The VTubing community has been left divided after TheBurntPeanut, self-professed non-VTuber, was declared the VTuber of the Year at the 2025 Streamer Awards.
QTCinderella’s Streamer Awards have come and gone for another year. While IShowSpeed took home the overall Streamer of the Year award, another category is garnering more attention.
The ‘Best VTuber’ nominees included stalwarts like Ironmouse and Mori Calliope, alongside Kenji and chibidoki. The fifth name on the list, however, wasn’t like the rest. Extraction shooter phenom, TheBurntPeanut, rounded out the group.
In definition, he very much fits the bill. Rather than a human appearing on camera, we see a virtual avatar. While typically, many VTubers appear with anime styling, Peanut is, well, quite literally an anthropomorphic peanut.
The winner of the great Arc Raiders war was also declared the winner at The Streamer Awards, though Peanut’s win has split the VTubing community down the middle.
TheBurntPeanut wins VTuber of the Year award
It’s crucial to note fan votes significantly impact the winner of any given category at The Streamer Awards. As one of the fastest-growing personalities of the year, Peanut’s legion of fans, known as the ‘Bungulators’, amassed more votes than the others and thus, ultimately won the category.
News of the big win didn’t quite sit well with everyone in the VTubing community, however. For some, it was enough to label the entire awards show as “a joke,” while others criticized how a “Non-VTuber won the Best VTuber award.”
Peanut has previously gone on record to argue he’s not a traditional VTuber, though he has made it a bit of a tongue-in-cheek gag with his audience. Despite that, others have lashed out in light of his award.
“I don’t doubt that this guy is highly entertaining, fun, and makes quality content,” VTuber Maple Chicken said on X (formerly Twitter). But they were “disheartened” to learn “Best VTuber went to someone who doesn’t even consider himself a part of the community.
“Sucks to see your community and what you’re passionate about not even be taken seriously or get a seat at the table.”
VTuber icons defend TheBurntPeanut’s win
While there has been a great deal of backlash, not all are opposed. In fact, many of the most popular VTubers were quick to defend Peanut on the back of his big win.
“Peanut sweep, huge congrats,” fellow nominee Mori Calliope said on X.
“Me cringing at all the people mad that Peanut won,” multiple-time VTuber of the Year award winner Ironmouse chimed in. “Every VTuber in that category deserved to be there.”
As many others pointed out across social media, the ‘V’ in VTuber stands for virtual. “He’s virtual, entertaining, hilarious, and obviously his community showed up for him,” another streamer said.
