Schools for Aspiring VTubers

Wondering where to start to become a VTuber? What exactly is a VTuber vocational school like?
While anyone can engage in VTuber activities, many people think, “I want to study at a school to become a professional VTuber.” However, you might not know what skills are necessary or which school to attend.
With that in mind, we will introduce vocational schools where you can learn the knowledge and skills related to VTuber activities.

What Are the Ways to Become a VTuber?

What methods are available for those looking to become a VTuber? Here, we introduce three ways to embark on a career as a VTuber.

Starting as an Independent VTuber

Since no qualifications are required to start VTube activities, you can freely begin whenever you’re ready. While VTube does not require broadcasters to show their faces, it necessitates the creation of a personality and the synchronization of the personality’s voice and movements. Recently, it has become possible to easily stream VTube with just a smartphone, but when broadcasting on platforms like YouTube, the capabilities of a smartphone are limited. To produce content with a personal touch, using a PC is fundamental. However, PC-based production requires professional equipment and software. If you’re starting independently, you’ll need to acquire these tools on your own. Additionally, a certain level of foundational knowledge is necessary to handle such equipment and software, which could be challenging for novices.

Joining a Company as a VTuber

Joining a company as a VTuber offers the benefits of access to extensive information and financial support. Corporate VTubers are often able to engage in more professional activities than individuals. Consequently, more people are aspiring to become corporate VTubers. To become a corporate VTuber, you must pass an audition. However, corporate VTubers are often expected to be immediately effective, and auditions may focus on evaluating VTube videos. Furthermore, there are few companies that accept applications from those with no experience in VTube video production, suggesting that some personal experience as a VTuber is usually necessary.

Attending a Vocational School to Learn and Aim to Become a VTuber

The number of people wanting to become VTubers, as well as companies wishing to utilize them, is on the rise. As a result, more individuals are seeking to gain a competitive edge by learning the foundational knowledge and techniques thoroughly. For those who wish to learn from the ground up, attending a vocational school specializing in VTubers is an option. At such schools, you can learn everything from how to plan content to video editing, broadcasting techniques, and equipment handling, covering both the basics and specialized skills of VTubing. If you’re aiming to become a VTuber and lack basic knowledge, considering a vocational school is recommended.

Recommended Schools for Aspiring VTubers

If you are considering a serious career as a VTuber, one approach is to enroll in a vocational school where you can learn a wide range of skills, including VTube planning, filming, editing, personality creation, and speaking abilities. Here, we will introduce recommended vocational schools where you can acquire the necessary knowledge and techniques to become a VTuber.

Yoyogi Animation Academy VTuber Department

Yoyogi Animation Academy, affectionately known as “Yoani,” has a long history of producing voice actors and animators. At the academy, students can learn about VTubers in the Voice Actor & Entertainer Faculty’s YouTuber Department. Furthermore, ANYCOLOR Inc., the company behind the VTuber group ‘Nijisanji,’ collaborates on the curriculum as a supervisory partner.
Given its extensive experience in nurturing animators and voice actors, Yoyogi Animation Academy excels in areas such as personality design and voice-over work. Therefore, it can be said that the academy is well-suited for cultivating VTubers.
Yoyogi Animation Academy offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from YouTube content planning and editing to personality creation, voice training, and conversational skills necessary for VTubing.
Starting in the second year, students can launch their own specialized channels and engage in talent activities such as live streaming and events, making the hands-on learning experience another attractive feature.
https://www.yoani.co.jp/lp/vtuber/[ja]

KADOKAWA Anime & Voice Acting Academy

KADOKAWA, a publisher of literary books, light novels, comics, and more, also produces a significant number of movies and anime. In April 2024, KADOKAWA established a school to nurture animators, voice actors, manga artists, and VTubers. The KADOKAWA Anime & Voice Acting Academy Voice Acting Department is the place for those aspiring to become VTubers. A distinctive feature of the KADOKAWA Anime & Voice Acting Academy is its support for industry debuts, including hosting ‘selective auditions’ aimed at direct affiliation with professional production companies.

Furthermore, KADOKAWA has produced numerous films and anime works. Utilizing KADOKAWA’s anime productions, students can learn about voice-over work and expression. For more information, visit https://school.kadokawa.co.jp/anime/[ja].

Osaka Anime, Voice Acting & eSports College VTuber Technology Course

The Osaka Anime, Voice Acting & eSports College, similar to the Yoyogi Animation Academy, is an institution dedicated to nurturing talent for the entertainment industry, including animators and voice actors. While the college may not have produced a large number of voice acting graduates, schools that include ‘VTuber’ in their course titles are rare, which raises expectations for VTuber-focused lessons. However, the VTuber Technology Course is a four-year program, significantly extending the duration of student life compared to other vocational schools. Although there doesn’t seem to be a major difference in the curriculum, it would be wise to check whether the difference lies in the number of class hours per process, a slower learning pace, or the inclusion of unique classes not found in other schools, and then make a comparative evaluation. Additionally, the affiliated Tokyo Anime, Voice Acting & eSports College offers a Live Video Streaming & Video Creator Course, which also aims to cultivate VTubers.
https://www.oas.ac.jp/course/vtuber.html[ja]

Japanese Anime & Manga Vocational School: 3DCG Animation & Game Department

Located in Niigata Prefecture, the Japanese Anime & Manga Vocational School has been nurturing manga artists for 20 years, producing new talent annually.
With over 100 manga artists graduated to date and a 19-year streak of achieving a 100% employment rate in anime production companies, the school boasts a solid track record.
It is highly recommended for those who wish to seriously learn personality creation and motion editing for VTube, as the school specializes in developing creators.
Furthermore, the 3DCG Animation & Game Department offers a three-year program with a limited enrollment of only 10 students, allowing for intensive learning in small class sizes.
The school is more renowned for its focus on teaching video production techniques rather than talent skills such as public speaking.
However, since the campus is located in Niigata Prefecture, it may not be convenient for everyone to commute.
If commuting is feasible for you, considering the school’s proven track record in technical education, it would be worthwhile to include it in your comparisons.
https://web-jam.jp/gakka/3d-anime-game/[ja]

Vantan Creator Academy

Vantan, an educational venture by KADOKAWA, offers the Vantan Creator Academy, which is a group school of the previously mentioned KADOKAWA Anime & Voice Acting Academy. The academy aims to nurture aspiring video creators, VTubers, video editors, and managers. The Vantan Creator Academy is a new school, with its first cohort having just graduated in March 2023. The academy features three main divisions:

1. A specialized department offering 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year programs
2. A senior high school division that also provides high school graduation qualifications
3. A career college for university students and working professionals

These options highlight the academy’s wide range of choices for students. For more information, visit https://creatoracademy-career.jp/[ja]

Summary: Specialized Schools to Learn Diverse VTuber Technologies Are Increasing in Recent Years

VTubers, who stream using virtual avatars instead of showing their faces, have garnered attention for the ease with which they can broadcast. However, becoming a VTuber requires a diverse set of skills, leading to an increase in individuals choosing to attend specialized VTuber schools. There has been a recent rise in such institutions, including the Yoyogi Animation Academy.
VTuber activities demand a variety of skills such as personality design, modeling, speaking, voice training, acting, planning, computer operation, and video editing. Therefore, it is advisable to select a school that aligns with the skills you wish to learn.
Since there is a significant difference in the duration of courses and curriculum content among schools, those interested in VTuber schools are encouraged to participate in trial admissions and school tours to make an informed comparison.