It’s taken some time for the news to hit overseas, but Wowaka, an internationally acclaimed producer of Vocaloid music, including songs such as “Rolling Girl,” “Unhappy Refrain,” and “World’s End Dancehall,” died on April 5 from heart failure. He was 31.
He was the driving force behind the Balloom record label which produced albums from a multitude of other internationally praised Vocaloid producers and created music that inspired a subculture of fans to come together, including me.
Back in March I suffered a devastating injury and was rushed to the hospital for emergency open heart surgery. Since then I’ve spent every waking hour working my way back to you folks. Hi.
This isn't a first. Daihatsu has already released a "Snow Miku" Cocoa kei-car a while back. Here is the latest Daihatsu to get a Miku makeover.
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku appears to be dancing inside this modded PC case, which was recently shown in Osaka.
Last year, a group of South Korean Hatsune Miku fans crowdfunded a billboard dedicated to the digital diva. This year, they're back, and this time they have crowdfunded what looks like a shrine to the virtual idol.
Now that the Western world's had a couple of years to get used to games starring Japan's premiere virtual idol, Sega drops the Hatsune Miku bomb. With over 220 songs to master, Project Diva Future Tone for the PlayStation 4 is one heaping helping of rhythm game goodness.
We're still in the really quiet period of the year, with the substantial exception of one character: Miku.
Ahh, summer. A time for hitting up the beach, playing backyard cricket, sausage sandwiches ... and then realising how bloody hot everything is, and going inside to chill with a fan and a console/PC.
Once the stickier, uncomfortable part of summer hits, you'll need something to do. Fortunately, there's plenty of games coming out over the season.
Many women today walk around attached to some sort of technology: an iPhone, a Fitbit, a mech suit, a headset. In 2016's digitally-addicted world, it's nearly impossible to meet a woman who isn't either listening to music or a body pillow -- clearly, a function of our internet-obsessed society.
Hatsune Miku might be virtual, but that isn't stopping her and her blue-green hair from appearing in a shampoo spot with the very real Scarlett Johansson.
With fans anxiously awaiting word on whether Sega plans to bring the 224 song monster that is Project Diva Future Tone to the West, why should they bother with the measly 30 tracks in Hatsune Miku Project Diva X? Because this one's got more actual game in it.
With 224 songs spread out across to separate game releases and a demo, the biggest problem Project Diva Future Tone for the PlayStation 4 presents to fans of Japanese virtual idol Hatsune Miku is where to start.
Making it's U.S. debut at Anime Expo this weekend, 1000toys' 35 Mechatro WeGo & Hatsune Miku figure is Frederator Studios' take on Japan's popular virtual idol. So of course, celery stick-wielding mech.
Project Diva X has a few things you wouldn't expect in a Hatsune Miku game -- like a bit plot and a nice helping of strategy.
I've seen a massive crowd line up around the block to watch an internet-fuelled hologram of an anime girl sing. I've seen a packed auditorium erupt into a wild cheer for a text-to-speech voice that said: "Hello Seattle." I've seen our present day, in all its bracing cyberpunk wonder, at Hatsune Miku's live concert at WaMu Theatre last weekend.
And it was pretty great.
Well, ask yourself: Are you willing to pay for a billboard in a subway station to show off your Hatsune Miku love? That's exactly what a group of South Korean fans apparently did.
To be honest that last bit is just a guess, but I'm 90 per cent sure.
Hardcore fans of Japanese virtual idol Hatsune Miku have already picked up a copy of Project Mirai DX for the 3DS -- many even picked up a 3DS just to play it. What they probably don't have is the Hatsune Miku Project Mirai Complete box set, packed with music, movies and toys.
It's quite likely your reaction to this image will dictate whether or not Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX is the sort of game you'd like to play.
To make a successful virtual idol like Hatsune Miku, you need two things: a good-sounding virtual voice and awesome visuals of your singer to capture people's imaginations -- which is why Vocaloid character designs tend to be so darn cool looking.
