MIKUOPOLIS: Virtual Diva at Birth by Kyra Perez

Have you ever heard of a virtual being becoming as popular as a regular celebrity you see in movies? Well, if you never heard of Hatsune Miku, then apparently you are missing out on the hype and greatness of this wonderful phenomenon known as a virtual diva. Hatsune Miku came out after Crypton had an idea from Yamaha's Vocaloids Miriam, Leon, Lola, Meiko, and Kaito. She debuted on August 31, 2007, being Crypton's first generation Vocaloid series. Other Vocaloids include a twin set named Kagamine Rin and Len, a pink haired English/ Japanese speaking female named Megurine Luka, a purple haired “dancing samurai” named Kamui Gakupoid, a green haired mascot named Megpoid, a blond hair rockstar named Lily, and the most recent one based on the famous singer Piko from Nico Nico Douga named Utatane Piko. With the help of Nico Nico Douga, Hatsune Miku quickly became popular. She became so popular that she had a rhythm game made exactly for her and the other Vocaloids that came after her, featured in certain animes such as Lucky Star or Zoku Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei, starred in a recent Toyota Corolla commercial, as well as becoming a Guest of Honor at Anime Expo 2011 during the beginning of July. Her energetic and soft voice is created by a software made by YAMAHA. From techno-ish sounds to hardcore screamo, Miku's voice is heard in many varietys that its almost impossible to comprehend why she didn't become famous. If you haven't listened to at least heard on of Hatsune Miku, or any other Vocaloid in particular, give it a gander, and believe me, you will find it pretty catchy. Soon enough, you will join the hype and greatness of this virtual diva named Hatsune Miku.

MIKUOPOLIS: Virtual Diva Makes Her LA Live Debut by Emil Mombay

Before the actual concert, a special press conference was held featuring Vocaloid music creator Onyx Kobayashi and gave fans the chance to see a live representation of how the Vocaloid program works. The crowd was also introduced to a new expansion pack of the program called “APPEND” that gives musicians use of a variety of sounds for a more fresh and natural experience. Fans were also told a special command by host Danny Choo that would seemingly make Hatsune Miku appear during the concert.

As fans were treated to sampling the new APPEND program, all the new info about Miku served only to excite fans even more about the concert the following day at the Nokia Theater. As the fateful day arrived, fans stood in lines that stretched longer than you could imagine, waiting for the moment when the doors finally open. Each fan stormed in, as soon as it was open, and prepared their own hand-made glowsticks in the form of leeks and various vocaloid props. The hardcore fans have also come cosplaying as their favorite Vocaloids. About some time later on in the show, Danny Choo came onto the stage signaling the people to chant the special command that they have learned in the Miku Press Conference. As soon as the whole theater was erupted by chants of Miku, the energy in the room was even more fueled by the sudden appearance of the Danceroids, a dancing group which sang and danced to Vocaloid songs as part of a pre-show performance.

After their last song and dance, Danny Choo once again came on stage and the audience began to wave their glowsticks around signaling their desire for Miku. He asks the audience if they should wait for more “comrades” or immediately start. The audience replied with bursts of screams and chanted “Miku!” which prompted the lights to slowly shut off with suspense. A Toyota commercial played on the screens a minute later, which showed Hatsune Miku in her first ever appearance on American TV. As soon as the commercial ended, the entire crowd broke out in screams as Hatsune Miku finally appeared on screen as a 3D hologram. The entire venue lit up with dazzling lights and showed various band members and a string orchestra performing live versions of Vocaloid songs starting from “World Is Mine”, “Electric Angel”, to “Koi Suru Voc@loid.” Miku also sank beneath the stage countless times to “change clothes” for her songs which included “Clover Club”, “Cinderella and Romeo”, and “Poppippo!”

Although the 3D effects of the concert were very well done, it wasn’t perfect, as any amount of bright light showing Miku would render her into just a tv-like appearance. When she dances, she also circles around the stage but as soon as she hits the edges, she fades away for a bit until she returns to center stage. However, these are all nit-picky details that doesn’t change the overall spectacular show performed by Miku and her bandmates.

As the concert went along, other Vocaloids also made appearances, which included Kagamine Rin and Len and Megurine Luka. They sang and danced to the tune of “Migikata no Chou”, “Spice!”, “Meltdown” and Luka singing to the catchy song “Just Be Friends.” Miku came out once again to do a performance with Luka singing “World’s End Dancehall” and after that song, the lights went out completely for a second time. The fans shouted for encores and howled for Miku to come back, which of course returned with the band after a few minutes of hearing the audience’s beloved cries for another few songs. She thanked the crowd one last time before finishing up the concert with “From Y to Y”, “Saihate”, “Ai Kotoba, and “StargazeR”. After performing the final song “Hajimete no Oto”, the digital diva bowed to the crowd, wrapping up her sold-out concert for Anime Expo 2011.

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