# Even More Kawaii than Real-Person-Driven VTubers? Understanding How Viewers Perceive AI-Driven VTubers

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.20817 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.20817/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 10 of its 55 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 25 Sep 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 10 of 10)

- [Efficient Memory Management for Large Language Model Serving with PagedAttention](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.06180/) (2023)
- [BERTopic: Neural topic modeling with a class-based TF-IDF procedure](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.05794/) (2022)
- [From Persona to Personalization: A Survey on Role-Playing Language Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.18231/) (2024)
- [The Oscars of AI Theater: A Survey on Role-Playing with Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.11484/) (2024)
- [Virtual Stars, Real Fans: Understanding the VTuber Ecosystem](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.01553/) (2025)
- [VTuber's Atelier: The Design Space, Challenges, and Opportunities for VTubing](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.00842/) (2025)
- ["Can't believe I'm crying over an anime girl": Public Parasocial Grieving and Coping Towards VTuber Graduation and Termination](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.13421/) (2025)
- [Investigating VTubing as a Reconstruction of Streamer Self-Presentation: Identity, Performance, and Gender](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.11025/) (2023)
- [Who Reaps All the Superchats? A Large-Scale Analysis of Income Inequality in Virtual YouTuber Livestreaming](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.00825/) (2025)
- [Entertainers Between Real and Virtual -- Investigating Viewer Interaction, Engagement, and Relationships with Avatarized Virtual Livestreamers](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.09018/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

VTubers, digital personas represented by animated avatars, have gained massive popularity. Traditionally, VTubers are operated and voiced by human controllers known as Nakanohito. The reliance on Nakanohito, however, poses risks due to potential personal controversies and operational disruptions. The emergence of AI-driven VTubers offers a new model free from these human constraints. While AI-driven VTubers present benefits such as continuous operation and reduced scandal risk, they also raise questions about authenticity and audience engagement. Therefore, to gain deeper insights, we conduct a case study, investigating viewer perceptions of Neuro-sama, the most popular AI-driven VTuber with 845k followers on Twitch and 753k followers on YouTube. We analyze 108k Reddit posts and 136k YouTube comments, aiming to better understand viewer motivations, how AI constructs the virtual persona, and perceptions of the AI as Nakanohito. Our findings enhance the understanding of AI-driven VTubers and their impact on digital streaming culture.