Oct 022020
 

On September 24, 2015, the Vocaloid community mourned the loss of samfree.

Best known for the infectious Eurobeat track “Luka Luka Night Fever,” samfree was one of the first Vocaloid producers, creating tracks in the genre’s early days and rising to prominence within the Japanese community and later, the international community.  Five years after his passing, his works retain their popularity and continue to inspire new generations of Vocaloid producers and fans.  While most fans know him for “Luka Luka Night Fever,” samfree’s work encompassed more than this one smash hit.

Sano Takayuki was born on September 9, 1984, in Niigata, the capital city of Niigata, Japan.  He uploaded his first Vocaloid track, “Daybreak,” to Nico Nico Douga on November 11, 2007, less than 3 months after Crypton Future Media first released the Vocaloid software for Hatsune Miku.  The lyrics speak of wandering through darkness in search of the light, a light that will always come at daybreak.  While the 1:56 track has garnered a mere 15,302 views over the past 13 years, it was the start of many things to come for the young producer.

He rounded out 2007 with 7 more tracks: Tender Wind, Daybreak -Full ver-, 桜のような恋でした (It Was A Cherry-Blossom-Like Love), 君のメロディー (Your Melody), CHAIN, Daybreak (Kagamine Rin Version), and Daybreak (Kagamine Len Version).  Of these 7 tracks, the full version of “Daybreak” featuring Hatsune Miku became his most popular track of 2007, clocking in at 482,471 views as of the writing of this article.

In the span of 8 years, samfree uploaded a grand total of 65 Vocaloid tracks to Nico Nico Douga, averaging close to 2 tracks per month.  While most of the tracks are his original works and remixes sung by Vocaloids, some feature samfree himself and others singing along to Vocaloid tracks from other producers such as kz-livetune and Dixie Flatline.  His most popular tracks comprise the “Night” series: Luka Luka Night Fever, Tako Luka Maguro Fever, Megu Megu Fire Endless Night, Miki Miki Romantic Night, and others.  By far, “Luka Luka Night Fever” is his most popular track to date, clocking in at almost 5 million views as of the writing of this article.  Uploaded on February 12, 2009, it is widely regarded as one of Megurine Luka’s unofficial theme songs.

The final Vocaloid track samfree uploaded to Nico Nico Douga was “Mind Voice,” featuring IA, debuting on August 21, 2015.  It is believed that samfree composed this track knowing that he did not have much time left in this world and that the most important thing is to never give up.  As the track’s lyrics say, “What you have to go on is what lies in your heart.”  To date, “Mind Voice” clocks in at 260,591 views, with many comments from users around the world expressing their condolences upon his sudden passing just over one month later, at the young age of 31.

While Sano Takayuki’s life was cut short too soon, his contributions to the Vocaloid community are many, and perhaps both his well-known and lesser-known works will inspire others in 2020 and beyond.

Aug 262019
 

The official music video for Magical Mirai 2019’s “SURVIVE” by Umetora is now online. The full-blown group soundtrack is part of the official album released earlier this year, and is a bonus soundtrack not heard anywhere else before, not even at the most recent concert in Osaka, which brings our attention to..

Hatsune Miku: Magical Mirai 2019 in Tokyo, the final location for Magical Mirai this year, will soon take place at Makuhari Messe on August 30th~September 1st. Preorders for Magical Mirai 2019 Blu-ray & DVD are still open, and features complete recording of the final show in Tokyo included with the encore.

Music / Words / Arrangement Umetora
Vocal Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin & Len, Megurine Luka, MEIKO, and KAITO
Illustration ligton
Movie Mizu Nozomi

Magical Mirai 2019 Official Site
https://magicalmirai.com/2019




Jul 172019
 

Are you aspiring to be a Vocaloid producer? Or perhaps looking to expand your library?

Crypton Future Media has announced 20% off sales for Vocaloid products on Sonicwire, their music software distribution site, until July 31st, 2019, for the first time in more than 10 years as an express of gratitude for support from everyone up to this point.

These 20% off sales include the download versions of Hatsune Miku V4X, Hatsune Miku V4X Bundle, Kagamine Rin & Len V4X, Kagamine Rin & Len V4X Bundle, Megurine Luka V4X, MEIKO V3, and KAITO V3, as listed below. The opportunity is now!

Hatsune Miku V4X: 17,280 JPY13,824 JPY
Hatsune Miku V4X Bundle: 21,600 JPY17,280 JPY
Kagamine Rin & Len V4X: 17,280 JPY13,824 JPY
Kagamine Rin & Len V4X Bundle: 21,600 JPY17,280 JPY
Megurine Luka V4X:  17,280 JPY13,824 JPY
MEIKO V3: 17,280 JPY13,824 JPY
KAITO V3: 17,280 JPY13,824 JPY

Jul 122019
 

Today’s news update for Hatsune Miku: Magical Mirai 2019 has brought quite a list! We have more official goods details release, exhibition booth map details revealed, details on an all-new life-size Hatsune Miku statue, Megurine Luka 10th Anniversary exhibition announcement, and more! Check out the info below:

Tickets Release

Starting from July 13th at 10:00 JST, tickets for the live performances, exhibitions, and special live (Osaka only) will be released to the public. The release will follow a first come, first served basis, so be sure to keep an eye out!

Osaka tickets: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/osaka_ticket.html
Tokyo tickets: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/tokyo_ticket.html


Official Goods

A total of 22 new items have been added to the official Magical Mirai 2019 merchandise list. The newly added items to the list are: full graphic t-shirt, cable accessories, lucky charms, sweets cans, 2 way shoulder bag, acrylic diorama, 3D card-type pouches, B2 Tapestries, key case, mini Nobori, towels, acrylic key holder, big cool blanket, ticket holder, and jewelry. Some goods are exclusive to Osaka or Tokyo venues only, so be wary!

Official Goods: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/goods.html

 


Exhibition Admission Privilege

Visitors to the Magical Mirai 2019 exhibitions in Osaka and Tokyo alike will receive a mini acrylic stand featuring visuals by ni02 as admission privilege. Please note that the mini acrylic stands will be randomly given out of the six designs, and the privilege may end as soon as the goods are all gone.

Osaka exhibitions: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/osaka_ex.html
Tokyo exhibitions: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/tokyo_ex.html


Exhibition Booth Map

Details of the exhibition booths and their maps are now available! Check out the collaborations with various companies, along with sales of various goods, as marked on the maps below. More booths will follow soon.

Osaka Booths: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/osaka_sponsor.html
Tokyo Booths: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/tokyo_sponsor.html

 


Free-Viewing Acoustic Stage for Tokyo

For Tokyo only, a new stage has been announced to the Free-viewing Stage featuring Hayashi Kei & HoehoeP/nanou in acoustic style performances. The two will be performing on September 1st at 15:00~16:00 JST.

Free-viewing Stage: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/tokyo_ex_stage

 


Organized Display

“Future Circus” Exhibition

An all-new life-size Hatsune Miku statue styled in Magical Mirai 2019 outfit will be exhibited at the event!

Megurine Luka 10th Anniversary exhibition

Similar to last year’s Kagamine Rin & Len 10th anniversary, there’ll be a special display dedicated to Megurine Luka 10th anniversary! A venue-wide puzzle solving game will also be held.

Piapro Square

In addition to the annual Piapro Wall and life-size panel exhibitions, there will be an addition of Live Paint. There will also be activities involving Snow & Sakura Miku. In a cosplay area there will be a “mysterious box” placed there. What could be inside?

Osaka Exhibition: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/osaka_ex.html
Tokyo Exhibition: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/tokyo_ex.html


Special Illustration Gallery

The special illustration gallery grows further with the additions of two new lovely visuals by KEI & Kinako Mochi! Check out more Hatsune Miku visuals styled in Magical Mirai 2019 theme in the gallery below.

Special Illustration Gallery: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/special.html#special_gallery


Opening Countdown

Finally, there will be opening countdowns for both Osaka and Tokyo venues on August 9th and 31st, respectively. Please note that only photos are not permitted, and there’s no viewing space for general visitors.

August 9th Osaka: Yuu Asakawa (Megurine Luka’s voice provider), Miku Dayo, Tokyo MX’s Yume Lion, Hiroyuki Itoh (Crypton Future Media CEO), and Hiroshi Date (Tokyo MX CEO).

August 31st Tokyo: Saki Fujita (Hatsune Miku’s voice provider), Miku Dayo, Tokyo MX’s Yume Lion, Hiroyuki Itoh (Crypton Future Media CEO), and Hiroshi Date (Tokyo MX CEO).


Hatsune Miku: Magical Mirai 2019 will take place at Intex Osaka in Osaka from August 9th~11th, and Makuhari Messe in Tokyo from August 30th~September 1st. Stay tuned!

Hatsune Miku: Magical Mirai 2019: https://magicalmirai.com/2019/

Via Magical Mirai 2019 Official Website

Jul 052019
 

Following the reveal on Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA MEGA 39’s for Nintendo Switch this week comes the t-shirt design contest for the game! The game itself was announced for the Nintendo Switch with 300 modules in total, and now, with more modules to come from this contest! Five t-shirt designs and/or more will be selected and made into modules in the game.

Winners of the entries will be presented with a copy of the game, as well as featured in the roll credits as t-shirt designers. Please make sure to read the rules below very closely and follow them, otherwise you entry may be invalid! Entries are open starting now, and will close on August 5th at 5:00 PM JST! 

Target characters

Hatsune Miku / Kagamine Rin / Kagamine Len / Megurine Luka / KAITO / MEIKO

Entry Eligibility

Any applicants registered to piapro.jp, and agree to the application method and rules of entry.

Size

4096 dots x 2048 dots

File Format

JPG / PNG (Color mode: RGB)

Result release date

September 2019

Other Notes

  • Please make sure to use the provided template and design according to the specifications mentioned.
  • Please design both the front (left) and the back (right) of the t-shirt according to the given template.
  • You do not have to draw the character in your design.
  • You do not have to draw wrinkles in your design.
  • When applying, please fill in the name of your t-shirt design.
  • When designing, please design within the black frame of the template. The red frame is an indication of where the design will be displayed, although this may varies due to the t-shirt shapes and such.
  • Photos are not eligible for the contest.
  • Variations of characters are not eligible for the contest, including Snow Miku, Miku Dayo, etc.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Entries must be uploaded with the tag “セガ_Tシャツ” (copy and paste without quotes). Please make sure to lock the tag otherwise your entry will be invalid.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure your entry is submitted without any licenses! During the submission process linked below, you’ll be presented with a list of licenses. Choose the checkbox at the bottom for “Upload without licenses”.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Designs that do not appear in the list of submissions will be considered invalid. Please reassure that your design is there in the list once submitted.

-> Click Here To Begin Submission Application <-

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA MEGA 39’s: http://miku.sega.jp/mega39s/
Design Contest: https://piapro.jp/pages/official_collabo/mega39s/index
Submission list: https://piapro.jp/pages/official_collabo/mega39s/list