The Backlash of VTuber Agency Virtual Seven That Tries to Debut a Child

The Vtuber agency Virtual Seven, led by founder and CEO Hori, a prominent Vtuber with over 360,000 subscribers, has announced the cancellation of its controversial project featuring a nine-year-old Vtuber named “Banana.” This decision comes after widespread backlash and criticism from the public, prompting the agency to reevaluate its approach and issue several statements over the past week.

The Initial Announcement and Backlash

Earlier this week, Virtual Seven released a teaser video for “Banana,” introducing the character as a child Vtuber with a chibi model and highlighting their age of nine years old. The video featured a child’s voice performing a song, with the character described as a playful and youthful personality. However, the decision to market a child Vtuber raised concerns regarding the ethical implications, including child safety and exploitation, leading to significant public outrage.

Critics, including fans and other Vtuber agencies, expressed discomfort over the concept. Prominent Vtuber Ironmouse from VShojo commented on the situation, stating, “If my agency tried something like this, I would leave immediately.” Many pointed out that platforms like YouTube Kids, where such content was initially planned to be hosted, strictly prohibit live streaming for safety reasons.

Virtual Seven’s Response

In response to the backlash, Virtual Seven released an apology, stating that they had underestimated the public’s concerns. The agency outlined several changes, including indefinitely postponing Banana’s debut, rebranding the project to “Pim and Banana,” and limiting its content to YouTube Kids to create a safe environment for younger audiences. Pim, described as the “babysitter” or guardian figure, was intended to guide Banana through various activities like singing and drawing.

Despite these adjustments, the controversy escalated, with some accusing the agency of exploiting loopholes and putting the child at risk. Virtual Seven eventually issued a final statement canceling the project entirely, reaffirming their commitment to legal compliance and public safety while vowing to reevaluate their project guidelines. The agency also threatened legal action against what they described as false accusations of law violations.

The controversy highlights growing concerns in the Vtuber industry about ethical boundaries, particularly when featuring young talents. Virtual Seven’s attempt followed the precedent of other family-oriented Vtubers, such as Atsuka Ray, a single mother Vtuber who occasionally features her four-year-old daughter, Reika, in her content. While Atsuka Ray’s approach has been more accepted, critics argue that even limited involvement of minors requires careful consideration.

The cancellation of the Banana project underscores the importance of ethical considerations and transparency in the Vtuber industry. While Virtual Seven’s intentions may have been to create a family-friendly space, the public reaction illustrates the challenges of balancing innovation with societal expectations. As the agency looks to rebuild trust, this situation serves as a reminder of the delicate responsibility entertainment companies hold when engaging with younger audiences.