This week’s VTuber News Round-Up puts a spotlight on accountability. Vox Akuma stood up to some hostile Kindred who ended up not only hurting his NIJISANJI EN colleagues but also himself in the process. We observed that it took a while for Vox to process this matter well—and now that he mustered up his courage to point out what’s wrong, most of us gave a sigh of relief, with a hope that through his message, we can conveniently watch his streams without any feeling of hostility.
After ENVTuber community figure Fumiko Hoshi announced that she’s no longer collaborating with UwU Market (Emiri Kura followed suit), the collab shop released a statement (in a Twitter thread) apologizing for the “slower communication,” and taking action such as hiring an art director plus new employees in their new home in Texas.
When we were just about to wrap up, Neena Makurano’s termination came as a bombshell, with her former fellow Namiji Freesia explaining to fans that she willfully broke the agreement they and other Production Kawaii talents have signed and agreed upon.
These cases rely on one common point: The subjects are asked to be accountable for their actions and/or inactions. Setting these aside, let’s get on with our take on this week’s VTuber News.
Last week, we shared to you the story of Porin, a VTuber from China who said she was abducted. The news reached police authorities there, and her agency MOFU-F posted an update that the story has been verified as false. The video in question has been taken down. This has been the talk of the town for two weeks.
Trigger Warning: Self-Harm—Imagine writing a letter entirely in blood and sending it to your favorite. Of course, the receiving end didn’t take it lightly, asking everyone not to do what the guy did. She has valid reasons. The VTuber replies: “I am a former self-harmer, and sending me things like this is traumatic and triggering, but I think everyone can agree that this is a horrifying experience from someone you’ve never spoken to.”
Not all software updates are good at first, as shown by PiPu Productions’ TheArtGun. The renowned Live2D artist asks VTubers to put their phone below their monitors in the meantime, as issues are much more evident when the phone is above their faces. VTubers are already reporting their errors online, such as JeffyBed who now has a “resting frown face” after the software update.
In other news, Nijisanji EN’s Fulgur Ovid might have to close his Marshmallow submissions, as many of the messages he received recently are messages meant for other livers. Finana Ryugu replies, having the same issue. They are not postmen, and their Marshmallows are not the post office, so please direct your message to the appropriate person yourself.
Melissa Kinrenka formally graduates from Nijisanji after more than two years as a Virtual Liver. Melissa debuted alongside Furen E. Lustario and Ibrahim, and together they form the Meifu trio. As a parting gift, they sang Virtual to Live, which we consider as one of Nijisanji’s anthems.
Another creator announced the end of her VTubing activities: Kairui announced on TwitLonger that only her Vubing activities will be affected:
“At the end of the day, I will always be a creator, and I still want to take on fun projects and work with Live2D. I just cannot see myself continuing in the direction I have been going.”
Kairui, on announcing her decision to quit VTubing (TwitLonger)
Tsukino Mito announces a stream break, with a promise that she will return with a new project. In Indonesia, Airani Iofifteen also takes a break this week, and so is Mythia Batford who has announced a hiatus. In the Philippines, Nanasu Anone takes a break due to canker sores and body pains.
Phase-Connect Founder H2oSakana was a guest on Yuri Amaris’ Twitch stream with Lumi Kaneko. Yuri asked Sakana about his thoughts on poaching, here’s his reply:
“I don’t have any intention of poaching anybody from any corpo(ration) because I want all the corpos to sort of (be) on good terms. I don’t really carry the same negative view of poaching because it’s normal business prectice, but at the same time I’m not really inclined to do any poaching to the corpo scene.”
Lumi quipped, “I feel like we were poached,” prompting Sakana to use the word “saving” in their case. Lumi and Yuri “eloped” from the then-CyberLive agency as independent VTubers, but Phase-Connect gave them an opportunity, thus they became the Phase-Invaders. Listen to the stream to know what’s on Sakana’s mind and what’s cooking for the Canada-based agency.
Speaking of the then-CyberLive, the corporation is all set to rebrand as independent group Aetheria Project. Aetheria’s debut collab happens on June 7, and they’ve already distributed passport templates on Twitter.
Remember Bilibili Global’s latest VTuber campaign we shared last time? It looks like they found virtual talents to try their platform, as Yanchagogo is set to stream there soon. This comes after she debuted her new model, moving towards being the heel-type manananggal wrestler she aims to be.
Here are the other interesting VTuber News stories for this week:
Physical Events are already back. Last week, Anime Boston and Hong Kong’s Rainbow Gala 27 events were held. Hololive Meet made its presence at Anime Boston, with Ceres Fauna, Ouro Kronii, Pavolia Reine and Kureiji Ollie as guests. Cosplay photos from Rainbow Gala 27 are posted online, including this one of UPROAR’s Yatogami Fuma.
Germany’s DoKomi and Dreamhack Dallas are happening this weekend, and both of these events have VTuber guests: Takanashi Kiara and IRyS for DoKomi, Bao and Vienna, plus the trio of Merry, Lumi and Yuniiho for Dreamhack Dallas.
The second V-Carnival live concert will happen this month, and the organizers are streaming its first edition for a limited time (from July 1 to 7). Also in concerts, At Nijisanji, we are looking forward to the Apex Nijisanji Custom game collaboration—but for now, the AIM HIGHER 3-man live concert opens lottery slots. Holostars announced that talent-bonus tickets for their 3rd Anniversary 3RISE Super Fan Meeting ~Flagship~ are now on sale until July 26.
Here are the other news items and announcements in this section:
Congratulations and best wishes to VTubers who have reached their milestones this week:
Congratulations to Kawa Entertainment for having their debut streams. Currently, we are looking at the debut of Huni Ryukin and the debut of Piapi Yuefo as a Kawa talent.
Still at MyHolo TV, they opened a Worldwide VTuber Audition from now until June 30. This is everyone’s chance to be part of the Malaysia-based agency which manages Liliana, Virion Kisei, Lunaris Urufi and HORI 07.
Meanwhile, at the group which we’ll formally refer to as TVS (short for “Things VTubers Say”), auditions are open for two new AI hosts, Co-Dee and Hai-Dee. The two new hosts are part of the 10 announcements host FalseEyeD laid out on stream.
We wish all applicants the best—and remember, no matter where you apply to, keep the element of surprise with you and don’t announce that you’re applying. Trust us, we’re more surprised with what we don’t know—use that to your advantage, and attract more eyeballs once you’re all set.
We are also looking at the release of “VTuber no maiku ni tenshi shitara, oshi ga shakin mamire no kuzu datta” (When You’re Turned Into a VTuber’s Mic, You Find Out She’s a Debt-Ridden Trash of a Human), a light novel published under Kadokawa’s Sneaker Bunko line.
In the promo video above, we see VTuber Erin Kagamiya, voiced by Sora Amamiya. We can’t figure out at first glance how someone got reincarnated into a mic, but we can hear Aqua noises along the way. Buy the light novel (Japanese) on Amazon.
We end this week’s VTuber News round-up with the YouTube Rewind in Japan 2021 video featuring the singing voices of Hoshimachi Suisei, Tsukino Mito, YuNi and Sara Hoshikawa. Catch you all next week!
For your feedback and suggestions, email the section editor: jay.agonoy [at] animecorner [dot] me. Follow us on Twitter, @VTuberSection. You can also tag us with any activity you have, and the best ones will be included in the next VTuber News Round-Up.
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Banner Photo: Fumiko Hoshi, Shirogane Noel ©2016 COVER Corp, Melissa Kinrenka © ANYCOLOR, Inc.