VShojo, an American VTuber talent agency founded in November 2020 by CEO Justin "TheGunrun" Ignacio (a co-founder of Twitch) and CTO Phillip "MowtenDoo" Fortunat, aimed to bring the burgeoning virtual creator culture to the Western world. Billing itself as a "talent-first" agency, VShojo's initial promise revolved around providing resources and support to its VTubers while granting them more freedom and intellectual property (IP) rights over their characters compared to some of its East Asian counterparts like Hololive and Nijisanji.

Specialities In VShojo

Unlike the more rigid, idol-centric models often seen in Japanese VTuber agencies, VShojo positioned itself as a management and support system for established independent VTubers. This meant allowing talents to retain ownership of their avatars and brands, fostering a sense of autonomy and creative control. This "talent-first" philosophy attracted a roster of popular streamers, including well-known names like Ironmouse, Projekt Melody, Veibae, and Nyatasha Nyanners, many of whom were already established in the VTubing space before joining the agency.

VShojo's services typically included providing new models, assisting with merchandise, securing advertisement opportunities, and offering general organizational support. This model resonated with many VTubers seeking to professionalize their content creation without sacrificing their individual identities. The agency also expanded its reach, launching VShojo Japan and later VShojo NOVA, a full Japanese generation of VTubers, in an effort to bridge the gap between Western and Eastern VTuber communities.

Recent Challenges and Departures

Despite its initial success and unique approach, VShojo has recently faced significant public challenges, particularly in July 2025. Several prominent talents have announced their departures from the agency, citing various concerns.

Most notably, founding member Ironmouse, a highly popular VTuber recognized for her philanthropy and living with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), announced her immediate resignation. Her statement alleged significant unpaid earnings and a failure by the organization to transfer over $500,000 in charitable donations to the Immune Deficiency Foundation. This accusation sparked widespread concern and discussion within the VTuber community.

Following Ironmouse's departure, other talents, including Kson, Projekt Melody, Michi Mochievee, and AmaLee, also announced their exits, with some confirming similar issues regarding unpaid streaming residuals. These public announcements have led to questions about VShojo's financial transparency and business practices, particularly given its "talent-first" motto.

The Evolving VTuber Landscape

The situation at VShojo highlights the growing pains within the rapidly expanding virtual content creation industry. As VTubing matures and gains mainstream recognition, issues of financial transparency, creator rights, and agency-talent relationships are coming under increased scrutiny. While the "talent-first" model offers appealing freedoms, the recent events at VShojo underscore the importance of robust financial management and clear communication within such agencies.

The departures have also led to discussions about the long-term sustainability of different VTuber agency models. While agencies like Hololive and Nijisanji maintain more structured environments with typically higher revenue cuts, they often provide extensive production support, legal backing, and marketing power. VShojo's model, designed for greater talent independence, may have faced challenges in scaling its operations and managing financial obligations effectively, especially as the industry becomes more complex.

Moving forward, the resolution of these financial disputes and the ongoing public conversations will likely shape how VTuber agencies operate and how creators choose to navigate their careers in this dynamic and rapidly evolving digital entertainment space. For VShojo, the coming months will be crucial in addressing these concerns and reaffirming its commitment to its talents and the wider VTuber community.