In a surprising turn of events, the small VTuber agency Pixel Link—known for debuting its talents as early as June 2023—has announced its dissolution. Here’s a comprehensive guide to what happened, the timeline of events, and what it means for the VTuber community.
What Was Pixel Link?
Pixel Link was a burgeoning VTuber agency that quickly made a name for itself. With a roster of creative and engaging talents, the agency enjoyed early success. However, like many small corporations, Pixel Link faced financial challenges. Rumors of liquidity issues began circulating months before the official announcement, and the agency’s social media channels hinted at trouble long before its closure was confirmed.
The Shutdown Announcement
On March 31, 2025, Pixel Link released an official statement:
“We would like to thank our community for its continuous support since our initial debut of talents in June 2023. Due to unforeseen health issues affecting our CEO, continuing operations has become untenable. Therefore, we will be ceasing operations and all Pixel Link talents will be graduating within the next 4–5 weeks.”
The statement confirmed that the shutdown wasn’t due to a sudden collapse but was the culmination of ongoing financial difficulties compounded by personal health issues within the company’s leadership.
The Graduation Process
With the shutdown, every talent under Pixel Link is required to “graduate” from the agency. Here’s what that means:
- Released IPs: Some talents, such as Kanna Yanagi, Miuna Usako, Lottie Shinju, Arisu Oshiro, Chio Chompi, Daiya Fortuna, Chiaki Katsumi and Raki Kazuki, have already had their intellectual properties (IPs) officially released. This allows them to continue streaming on their current platforms independently.
- Transition to Personal Personas: Other talents will transition to streaming under their personal VTuber personas. Their new streaming links and details will be available on their Twitter profiles and YouTube descriptions once they graduate.
- Merchandise & Donations: Merch sales and delivery will continue to be managed by Kawa Entertainment. Additionally, Pixel Link has assured fans that any pending donation rewards will be fulfilled even after the official transition.
Key Dates & Timeline
The shutdown is set to be finalized on March 31, 2025, with several talents scheduled for graduation over the following weeks. For instance:
- Some talents have graduation dates as early as February 27, 2025.
- Others, like Chio Chompi and Daia, announced their final streams and graduation dates between March 1st and March 4th, 2025.
These closely packed dates indicate a rapid and coordinated transition away from the agency.
Community Reactions & The IP Buyout Controversy
The shutdown has sparked an outpouring of emotions among both the talents and the community:
- Mixed Emotions: Many VTubers expressed sadness and nostalgia in their farewell statements. Talents like Chio Chompi and Daia thanked their supporters and reminisced about the memorable journey with Pixel Link.
- The IP Buyout Debate: A major point of contention has been the cost to “buy back” one’s IP. Some talents, in an effort to continue their VTuber career independently, have set buyout fees as high as $10,000. Critics argue that such a high price feels like profiteering—especially when many fans are already footing the bill to support their favorite creators.
- Industry Impact: The situation has ignited broader discussions about how VTuber agencies handle intellectual property. Many community members and industry insiders worry that this precedent may force other agencies to shift financial burdens onto individual talents or even the fans themselves.
Looking Ahead
While the closure of Pixel Link is undoubtedly bittersweet, it marks the beginning of a new chapter for its talents. Many are already planning to continue their VTuber journeys independently—armed with the skills, experience, and dedicated fanbases they built while with the agency.
For fans, this means continuing support for familiar VTuber personas on new platforms and under new banners. For aspiring VTubers, it’s a reminder of the volatile nature of the industry and the importance of understanding one’s rights and the potential risks of agency contracts.
The Pixel Link shutdown serves as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope. It reminds us that even in creative, digital communities, financial realities can upend promising ventures. Yet, the resilience of the VTuber community shines through as many creators prepare to reinvent themselves on their own terms. Stay tuned for further updates on the transitions and new ventures of former Pixel Link talents, and continue to support the evolving landscape of VTubing.