VTuber Selen Tatsuki’s Nijisanji termination creates uproar and backlash

polygon.com:

On Feb. 5, Japanese VTuber talent agency Nijisanji announced that it would terminate one of its talents: Selen Tatsuki. However, unlike a standard “graduation,” the industry-embraced term for the mutually agreed-upon ending of a contract between a VTuber agency and a VTuber, Nijisanji made the executive decision to outright cut ties with Selen over claims that included breaches of contract and allegations of misleading statements on social media platforms. Without warning, Selen was removed from Nijisanji, her X account was immediately locked, and all YouTube videos disappeared from her channel. The move from Nijisanji arrives on the heels of Selen’s Dec. 28, 2023, announcement that she had been hospitalized, grinding her social presence to a halt. Only now has Selen spoken up about the situation on social media.

“For more than a month, [Selen Tatsuki] couldn’t say or do anything,” Doki, who is not affiliated with Selen Tatsuki, said in a statement. “[Selen Tatsuki] was at a very dark point in [her] life. [Selen Tatsuki] didn’t know what was going to happen in the end. [Selen Tatsuki wants] to leave on mutual grounds. [Selen Tatsuki] knew it would be bad for everyone involved if it went this last, possible route.”

While often viewed as a niche form of entertainment, VTubing has exploded on an international scale. Agencies such as Hololive and Nijisanji have dominated the market, creating unique, colorful characters to appease an audience drawn to these designs and the personalities behind them. Nijisanji has been so successful in its endeavors that Riku Tazumi, founder of parent company ANYCOLOR, is one of the youngest billionaires in Japan. Profit from VTubing is largely made through fans who provide donations, subscribe to their favorite VTubers, and purchase merchandise. Unlike with Japanese idol culture, VTuber fans have a direct link to their favorite virtual stars through social media and live chats during streams.

But while agencies have been a more secure