VShojo



VShojo is a US-based VTuber agency based in San Francisco.

The company was founded in 2020 by former Twitch employee Justin "theGunrun" Ignacio and YouTuber Phillip "Mowtendoo" Fortunat, with the vision of creating an organization where the talent have complete freedom. Its goals are to provide members with in-house tech, legal, PR, sponsors, upgrades, opportunities, social media expansion and a positive environment. As of May 2021, the organization has more than 3 million followers on Twitch and 3.5 million subscribers on YouTube.

Unlike most Japan-based VTuber agencies, VShojo mostly recruit existing independent VTubers. VShojo primarily uses Twitch for livestreaming, with YouTube reserved primarily for highlight clips and edited content.

Profile
VShojo is a talent-first VTuber company, dedicated to the growth and success of its members.

"Founded by fans of VTuber culture, we aim to create and foster content that pushes the boundaries of VTubing and talent freedom, while maintaining deep respect for the people and companies that helped paved the way."

Origin
VShojo was founded by Gunrun, who worked at Twitch from 2011 to 2018; and Mowtendoo, a popular YouTuber and video game developer with expertise in 3D motion graphics, video production, and professional music production.

The project had been in the works since at least as far back as August 2020, with the web domain vshojo.com registered on 9 August, and the Twitter account @VShojoOfficial created that same month.

2020
On 7 September, VShojo created its r/VShojo subreddit.

On 16 November, VShojo created a VShojo Highlights channel.

On 24 November, VShojo's YouTube channel uploaded a video introducing its first affiliates formerly independent VTubers: Nyatasha Nyanners, Zentreya, Ironmouse, Silvervale and Projekt Melody made their redebut. Also two more: Froot and newcomer Hime Hajime. Froot's debut was scheduled for 27 November. Hime's debut was delayed until 2021.

On 28 November, VShojo's Japanese Twitter account was created and made its first tweet.

On 4 December, Lewdcast's Episode 9 was the first episode as part of VShojo. With Froot being its guest after her debut, making her the first member of VShojo not including the hosts to be on the show post agency launch.

2021
On 30 January, Hime debuted on Twitch.

On 12 March, VShojo partnered with Metaview to bring the viewers a playlist of the best VShojo member moments.

On 15 March, VShojo launched its first set of merch with sharkrobotstore.

On 31 March, Anthony Padilla released his YouTube video "I spent a day with VTUBERS", in which he interviews Ironmouse, Nyatasha Nyanners and Zentreya.

On 2 April, VShojo held the first and so far last episode of VShowdown. An online game show hosted by Highgai with Ironmouse, Nyanners, Silvervale and Zentreya as the contestants. Ironmouse was the winner with 4900 points.

On 6 April, VShojo's Twitter account uploaded a video hinting at a new member.

On 9 April, Veibae joined VShojo.

On 13 April, VShojo members Ironmouse, Froot, Silvervale, Veibae and Nyatasha Nyanners played with prominent Japanese VTubers Kizuna Ai, Higuchi Kaede and Dennou Shojo Siro in a collab called #VAmongEarth. Silvervale took the place of Inaba Haneru, who had to cancel at the last minute due to illness.

On 15 April, put out a tweet looking at the viewers for answers to an upcoming VShowdown #2.

On 24 April, Nyatasha Nyanners performed with Japanese VTuber Kizuna Ai at her Virtual US Tour. DJ TeddyLoid was also involved in the tour. There was also a release party for Nyanners first single: Foolish Heart.

On 27 April, VShojo got their first itasha inspired by Projekt Melody.

On 16 June, VShojo made its first collaboration with hololive, between Nyanners and Takanashi Kiara. The event was streamed on both YouTube and Twitch, and attracted a peak total of around 40,000 viewers across both sites.

On 19 June, another hololive EN collaboration between Ironmouse and Mori Calliope was streamed on Twitch and attracted nearly 25,000 viewers at its peak.

On 22 June, VShojo was included in Nagoya VTuber Exhibit at PARCO thanks to panoravr.

On 23 June, VShojo made their first collaboration with VOMS Project between Ironmouse and Amano Pikamee.

On 15 July, VShojo & friends had a dramatic reading of the script of 2003 "The Room" by Tommy Wiseau on Nyanners' Twitch channel. To celebrate their milestone.

On 16 July, VShojo started a partnership with V-Clan, a VTubing project by Nippon TV.

On 21 July, VShojo made their first collaboration with NIJISANJI EN between Projekt Melody and Pomu Rainpuff.

On 4 August, VShojo made their second collaboration with NIJISANJI between Ironmouse and Bonnivier Pranaja.

On 6 August, both Veibae and Froot were interviewed by BBC News about spreading the word about VTubers in the UK.

On 12 August, Ironmouse had her first episode of her talk show “Speak of the Devil” with Sykkuno as guest.

On 17 August, Zentreya and Froot had a collab with NIJISANJI ENs Selen Tatsuki.

On 20 August, VShojo's Twitter account announced auditions for new members.

On 30 September, VShojo closed the auditions.

On 3 November, VShojo announced “After sorting through thousands of applications, we sent an email to EN applicants who are advancing in the application process.”

On 21 November, it was made public by Nux Taku that since the spring the talents of VShojo and mini who applied to, were targeted by doxxers/swatters. In October, fake VShojo emails were sent to two unaffiliated VTubers in order to solicit personal data, one of them being Nux. Nux contacted VShojo to verify, and they informed Nux of the ongoing investigation behind the scenes.

On 23 November, VShojo published its "Official VSJ Cybersecurity Statement" with details on its cybersecurity practices.

On 24 November, the upset VShojo members, who partly were under the assumption that Nux had been asked not to do this or explicitly asked him post-release, as they feared that it would harm their safety even more and revealing the methods they used to catch him would just make it easier for others to learn how to get away with it. Nux claimed that he had discussed the issue with upper management and they greenlighted his decision, as the official VShojo Twitter account even had tweeted thanks for the video (though that same tweet was additional info that they felt was needed for clarification). Nux also released a Twitlonger where he detailed his side of the story.

On 25 November, Nux privatized the video, and put up an apology video.

On 26 November, VShojo responded, trying to straighten more details.

On 13 December, VShojo announced both the start of a partnership with GoodSmile_US and a nendroid from Nyatasha Nyanners.

On 15 December Nyanners got her own itasha.

2022
On 19 January, VShojo created a VShojo Shorts channel.

On 3 March, VShojo announced that they would be holding a week-long fundraiser for Project HOPE, a humanitarian charity helping out during the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

On 12 March, VShojo's own Nyatasha Nyanners, Veibae and Ironmouse were nominated for best VTuber Streamer. They lost to Code Miko.

On 1 April, April Fool's Day, VShojo announced a joke rebranding into GShojo, with the various members being replaced by gecko-ized versions that were initially introduced by Zentreya.

On 6 June, VShojo announced that it would be working on a new project with Kagura Nana.

On 15 June, VShojo was taken over and corrupted by Melware. The day was saved by Zen.

On 24 June, official VShojo x Senpai Squad Itasha wrapped GT-R was at announced to be at Anime Expo

On 25 June, in Japan VShojo was handing out VShojo T-shirts in front of the Don Quijote Akihabara store with their guest and cosplayer Mr. Izu.

On 1 July, in japan VShojo was handing out VShojo Logo T-shirts in front of the Don Quijote Akihabara store with their guest and cosplayer Sithle011.

On 2 July at the Anime Expo, VShojo announced two new members: Kson and the newly introduced and designed by Kagura Nana: Amemiya Nazuna. This announcement was accompanied by Kson appearing in the Anime Expo booth in person.

On 16 July, Kson made her official redebut under VShojo and Amemiya Nazuna made her debut.

On 26 July, VShojo, looking to bridge the gap between the Japanese speaking content creators and the English audience put out a translator application form.

On 6 August, VShojo members Ironmouse, Nyanners, and  Projekt Melody would be attending the Crunchyroll Expo VIRL Experience and selling merch released by Senpai Squad.

On 30 August, Kson appeared on Nico Nico Live Broadcasting.

On 2-5 September, VShojo would be attending PAX West. with Ironmouse, Silvervale, and Kson while also at San Japan 2-4 with Nyatasha Nyanners and Ironmouse.

On 6 September, Kson had her first collab with GOOM STUDIO’s Mirai Akari.

On 25 September, VShojo opened applications for Spanish translators.

On 6 October, VShojo announced that they would be partnering with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (@BCRFcure) this month for the Paint Gaming Pink charity.

On 27 October, Streamy Awards nominated VShojo’s own Zentreya, Ironmouse, Nyanners and Veibae in the VTuber category. On the same day Zen tweeted that she has “already put in my withdrawal”.

On 24 November, VShojo pushed back its 2 year anniversary to November 28th, because it fell on the same day as the U.S. holiday Thankgiving

On 28 November, VShojo celebrated its 2 year anniversary by releasing their cover of DECO*27 - Zombies, featuring the original 7 members Nyanners, Projekt Melody, Ironmouse, Froot, Zentreya, Silvervale, and Hime Hajime. And released a video that showed all members doing stuff.

On 3 December, during a chibi stream Haruka Karibu announced that she would be joining VShojo. She had her re-debut the same day.

On 23 December, Ironmouse and Nyanners put out a Feliz Navidad x Mi Burrito Sabanero Remix cover.

At some point VShojo changed their Twitter name from @VShojoOfficial to just @VShojo.

2023
On 25 April, VShojo's Twitter account announced that Silvervale and Veibae would be leaving the company after not renewing their contracts.

On 30 April, VShojo's Twitter account announced that Nyanners would be leaving the company after not renewing her contract.

On 7 May, VShojo began releasing a series of short videos using the hashtag #IQ999'. On 11 May, VShojo announced that they would be debuting a new talent, Henya the Genius, on 13 May.

On 5 August, during Ironmouse's 6th year anniversary the first teaser for was dropped for the first 3D concert titled #VShojoCandyPop

On 26 August, VShojo held its first 3D Concert "Candy Pop Explosion" as a group, with tickets being sold through Youtube's membership feature and having access to the concert on the day and VOD. 5 original songs from Ironmouse, Melody and Hime, Henya and Haruka, Nazuna and KSon, Apricot and Zentreya. Also at the end of the concert was a teaser with an envelope, indicating that another member was joining Vshojo.

On 29 August, A video was dropped on to Youtube of a snippet teasing the newest member joining Vshojo, which shows Henya and Haruka writing a letter to then sending it off to the new member.

On 2 September, GEEGA made her VShojo debut, which took place after VShojo had their Triple Threat panel at San Japan that featured Mel, Zen, and Haruka hosted by Nagzz21.

On 24 September, another video was uploaded on YouTube titled "#UndeadK9", showing VShojo members in front of a graveyard strewn with missing posters.

On 27 September, Kuro Kurenai was announced as the next member to join VShojo. His debut occurred on 30 September.

Awards
These are the awards that were won by the talent during their time in VShojo.

Trivia

 * The name VShojo is a pun on the Japanese word "bishoujo" meaning "pretty girl." The letter "V" stands for "virtual," as in VTuber.
 * VShojo does not use "generations." All current and future talents are considered part of the same "generation."
 * VShojo operates closer to a cooperative, where all talents are free to upgrade or replace their models and outfits as they see fit, leading to a number of "styles" across 2D and 3D.
 * theGunrun, the CEO of VShojo, is one of the founders of Twitch, the main platform for VShojo streams.