Uruha Rushia has been officially terminated from Hololive Production for breach of contract, the agency’s managing company Cover Corporation announced February 24. Cover confirmed that Rushia leaked company information as well as communications over social media.
This made it difficult for Cover to manage and support her, despite its earlier statement that the private life of the talent is left up to the individual. Cover also stated that Rushia’s channel, home to more than two years’ worth of content, will be removed by the end of March, a standard for talents who had their master contract terminated.
Rushia’s gen-mates from Hololive Fantasy—Usada Pekora, Shirogane Noel, Shiranui Flare and Houshou Marine—said a few words in a live stream the night after she is terminated. Management has granted permission to the personalities to do a small stream.
Flare went first, telling the audience that losing a gen-mate she had been with from the start left a hole in her heart. Noel followed, apologizing to everyone who got confused with the decision. While Noel’s gen-mates have a special place in her heart, she felt extremely sad that one of them was gone now. Marine went next, saying that the situation has grown into something beyond their control. Pekora did not hide her sadness, and was hurt knowing the outcome.
The four of them understood the reasons for Uruha Rushia’s contract termination, committed to their fans that they will pick up from this matter, putting all that they got into their activities, and asks for everyone’s continued support. The complete English transcript of the live stream is available for those who will watch the video.
Hololive English’s Calliope Mori cancels her stream set the following day, and Takanashi Kiara announced the postponement of the HoloTori Gartic Phone collaboration set to be done with fellow members Takane Lui (HoloX), Nanashi Mumei (Hololive EN Council), Pavolia Reine (Hololive Indonesia) and Oozora Subaru.
Hakos Baelz, who committed to her “feBAERrary” daily streaming schedule has decided to not stream the following day after the announcement to let everyone heal and rest. The rest of Hololive members understood the difficult situation, but they renewed their commitment to bring smiles to their audience.
Various personalities from the VTubing field have reacted to the Uruha Rushia’s release—Froot of VShojo felt honestly devastated, streamer and fighting game player Koefficient can’t help but to look at the impending deletion of Rushia’s YouTube channel “like it never happened,” anime YouTuber Noble called the decision “disgusting,” French illustrator and VTuber Saruei hopes that everyone is able to pull through this matter,
In Hong Kong, fans who have supported Uruha Rushia through a bus wrap ad will be able to see it, as they have decided to let the bus wrap ad stay until the end of its period.
Meanwhile, Illustrator Yasuyuki, who illustrated Uruha Rushia’s character designs, had no choice but to watch and remain silent over what’s happening. The illustrator asks fans to refrain from slandering or making fun of the situation, stressing that it’s not the termination that’s painful.
I can only watch and remain silent over the current happenings, and have feelings of regret; but I have only gratitude towards Hololive and Rushia. Thank you for everything until now.
It’s come to the point of Contract termination, but the large number of fans who have enjoyed her streams until now is the truth. I cannot forget my feelings of respect towards that fact.
But I have one thing I would like to request from everyone:
Fans fighting each other, slandering, deriving enjoyment from what’s happening, and so forth: I humbly request everyone to please refrain from doing that. The most painful thing is not the contract termination, but seeing all those things happening.Regarding how Rushia’s case was handled after the controversy, just like everyone says, there certainly are some poorly handled actions. However, in the past I had a similar controversy albeit of a different scale. The aftermath was exhausting; and alone, I could not handle the situation appropriately. Therefore, I think it is cruel to push all the responsibility on to her.
Moreover, I myself personally have experience of working with a VTuber company, so I believe I can understand the difficulties of working with one. I don’t want to say it is anyone’s fault, but regarding this matter, I would just like to say, “Great work everyone, it was difficult for everyone.”
Thank you very much for reading up to this point.
Response of Illustrator Yasuyuki, Uruha Rushia’s character designer, regarding her termination. (Tweet translated by AC Staff)
In other news, Hololive Production announced that the limited quantity / handwritten autograph version of Uruha Rushia’s Birthday Celebration 2022 goods will be canceled and refunded. Those who purchased this package can switch to the made-to-order package on their request. The shipping schedule will also be changed, and customers will be contacted.
Banner Image: Uruha Rushia’s cover of “Goodbye Sengen”