Mikunopolis
Miku Hatsune is a virtual digital pop personality created from the minds at Crypton Future Media, digital media software developers based in Sapporo, Japan. Miku is brought to life by the computer generated vocals utilizing Yamaha’s Vocaloid 2 technology played in sequence with a projection of the Miku character on a special vertical screen that is almost invisible in the low light setting of a concert but provides optimal reflection from Miku’s projector.
Miku was created using samples of voice actress Saki Fujita singing at specified levels, holding a certain tone for capture. Then using Yamaha’s Vocaloid 2 her voice is built into words then formed into melodies and harmonies. Miku’s appearance was designed to reflect the software used to create her look and sound. The prevailing presence of cyan in her main outfit as well as the luminescent bar designs on her clothes can all be found in facets of the software interface, making Miku a purely synthetic creation while maintaining everything that the Japanese love in their pop idols.
Miku’s concert at Comic Con was her first in America and was well received by existing and newly made fans alike. The concert was sold out quickly after sales began. Over 7,000 Comic Con goers packed into the Nokia Theater in the heart of Los Angeles’ ‘L.A. Live’ complex to see the spectacle. Hundreds of onion leek shaped glow sticks, for which Miku is known to wield during some of her songs, grew from the crowd like neon grass as the concert began. Fans filled the theater with their voices reciting full song lyrics along with Miku in Japanese. Miku’s fast tempo pop music kept the audience excited for the duration of the high energy show, which had several cameo songs by other Vocaloid 2 personalities that have the same Miku style.
For J-pop fans, Miku’s performance was definitely the highlight of the convention, drawing attention of anime and Japanese pop culture enthusiasts nationwide. Hopes remain high for her second appearance on this side of the Atlantic.
Josh Brown
Note: The following photos are the property of John Brown, photographer for Phoenix Anime and were taken with formal press authorization from Mikunopolis 2011 and Anime Expo. You are welcome to link to these images, but please do not copy or distribute without his written permission.
Mikunoplois Playlist (Outfit/costume in parentheses)
1. Project Diva desu (empty stage)
2. World Is Mine (Original)
3. Electric Angel (Original)
4. Koi Suru VOC@LOID (Original)
5. Clover Club (Miku Hood)
6. PoPiPo! (Jer★Sey)
7. Cinderella and Romeo (Vintage Dress)
8. Ura-omote Lovers (Original)
9. Puzzle (Original)
10. VOiCE (Original)
11. 1 / 6 - out of the gravity (Original)
12. Moon (Spiritual)
13. Disappearance of Hatsune Miku (∞ Infinity)
14. Butterfly on the Right Shoulder (Rin - Original, Len - Original)
15. Meltdown (Rin - Reactor)
16. Just Be Friend - Thanks LA (Luka - Original)
17. World's End Dancehall (Miku - Butterfly Kimono, Luka - Flower Kimono)
18. from Y to Y (White Dress)
19. Saihate (Saihate Miku)
20. Viewfinder DSLR remix (Powder)
21. SPiCa (Angel)
22. Ai Kotoba (Original)
23. StargazeR (Original)
24. Hajimete no Oto (Original)
Even though tickets were available for press, we purchased tickets through the normal channels just in case. As it happened, the concert was sold out within a couple of days of them going on sale. Technically, all events, including the Miku concert, are free to AX attendees, however AX allows attendees to pay a small fee ($15) and reserve seats in advance which we promptly did.
Miku Hatsune was selected by Toyota to star in the U.S. ad campaign for the 2011 Corolla
The 2011 Corolla was named the Official Car of Miku's July 2 concert at Anime Expo.
We ran into a few problems gaining entrance with our camera equipment. Security was inspecting all bags, a good thing in my opinion, but it really slowed the line down.
Just a few photos outside the theater as we were waiting to get inside.
The concert was scheduled to start at 8:30 PM and here we were at 8:35, still waiting our turn for inspection. Fortunately they delayed the start of the performance so we were able to get to our seat just as the first number, Project Diva desu, started.
The first number, Project Diva desu, was played to an empty stage. Miku did not actually appear until the second song, World Is Mine. Thanks to the wonders of holographic technology, Miku was able to rise up from the floor of the stage as the crowd erupted in shouts and applause. The 3D technology was fairly satisfying. The holographic screen was unfortunately quite visible at times and the illusion was only truly convincing when Miku stayed centered on the screen. If she ventured off to the sides, her character dimmed and became clearly just an image on a screen. Never the less, the energy from the live band and the cheers from the audience more then made up for these minor shortcomings.
World Is Mine
The first costume change was into the Miku Hood outfit, complete with kitty hiding under the hood as Miku sang Clover Club
PoPiPo! was a really bright and energetic song sung in Miku's Jersey costume.
Cinderella and Romeo wearing the Vintage Dress outfit.
For the costume change back into her original outfit, a white portal opens and Miku minces out of the circle of light and jumps into her 1 / 6 - out of the gravity song.
Moon appropriately sung in her Spiritual outfit.
After first playing a game of hide and seek with the audience, Rin and Len appear with Butterfly on the Right Shoulder
Luka makes her appearance in her traditional outfit singing Just Be Friend - Thanks LA
Miku and Luka team up with World's End Dancehall
Miku changes back into her original outfit to finish the play set with Hajimete no Oto
Satisfied that we had witnessed a pop culture historic event this night, we head for home.
John Brown posting with an actress cosplaying as Miku Hatsune.
