On April 16, 2025, Cover Corporation, the company behind the popular VTuber agency Hololive Production, faced a significant downturn in its stock prices, attributed to the announcement of a highly anticipated graduation by one of its most popular talents.
The stock price of Cover Corporation fell sharply by approximately 10%, dropping from the previous day’s closing price of 2,366 yen. This marked a notable decline as concerns about the future of its talent began to circulate among fans and investors alike.
The catalyst for this sudden drop was a post made by Gawr Gura, a VTuber under Hololive EN, who has amassed a staggering 4.56 million subscribers on YouTube, making her the most subscribed VTuber in the world. At 5:00 AM on the same day, Gura tweeted, “i have to talk to you about something tonight,” stirring speculation among her fans about the nature of the announcement.
Later that day, at 11:30 AM, Gura hosted a stream titled “important announcement.” During this stream, which garnered significant viewership, she confirmed that she would be graduating from Hololive on May 1, 2025. The news sent shockwaves through the VTuber community, leading to the phrase “Gura graduation” trending on social media platforms.
The reaction to Gura’s announcement reflects the deep connection that fans have with VTubers and the potential impact such graduations can have on the companies that manage them. In recent months, Hololive has experienced a series of talent graduations, beginning with Kiryu Coco in August 2024, followed by Watson Amelia in October 2024, Ceres Fauna on January 4, 2025, and Sakamata Chloe on January 26, 2025. The upcoming departures of Shion Murasaki on April 26, 2025, and Mumei Nanashi on April 28, 2025, further compound the concerns surrounding the agency’s stability.
As the stock market reacted to these developments, the Nikkei average stock price also experienced a downturn, falling by 347 yen 14 sen to close at 33,920 yen 40 sen, marking its first decline in three days. This decline was attributed to broader market trends, but the impact of Cover Corporation’s stock drop was certainly felt within the context of the larger market.
On the same day, the Tokyo foreign exchange market reported that the dollar-yen exchange rate was fluctuating in the early 142 yen range, indicating a relatively stable currency environment amidst the turmoil in specific sectors.
Investors are now left to ponder the implications of Gura’s graduation and the overall health of Cover Corporation. With the recent trend of talent departures, questions arise about the company’s ability to retain its audience and continue to grow its brand. Fans have expressed their concerns over social media, indicating that Gura’s departure could significantly impact the agency’s future.
The VTuber phenomenon has taken the entertainment industry by storm, with Hololive being at the forefront of this trend. Gura’s popularity has not only contributed to her own success but has also played a crucial role in the agency’s growth and visibility in the global market.
As the situation develops, industry analysts will be closely monitoring the response from Cover Corporation and how it plans to address the challenges posed by these graduations. The company’s strategy moving forward will likely be scrutinized as fans and investors alike await further developments.
In summary, the stock decline of Cover Corporation on April 16, 2025, serves as a stark reminder of the volatility within the VTuber industry and the significant impact that key talent can have on business performance. With Gawr Gura’s graduation on the horizon, the future remains uncertain for both the agency and its dedicated fanbase.
