Early life
Kizuna AI isn’t a person with a traditional background—she’s a virtual character created by the Japanese company Activ8 in late 2016. Her “birth” was carefully crafted with advanced motion capture, voice acting, and 3D modeling to bring the illusion of a living YouTuber. While her real identity remained a mystery, her virtual personality was designed to be cheerful, curious, and relatable, which helped audiences immediately connect with her.
Career
Kizuna AI made her YouTube debut in November 2016 on A.I.Channel, becoming the world’s first Virtual YouTuber (VTuber). She later expanded into gaming with A.I.Games, launched a Chinese-focused channel, and even made TV appearances in Japan. Beyond YouTube, she released music as a virtual idol, performed in live concerts, and collaborated with brands, anime, and gaming companies. In 2023, she starred in her own anime series Kizuna no Allele, cementing her status as more than just a YouTuber but a multimedia icon.
Notable achievements
First to popularize the term “VTuber” and pioneer the genre.
Surpassed 2.9 million subscribers on A.I.Channel and 1.5 million on A.I.Games at peak.
Appeared in Japanese television programs, commercials, and international events.
Released multiple singles and albums as a virtual idol.
Inspired the creation of thousands of other VTubers globally.
Rankings
At her peak, Kizuna AI was ranked among the top YouTubers in Japan and held the largest subscriber count of any VTuber worldwide. She consistently trended in the “Top VTubers by Subscribers” lists until around 2020, when competition grew with agencies like Hololive and Nijisanji. Still, her influence secured her a legendary ranking as the pioneer of the VTuber movement.
Others
Went on hiatus in February 2022 to focus on future projects. Returned in 2023 through anime (Kizuna no Allele) and other media, rather than regular YouTube uploads. Widely regarded as the “face of VTubers”, even if newer VTubers now dominate the rankings. Continues to influence the digital entertainment industry, with fans considering her both an idol and a trailblazer.
