Murasaki Shion just announced her graduation from Hololive and explained why on her stream.
Hololive is a pioneer of the vtuber scene and planted its roots back in 2017. With over a dozen generations across its seven years of existence, the agency has spawned many stars. From having 13 viewers for the debut of their first idol, Tokino Sora, to selling out Budokan Hall, the growth of Hololive is undeniable. Among the company’s tenured and beloved talents is Murasaki Shion, the diminuitive yet charming witch.
As part of Hololive JP 2nd Generation, she debuted alongside Minato Aqua, Nakiri Ayame, Yuzuki Choco, and Oozora Subaru in 2018. Like every Hololive talent, she cultivated a dedicated fanbase and created iconic moments with close friends such as Shirakami Fubuki and Houshou Marine. 2025 marks Shion’s 7th year with the company.
Unfortunately for fans, it would also be her last.
Murasaki Shion will graduate from Hololive on April 26, 2025. Shion announced her graduation from Hololive in a short yet emotional stream. She opened up to her viewers about the strain she felt as a streamer. Throughout 2024, Shion took multiple breaks, some of which lasted several weeks. Much like Minato Aqua and Ceres Fauna, she also cited the different direction of Hololive as a reason for her exit.
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Mainly, she feels that Hololive is no longer the company she joined. She took breaks in hopes that time away would help her mental health. Shion confessed that the breaks did not help. Although she loved what she did and the connections she’s made, the efforts began to take a toll on her physical and mental health. Soon after the stream, Cover released the official graduation announcement. The company thanked Shion for everything she’d done and informed fans of separate announcements regarding Shion’s merchandise.
Cover Corporation CEO Motoaki “Yagoo” Tanigo responded to the growing concerns among fans about Hololive’s current workflow. On his official account, Yagoo discussed the multiple graduations that have occurred in the past year. In the tweet, he empathized with the fans’ feelings about the workload of talents.
“We have established a system that allows talents to focus on their activities with peace of mind ….there are still some aspects of the program that are not fully implemented, and I am working to improve them,” stated Yagoo (translated from Japanese).
Yagoo hopes to enhance the talent experience and keep fans happy by having direct dialogue with talents. As Hololive continues to grow, fans agree that these issues must be handled with care. Hololive talents, though still regular streamers, have also reported more “homework” in candid talks with viewers.
These tasks could involve song and dance lessons, as well as marketing for live concerts and PR events. Hololive held multiple major concerts for its top stars, each of which sold out tickets. The company also opened a North American branch to better support its English talents. Even so, these changes will undoubtedly be a challenge for the company and its talents.
Murasaki Shion’s graduation once again showcases the challenges of virtual idols.
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