The breakout streamer of 2025 is also the most watched V-Tuber of 2025, even though he might not like this.
In 2025, a single streamer quietly outperformed the biggest names in VTubing by doing a few things differently.
From Arc Raiders Hype To VTuber Dominance
Riding the Arc Raiders hype, TheBurntPeanut became one of the most recognizable faces of the international streaming scene. With his unique personality, he captivates tens of thousands of viewers. Phrases like “let’s ride,” “excellent raid, gentlemen,” or the word “goop” are widely known by anyone who has watched Arc Raiders content. Popularized by Peanut, these expressions have spread throughout the entire community.
In addition, he has a very unconventional approach to humor. He speaks his mind openly, even when it is not politically correct. These traits, combined with his iconic peanut face filter, played a major role in him becoming the most-watched VTuber of 2025 and the numbers reflect that.
According to StreamCharts, the streamer accumulated a total of 60.2 million hours watched in 2025 alone. This puts him 10.9 million hours ahead of second-place Sakura Miko. He is also well ahead of established figures in the VTuber community such as Ironmouse and Usada Pekora.
Much of his success can be attributed to streaming across multiple platforms. He streams simultaneously on Twitch, YouTube, and Kick, a strategy that allowed him to massively expand his audience. The majority of his viewership comes from Twitch, which accounts for 50.5 percent of his total watch time. YouTube follows closely with 48.3 percent, while Kick contributes just 1.2 percent. This multi-platform approach clearly sets him apart from many VTubers, who typically focus on a single platform.
However, this is not the only way in which he stands out. TheBurntPeanut is the only American creator in a category otherwise dominated by Japanese VTubers. Additionally, his VR model looks nothing like the polished anime-style avatars commonly associated with VTubing. These differences were immediately noticeable and have already sparked debate within the VTubing community.
Not A VTuber, But A PTuber?
TheBurntPeanut’s win at the Streamer Awards, where he was named VTuber of the Year 2025, triggered a heated debate about whether he can truly be classified as a VTuber. While the award itself placed him alongside established figures of the scene, it also reignited ongoing discussions about what actually defines a VTuber in the first place.
Critics argued that his avatar differs fundamentally from the anime-style models traditionally associated with VTubing and that this alone should disqualify him from the category. Others pointed to the fact that TheBurntPeanut himself does not refer to his content as VTubing. Instead, he describes himself as a “PTuber,” short for “peanut tuber,” a label that deliberately distances his brand from the broader VTuber scene.
Supporters, however, countered that the use of a virtual avatar is the defining criterion and that visual style or cultural alignment should not outweigh that fact. From this perspective, his numbers, platform presence, and consistent use of a virtual model clearly place him within the VTuber category.
In the end, the broad consensus is that he qualifies as a VTuber, even if the label sits uncomfortably with him, a reminder that not every creator fits neatly into the shell of an established category.
