When you step into the bustling, ever-evolving landscape of VRChat, it feels like anything can happen. It’s a digital jungle where friendships form, drama unfolds, and sometimes, chaos reigns. But amid this anything-goes pixel town of virtual reality stands Azuki, a developer, moderator, and the cool-headed leader you want around when things go sideways.
Meeting Azuki
We met in a well-known cozy social space for furries, the Fur Hub, a legendary world that Azuki helps moderate. This is a place where he’s seen it all and handled more drama than a soap opera director. Azuki’s chill demeanor, reminiscent of an Australian surfer who’s just ridden the perfect wave, immediately puts you at ease. He’s quick to laugh, even quicker to set boundaries, and has the reassuring presence of someone who knows there’s always another wave on the horizon. While it might try to drown you, it also might lift you up and give you the ride of your life.
Azuki’s journey in VRChat began in 2019. Back then, he was a quiet, somewhat intimidated newbie. “But this place changes you,” he said, admitting that he had recently come out as a furry after many years of not identifying this way. Fast forward to now, and he’s a well-known figure—both admired and, occasionally, feared. He’s the guy who keeps the peace, even when the virtual skies are stormy.
https://youtu.be/9OEhUnO7FcUThe Calm Amid the Storm
Spending time with Azuki is like shadowing a social EMT. His job? Putting out fires, calming the panicked, and making sure the community stays safe and fun. And just like a first responder, he deals with a range of situations, from minor annoyances to occasional full-blown emergencies that require careful documentation and reporting to VRChat and sometimes other authorities.
Burnout and Balance
Azuki is candid about the toll community leadership and moderating can take. Burnout is real, and it’s something every moderator faces. “You’ve got to pace yourself,” he advises. “If you’re constantly on high alert, you’ll burn out in no time.”
Throughout the day, he balances his moderation duties with moments of genuine enjoyment in the virtual world. “You’ve got to find the fun in it,” he says, flashing a grin. “That’s what keeps you going.”
Advice to Trolls
Azuki’s wisdom to trolls is pragmatic and real. Everyone behind an avatar is a person. Even trolls. They might be acting out for any number of reasons. “My advice to trolls? Think about the impact of your actions. You never know what someone else is going through.”
https://youtu.be/7UHAcXSyY2sAzuki’s Three Rules for Moderators
Azuki has a simple, effective mantra he shares with all new moderators:
1. Be Reactive, Not Proactive:
“It’s all about balance,” he explains. “If you’re trying to watch everything all the time, you’ll burn out within a week. Deal with issues as they come up. Trust me, it’s a lifesaver.”
2. Mind Your Words and How You Behave:
As a mod, Azuki explained, you’re the face of the community. Stay calm, stay respectful. Even when things get heated, your words carry weight. Use them wisely.
3. Expect the Unexpected:
“You will be targeted,” Azuki says bluntly. “Trolls will come after you. If you can’t handle that, this job isn’t for you. But if you can, you’ll help make this place better for everyone.”
https://youtu.be/2_YKVNn6Xp8A Community Moment
During our interview, users occasionally arrived in the Fur Hub for some lighthearted fun. But soon enough, like a shark fin rising in the water, the air seemed electrified by a classic VRChat disruption—a troll had entered the scene. With the swiftness of a hawk, Azuki assessed the situation and pulled out his ban tools almost immediately. “Look at his profile,” he suggested, his tone hardened, calm and steady, headset tilted up as he scanned his moderator system records to learn how far this troll might have gone before. “Wait, wait, wait!” I jumped in to stop the inevitable pleading for grace while I assessed the troll myself. The troll, sensing Azuki’s no-nonsense approach to trolls, braced for banning.
Azuki, with the grace of a curious and tired leader, took a seat to watch what happened next. He not only allowed his interview to be taken over by a troll, but also participated in a group conversation with the troll and other community members at the end of our time together. The crowning moment was when everyone answered the final question: “If a troll lives under a bridge, what’s on the other side?”
Azuki’s answer had great wisdom for all of us. “What’s under the bridge is whatever isn’t on the other side of it.” He explained that what’s under the bridge is what we are trying to avoid by having a bridge there in the first place. But, he continued, “It’s less about where we’re going and more about how we get there that matters.” Everyone’s got their journey, even trolls. How we navigate that journey is what counts. This moment was a win for everyone—a leader, a scientist, a troll, and a few community members circled up and had a heart-to-heart talking about trolling and what it means for the community.
https://youtu.be/83xlfGKlmoI
Spending time with Azuki is a lesson in staying calm and curious under pressure, finding humor in chaos, and above all, seeing every conflict as a chance to build a stronger, more resilient community. Not only is he someone who’s ready to dance and have fun, he’s a metaverse first responder, prepared to jump into action whenever the virtual world needs him.
See full interview below:
https://youtu.be/TdvVLD1QOAM
The Troll Project 