Sinsogumi (深層組, lit. Deep Level Group, pronounced "Shinsougumi") is a group and talent agency of Japanese Virtual YouTubers founded by DeepWebUnderground. The members are VTubers who share "deeply cringe" backgrounds and have quirky, unfiltered streaming styles that "could get major VTuber agencies and other big names flamed if they get involved."
The members (called "Families" on their website) each have titles, with their founder DeepWebUnderground having the "eldest daughter" (長女, Choujo) title. Independent VTubers who join from outside (as opposed to debuting from within), receive the "adopted daughter/child" title.
In 2024, the agency launched its male VTuber group Tengokugumi (天獄組, lit. Heavenly Prison Group). The members are described on their website as "toys with no human rights" who have fallen from heaven, working their way up from the bottom while doing anything to survive.
History[]
Background[]
On 10 April 2018, the group's founder DeepWebUnderground debuted. On 26 February 2019, Boku o Sukoraneba debuted. On 8 September 2019, Namahoshichan made her debut.
2020[]
In September, the official business name of the group was decided to be Sinsogumi (深層組, lit. Deep Level Group, this marks the beginning of Sinsogumi as an agency.
2021[]
On 31 January, Boku o Sukoraneba graduated from the agency and retired as a VTuber to pursue her other creative endeavors.
On 25 April, Ikinone Tomeru made her debut.
On 16 May, Kukkoro Setsu made her debut.
On 21 August, Ikikae Rururu made her debut.
On 19 December, Ogiya Milk made her debut.
2022[]
On 8 January, Shitagai Nora made her debut.
On 29 January, the independent VTuber Nenemaru joined the agency as its "first adopted daughter".[1]
In April, Sinsogumi held its first offline event, the "Sinsosai" (深層祭, lit. Deep Level Festival).
On 9 October, Ikinone Tomeru's YouTube channel got permanently banned during the AV Splatoon scandal.
On 30 November, Ikikae Rururu graduated from the agency , after which she continued as an independent VTuber.
2023[]
On 21 January, Wakarase Choro made her debut.
On 16 March., Sashisugi Aisu made her debut.
On 24 March, Kukkoro Setsu announced her graduation on 31 March.[2]
On 31 March, Kukkoro Setsu held her graduation stream and retired.
On 25 June, Kazuuchi Ataru made her debut.
On 5 July, Amagami Su made her debut.
On 17 September, Tonde Pyokora made her debut.
2024[]
On 21 February, Sinsogumi launched its male VTuber branch called "Tengokugumi" with 3 new members.[3]
In March, Sinsogumi held the second edition of its offline event, the "Sinsosai 2" (深層祭2).
On 14 November, the agency's official website was opened.[4]
On 16 November, the independent VTuber Kanome Naota joined the agency as the "second adopted daughter".
On 30 November, Nenemaru announced her graduation from the agency, effective 31 December, after which she returns to being an unaffiliated independent VTuber.[5][6]
2025[]
On 25 February, the independent VTuber Shahudakara Asti joined the agency as its "third adopted child" with a premiere of her self-introduction video.[7]
On 8 March, Zetsubou Desu made her debut.
On 17 April, Kanome Naota graduated from the agency and returned to being an independent VTuber.
On 19 April, Seigi Naguru made her debut.
On 3 May, Sinsogumi held the third edition of its offline event, the "Sinsosai 3" (深層祭3).
On 31 May, Koyoi Mairu made her debut. On the same day, Wakarase Choro graduated from the agency and retired.
On 13 June, at least nine YouTube channels belonging to the agency (including both current and former members) got banned, apparently due to multiple copyright strikes.[8] The affected channels include: DeepWebUnderground, Ogiya Milk, Amagami Suu, Tonde Pyokora, Zetsubou Desu, Seigi Naguru, Kanome Naota, Wakarase Choro, and the official Sinsogumi channel.[9] Some of the members will stream on Twitch while the YouTube problem is awaiting resolution.
As of 2 July, all Sinsogumi-related YouTube channels affected by the ban have been restored, except for that of former member Kanome Naota.
Tengokugumi[]
2024[]
On 21 February, Tengokugumi was launched as Sinsogumi's male VTuber branch with 3 new members: Nanba One, Aun and Zettai Shori.[3]
On 24 February, the independent VTuber Kirschtorte joined the agency as the fourth member.[10]
2025[]
On 24 January, Tengokugumi became embroiled in controversy in the hololive defamation scandal as a result of a video released by 3 of its members.[11]
On 26 January, Kirschtorte announced that he has left the group and returned to independent VTuber status, as a result of the defamation scandal which he had nothing to do with.[12] 4 days later this was followed by an announcement on 30 January by Tengokugumi officially confirming his departure.[13]
On 26 February, Tengokugumi announced that Zettai Shori was going into indefinite hiatus effective 28 February, in the aftermath of the controversy.[14]
Members[]
| H | Is on an indefinite hiatus |
| F | Left the group or agency |
| R | Retired from VTubing activities |
SINSOGUMI[]
Reijou[]
These members are called the "Noble Daughters" (令嬢, reijou?).
| Deep Web Underground "Eldest daughter" (長女) |
Namahoshichan "Third daughter" (三女) |
Ikinone Tomeru * "Fifth daughter" (五女) |
Ogiya Milk "Seventh daughter" (七女) |
Shahudakara Asti "Third adopted child" (第三養子) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Boku o Sukoraneba R "Second daughter" (次女) |
Ikikae Rururu F "Sixth daughter" (六女) |
Kukkoro Setsu R "Fourth daughter" (四女) |
Nenemaru F "First adopted daughter" (第一養女) |
Kanome Naota F "Second adopted daughter" (第二養女) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Shiyounin[]
These members are called the "Servants" (使用人, shiyounin?).
| Shitagai Nora "Apprentice Butler" (見習い執事) |
Sashisugi Aisu "Home Tutor" (家庭教師) |
Kazuuchi Ataru "Bodyguard" (用心棒) |
Amagami Su "Nurse" (ナース) |
Tonde Pyokora "Nun" (シスター) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Wakarase Choro R "Maid" (メイド) | ||||
 |
Chikarou no Juumin[]
These members are called the "Dungeon Denizens" (地下牢の住民, chikarou no juumin?).
| Zetsubou Desu "Landmine Gambler" (地雷賭博師) |
Seigi Naguru "Self-proclaimed Hero" (自称ヒーロー) |
Koyoi Mairu "Phantom Thief" (怪盗) |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
TENGOKUGUMI[]
Tengoku no Enja[]
These members are called the "Heavenly Prison's Performers" (天獄ノ演者, Tengoku no Enja?).
| Nanba One | Aun | Zettai Shori H | Kirschtorte F |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Controversies[]
AV Splatoon scandal[]
On 9 October 2022, Sinsogumi issued an apology for violating YouTube regulations, after their member Ikinone Tomeru got banned in an incident where she and the independent VTubers Sigure, Hinachun, Kikaze Kimiko, kudoa, Sofia Sapphire. Teriteri Teru and RYOTARO streamed Splatoon 3, during which they used a Chroma Key (i.e. greenscreen) technique to show pornographic videos through the in-game "ink" during a match.[15][16][17]
The idea behind the stunt was to create a competition that pushed participants to win matches, by challenging them to quickly paint over the opponent's now-indecent ink with their normal colored ink, or risk getting banned. This resulted in getting all of their channels banned anyway, and would become known as the infamous "AV Spla" (AVスプラ, lit. Splatoon Adult Video) scandal.
On 11 October 2022, Nintendo would also release a statement in response to the incident going viral, reminding the public to follow their streaming guidelines.[18] On 13 October 2022, Tomeru herself released an apology video to address the uproar the incident caused. She revealed that her channel received 22 strikes as a result of the incident.[19]
Hololive slander scandal[]
On 24 January 2025, Tengokugumi talents released a controversial video that made several baseless and slanderous allegations against talents belonging to hololive Production, among other inflammatory content. The video featured the three Tengokugumi members Nanba One, Aun and Zettai Shori making "predictions" for the VTuber community in 2025, and they made defamatory remarks such as Sakura Miko and Natsuiro Matsuri getting arrested for possession of illegal drugs, sparking outrage from fans.[11][20]
On 25 January 2025, Zettai Shori, one of the members involved, remained defiant and even made statements such as "Why am I getting ganged up on?" in a stream.[21][22] This led to apparent division within the group with Nanba One even blocking Shori on Twitter. The next day on 26 January, Tengokugumi member Kirschtorte, who wasn't involved in the controversial video, left the agency as a result of the scandal.[12]
On 28 February 2025, one month after the incident, Zettai Shori went into indefinite hiatus.[14] As of March 2025, there was no apology issued to hololive or Cover Corporation, and the video in question has been deleted.
Trivia[]
- The name 深層組 is officially romanized as "sinsogumi" but it is pronounced "shinsougumi" and spelled similarly if using modified Hepburn romanization. The name has also been alternatively rendered as "Shinso-gumi" in other sources.
- The agency is managed by staff who are all called "Sebastian" (shortened to "Sebas" e.g. "Chief Sebas," "Young Sebas No. 1" (manager), "Business Sebas" (corporate planning), "Intern Sebas No. 1" etc.), patterned after the original staff member "Sebastian" who did the editing and planning for DWU's videos.
- The VTubers involved in the AV Spla scandal used the AV where an actress was cosplaying DeepWebUnderground, for their failed contest.
External links[]
Media[]
- Official Sinsogumi website
- Official Sinsogumi store
- Official Sinsogumi Twitter account
- Official Sinsogumi YouTube channel
- Sinsogumi Niconico channel
- Official Tengokugumi website
- Official Tengokugumi store
- Official Tengokugumi Twitter account
Further Reading[]
- Shinsougumi - Japanese Wikipedia article
- 深層組 非公式 wiki - Unofficial Sinsogumi wiki
- 深層組 - Pixiv Encyclopedia (Sinsogumi)
- 天獄組 - Pixiv Encyclopedia (Tengokugumi)
References[]
- ↑ Nenemaru [寧々丸]. (2022, January 29). 深層家新メンバー(9人目)来たる。【DWU】【深層組 例の面談】 [Video]. YouTube.
- ↑ Kukkoro, S. [@kukoro_setsu]. (2023, March 24). 【配信告知】 3月31日20時～ どうか、最後を見届けてください。 クッコロ・セツ告別式【超美麗3D】 https://youtube.com/live/fw_dcvj7- [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tengokugumi [@tengokugumi]. (2024, February 21). 男性VTuber事務所「天獄組」の公式アカウントです。 [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ Sinsogumi. (2024, November 14). Webサイト開設のお知らせ [Article]. sinso.tokyo.
- ↑ Nenemaru [@nenemaru220]. (2024, November 30). 【ご報告】 この度、2024年12月31日をもちまして、深層組を卒業しの個人勢として独立することをご報告いたします。 詳細については、以下をご確認ください。 3年間、沢山お世話になりました。 [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ Nenemaru [寧々丸]. (2024, November 30). 【ご説明・ご報告】深層組を卒業し、個人勢にもどります【寧々丸】 [Video]. YouTube.
- ↑ Shahudakara, A. [Asti ch 社不寶アスティ]. (2025, February 25). 【自己紹介】限界個人Ⅴtuberなのに事務所に入れちゃった・・・【社不寶アスティ/深層組】 [Video]. YouTube.
- ↑ Sinsogumi [@sinsogumi]. (2025, June 13). 現在、所属メンバーのYouTubeチャンネルが複数利用停止である事を確認しております。 深層組としては再審査請求など必要な対処を顧問弁護士や関係パートナー様とともに進めております。 皆様にはご心配とご不便をおかけしておりますが、手続きについては着実に対応して参りますので、今しばらくお待ちくださいますようお願い申し上げます。 [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ VTuberグループ「深層組」のYouTubeが一斉BAN 9チャンネルが閲覧不能に [Article]. (2025, June 13). yutura.net.
- ↑ Kirschtorte [@Kirschtort3]. (2025, February 24). 本日より正式に加入しました。 それに伴い限定グッズが発売されました。購入期限は3/10までなので買い忘れないでください。 [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 PROGRESS. (2025, January 26). VTuber Agency “TENGOKUGUMI” releases controversial Slanderous Video against hololive Production Talents [Article]. progress-official.jp.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Kirschtorte [@Kirschtort3]. (2025, January 26). すまん、天獄組抜けるわ。 同じ箱ってだけで関わりないのに俺までうっすら風評被害受けてるのダルい。 [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ Tengokugumi [@tengokugumi]. (2025, January 30). 【ご報告】 いつも「天獄組」および所属メンバーを応援して頂き誠にありがとうございます。この度本日1月30日(木)をもちまして、天獄組所属の「キルシュトルテ」が脱退することとなりました。同所属メンバーの活動によってキルシュトルテ自身の活動を阻害することを避けるため、このような判断に至りました。 [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Tengokugumi [@tengokugumi]. (2025, February 26). 【絶対ショウリ活動休止のお知らせ】 平素より「天獄組」を応援して頂き誠にありがとうございます。 この度弊社所属「絶対ショウリ」より申し出があり検討をいたしました結果、 2025年2月28日より無期限の活動休止を決定いたしました。 [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ Sinsogumi [@sinsogumi]. (2022, October 9). 【ご報告】 この度、所属メンバーである息根とめるの配信内において、不適切な行為がございました。 配信をご覧になっていた視聴者の皆様を始めとした関係各所の皆様に深くお詫び申し上げます。 詳細については、以下をご確認下さい。 [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ Morrissy, K.. (2022, October 12). VTuber Group Apologizes For Using Splatoon 3 to Stream Pornography [Article]. Anime News Network.
- ↑ Kikaze, K. [@kikaze_kimiko]. (2022, October 11). 先日の配信に対するお詫び [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ Nintendo [@NintendoCoLtd]. (2022, October 11). [広報からのお知らせ YouTube等のネットワークサービスにおける当社の著作物の利用については、下記のガイドラインをご覧ください。] [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ yamete kudasubs. (2022, October 13). When you receive 22 consecutive YouTube strikes for streaming AV in Splatoon. (Ikinone Tomeru) [Video]. YouTube.
- ↑ Pokekamen Info [@GC5R5OGIKgV0yvz]. (2025, January 27). なんか天獄組という箱にいるVTuber達が炎上商法でホロライブに所属してる人達が逮捕されるなど先輩方を侮辱してる動画を出して炎上 [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ Zettai, S. [@shori_tengoku]. (2025, January 25). 本日18:30～ 配信予定 結城さくな名言botを救いたい [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ Yozakura [@akutan_bot]. (2025, January 25). 見れなかった人用。コメント欄にも注目です。 [Tweet]. Twitter.