice actors, singers, or actors, who do not have enough confidence in their appearance or performing in front of people. It can be a part-time job that keep your privacy, does not require you to reveal your identity. And if it is success enough, it may be made into a main career. Moreover, Thailand accepts gender diversity, so it is a chance for VTubers with diverse genders. Apart from VTubers, related businesses are becoming more active with both avater designers, animators, composers, and talent managers. VTubers in Thailand therefore play a role in increasing channels in the digital entertainment business, which is similar to Youtubers, but there will be some real – world activities that VTubers can’t do.

        The future trend of VTubers in Thailand will have the rate of opening new channels and closing channels at the same rate. Agencies will still produce VTubers, but in small numbers. VTubers will be presenters for various products and working on audio – based fields. Male VTuber and third gender VTuber, there may be increase in numbers and has become more popular according to the Boy love series trend. Artificial intelligence technology will be a bigger role in designing avatar characters and will makes design and animation process quicker and cheaper. VTubers may be a role in media targeting teenagers to young adult, such as educational media, news and public relations but will still focus mainly on entertainment media.