Twitch
The Unlikely VTuber Success Story That Took 14 Years to Build
When you think of successful VTubers, a giant cockroach probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But MataraKan has turned that unusual concept into streaming gold. This Canadian content creator has built a devoted following of over 300,000 Twitch followers by embracing her character as an extraterrestrial cockroach - supposedly the last of her kind who ended her "long space journey and Hollywood escapades" to become an independent streamer.
What makes Matara's story particularly fascinating is her incredible persistence in the streaming world. She's been at this for 14 years, starting back in 2014 under different personas before finding her current identity. Her journey took her through various incarnations, including time with major VTuber agencies, before she ultimately decided to go independent. "It took me 13 years to become an overnight success," she's said, perfectly capturing the reality behind her apparent sudden popularity.
Her content spans a surprisingly diverse range. While she's known for playing games like Path of Exile 2 and Crime Scene Cleaner, Matara also spends considerable time in "Just Chatting" streams where her personality really shines through. She's ranked fairly high in Twitch's Just Chatting category, which speaks to her ability to keep viewers engaged even without gameplay. One of her more unique interests involves Warhammer, and she's expressed plans to run a Warhammer-themed book club - the kind of niche content that helps streamers build genuine communities rather than just casual viewers.
The Ukrainian-Canadian streamer averages around 1,700-2,100 viewers per stream, numbers that reflect a solid, engaged audience rather than fleeting viral fame. She maintains a somewhat irregular schedule, streaming different time slots throughout the week, which suggests she's found a rhythm that works for both her lifestyle and her international audience. Her streaming philosophy seems rooted in authenticity - she's mentioned feeling that VTubing allows for more genuine interaction, describing it as putting on a mask to become "most yourself."
What sets Matara apart in the crowded VTuber space isn't just her unusual character design, but her veteran perspective on streaming culture. Having witnessed the evolution from when streamers needed to be top-tier players in major games to today's more diverse content landscape, she brings both experience and adaptability to her streams. Her resilience - both as a character trait of cockroaches and as a personal quality - has clearly paid off. While the giant bug concept might initially seem off-putting, her combination of genuine personality, diverse interests, and hard-earned streaming wisdom has created something genuinely engaging in a space often criticized for being too manufactured.
