Earning a Living as an Anime Character on YouTube: My Career Journey and Daily Routine

In the digital landscape, I take on the role of a 19-year-old spectral figure.

I portray a digital persona called Mint Fantôme, Maid Mint, or simply Mint. My virtual avatar entertains 347,000 subscribers through live streams where I chat, sing, and play games.

This immersive world constitutes my entire professional life, aligning me with the burgeoning trend of virtual entertainers known as VTubers. My true identity remains a mystery to the public.

I humorously remarked to a friend that our roles are akin to the series 'Severance,' where our characters serve as our 'innies,' reflecting alternate professional identities.

The character I devised enables a vibrant online presence without sacrificing my personal privacy.

Entering the VTuber Sphere

My introduction to virtual YouTubers occurred a few years back, initially captivated by creators associated with Cover Corporation and their renowned VTuber agency, Hololive.

Engaging with their content was entertaining, and when Hololive sought English-speaking talents, it ignited my aspiration to join them. I auditioned but was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, through these auditions, I encountered independent creators who motivated me, showing that corporate backing isn't a necessity for success.

Establishing my channel in 2020, I kept my anime persona completely detached from my real-life identity, initially even keeping it secret from close ones.

However, as my popularity surged, friends identified my voice in the content, leading to eventual disclosure to my family. My mother, initially sceptical, now marvels at how what seemed like a fleeting interest matured into a legitimate career.

Generating Revenue as a Virtual Personality

My principal income stream is viewer donations on YouTube, a testament to the generosity of my audience that sustains this career path. Additional earnings are derived from merchandise sales and brand endorsements.

A Day in the Life

Each day, I endeavor to broadcast for two to four hours on YouTube.

Creating content is relatively straightforward. I rely on a smartphone and software like VTube Studio and VSeeFace to animate my digital character. My background in film studies and self-taught knowledge from tutorials aid my endeavors.

Initially, I began streaming from a well-insulated closet. Presently, my setup has evolved to a dedicated room designed for streaming.

Beyond streaming, I craft my promotional graphics and thumbnails. I actively engage with social media, ideating for live stream topics or product designs.

While some draw clear lines between online and offline time, I find it challenging to disengage completely. My leisure often includes personal social media, focused on my likes such as anime and Japanese culture.

An Unconventional Path to the Entertainment World

My affinity for anime has been a catalyst into the entertainment world, a domain I firmly believe includes virtual content creators.

Streaming presents a paradox; aware of viewer numbers, the reality of their individual presence remains somewhat surreal. Although my influence appears significant, I often feel grounded and ordinary.

The cloak of mystery my avatar provides is invaluable, supporting my introverted nature and social anxieties. Conversing online has considerably broadened my comfort zones, and for that, I am overwhelmingly thankful.