The Streamer Awards 2025 ignited a heated discussion across the VTuber community after TheBurntPeanut secured both VTuber of the Year and Best FPS Streamer, achievements largely fueled by the explosive popularity of his Escape from Tarkov content.
His victory has divided the community, with some viewers arguing that his avatar-based presentation aligns with a modern interpretation of virtual streaming, while others believe the win overlooks creators who have shaped the VTuber space and claim he has repeatedly distanced himself from the label.
The official account confirmed his sweep, marking the end of Ironmouse’s three-year run at the top of the VTuber category. TheBurntPeanut, who streams Escape from Tarkov and other shooters, uses a 3D peanut avatar complete with a propeller hat and expressive motion driven by face tracking. His style blends traditional FPS content with a virtual persona, which helped him build rapid momentum heading into this year’s awards.
His nomination had already stirred debate, but the reaction intensified after the results were announced. Social platforms quickly filled with posts, threads, short-form videos, and commentary channels dissecting whether he meets the spirit of what the community considers a VTuber. Many long-time fans and creators questioned the category boundaries, while others argued that the definition of virtual content is evolving with new technologies and personalities entering the space.
Streamer Awards 2025 controversy over VTuber of the year
Many VTuber fans and creators have argued that the outcome undermines the identity of the VTuber space, especially for long-time nominees such as Ironmouse, Mori Calliope, Chibidoki, and Kenji. These creators helped define the category with carefully crafted anime-style avatars and dedicated production work, so seeing the award go elsewhere has stirred strong reactions.
A central point raised by critics is that TheBurntPeanut has repeatedly distanced himself from the label. Coverage highlights that he has refuted association with VTubers and called himself a “PTuber.” Clips circulating on TikTok and X show him saying, “I am not a VTuber,” a line that has become a rallying reference throughout the debate. Many VTuber fans say it feels contradictory for someone who rejects the label to collect the category’s highest honor.
There is also discomfort surrounding the comedic nature of his avatar. VTubers often spend thousands of dollars commissioning artists and riggers to build detailed 2D or 3D models. By comparison, his peanut avatar has been described as simply a burnt peanut with eyes and a mouth, which some community members interpret as a jab that still reaps the benefits of award recognition.
Another recurring argument is that parts of the vote may have been fueled by trolling or spite. Reddit discussions suggest that some voters supported him “to annoy VTubers” rather than because they believed he best represented the category. A commentary video circulated widely showing clips of TheBurntPeanut encouraging his community to vote for him because it would “make VTubers mad,” a moment that deepened concerns that the award served as a provocation rather than a celebration of VTubing.
Supporters counter these criticisms with a broader view of what virtual streaming can be. They argue that the award fits within the technical definition of VTubing because he streams through a digital avatar with face-tracking technology. For this group, the style of the avatar does not matter; what matters is that the creator is presenting a virtual persona. Some have pointed out that the same tools powering anime-style VTubers power the peanut model, so the underlying format remains consistent.
Fans on this side also highlight that he brings VTubing to an audience that rarely engages with it. They describe him as “the first individual who truly transcends the typical boundaries of the VTuber community,” noting that his FPS-focused content attracts viewers outside the traditional VTuber demographic. In a fan-voted award show with a mainstream audience, they argue it is understandable that a creator with wide visibility could outperform more established VTuber icons.
Others say the award should be viewed primarily as recognition of creative output rather than strict adherence to labels. They point out that he expressed gratitude for the nomination and win, and that his work connected with viewers throughout the year, which is the core criterion for a general creator awards show.
The discussion has grown beyond a single trophy. Coverage across esports and creator news outlets frames this as one of the most divisive moments of The Streamer Awards 2025. Within VTuber circles, some voices encourage treating the result as a reminder that mainstream awards reflect broad audience behavior rather than internal community standards. Others are calling for more VTuber-led events to ensure recognition comes from those who understand the culture most deeply.
Published: Dec 7, 2025 08:01 pm