Last reviewed: October 20, 2026
If you follow Japanese music online, you will run into the word “utaite” sooner or later. It describes a whole culture of singers who built their audiences by posting covers on the internet. Here is what the term means, where it came from, and how it connects to VTubers.
The short definition
Utaite (歌い手, literally “singers”) is a Japanese term for amateur singers who post cover songs on video sites, especially Niconico and YouTube. The related word utattemita (歌ってみた, “I tried singing it”) names the genre and culture around these covers, and it often appears in video titles.
Where it came from
Utaite culture grew up on Niconico, a Japanese video site that was the main hub for online subcultures. It took off after Hatsune Miku, the Vocaloid voice library, was released on August 31, 2007. Many Vocaloid producers released instrumental versions of their songs on sites such as Piapro, which encouraged fans to record their own covers.
Over time, Niconico lost ground to YouTube, and most utaite now post on both. The word has widened as well. It was once tied mostly to Vocaloid covers, but today it is also used for singers who cover anime songs and other music loved by Japanese fan communities.
What about “youtaite”?
You may also see youtaite, a word made by English-speaking fans for non-Japanese singers who post covers on YouTube. It does not exist in Japanese. In Japan, overseas singers are usually described with phrases that translate to “overseas utaite” or “foreign utaite.”
How utaite differ from other cover singers
Anyone can post a cover, but “utaite” usually refers to singers who are part of this particular scene: the Niconico and Vocaloid-rooted community, its conventions, and its fans. Some utaite stay amateur, while others go on to hold concerts, release CDs, sell merchandise, or start professional careers.
Weverse Magazine counts several artists who are now prominent in Japanese music, including Ado, yama, and Reol, among those who rose through the utaite scene.
Utaite and VTubers
The two worlds overlap. Some utaite launched careers as VTubers, and many VTubers release song covers with the same “utattemita” label. The main difference is presentation: VTubers perform as avatars, while many utaite appear only through their voice, an illustration, or their real appearance, depending on the individual.
How to start exploring
- Search for “歌ってみた” on YouTube or Niconico to find covers. Adding a song title narrows the results.
- Start with a song you know. Covers of a familiar Vocaloid or anime song are a good way to hear how different singers interpret it.
- Find the original creator. Many covers are of Vocaloid songs, and the original producer’s version is often just as interesting.
- Credit and respect the original. If you share a cover, link to the singer and the original song.
What to read next
World Virtual Research is an independent, unofficial resource. All names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Sources
- Utaite – Wikipedia
- Utattemita – Fanlore
- Utaite – Fanlore
- Exploring utaite through DAZBEE – Weverse Magazine
Reviewed by WVR Inoue on October 20, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Thumbnail: 【】歌ってみた KING 葛葉 【】 by Kuzuha Channel on YouTube. Shown via YouTube; all rights belong to their owners.
