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Hatsune Miku (Page 5)

Japan Self-Defense Force’s elite Central Band performs Hatsune Miku song Senbonzakura

Master Blaster
Apr 21, 2014
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There are a number of active bands in Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), but at the top of them is the Central Band. In existence longer the GSDF itself, they are the go-to band in situations where it’s unacceptable to screw up, such as welcoming foreign dignitaries and ceremonies of the highest order.

Then there’s “Senbonzakura”. This song was produced by WhiteFlame (aka Kurousa-P) and utilizes the artificial vocal talents of vocaloid Hatsune Miku. After its upload to video hosting site Niconico Douga in 2011, it became a modern classic of the vocaloid genre spawning several remixes and covers online and in karaoke rooms.

So what happens when the rigid discipline and tradition of the GSDF Central Band meets the wild pop of Senbonzakura? Let’s take a listen!

Japan
(Hatsune Miku • music • Niconico Douga • self defense force)

Lady Gaga goes gaga for Hatsune Miku, makes virtual idol her opening act

Casey Baseel
Apr 17, 2014

With Lady Gaga’s rehabilitation from hip surgery apparently having progressed enough that the pop star is ready to contend with a grueling performance schedule, she’s about to kick off a world tour celebrating her third album. But with millions of eyes on Gaga, she needs an opening act with a fan base large enough to do justice to the scale and importance of the six-month event, dubbed ArtRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball.

Fittingly for a singer who’s made a name for herself with her provocative stances on image, perception, and reality, before Gaga takes the stage, concert goers will be entertained by a vocalist who doesn’t even exist in three-dimensional space: virtual idol Hatsune Miku.

Japan
(anime • Hatsune Miku • Lady Gaga • music • technology)

Hatsune Miku themed restaurant opens in China

Anime News Network
Mar 31, 2014

If any Hatsune Miku fans find themselves in China’s Guangxi Province, they might want to stop by the city of Yulin for an unexpected surprise, because it’s in this city that the Vocaloid singing sensation has gotten a fast food restaurant dedicated to her, though likely not in any official capacity.

China
(anime • Anime News Network • cafe • Hatsune Miku • moe)

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva f coming to a PlayStation Vita near you

Philip Kendall
Nov 7, 2013

Heads up, Vocaloid fans, the fifth entry in the “DIVA” rhythm music game series is heading to Sony’s sexy portable. More info and in-game footage after the jump.

Japan
(Hatsune Miku • playstation • video games • Vocaloid)

Vocaloid’s new automated composer set to simplify songwriting

Rachel Tackett
Oct 22, 2013

Yamaha Corporation, creator of audio equipment, instruments, and synthesizers including the immensely popular voice synthesizer series known as Vocaloid, announced yesterday that it is developing an automated song generator called VOCALODUCER, which will automatically compose a song, given lyrics and a few basic parameters. It sounds like pretty soon anyone can be a Vocaloid song producer in no time!

Japan
(composition • Hatsune Miku • music • Vocaloducer • Vocaloid • Yamaha Corporation)

Rocking out with the Wagakki Band: Giving vocaloids a human voice

Preston Phro
Oct 18, 2013

While vocaloids like Hatsune Miku are still relatively unknown in the West, they have quite the following in Japan and can be found taking part in everything from live concerts to limited edition smartphones. Though some may worry that the digital singers mean the end of “human” music, so far that’s hardly been the case. In fact, it’s nothing strange to find regular bands performing cover songs of vocaloid originals!

One band has taken the concept a step further by introducing some unique, traditional elements and are garnering quite a bit of attention among Japanese Internet users. Meet the Wagakki Band with Yuko Suzuhana and get ready to rock!

Internet, Japan
(Hatsune Miku • koto • music • shakuhachi • shamisen • taiko • Vocaloid • Wagakki Band • Wagakki Band with Yuko Suzuhana)

Hatsune Miku sightings spring up during uphill bike race

Master Blaster
Oct 2, 2013

On 29 September, the Third Maebashi Mt. Akagi Hill Climb was held in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture. It’s a grueling 20.8km (12.9mi) bicycle course climbing Mt. Akagi for a vertical difference of 1.3km (0.8mi) from start to finish.

This year 2,811 people participated and the fastest time was set by Kenichi Miyamoto, completing the course in an impressive 56 minutes and 23 seconds. However, the attention of many locals was grabbed by a rider bearing an uncanny resemblance to the virtual songstress Hatsune Miku. So just who was this turquoise-locked *ita-*bike rider?

Japan
(bicycle • funny • Hatsune Miku • sports)

Happy birthday Hatsune Miku! Fan celebrates with amazingly detailed Vocaloid cake

Casey Baseel
Sep 13, 2013

Given the massive popularity of virtual idol Hatsune Miku, it’s easy to forget that she really hasn’t been around that long. The singing computer construct only recently celebrated her sixth birthday, which inspired one fan to whip up a Miku-themed cake.

This is far from the first time we’ve come across food that’s supposed to resemble the aqua-tressed songstress, and we’ve previously reported on Miku meat buns and even Miku bento. This just might be the most detailed recreation we’ve seen of the Vocaloid in edible form yet, though.

Japan
(anime • cool • food • Hatsune Miku • music • sweets)

A century of culture: Isao Tomita and Hatsune Miku pay musical tribute to author Kenji Miyazawa

Master Blaster
Sep 6, 2013

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Kenji Miyazawa’s Death, and as a tribute to the celebrated writer a revival of the Ihatov Symphony was performed in his hometown of Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture on 29 August. The symphony was composed by Isao Tomita, a true originator of electronic music in Japan and features Hatsune Miku the iconic vocaloid who embodies the trail blazed by Tomita decades ago.

Japan
(art • Hatsune Miku • Ihatov Symphony • Isao Tomita • Iwate • Kenji Miyazawa)

Fans of AKB’s Haruka Shimazaki despair over freaky Sailor Moon makeover

Paula Gerhold
Sep 4, 2013

It really warms your heart to see more Japanese celebrities show their support for cosplay. It’s one of the flashier hobbies that anime fans can boast and is getting more popular by the day. Cosplay websites abound with fashion tips and suggestions for various costumes styles, poses, and makeup options for just about every conceivable costume on the market.

But AKB48 star, Haruka Shimazaki, might want to do a bit of rethinking before offering up her own anime makeup (AniMake for short) suggestions, as her most recent attempts caused a despairing cry to ring out from among her adoring fans…

Japan
(AKB48 • Asuka Langley Soryu • cosplay • Hatsune Miku • Sailor Moon)

Marionette Miku brought to life on Niconico Douga 【Video】

Rachel Tackett
Aug 23, 2013

In a video recently uploaded to Japan’s Niconico Douga, Hatsune Miku appears as a marionette from the Edo period. The video is a period-style tribute to videos created with MikuMikuDance, a free 3-D animation program often used in the creation of Vocaloid music videos and other fan videos. This particular clip doesn’t actually feature any synthesizers or computer animations but brings Miku to life with true Edo flair.

Japan
(Edo • fun • Hatsune Miku • MMD • video • Vocaloid)

From the eyes of an idol, developer debuts video of Hatsune Miku and Oculus Rift

Preston Phro
Jul 21, 2013

Oculus Rift is surely one of the most highly anticipated devices of this gaming generation. In case you’ve somehow not heard about it, Oculus Rift is a virtual reality headset that is already garnering rave reviews from industry insiders and little old ladies who are more hardcore than you. What makes Oculus Rift so exciting is its high-quality dual display that uses motion detectors to dynamically show users the game world as they turn their head. Basically, it’s supposed to be a completely immersive experience. Right now, the device is still mostly limited to developers hard at work trying to take advantage of its full power, but most of the demos we’ve seen have been great. One Japanese developer decided to create an adorable mini-game staring everyone’s favorite fictional idol: Hatsune Miku.

Internet, Japan
(gaming • Hatsune Miku • Oculus Rift)

Family Mart and Hatsune Miku team up to brighten your rainy days with limited edition umbrellas

Casey Baseel
Jun 18, 2013

Each of Japan’s seasons has its own unique charm. Whether it’s the cherry blossoms of spring, fireworks on the beach in midsummer, crimson maple leaves in the fall, or a hot spring surrounded by winter snow, there’s something to enjoy at almost any point of the calendar.

The glaring exception, though, is the few weeks of rainy season during June, when the constant threat of sudden squalls make the weather report about as reliable as a third-rate palm reader. You’re pretty much guaranteed of getting caught in a shower at some point, and if you’re not lucky enough to be around a 100 yen shop at the time, you’re stuck ducking into a convenience store and paying a premium for a clear plastic umbrella you’ll probably throw away as soon as you get home and can swap it for your sturdier regular one.

Thankfully, convenience store chain Family Mart has a new product to take some of the sting out of that situation.

Japan
(anime • cool • Hatsune Miku)

Louis Vuitton’s Marc Jacobs creates high fashion Hatsune Miku

Michelle Lynn Dinh
May 25, 2013

Hatsune Miku, the virtual pop singer, has been selling out entire theatres for her most recent performance in The End, the world’s first (and possibly only) vocaloid opera. As would be expected from an opera that replaces humans with digital singers, The End is full of surprises. But the most surprising of all is their choice of Marc Jacobs as digital wardrobe designer. Miku’s new outfit was recently revealed at the premiere of The End in Shibuya.

Japan
(Hatsune Miku • Louis Vuitton • Marc Jacobs • THE END • Vocaloid • Vocaloid Opera)

Hatsune Miku Project mirai 2 Expected Fall 2013

Cara Clegg
May 13, 2013

Hatsune Miku Project mirai 2 for the 3DS is expected to be released in Japan this fall. The latest rhythm game is the predictably-named sequel to the Hatsune Miku Project mirai, featuring the rest of the Vocaloid Crew alongside the ever-popular Miku-chan. The game promises to be fun for both casual and serious players alike, and who can resist those super-cute Nendoroid character designs? Check them out at the official site.

Japan
(3DS • Hatsune Miku • Project mirai • video game)

Hatsune Miku + Rika-chan Collaboration Coming Soon!

Cara Clegg
May 8, 2013

Exciting news for both Vocaloid fans and doll collectors – the first details of a collaboration between Japan’s version of Barbie, Rika-chan, and otaku idol Hatsune Miku have been leaked online. Read More

Japan
(collaboration • dolls • Hatsune Miku • Rika-chan • Vocaloid)

How to Make a Hatsune Miku Bento

Michelle Lynn Dinh
Apr 30, 2013

Hatsune Miku is now coming to a bento near you (that is if you have to time and patience to make her). The folks over at Japanese culture website, Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi, have just created a step-by-step video explaining how to make an edible version of everyone’s favorite vocaloid.

Internet, Japan
(bento • cooking • cool • cute • Hatsune Miku • how to)

Taiwanese Cosplayers Appear in their Droves, Show All-Out Passion for Hatsune Miku

Rachel Tackett
Apr 17, 2013

Ever since Japan started its whole Cool Japan kick, it’s been pushing manga and anime to a world-wide audience like never before. Near the forefront of it all is the software program turned pop icon, Vocaloid, with Hatsune Miku stealing most of the spotlight. Just last week, more than 20 real-life Mikus gathered together at a park in Kaohsiung, Taiwan! It was a truly magnificent spectacle, perhaps the highlight of our year thus far. Read More

Japan, Taiwan
(cool japan • cosplay • fun • Hatsune Miku)

Sakura Mikuman Too Cute to Eat, We Do So Anyway

Master Blaster
Mar 21, 2013

The long standing collaboration between Japan’s premier virtual pop star and ubiquitous convenience store continues this spring with the Hatsune Miku de Sakura no Uta campaign.

Unfortunately, the campaign has been having a bit of a rocky start with the sexually suggestive Sakura Style Strawberry Cream Bread. So now it’s time to bring out the heavy artillery: Family Mart’s second version of a Hatsune Miku-themed nikuman (steamed meat bun), Sakura Mikuman.

Japan
(Family mart • food • Hatsune Miku • nikuman)

Domino’s Pizza Japan Teams Up with Hatsune Miku, Releases Fantastic Cringeworthy Video

Philip Kendall
Mar 8, 2013

Domino’s Pizza stepped things up a gear yesterday when it announced that it is partnering with digital pop idol Hatsune Miku for its latest promotional campaign. As well as allowing them to order pizzas without actually having to speak to anyone, the new Domino’s Pizza feat. Hatsune Miku app for iPhone lets customers enjoy private performances from the singing humanoid by pointing the iPhone’s camera at special app-friendly pizza boxes.

Perhaps even better than the campaign itself, though, is the cheesy video that Domino’s launched yesterday to introduce the app, which features company president Scott Oellkers doing his best to look excited about having his photo taken with the teal-haired star. Corporate enthusiasm aplenty after the break.