Taipei is hosting Taiwan’s largest comics and animation festival, and this year’s biggest stars aren’t traditional voice actors or artists—they’re virtual idols. Vtubers, or Virtual YouTubers, are taking the anime industry by storm, with 22 Taiwanese Vtubers making their debut at the event.
These digital entertainers, who engage fans through livestreams, Q&As and performances, are part of a rapidly growing industry expected to surpass US$1.5 billion in 2025. As Vtubers continue to gain mainstream appeal in Taiwan, some are asking if they're the future of anime fandom.
