By Atticus Trash - Trash Media Group

In February 2023, Ironmouse— a beloved figure in the VTuber community—made Twitch history. Her marathon subathon shattered records, pulling in over 300,000 subscribers and raising more than half a million dollars in donations for the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF), a charity deeply personal to her. For Ironmouse, whose life has been shaped by Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PID), IDF represents a lifeline—a beacon of hope and support.

The community rallied behind her, not just to celebrate her incredible milestone, but to support a cause that saved her life. Fans gave generously, believing every cent would reach IDF and make a real difference.

But what happened next would shatter that trust.

Over a year later, it emerged that the $500,000+ raised had still not been transferred to IDF. Instead, the funds were allegedly held by VShojo, the agency co-founded by Ironmouse and led by former Twitch executive Justin “TheGunrun” Ignacio.

On July 21, 2025, Ironmouse announced her immediate departure from VShojo, publicly accusing the agency of withholding the charity funds alongside her personal earnings. She revealed she had been misled about payments and was subjected to legal intimidation designed to keep her silent.

Her statement sent shockwaves through the VTuber and streaming communities:

“After careful consideration and legal counsel, I am stepping away from VShojo. I cannot continue to be part of an organization that has withheld funds raised for a charity so close to my heart and has failed to respect my work and livelihood.”

Ironmouse’s allegations were not isolated. In the days following her announcement, other prominent VShojo talents echoed similar grievances. Twitch streamer Kson revealed she had been unpaid since September 2024, and others, including Zentreya, Matara Kan, GEEGA, and Michi Mochievee, distanced themselves from the agency—scrubbing VShojo branding or quietly leaving.

Reports surfaced of VShojo using Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and legal threats to silence talent raising concerns over payments, turning internal financial disputes into public crises.

At the helm of VShojo is Justin Ignacio, also known as TheGunrun—a founding engineer at Twitch and key figure behind VShojo’s formation. His reputation and experience helped VShojo rise rapidly, attracting top VTubers and revolutionizing the virtual streaming space. Yet, the agency’s current implosion under his leadership highlights a potential collapse of governance and ethics. As CEO, Ignacio bears ultimate responsibility for financial management, including the handling of both creator payouts and charitable donations.

For Ironmouse, the stakes are intensely personal. Unlike typical charity streams, the funds raised for IDF were not a casual fundraiser—they represented support for an organization that has been vital in managing her chronic illness. Moreover, she has carefully guarded her real-world identity for years, building a career on a persona that allows her privacy and safety. Now, as legal proceedings loom, she faces the devastating prospect of having to reveal her true identity publicly.

VTubing and streaming thrive on community trust—viewers support creators directly through subscriptions, donations, and merchandise. Breaking this trust by withholding funds and failing to pay creators strikes at the heart of the industry’s foundation.

The silence from VShojo amid the scandal has only deepened concerns. Fans have launched hashtag campaigns demanding accountability, creators have reconsidered agency affiliations, and sponsors are watching closely. Withholding pledged charitable funds can potentially violate both charitable solicitation laws and fiduciary duties. Simultaneously, failure to pay contracted creators raises issues of labor law and potential breach of contract. The alleged use of NDAs to suppress legitimate grievances could constitute unlawful gag orders, especially in cases involving unpaid wages or misappropriated donations.

Ironmouse has vowed to redirect all proceeds from her departure announcement to IDF and plans a new charity stream to ensure the foundation receives the support it deserves. Meanwhile, the future of VShojo remains uncertain. The agency faces a mass talent exodus, a crisis of credibility, and possible legal scrutiny. This is more than a financial scandal. It is a breach of trust with creators who gave their voices, their time, and their identities to VShojo—and with the fans who believed in them.

Ironmouse’s courage to speak out despite personal risk shines a light on systemic issues in influencer agencies.

The VTuber community—and indeed the wider streaming industry—must demand transparency, respect for creators’ rights, and accountability from those entrusted with their livelihoods.

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