The past two months or so might be the most significant period in VTuber history since 2020 and the pandemic. During this time, we saw major changes in every corner of the scene.

• Gawr Gura of hololive graduated
• Murasaki Shion of hololive graduated
• Nanashi Mumei of hololive graduated
• hololive affiliate Amelia Watson made a guest appearance at Takanashi Kiara’s concert
• hololive affiliate Sakamata Chloe made a guest appearance at Shion’s graduation 
• Amagai Ruka debuted with her new group, Weather Planet
• Nimi Nightmare revealed her full, non-chibi model
• Regis Altare of Holostars returned after a long hiatus
• Sinder was publicly called out by multiple peers for manipulating one of her artists and betraying her VTuber friends 
• Fulgur Ovid of Nijisanji graduated
• Ike Eveland of Nijisanji graduated abruptly, with all his content removed 
• Matara Kan is no longer a part of VShojo
• Michi Mochievee of VShojo celebrated her first anniversary with a 3D concert, alongside K9Kuro
• Multiple members of V&U graduated
• Roca Rourin of Idol Corp returned to social media after being hospitalized for months
• Phase Connect debuted three new Phase Invaders: Clio Aite, Mari Mari, and Eepy Sleepy
• The disastrous new tariff policies have made buying merch (including celebratory merch for graduations) devastatingly expensive for American fans

VTubers are leaving companies, reviving in new (yet oddly familiar) forms, making cameos in their old companies, and even sometimes getting dragged by their peers. So much has happened that it can be difficult to wrap one’s head around it all. The timing of it all might be coincidence or just the result of the Japanese fiscal year starting in April, but having it all hit at once magnifies the emotional impact. And this is without considering all the different big concerts or the departures and returns that occurred earlier this year!

Gawr Gura’s “Ash Again” came out basically on the same day as Michi and Kuro’s “Deja Vu.” Gura’s is an expression of the turmoil she felt while being in one of the top companies as one of the world’s most popular VTubers. Michi and Kuro’s seems to refer to their mutual pasts as part of another major VTuber company. The talk of pain and renewal from two or three different-yet-related perspectives feel as if they are engaged in a conversation, even if it isn’t intended that way. 

Shion and Mumei graduated within 48 hours of each other, and both went out singing songs named after themselves. Shion’s is new and the kind of sweet but tearful tune expected of graduations, while Mumei’s is older but is still a moving song that talks about fading into and out of memory. 

Gura and Mumei both had mini concerts instead of full ones, owing in part to the challenges faced by the hololive members who don’t live in Japan and therefore don’t have easy access to the company’s 3D studio.

With Matara Kan and the newest Phase Invaders, we see the exit of a member of a company that emphasizes independence, as well as the folding in of previously indie VTubers who largely hold onto their identity and don’t have to tiptoe around who they were before. The indie vs corporate line gets further blurred. 

Amidst all this, seeing Ame and Chloe, even if only for a moment, was like a breath of fresh air. It also made clear what affiliate status can accomplish in hololive, as there was some uncertainty what it meant versus as a normal graduation. While some fans and talents might prefer a clean break, others might appreciate the possibilities that come with staying connected to hololive. 

Meanwhile, Ruka and Nimi each showed off a model that was designed by an artist that has worked for hololive. The designs are different in many ways, not least of which are changes to the eyes and the subtle personality differences that are implied by those differences.

And while I’ve always wondered, given VTubing’s similarities to wrestling, what a VTuber heel would be like, I guess I’ve gotten my answer via the Sinder drama. Only, I wanted it more in the form of kayfabe and less in the form of backstage politicking.

Altogether, this feels like a reminder that VTubing is still a very young field of interest, realistically less than 10 years old. The most enduring people and groups might be gone tomorrow, and it might be better for fans to accept this possibility even if it hurts. But while it’s often said that fans should express their support for their faves because you never know when they might be gone, I think it’s important to show at least some moderation in terms of not letting an obsession turn into bitterness if things don’t happen the way you want. One should ideally emerge from this situation empowered by their time spent watching and cheering for talents, though I understand that’s not always possible, especially if the circumstances are extremely messy.

I have no idea what the future holds, but it might be good to step back and take a breath before moving ahead.