Summary

  • Japanese XR firm Mawari has launched vTubeXR, an immersive extended reality platform enabling fan interactions with VTubers (animated YouTube content creators).
  • Organising virtual meet-and-greet sessions, the platform uses Mawari’s 3D streaming technology to render and stream high-quality avatars with minimal latency, offering a realistic and flexible fan experience without the need for specialist equipment.
  • Mawari has partnered with two of Japan’s largest VTuber agencies, Brave group and Virtual Avex, which will showcase vTubeXR at Expo 2025 in Osaka this summer.
  • The global market for VTubers is estimated to reach $1.5bn by 2026, and vTubeXR will evolve to become an infrastructure for monetisable digital fan engagement, offering features including paid-for events and avatar digital goods.

By Dean Takahashi

Original Article