For Gen Alpha, YouTube isn’t just a video platform - it’s where stories now live.

While adults often associate the platform with short-form chaos and viral trends, kids and teens are gravitating toward something more structured: ongoing narratives, recurring characters and episodic worlds they can return to again and again. In a digital environment built for scrolling, storytelling has become a powerful way to hold attention and build emotional connection.

A new wave of creators has emerged who don’t just post content — they build universes. Here are three leading the charge.

Aphmau: The Role-Playing Mom Building a Minecraft Multiverse

Aphmau - aka Jessica Bravura - is one of YouTube’s most influential gaming storytellers, and her secret sauce is simple: she treats Minecraft like a TV studio.

With over 24.5 million subscribers, Aphmau blends the blocky world of Minecraft with anime-inspired aesthetics to create episodic role-play narratives that feel more like a bingeable series than gameplay. Her stories revolve around friendship, teamwork and dramatic twists, giving young viewers characters they can grow attached to over time.

Post-pandemic, she intentionally shifted toward a younger audience. As a mum of four, Jessica has spoken about being mindful of her viewers, projecting a “role model” persona that champions kindness, collaboration and creative play — all while steering clear of bad language.

Her brand stretches far beyond YouTube. Aphmau content is widely accessible on kid-targeted platforms like Amazon Kids, and her merchandise sits on shelves in major retailers like Target. She’s not just a creator - she’s built a full entertainment ecosystem.

Nora: Cosy Kawaii Storytelling for the “Egg Fam”

If Aphmau is peak episodic drama, 'It’s Nora (@TocaNora)' is comfort TV in pastel form.

Nora, who has never publicly shared her real name beyond a face reveal, has built an expansive narrative universe inside Toca Life World, attracting just under 1 million subscribers. Her softly voiced storytelling brings distinct characters to life, each with their own personalities and evolving storylines.

And don’t mistake the gentle tone for simple plots. Her series often feature surprisingly complex arcs - including fan-favourite “Nerd to Popular” transformations - that mirror the emotional beats of teen TV.

Visually, Nora leans into a “preppy” kawaii aesthetic: soft pastels, beige tones and carefully curated interiors using furniture packs like Hello Kitty and Sanrio collaborations. Room makeovers and house tours double as set design, making her digital spaces feel as important as the characters themselves.

Community is central to her world. Nora calls her fans the “Egg Fam” and regularly invites them to shape the narrative, asking for character name ideas or letting followers “decide her build.” It’s storytelling as a shared experience, not a solo broadcast.

Jaiden Animations: Turning Real Life Into Relatable Lore

While gaming creators build fictional worlds, Jaiden Animations proves real life can be just as compelling.

One of YouTube’s story-animation “big three,” Jaiden Dittfach has amassed over 12 million subscribers through vlog-style animated storytelling. Narrated in the first person and brought to life through her instantly recognisable avatar, Jaiden’s videos feel like sitting down with a friend who’s really good at explaining their inner world.

Her style blends self-deprecating humour with honest conversations about mental health, social anxiety and the pressures of being a creator - topics that deeply resonate with tweens and teens. She keeps language and themes broadly age-appropriate, but never talks down to her audience.

Running gags, like her parrot Ari portrayed as a chaotic “evil genius,” give her channel sitcom-style continuity. And her love of Pokémon - particularly popularising “Nuzlocke” challenge runs - shows how fandom and storytelling naturally intertwine on the platform.

Jaiden’s content proves you don’t need fictional characters to build narrative loyalty. Sometimes the most powerful protagonist is just… you.

Why Storytelling Is Winning on YouTube

But what links a Minecraft mum, a pastel Toca Life director and an animated oversharer? Structure and storytelling.

Kids aren’t just watching videos - they’re following characters, anticipating plotlines, and investing emotionally over time. In a feed full of fast, noisy content, creators who deliver continuity stand out. Storytelling and characters builds stickiness, turning casual viewers into loyal fans who come back for the next episode.

For brands and platforms, the message is clear: Gen Alpha doesn’t just want content. They want worlds to step into.

And on YouTube, the next great series might already be autoplaying.

What made brands like YouTube and Minecraft cool in 2025? Find out in our Coolest Brands report, built from over 30,000 kids and teen voices.