SEGA Launches Campaign to Sell Project Diva F in the West (Wait, What?!)

 Posted by at 11:05 am  Hatsune Miku, Merchandise, Videogames  6 Responses »
Mar 072013
 

This sudden announcement is short and simple, yet shocking. Just one day following the launch of Hatsune Miku Project Diva F in Japan for the PS3, the official SEGA Facebook page has posted an image asking users to show their support for a Western launch of the game. The campaign even has the support of Crypton and Sony PlayStation.

The only detail known is that SEGA is asking users to “like & share” the image they posted on their wall. A pretty simple but effective method of measuring fan interest. If the campaign succeeds, it is unknown if the distribution will happen in physical or digital format, or possibly even both. We will have to wait and see!

Not sure if this small detail is true, but I have heard word that the Western launch will happen anyway, and this campaign was created to build hype. Well, it certainly earned it.

Click this image to view the official post.


 

New iOS Application Released in Domino’s ｘ Hatsune Miku Collaboration

 Posted by at 1:46 pm  Hatsune Miku  15 Responses »
Mar 062013
 


Click image to visit the new Miku Domino’s site.

In a very surprising announcement today by Domino’s Japan, the President of the company himself introduced a new Domino’s application for iOS devices, featuring Hatsune Miku! Speaking in English, Scott Oelkers introduces the latest result in their collaboration with Crypton Future Media.

The application features Miku represented with the highly popular Appearance Miku model for MikuMikuDance, wearing a new Domino’s inspired outfit. Upon launching the application, Miku appears on screen and greets you with the words “Domino’s Pizza”. From here, you will have access to a variety of order placement and entertainment options.

Preview screenshots of application features. Click for full size.

 
While placing your order, or even tracking your order, everything about the app was specially created by the Domino’s crew to display their various artworks and songs featuring Hatsune Miku. The fun doesn’t stop there, as there’s a couple more exciting and entertaining features.

The first is an augmented reality photo feature, allowing you to take pictures of Miku in the “real world” with various poses and expressions. There is a special surprise image for those who scan the Domino’s pizza logo with their device.

The second is probably the most exciting of all. By pointing the camera at the pizza box, Miku will appear “live on stage” and perform to the song “Luv4Night“. The box itself isn’t required, and you can also use this very simple image file.

The application is available for free from the Japan, U.S., and other global iTunes stores, but the application will remain in Japanese. Pizzas can also only be ordered within Japan. The application works with the iPhone 4 and iPod 4th gen or newer, and iPad 2nd gen or newer. There is no word on Android availability.

Watch the announcement video below, and check out the new Miku ｘ Domino’s website, available here.

This video may be found somewhat humorous by some.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW2D_Votd2Y]

Vocaloid Producer of the Week #6: BrotherP

 Posted by at 4:53 pm  Classic, Hatsune Miku, J-Pop, MMD, PotW  7 Responses »
Mar 032013
 


View previously featured producers here.

The Vocaloid community is full of all kinds of artistic talent, as demonstrated by the countless number of music writers, composers and illustrators. But then we have the group of producers who take on the task of combining all of these works, and bringing them to life in a way that’s hard to visualize with a song and illustration alone. These people are the animation producers, and they have what is arguably the hardest task when it comes to content creation in the community.

This Producer of the Week article will focus on BrotherP and his creations. While there are other high profile animation producers like Director Wakamura that excel at the creation of eye popping visuals, BrotherP has an equally impressive talent for creating immersive and emotionally touching stories with his animations. Continue reading »

The Newest Popular Hatsune Miku Design is… Bottle Miku?

 Posted by at 7:37 am  Hatsune Miku, Meme, Other  6 Responses »
Mar 022013
 

An interesting new creative topic has been sweeping Pixiv over the past few weeks, and it is indeed a very unusual one. In all my years of observing the Vocaloid community, I’ve never seen this happen before.

The concept for this new illustrative idea isn’t too difficult. You simply draw Hatsune Miku in a school outfit with water in place of her normal hair, usually with a fish swimming around inside of it. The result is the new fan-made design known as “Bottle Miku”.

I first took notice of the phenomenon on February 14th, just 7 days after the first image that was submitted to Pixiv by the user “PAR。“. At this point, there was already over 9 pages (180 images) of new fan creations that were inspired by his illustration. This growth rate has quickly accelerated over the past few weeks. As I’m writing this article, the illustration count has just exceeded 41 pages (820 images) after only 20 days!

The new idea has sparked a wave of illustrative creation on a scale that I’ve never seen before with any past designs. With more artists taking notice and no signs of an end in sight, I suspect it’s only a matter of time before the concept even receives official recognition.

While the concept may seem somewhat odd to some, many of the artworks are actually quite stunning and beautiful. Take a look at the image shown above, and the two linked below as examples. If you’re interested in seeing more, you can browse all related images with this link: Botttle Miku on Pixiv.

Livetune Releases Teaser Video for Redial, Album Launching March 20th

 Posted by at 4:08 am  Albums, Hatsune Miku, Merchandise  6 Responses »
Mar 012013
 

redialLivetune has just recently released a short teaser of the promotional video for “Redial”, the feature song for his upcoming album titled “Re:Dial” which is scheduled for a March 20th release.

At just 15 seconds in length, you don’t get to see or hear very much. But what fans do see and hear is likely to drive them to want more.

Re:Dial is an album containing many of livetune’s most memorable releases from the past 5 years, as well as a few special album edit versions. Among these are ‘Tell Your World’, ‘Yellow’, ‘Light Song’, ‘Last Night, Good Night’, ‘Weekender Girl’ and more. A recent info update has revealed the 15th (and last) track of the album to be an English version of Tell Your World!

Fans who want a little more excitement can go for the CD+DVD set, which will include four videos for four different songs. The three revealed so far are ‘Tell Your World’, ‘Weekender Girl’ and ‘Last Night, Good Night’. The 4th video is still unknown (I suspect it might be the full length PV for Redial).

The CD-only and CD+DVD versions are priced at 2500 and 3500 JPY, respectively. But they can be easily found for less from several sites with international shipping. The single for Redial is scheduled for a release on iTunes on the same date, but hopefully the full track list will be available as well.

Now that that’s finally out of the way, enjoy the teaser below! The music is composed by livetune, while the PV is being directed by Murakami Takashi from Kaikai Kiki Co.

They’re really pushing the cuteness meter with that ahoge.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEAz8sNak68]

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