New goth-loli Vocaloid ready to take the stage

Heh, wait for the Mayu cosplayers. :)

@Fadamor

Thanks for the explanation and the source links. This article was written with the assumption that everyone would already know what the heck a Vocaloid is. Learned something new today. Better grab a beer and hit the sack - don't want to over do it.

Great, another vocaloid character for all the NEET otakus to go crazy over.

I am so lost reading this--I really do have no idea what this article is about, lots of questions.

Mr. Simonitch, I don't know what you're writing about.

Vocaloid is a software package developed with support from Yamaha Corporation and created to synthesize singing. Different "voices" have been created by various companies and given identities - of which the most famous so far is probably the "Hatsune Miku" voice created by Crypton Future Media. (According to Wiki, "Hatsune Miku" is derived from 初音 (first sound) and ミク (future)).

Crypton hired manga artist Kei Garou to draw a cute manga characterization of "Hatsune Miku". The combination of cute voice (originally sampled from voice actress Saki Fujita), and cute visual representation sparked a Vocaloid phenomenon.

THIS article simply anounces a new Vocaloid voice and associated manga-style characterization by the recording studio that releases Vocaloid-based music CDs. The interesting thing is that the creator, Exit Tunes, has all but given the character to the public domain. Large-scale marketing/promotions are apparently still restricted, but small-scale stuff is permitted by Exit Tunes.

Sources:

"goth-loli"

LOL.

like so much stuff in Japan, juvenile, same ole same ole, rather messed up if you ask me

I am so lost reading this--I really do have no idea what this article is about, lots of questions.

Mr. Simonitch, I don't know what you're writing about.

She doesn't look quite as cute as Miku. I'm interested to see how or if her gothloli-ness influence people's deviations. Need to see more of this axe..

@vinnyfav - Interesting and informed comment!

My guess is she won't be doing any overseas performances... save perhaps in SE Asian countries abound with middle-aged Japanese salary-men. When oversexualization of young girls is reduced even to a fetish and not the general 'kawaiiiiiiii' that allows kiddie-porn to be rampant in Japan you really, really should take a second to stop and think about what's happening here.

Seriously, what is with Japan on frequently creating underage girls as vocaloid characters?!!!! When will we ever see more adult (over 18 years old) vocaloid characters besides Luka Megurine. -_- What about a 30 year old vocaloid singer????!!!! C'mon folks!!!

Exit Tunes has made it clear that they’ll be providing fans a staggering amount of freedom regarding derivative works. According to Mayu’s official website, individuals and dojin circles are free to use Mayu’s character design, voice and name for items sold or distributed in a limited scale without the permission of Exit Tunes.

They are encouraging fans to do whatever they want with the character... even for profit? This is something I've never heard of before... Imagine Lucasfilm allowing you to do that with Yoda?

...and sweaty virginal men in their 30's rejoice

The Vocaloid phenomenon is, at its core, more about derivative work and grass-roots creativity than the official image. Of course, the success of Vocaloids was largely due to Hatsune Miku's attractiveness to a large number of their targetted audience in the first place, but now that the phenomenon has settled down, gimmicky traits like carrying around an axe will have little impact on the popularity of the new voicebank.

The real question is whether or not Mayu will match up to grass-roots songwriters' and lyricists' expectations and requirements of versatility in range, pitch and intonation. In other words, the quality of the voicebank itself. If the quality of the voicebank does not match up to standards, it will gain at best a niche following, as has been shown in some of the few vocaloids that have recently been released but never really managed to carve a foothold into the scene that is still dominated by Miku, the twins and Luka.

On the other hand, if exit-tunes' work equals or exceeds the quality that Crypton managed to create with Miku and her expansion voicebanks, there is a very good chance we can see a new break-through in the quality of electronically produced singing. The fanbase is already established, and talented hobbyists have a clear support base from which to do their work uninterrupted. Injecting new, better technology into the scene can very well trigger a new revolution in the way songs are made at the grassroots level. Only time will tell.

Pass.

Most rockers and musicians call their instrument their "axe", so maybe she's got an axe to grind.

Why a Vocaloid would need a weapon is beyond us and we’re pretty sure the image of a sweet young girl nonchalantly holding an axe is the stuff of nightmares for some people.

And day dreams for others. I have seen a lot of females both cute and sexy with guns on the covers of DVDs at the video store, and swords too. Looks like a tiny variation on a common theme to me. Some people find armed females very endearing. Don't ask me why.