A male VTuber got busted for downloading pirated adult videos, and even caused the actress herself to respond?!

February 2022 was a month packed with an array of significant events. Aside from the real-world impact of Russia invading Ukraine, the otaku community experienced its share of headline-making occurrences. These included the first anniversary of the Uma Musume game, the release of Elden Ring, and the termination of Vtuber Rushia's contract with Cover due to breach of agreement, among others.

But today, we're diving into an event, while also involving a Vtuber, deeply intertwines with the adult entertainment industry, offering a cautionary tale for all. Let me, Snow, share with you what exactly transpired!

The key player in this drama is Laurin Iroas (hereafter referred to as Lauren), a Vtuber affiliated with the Japanese Vtuber agency Nijisanji, often referred to by its Chinese nickname 'Rainbow Agency.' During a live broadcast on the evening of February 27, 2022, titled【#にじばろカスタム】神　視　点【ローレン・イロアス/にじさんじ】 (now set to private), an error occurred when a folder name from Lauren's computer appeared on screen.

Image source: https://twitter.com/takigare3/status/1498094339788251136

The sharp-eyed veterans immediately recognized the all-too-familiar naming convention. After a quick check, it was clear these were indeed two works by the famous actress Ichika Matsumoto.

Once these videos were identified by online detectives, it became apparent that Lauren's preference lies in AV genres involving nipple play. Of course, having one's kink discovered is usually just a small matter to laugh off. However, the real issue emerges with the illegal downloading. Especially since Japan maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards piracy, public figures caught with pirated material on their computers typically must offer a sincere apology rather than brushing it off.

Initially, on the 27th, Lauren tweeted that the reason for setting the video to private was "an accidental broadcasting of yet-to-be-released cover song footage."

Yet as the situation escalated online, Lauren tweeted again on the 28th, expressing "very sincere apologies."

Following this tweet, the hidden protagonist of this piracy saga, Ichika Matsumoto, also emerged, responding to Lauren's apology without criticism but with a high-EQ suggestion, "Next time remember to purchase and watch properly on FANZA."

By March 2nd, both Lauren and the 'Rainbow Agency' had released official statements confirming Lauren's actions of downloading pirated AVs, with Lauren opting to temporarily cease activities to reflect on the matter, essentially bringing the episode to a close.

We can view this incident from two angles.

1. Computer Security for Streaming Workers. In recent years, the live streaming industry has boomed, making it crucial for people to be mindful of what can be seen on their computers. Likewise, Vtuber Rushia faced termination after private messages were displayed during a livestream.

Many hold the opinion that streaming professionals should ideally have separate computers for work and personal use, which I, Snow, agree with. However, it's important to note that corporate-affiliated Vtubers are often in a "contractual" rather than "employee" relationship with their companies, meaning they're responsible for their own equipment rather than having it provided by their agency.

Consider your position: if you were a video editor, author, manga artist, scriptwriter, or visual artist, would you invest in an additional computer, or would you continue using the one you're familiar with? Streaming has an additional "public exposure" risk, so it's a personal choice, but I think such "avoidable risks" should be avoided! After all, the time Lauren spends pausing activities could have earned enough money to buy a new computer through streaming.

2. The Piracy of AVs. Pirated adult videos exist not only in Japan and Taiwan, but worldwide. If you're familiar with this realm, platforms like BT and file-sharing sites exist, and there are always films to download, without a shortage of titles. AV companies are aware of this, and typically only address cases they directly encounter, but I urge everyone to support legal versions. Even if you've watched pirated content before, it's never too late to spend and help the industry advance.

No one's perfect, everyone makes mistakes. Who among us hasn't glanced at a pirated AV at some point? It's an unspoken understanding that most online streams are pirated. Yet I must promote that if you have the means, please support the industry. Nowadays, AVs aren't expensive, with a variety of viewing options available, and supporting them can propel the industry's growth.