US-based VTuber agency VShojo has shared its intention to shut down, following the exit of its star talent Ironmouse over half a million dollars of unpaid charity money.
In a statement posted to VShojo’s official X (Twitter) account, its CEO Justin “theGunRun” Ignacio shared that VShojo had “failed,” personally taking responsibility for the current state of the company.
CEO Justin acknowledged that, under his management of the company, VShojo “spent” money raised by the activity of its talent in service of a charitable initiative. While not explicitly naming Ironmouse or the Immune Deficiency Foundation, members of the public were quick to connect the two with the statement.
The statement did not specify how the money tied to the aforementioned charitable initiative was spent, nor how much of it was spent.
“However, despite all our efforts, the business failed to generate the revenue we needed to sustain that model, and eventually, we ran out of money,” shared the CEO.
“At the time, we were working hard to raise additional investment capital to cover our costs, and I firmly believed, based on the information available to us, that we would be able to do so and cover all expenses. We were unsuccessful in our fundraising efforts. I made the decision to pursue funding, and I own its consequences.”
The agency raised around $11 million in March 2022 where Athos Capital led said funding round, with participation from GFR Funds and Green Bay Ventures.
In the statement, CEO Justin also mentioned, “Our funding went directly to our creators through generous splits, debut investment, infrastructure, concerts, events, and staffing, all designed to support them.”
Allegedly, VShojo has not honored all of the contracts with its talents.
“I believe I am owed a significant amount of funds which I have not been paid,” VTuber Ironmouse shared in her initial statement. “And most importantly, the Immune Deficiency Foundation is owed over half a million dollars from VShojo.”
In a July 22 livestream, Kson of VShojo’s Japan branch alleged that the agency has not paid her since September 2024. She then publicly announced her exit from the company.
“I quit VShojo today. This is very wrong,” said Kson during her livestream.
The remaining VShojo talents — AmaLee, Projekt Melody, Apricot, Hime Hajime, Haruka Karibu, Henya the Genius, KURO, and Michi Mochievee, as well VShojo NOVA’s talents Akatsuki Hotaru, Hestia Happiness, Yutori Peke, and Okamoto Nagi — have all shared statements regarding their departure from the agency.
Source: VShojo via X (Twitter)
