In Japan, Internet users have begun to debate intensely the idea that the VTuber industry is in decline. This debate is based on statistics that show a steady decline in Super Chat revenuea YouTube tool that allows users to make live donations to streamers and attach a comment to the contribution.

According to data from Playboard, a website specialized in collecting this information, Uruha Rushia, from Hololive Production, dominated 2021 with more than 265 million yen in revenue from Super Chat. In 2022, Sakamata Chloe from the same agency led with more than 142 million yen in revenue, and in 2023, Hakui Koyori was the biggest earner with over 88 million yen. These data show a clear downward trend.

To better understand the situation, the annual decrease in income was calculated:

• From 2021 to 2022: The decrease was 46,42%.
• From 2022 to 2023: The decrease was 38,03%.

These percentages reflect a significant decrease in Super Chat revenue for the most popular VTubers each year. What are the main reasons for this decrease?

1. Market saturation: The VTuber industry has grown exponentially in recent years, leading to increased competition. This may have diluted fan interest and spending.
2. Diversification of online entertainment: With the emergence of other forms of online entertainment, such as traditional streamers, content creators on other platforms (Twitch) and new forms of interaction on social networks, the public has more options for spending their money and time.
3. Changing consumer trends: Consumers can opt for more sustainable or different ways of supporting, such as subscriptions, purchasing products or simply passively supporting their favorite creators.
4. Global economic impact: The global economic situation may have affected fans' willingness to make large and frequent donations.

The decline in Super Chat revenue is a key indicator fueling debate about the future of the VTuber industry. While there are still many dedicated fans, The falling income trend is a sign that cannot be ignored and this could lead to significant changes in the way these content creators are funded and supported in the future.

• «Why would that be…?».
• «Wasn't the money of the weak infinite?».
• «Sorry, but the poor bastards who never reached the Super Chat limit for Pekora need to leave the fandom. This is not a place for weaklings who can't support their idol with money.».
• «It's a matter of supply and demand».
• «Didn't I say a year ago that the end had already begun?».
• «They discovered that it is profitable → everyone enters → it disperses → it ends».
• «More than dispersion, it is mass production and low quality».
• «I don't understand why people donate money to cartoons».
• «Many VTubers have reached their limit».
• «COVID is over. They've gone from Super Chats, of which the platforms keep 30%, to selling merchandise».
• «Super Chat revenue down, but merchandise sales up dramatically».
• «I don't want to give money to stupid women. It's disgusting.».
• «They simply stopped doing Super Chats and started giving out subscriptions».
• «There have been many spikes in interest during the pandemic, but nothing major has happened since last year».
• «Do they have any talent? Are they extremely good at singing or something?».
• «No one sees them anymore. They're done.».
• «In the beginning: They talk about their life experiences. After a few years: They only broadcast every day, so their lives lack new stimuli. If they become famous, they start to consume only luxury products and can no longer talk about them in their broadcasts. Their conversations become repetitive and boring.».
• «Have you run out of money or realized how absurd it is to give money away?».
• «We're in the age of anime bands now, right?».

Source: Yaraon!