Nearly 15 years ago, I received the supercell feat. Hatsune Miku album to review and use it to promote an upcoming concert marking Hatsune Miku’s first foray to America for a concert performance.
Needless to say, it’s amazing to reflect how far Hatsune Miku brand and the whole Vocaloid technology has went through from that moment in time to today.
At the time, I didn’t know much but yet years later, I would have Hatsune Miku nendoroids, figma, video games, music and more. And to this very day, I still listen to Vocaloid music and love it!
But as March 9th is “Miku Day”, I figured, it would be great to revisit a review I did for “The World is Mine” song. The review is 2011, let’s check out what I wrote.
Hatsune Miku is possibly the most popular virtual idol to come from Japan.
And with recent commercials for Toyota showcasing the long bluish/green-haired character and a recent announcement of a concert in July in Los Angeles, needless to say that people in America have been wondering who or what Hatsune Miku is?
Hatsune Miku is actually one of the characters (or mascots) of the singing synthesizer application known as “Vocaloid” developed by Crypton Future Media using Yamaha Corporaton’s “Vocaloid” technology.
And then those who own the software can utilize this technology and make their own songs using Hatsune Miku. But the popularity, is not through music alone, then came figurines, video games and sure enough Hatsune Miku music soundtracks.
And when it comes to the music utilizing the Vocaloid software and Hatsune Miku character, the Japanese group Supercell is best to known to utilize it in ways that many people could never imagine.
The group supercell consists of 11 members, 10 that are illustrators and support (these members work on the vivid illustrations, animation, design, and photography for album booklets, CD cases and music videos) and Ryo who creates the music and lyrics for the group were the first to utilize the Japanese video sharing site, Nico Nico Douga to promote their Vocaloid music and were signed by Sony Music Japan in March 2009.
Supercell have released two albums and three CD singles. The first album selling more than 150,000 copies. And the group has performed at concerts with Hatsune Miku on stage via a 3D hologram.
And now the group has released their first single in the U.S. courtesy of Sony Music Direct (Japan) titled “The World is Mine feat. Hatsune Miku” which is available on Amazon.com and iTunes and it is a song that can be heard on the Toyota USA commercial featuring Hatsune Miku.
As for the music, while the music of Hatsune Miku and music using the vocaloid is popular among many fans worldwide, it’s a style that may or many not appeal to people. Because the software uses the Vocaloid software, the software enables users to synthesize singing by typing in the lyrics and melody. And the software uses technology with specially recorded vocaloids of voice actors or singers. So, the technology gives a special vocalized sound that doesn’t necessarily sound human but it’s fascinating to see creators take this technology and utilize it for vocals of a song and have it resonate with fans worldwide.
While it may be an acquired taste for some people. For me, the whole concept of virtual idols and also Vocaloid Software has been quite intriguing for me and I have followed it for a few years now and I have to admit that I, myself am also interested in Hatsune Miku and how the character has been marketed, especially via videogames, Figma figures and Nendoroids. So, it makes me quite biased.
I was in Japan when they promoted Kyoko Date, utilizing technology of its time and while there was a lot of buzz, perhaps Japan wasn’t ready just yet. But with Hatsune Miku, things are much different and there is no striving to make her 100% realistic. The technology used is amazing especially when you see videos of the holographic concerts. It’s amazing!
As for “The World is Mine”, the lyrics are catchy and it’s a very solid debut for the US of showcasing the Vocaloid technology. I’m excited for this, but not sure if others are ready for something this different.
So, rather than tell people it’s worth it listening to or not, I’ll have you decide.
