>>1097726>is it because of the mask/avatar their wearing?Mainly this. When you watch a regular streamer, you're watching a person, but when you're watching a vtuber, you're watching a personality. If they didn't have the vtuber mask, believe me that everyone would think that their act is embarrassing or cringeworthy but instead they give us the illusion of watching someone outside of this realm of reality which somehow not only makes it acceptable but even endearing, and allows them to play an entirely different character from who they truly are behind the screen. Pekora's pekos, Korone's high pitched laughs, Subaru's shubas, all of those things would be seen as childish if they were streaming as their real selves but since we're pretty much watching not a person, but a character, it gives you the feeling of watching something akin to a real time anime. Also, is a return to the true anonymity that the internet had lost because of social media encouraging people to share their entire lives online, and just like how in here we're all Anonymous who can behave however we want, so can they open themselves to new opportunities that couldn't be possible if they were showing their faces. Pekora for example wouldn't even be how we know her because is known for a fact that's she's quite shy off-screen.
Consider Pokimane, the biggest Twitchwhore who wanted some of that vtuber money but instead of becoming more popular when she began streaming with a 3D model, she got highly criticized because that stunt allowed people to see how truly vapid she is when she's now showing her tits on stream.
