Multiple VTubers have exited VShojo in the wake of Ironmouse‘s allegations that she’s owed “significant” money, and that VShojo did not forward her $500,000 donation to the Immune Deficiency Foundation.
“Unfortunately, I recently found out that for the past couple of months, I have been misled by VShojo,” the VTuber, who was one of VShojo’s first signings and went on to become its top talent, said in a YouTube video uploaded July 21. “With the information that I currently have, I believe that I am owed a significant amount of funds which I have not been paid.”
She added, “And most importantly, the thing that hurts me the most, is that the Immune Deficiency Foundation, which is the most important charity to me, and also the reason why I’m here today, is owed over half a million dollars from VShojo.”
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That money came in thanks to Ironmouse’s record-setting subathon in October 2024. During the monthlong stream, her active subscriber count shot up to over 321,000–around $1.8 million, if all subscriptions were priced at the base $4.99. Ironmouse said that after Twitch took its cut, she would give half of anything she earned from the subathon straight to the Immune Deficiency Foundation. Do the math, and it means the foundation would’ve gotten a little over $560,000.
But it’s been almost a year, and Ironmouse claims that money was never forwarded by VShojo.
In case you’re unfamiliar with how money works in most digital creator management companies, it goes like this: Anything a YouTuber/VTuber/streamer/etc earns from platforms, brand deals, merch sales, and more goes first to their management company. The management company is supposed to hold the creator’s earnings in escrow while it takes its cut, then will disburse the rest to the creator’s account.
This system, when things are going well, works just fine. Ethical management companies will not touch creators’ money; it’s supposed to simply pass through them, since creators already did the work to earn it.
However, we’ve seen what can happen when things don’t go well. Defy Media is a prime example; it folded in 2018, declaring bankruptcy while still owing creators millions of dollars. MatPat, who was owed $1.7 million, alleged mishandling of funds, theorizing that Defy used creators’ earnings to pad its own bank accounts, then got overwhelmed by operational costs and couldn’t replace what it had already spent.
We’re not saying that’s what’s happening at VShojo. It’s simply what can happen with this sort of system.
In her video, Ironmouse told fans her attorney advised her not to say much more about the situation until “more of the legal procedure [unfolds].”
“For now, I just need to let you know that I will no longer be a part of VShojo,” she said.
Because VShojo operates more like a traditional YouTube talent management company than a traditional VTuber agency, Ironmouse will retain rights to her model, social accounts, and content. (Trad VTuber agencies like Hololive retain those rights, not the VTubers, so when members like Gawr Gura leave, they have to give up their models and accounts, and start over.)
Following her video, GEEGA and Zentreya, who both left VShojo last month, talked about their decisions to exit.
“There have been a lot of things that have gone on in the background that I have been completely unable to talk about,” GEEGA said on stream. “I wanted to, but that has been legally just not a thing I should do. So finally someone who is able to say those things has said them, and it’s good. There is a lot more, absolutely. There is a lot to be said. But that is what can be said at this moment in time, especially because it is stuff that pertains to mouse in particular.”
Zentreya, meanwhile, took to X, tweeting this:
Some of you have questions that I can’t legally answer.
But please know it wasn’t for me to bring to light. But it is fucked up and I am upset. And you have the right as well.
I can’t disclose info at this time but know that I am angry with you all.— Zentreya⚡🐲 (@zentreya) July 22, 2025
Projekt Melody, another of VShojo’s top English-language creators, said she now plans to leave:
I waited to make a statement, cuz I’m always anxious & struggle to find my words.
But, yes, i’m leaving vshojo.
I was an OG talent, put my everything into this comp. But I’m beyond devastated at what happened. & I never in a million years thought I’d be saying these words. 💔
— Projekt Melody 🍆💦🥯 (@ProjektMelody) July 22, 2025
Yet another creator, Kson, alleged her payments from VShojo stopped way back in September 2024, and that she was already planning to leave:
“I have been lied to from the company a lot about the situation. My payments stopped last September. I was asking “what’s going on” for a long time, multiple times. All they said, “it’s gonna be paid x3.” It was never paid and I think it never will be” (Per: Kson / @ksononair) https://t.co/7oczDizk0P
— Vinny🐾🔜🗽🍎 (@DreamingNousagi) July 22, 2025
All English-language VShojo streamers have removed the company’s name from their X bios and usernames. Some VTubers, including some from VShojo’s Japanese talent roster, have called for VShojo to make a public statement. It hasn’t, nor did it respond to our request for comment.
Ironmouse closed her announcement video by talking about the Immune Deficiency Foundation’s positive effect on her life. She linked out to a Tiltify fundraiser with a $10,000 goal, asking fans who could to contribute to its mission. At press time, the Tiltify is sitting at over $580,000.
