Vocaloid: The Future of Music

Here's a non-gaming related, Entertainment article for once.

You can say what you want about Japan. We get that they're an active radiation hotspot from being bombed. By us (and I feel quite sorry for them). We understand that we teach them how to make a lot of shit. But one thing we definitely cannot argue with, is that Japan is most definitely, several years ahead of us technology-wise. They've adapted cyberpunk into a freaking ward, for crying out loud, in the form of Shibuya, Tokyo. They have created a sort of remote control human. They made a god damn Spider-Man robot which climbs walls, along with a hybrid motorbike, instant aging wine, and a re-writable printer. So yes, we have established that they are quite a few years ahead of us, regarding technology. Well, whether you like it or not, "stars" like Justin Bieber and One Direction are getting outbeat by fucking computer programs, and I tell the truth. I start with one. Meet Hatsune Miku (that's pronounced Hat-soo-nay mee-koo), a singing computer synthesizer program produced by Crypton Future Media, using software by Yamaha Corporation. Hatsune Miku is described by Crypton as "An android diva from the future where all songs are lost" or basically, what I said a sentence ago: A singing synthesizer program. But she's also a pop star, performing over 100 live concerts and events all over Japan. Starting out as a synthesizer made for creating songs with a 16 year old Japanese female voicebank, with a high pitch range, the software became immensely popular, and a star was born. 

Hatsune Miku's persona. Note the REALLY FUCKING LONG hair and the tattooed "01" on her shoulder, signifying her being the first of the Vocaloid 2 series.

Crypton's intentions were not to make a holographic pop star, originally. They just planned on creating voicebanks (voices) for use with the VOCALOID software, so composers could create songs using the voicebanks provided by the company. They started out creating voicebank packages for Vocaloid 1, with their first Vocaloids, KAITO and MEIKO, which were successful, but not successful enough.

So then, Crypton said "Well, shit, we're not doing crap with these two Vocaloids! You know what! We need something fresh! Something hip! New! Unique! Something that will make people shit themselves with happiness!" and BWAM! Miku was born, as the first Crypton Vocaloid using the Vocaloid 2 engine, and the second to have a live concert (first being Miriam, an English Vocaloid).

Miku, as she appears in a live concert. Oh joy, the people in the front row can see her panties. e_e

Now, I know what some of you will be thinking. "What the hell is wrong with these people? She's not even real!"

Yes, but whether she's real or not, the big thing is she's actually a good singer. Miku spawned a massive (and I mean MASSIVE) fanbase in Japan, and even in America. Thing is, her songs are enjoyable, despite whether you speak the native language, which is one of the reasons why America has a huge Miku fanbase. You don't have to understand Japanese to enjoy the songs, the point was that they were catchy and if Americans like 'em even though they don't know what the fuck she's saying, that lets you know that you made one helluva good thing. (in fact, it's better you don't know Japanese when listening to a Miku song. Take Romeo and Cinderella for example. Catchy song beat, but if you knew the English lyrics to it, you'd be like O_O)

Miku is immensely popular in Japan, and does just as well in America, despite her not even speaking English. All I can say is.

Bieber has millions of fans.

Miku has billions of fans and she's not even real, and doesn't even speak English.

Result: Suck it, Justin.

She's now included in a shitload of merchandise, such as video games (the Project Diva series, which is based off of Hatsune Miku, but basically Dance Dance Revolution), race cars (yep, right here.), toys, figures, and a bunch of Miku-related commercials promoting the 2011 Toyota Corolla.

Crypton realized its success and pushed a few more babies out of its collective mangina, creating Vocaloid Megurine Luka, and companion Vocaloids Len and Rin Kagamine, who all had similar popularity, and also had live events. Crypton is swimming in money.

With the realization of the fact that there are American fans of Miku also, Crypton had several concerts in the US too. And boy did the world rejoice. Miku makes music, and music is music, real or not. The best part is, you don't ever have to worry about her getting old or hitting puberty or dying. Can't say the same for anyone else. In 2013, Crypton plans to get some money out of our fellow Americans this time with the creation of an English Miku. You don't know how many fans out there are squealing with delight as I type this. Huge-ass deal.

So, with the rising popularity of Vocaloids, people consider them to be "The future of music."

Perhaps someday, we will see popular singers replaced with virtual ones like Miku. Do you see that as good? Or do you feel that is bad? Whichever way, Miku is here to stay.

(Note: Hatsune Miku is how her name is pronounced in Japan, which is last name first and first name last. In america, it would be said as Miku Hatsune, but 90% of people don't give a shit)