Pokimane joins the VTuber community and shows off her new anime-inspired digital avatar

Popular streamer Imane "Pokimane" Anys has created a super fun virtual idol, making her debut as a Virtual Youtuber.

(Picture: Pokimane)

The VTuber community is actually pretty large and centered around Japanese-speaking digital avatars. Most of the time, fans tune in to watch a Vtuber live stream, entertaining them with conversations, singing, or dancing. Pokimane has just hopped on the trend, and fans are welcoming her into the VTube community with open arms.

The VTuber trend has been popular for some time in Japan, but it's also made its way to other countries over the past few years. Pokimane joining the trend brings a new perspective and atmosphere to her stream as she uses a specifically designed idol as her virtual persona.

pokimane - poki gangsigns Watch pokimane's clip titled "poki gangsigns" Twitch

"I understand it's probably kinda freaky for some people, especially because you guys know what I look like," she suggests in her stream. "But I think it's so cool for when I want to do no-cam streams!"

huuuuge credits to @terupancake for making the amazing 3D model 🤩
AND @AnntanDesu for the incredibly cute reference sheet 💖 pic.twitter.com/t6oM0ioxRx

— pokimane (@pokimanelol) September 13, 2020

She continues by explaining how big the Vtuber community is, stating "There's so many well and poppin' Vtubers in existence." Her screen switches to a song published by A.I. Channel, featuring a virtual character dancing to a song called "Aiaiai". The video reveals that it uses motion tracking to create accurate movements that translate into digital animations.

Pokimane shared her stream update via Twitter, thanking freelance artists @terupancake and @AnntanDesu for creating her Vtuber model and reference sheets.

However, Pokimane's new look was not without its detractors with some claiming that she was simply doing it for "clout" and taking up space in a community that she previously hadn't taken an interest in.

I love your content Lily always have and always will. But i have to disagree with you on this. It might seem ridiculous but the way she timed it the day after HololiveEN launched just makes it fully seem like she is just doing it for clout. And that doesn't sit well with us.

— SunHallow (@Sunhallow_) September 13, 2020

One of her close friends and OfflineTV streamer LilyPichu sought to defend Pokimane from some of the harsh comments.

Suggesting that criticising Pokimane was unnecessary gatekeeping.

"Poki being popular with a vtuber model is not the reason why there are many small, hardworking VTubers who don't get recognition," she opined. "People watch Poki because they're Poki fans, vtuber or not."

Regardless of the criticism that Pokimane received, she's not letting it stop her from entertaining her millions of fans. "I think it's kind of to be expected when something is going to be more popular. I really think this sort of thing is absolutely the future." She states, "It's just so nice to almost be able to reinvent yourself online and have a great time."

pokimane - Pokimane Vtuber Debut Watch pokimane's clip titled "Pokimane Vtuber Debut" Twitch

In response to the criticism on her Twitter post, she states that she's unbothered by the hate she's received about her Vtuber so far.

pokimane - Pokimane Vtuber Debute Watch pokimane's clip titled "Pokimane Vtuber Debute" Twitch

"I understand that it may rub some people the wrong way to see me do it when it's something that they've been doing for so long. The best thing I can do is try to be respectful about that."