Blibug: AI Vtuber Based on Bilibili Danmuku Interaction

The virtual live streaming format of Vtubers is gaining immense popularity worldwide, aided by advancements in large language models (LLMs) and 2D/3D avatar simulation technologies. The emergence of pure AI-driven Vtubers represents a promising trend in content creation. However, research has not adequately explored the interactive capabilities between live streaming platforms and Vtubers, nor their implications on parasocial relationships. We developed "Blibug," an AI-Vtuber on the Chinese Bilibili platform, who can be interacted with through "Danmu" messages (real-time comments overlaid on the video playback, also called a "bullet curtain"). By implementing an interactive AI-Vtuber action and dialogue response system, we translate relatable daily activities into virtual engagements and establish a real-time, one-to-many AI-Human dialogue framework. Our study aims to investigate the entertainment and narrative dimensions of Vtubers and to understand AI's role as a social agent and its impact on parasocial relationships.