Pokimane, the popular Twitch streamer who is evidently a magnet for controversy announced she would be returning to streaming after a short break caused in part by LeafyIsHere's supposed "content nuke" on her and her secret romantic relationship, but with that announcement came an interesting twist: she had developed a Vtuber persona.

taking no cam streams to the next level..
debuting vtuber pokimane 😳https://t.co/nlEB4gohua pic.twitter.com/TKexQ4ZaLy

— pokimane (@pokimanelol) September 13, 2020

Pokimane will employ the new persona for no-cam streams, which can be taken as a reasonable step considering how much pressure and attention is placed on Pokimane's looks; she once received intense criticism for streaming without makeup.

“I don’t want to offend anyone by using this, or [make] anyone feel like I’m trying to encroach any community … I just think it’s such a cool thing to do for when I don’t feel like being on cam,” she said

In her announcement, she credited artists @TeruPancake and @AnntanDesu for helping put the character together. Her initial stream as a Vtuber saw her encouraging viewers to look into other Vtubers if they enjoyed the virtual Pokimane.

huuuuge credits to terupancake</a> for making the amazing 3D model 🤩<br>AND <a href="https://twitter.com/AnntanDesu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">AnntanDesu for the incredibly cute reference sheet 💖 pic.twitter.com/t6oM0ioxRx

— pokimane (@pokimanelol) September 13, 2020

Despite all this, a swath of people was very, very angry that Pokimane was dabbling in Vtubing. "Pokimane" trended on Twitter today, as users bemoaned the switch as "the death of Vtubing" and criticized her for "clout chasing."

Pokimane is becoming a vtuber.

This is it.

This marks the beginning of the end of the vtuber era.

— ♠️Ender | BLM✊🏽 (@SpadesEnder) September 13, 2020

I log back and the first thing I see is Pokimane as a VTuber

I'm deactivating on god pic.twitter.com/gpznRl2xNc

— gabcro – Kingdom Heart's bitch (@cro_gabs) September 13, 2020

Pokimane becoming a VTuber spells the end for the popularity of VTubers.

Its gonna be the new thing to hate.

— Poe's Law = Onigga-Chan (@LivingScribe) September 13, 2020

The reaction seemed over-the-top, to say the least. Those in Pokimane's favor were exhausted by the fact people wanted to gatekeep the Vtuber community.

To all those saying Pokimane is gonna kill VTubers… Shut up, you're gatekeeping who can and can't become a VTuber. VTubing is still a new concept and it's very groundbreaking. Anyone can be a VTuber if they want to. Pokimane isn't gonna "kill" VTubing.

— Olivia 💙 Boltsy's Other Half 💜 (@Umbrus_) September 13, 2020

pokimane looks like she's having fun, i'm happy!

she's not "stealing views", she's VERY established already. if anything, her becoming a vtuber opens the door for more people to find out about us!

that's tons of people who now know what term to search if they enjoy it 💖

— marsy 🐭 vtuber (@maroony__) September 13, 2020

Weebs thinking that Pokimane becoming a Vtuber is awful and going to ruin vtubers reputation pic.twitter.com/JFpORSJgcV

— Starseed Taster (@shrimpimpin) September 13, 2020

It seems like, as with all things Pokimane, the reaction is incredibly heated, but it seems doubtful this will have a negative impact on the growing popularity of Vtubers and those who prefer the current popular streamers as they are.