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Hatsune Miku

In this Japanese name, the family name is Hatsune.

Hatsune Miku (Japanese: 初音ミク) is a Vocaloid software voicebank. It was developed by Crypton Future Media [en], and first released in 2007. The software's official mascot is shown and described as a 16-year-old girl with long, turquoise twintails.

The logo for the software
The logo for the software
File:Cosplay of Hatsune Miku (29287315777).jpg
Cosplay of Hatsune Miku
Developer(s)Crypton Future Media [en], Sapporo
Initial release31 August 2007; 18 years ago (2007-08-31)
Stable releaseHatsune Miku V6 / 14 April 2026; 58 days ago (2026-04-14)
Available in
  • Japanese
  • English
  • Chinese
TypeVocal synthesiser application
LicenceCC BY-NC (character design)
Websiteec.crypton.co.jp/pages/prod/virtualsinger/cv01_us

Miku's character has been marketed as a virtual idol. Shortly after release, the software became a sales hit. Hatsune Miku is widely regarded as an icon of popular culture. Her popularity had made a significant impact on the internet and music culture. This resulted in several spin-off media being made.

Background

Origins

In 1995, Crypton Future Media [en] was founded by Japanese businessman Hiroyuki Ito. The company specialises in making and selling music-related content, such as sound generator software.[1]

In 2004, Crypton released Meiko, a female voice synthesiser. She was followed in 2006 by Kaito, a male software. Both voicebanks use the Vocaloid 1 software engine. They also feature character mascots on their box art. This was Crypton's marketing strategy to explain that a character is behind the singing voice. Three thousand copies of the Meiko voicebank were sold within the year after release.[1] However, only less than 500 units of the Kaito software were sold in 2006. This was the lowest sale for a Japanese Vocaloid product on record.[2][3] Crypton realised that a female software is more popular than a male software.[3]

In 2007, Yamaha Corporation released the Vocaloid 2 engine. This version has vocals more smooth and natural to that of a human.[4] Crypton saw a chance to make a new product after Meiko and Kaito.[1]

Concept and development

The task of coming up with Miku's design went to artist Kei Garo. Kei illustrated Miku's clothing and accessories based on Yamaha's DX series keyboard. He also drew the character as having turquoise twintails.[2] This resulted in Miku's design being more complex than Meiko and Kaito. Compared to Miku, Meiko and Kaito were of a more simple manga-style. Yuji Sone said that Miku's appearance fit more with Japanese audiences at the time.[1]

Crypton found that searching a voice sample hard. The company met about ten female singers. They all declined. The singers said they were too scared to have their voice copied everywhere.[5] Eventually, Crypton found Saki Fujita [en]. They found her voice to be "easy to understand and cute". Fujita's voice also fits Hatsune Miku's image as a futuristic idol. Crypton therefore chose to sample voices from Fujita.[1]

To give the feeling Miku's existence is "real", Crypton gave few details about her character. They also made sure to keep Miku a "blank canvas" (free to interpret). Hatsune Miku's age is said to be 16 years old. Her weight is specified at 42 kg (93 lb). She is described as 158 cm (5.18 ft) in height.[1][4] Crypton did not say about Miku's background or psychology. This way, fans are free to make their own visions on Miku's character and personality.[6]

Miku's name comes from the Japanese words for first (初, hatsu), sound (音, ne), and future (ミク, miku). The combined phrase means "the first sound of the future".[7]

Songs

Lots of songs have been made using Hatsune Miku's voicebank. Some of them got very famous in Japan and overseas, which made Miku more well known. Here are some examples:

  • "Ievan Polkka" - Otomania[8][9]
  • "World is Mine" - ryo (Supercell)[8][9]
  • "PoPiPo" - LamazeP[9]
  • "Kagerou Daze" (カゲロウデイズ) - JIN[9]
  • "The Disappearance of Hatsune Miku" - cosMo@BousouP[9]
  • "Rolling Girl" - wowaka[10]

Software

For more background information on the software, see Vocaloid.
"Freely Tomorrow" by Mitchie M

Example of a song created using Vocaloid software with vocals by Hatsune Miku.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Hatsune Miku is based on the Vocaloid platform. The software allows users to string together phonemes in order. Once the composition is played, these notes will make a singing voice.[11] Pitch, speed, and volume can be changed to near-impossible levels. For example, the start of "The Disappearance of Hatsune Miku [ja]" is at 240 BPM (beats per minute).[12]

Software updates

After being first released in 2007, Hatsune Miku has been updated to newer versions. On 30 April 2010, a new add-on for Vocaloid 2 called Hatsune Miku Append was released. It contains five different voice tones, including "Sweet", "Dark" and "Vivid".[13] On 31 August 2013, an English version of Miku was released, using the Vocaloid 3 engine. The Japanese version of Hatsune Miku V3 was released on 26 September 2013.[14]

Hatsune Miku was updated to the Vocaloid 4 engine on 31 August 2016. This version is known as Hatsune Miku V4X. It is available in both Japanese and English.[15] A Chinese version of Hatsune Miku V4X was released on 7 September 2017.[16] On 1 August 2024, Crypton announced they would release Hatsune Miku V6 in 2024. This version is based on the Vocaloid 6 engine. Miku V6 also uses artificial intelligence for a wider range of voices.[17][18][19] After development delays, Miku V6 was released on 14 April 2026.[20]

On 27 November 2020, Hatsune Miku NT[a] was released. Unlike previous versions, this software does not use the Vocaloid engine. Instead, Miku NT is available on Piapro Studio with an in-house voice synthesis engine.[21] An early-access launch of Hatsune Miku NT V2 was released in October 2024. This version was officially launched on 18 March 2025.[22]

Reception

Initial sales and popularity

Hatsune Miku was initially released by Crypton on 31 August 2007. It was put on Amazon's website for ¥15,750 (equivalent to ¥NaN in 2019). By 12 September 2007, orders rose to nearly 3,000 copies. According to ITmedia News, an average sale of a music software would be 200 to 300 copies. 1,000 copies would normally be said to be a sales hit.[5] Within the year of being released, more than 40,000 copies of the Hatsune Miku software were sold.[1]

At the same time, Hatsune Miku started to gain popularity through Nico Nico Douga [en]. This Japanese video-sharing site had started in 2006, a year before Miku's release.[1] Each day, users uploaded 100 to 200 songs that used Miku's vocals. By August 2008, Nikkei Business Online estimated that more than 100,000 Miku songs had been uploaded on Nico Nico Douga.[23]

One of the music videos that was popular on Nico Nico Douga is a cover of "Ievan Polkka [en]".[b] Made by producer[c] Otomania, the music animation shows a chibi version of Miku[d] holding and shaking a spring onion. The animation has led to the spring onion becoming Hatsune Miku's cultural symbol.[2][3] Crypton Future Media has said that the music video showed Miku's potential in multimedia content creation.[24]

Hatsune Miku's commercial success was largely because of a network effect [en] cycle. Later research found that consumers used the voicebank to make music content on the Internet. The viewers then see the content and become inspired to buy the software. This results in a positive feedback loop that helped Miku's popularity.[25][26]

Reviews and analyses

Natasha Anderson viewed Hatsune Miku as better over real idols. Anderson argued that real-life idols have strict, regulated lives to keep a certain image for their fans. These restrictions include food diet and relationships with other people. Anderson stated that virtual idols such as Miku would never experience these issues. The private life of virtual idols would remain perfect without having to maintain a strict lifestyle. This improve their lives without endangering their own.[12]

Ian DiOrio criticised Hatsune Miku as technological masterpiece that is fake. He compared Miku's existence to that of leprechauns and unicorns.[27] DiOrio also thought many people are attracted to Miku because she is immortal.[27]

Esther Chen argued that Hatsune Miku's popularity has changed digital music culture. Chen used statistics as evidence to support her argument. These statistics include comparisons between American, Japanese and Vocaloid music.[e][26] Chen concluded that Miku and Vocaloid has allowed the spread of creative and cultural expressions between creators. She also stated that this came at the cost of mildly damaging the traditional music industry.[26]

Awards

Hatsune Miku was nominated for the 2007 Internet Buzzword Awards. She ultimately came in sixth place.[28] In 2008, Hatsune Miku won the Excellence Award at the 13th AMD Awards. Alongside Miku, a few other candidates such as iPod Touch also received this award.[29] Miku would also win the Free Category of the 2008 Seiun Award.[30]

Cultural impact

Cosplay of Hatsune Miku in Taiwan

Since Miku's release in 2007, other Vocaloids have been introduced over time. Even then, Hatsune Miku's popularity remained mostly unchallenged.[3] iShare Co., Ltd.'s 2008 survey showed that 60.6% of 540 selected people[f] knew Miku's name.[31] Music Awards Japan reported in its 2025 research that 58% of the global Vocaloid songs featured Hatsune Miku.[32]

Several mainstream Western musicians have utilised Vocaloids over the years. This includes Lady Gaga featuring Miku in her Artpop tour.[12]

In May 2011, Toyota used Hatsune Miku for their new Corolla advertisement campaign in the American market.[25][3] Miku has also been involved in collaborations with a few Western food chains in Japan. These include Domino's Pizza in 2013,[33] and McDonald's in 2025.[34]

In China, Miku is considered to be the strongest in terms of sales. According to Eri Hatano,[g] this is partly because of China's large population. As of 2023, Miku has been ranked among the top Japanese intellectual properties distributed in China.[35] Miku's popularity in China led to the creation of the video-sharing site Mikufans in 2009. This site would later become Bilibili [en] in 2010.[36]

Multimedia development

Main article: Hatsune Miku media franchise [ja]

Hatsune Miku's popularity has resulted in many spin-off media being created. These include live concerts, video games, merchandise, and motorsports. Since August 2009, Miku has appeared in concerts in Japan and around the world.[11] These concerts operate using a three-dimensional projection of the characters on stage.[h][12] Vocaloid songwriters often team up with concert organisers to make a music playlist.[11]

A series of rhythm games starting from Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA [en] were made by Sega. These games feature Hatsune Miku and other Vocaloid characters. The songs featured in the games were made by producers of the Vocaloid community.[3] In 2020, a mobile gacha rhythm game called Project Sekai: Colorful Stage! was released. Outside Asia, this game is known as Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! [en]. The game features Miku and other Crypton Vocaloids, as well as some original characters.[37]

Hatsune Miku Media

Related pages

Notes

  1. ↑ "NT" is short for "New Type".
  2. ↑ "Ievan Polkka" was originally a Finnish folk song.[2] The remix was inspired by the Loituma Girl [en] Internet meme from the anime Bleach.[2][3]
  3. ↑ Composers who use Vocaloid softwares are called "producers" or "vocaloP's". They are called as such by some sources, such as one by Patrick W. Galbraith and Jason G. Karlin.[11]
  4. ↑ This version of Miku is known as "Hachune Miku" (Japanese: はちゅねミク).
  5. ↑ Statistics include song length, themes, types of composers collaborating in song production, etc.
  6. ↑ These people were aged in their 20s to 30s.
  7. ↑ A writer on Nikkei XTrend.
  8. ↑ This includes Hatsune Miku and other Vocaloid characters.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Sone 2017.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 航空工业出版社 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Le 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 St. Michel, Patrick. The Making of Vocaloid. Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved 17 April 2025. – archived via archive.today.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Okada, Yuka (12 September 2007). "異例の売れ行き「初音ミク」　「ニコ動」で広がる音楽作りのすそ野" (in ja). ITmedia News. https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/0709/12/news035.html. Retrieved 22 April 2025. 
  6. ↑ Annett 2015.
  7. ↑ Novak 2024.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Hatsune Miku, exitosa cantante con más de dos millones de seguidores en Youtube y que no es una persona real (in es-MX). Vanguardia (2022-02-14). Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Christiansen, Axel. Diez canciones para celebrar los diez años de Hatsune Miku (in es). La Tercera (2017-08-31). Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  10. ↑ McPherson, Rebekah. Best Hatsune Miku Songs to Listen to on Miku Day (in en-US). Siliconera (2023-03-09). Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Galbraith & Karlin 2016.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Anderson 2021.
  13. ↑ "初音ミクAppend、4月30日発売" (in ja). ITmedia News. 2 April 2010. https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1004/02/news074.html. Retrieved 22 May 2025. 
  14. ↑ Matsuo, Kimiya (10 August 2013). "初音ミク英語版は8月31日発売　「クリエイターが世界で活躍できるパスポートに」" (in ja). Netlab, ITmedia News. https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1308/09/news114.html. Retrieved 22 May 2025. 
  15. ↑ "「初音ミク」新バージョン「V4X」発売　シャウトからささやきまで表現豊かに" (in ja). ITmedia News. 31 August 2016. https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1608/31/news099.html. Retrieved 22 May 2025. 
  16. ↑ Yamaguchi, Keisuke (7 September 2017). "中国語で歌う「初音ミク」登場　日本からも購入可能" (in ja). ITmedia News. https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1709/07/news115.html. Retrieved 25 April 2025. 
  17. ↑ "『初音ミク V6 AI』2024年内リリースの延期を発表「開発上の理由」「2025年中を目標として開発を進めております」" (in ja). Oricon News. 26 December 2024. https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2361337/full/. Retrieved 22 May 2025. 
  18. ↑ "「初音ミク V6 AI」年内発売へ　AIで歌声の幅広げた「VOCALOID6」採用" (in ja). ITmedia News. 1 August 2025. https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2408/01/news139.html. Retrieved 22 May 2025. 
  19. ↑ Yoshida, Kohei (9 March 2026). "「初音ミク V6」新ビジュアル＆英語歌唱デモ動画が公開" (in ja). Game Watch. https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/2091663.html. Retrieved 10 March 2026. 
  20. ↑ "歌声合成ソフトウェア『初音ミク V6』、ついに正式リリース！ 2種類のボイスバンクを搭載！" (in ja). PR Times. 14 April 2026. https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000647.000052709.html. Retrieved 14 April 2026. 
  21. ↑ Tanii, Masato (27 November 2020). "VOCALOIDじゃない「初音ミク NT」、きょう正式発売　音源の一部は後日提供" (in ja). ITmedia News. https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2011/27/news105.html. Retrieved 23 May 2025. 
  22. ↑ Koizumi, Kiyomizu. Interview. 初音ミク NTバージョン2がリリース。複数のエンジンでクリエイターの思いを存分に反映できる環境を. 19 March 2025.
  23. ↑ Noyasu, Yukio (8 August 2008). "ユーザー作成コンテンツがひっくり返す、商売の常識 ～初音ミクが巻き起こした革命とは？～" (in ja). Nikkei Business Online. http://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/life/20080806/167386/. Retrieved 28 April 2025. 
  24. ↑ Okada, Yuka (25 February 2008). "初音ミクが開く“創造の扉”" (in ja). ITmedia News. https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/0802/25/news017.html. Retrieved 28 September 2025. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Kobayashi & Taguchi 2018.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Chen 2024.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 DiOrio 2014.
  28. ↑ "2007年ネット流行語大賞、栄えある第1位は「アサヒる」に決定" (in ja). Gigazine. 14 December 2007. https://gigazine.net/news/20071214_2007_buzz. Retrieved 24 April 2025. 
  29. ↑ "AMDアワード大賞は「Wii Fit」。「iPod touch」「初音ミク」なども受賞" (in ja). BB Watch. https://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/21215.html. Retrieved 23 April 2025. 
  30. ↑ "星雲賞：長編部門に「図書館戦争」　「初音ミク」「20世紀少年」なども受賞" (in ja). Mainichi Shimbun. 25 August 2008. http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/news/20080825mog00m200023000c.html. Retrieved 27 April 2025. 
  31. ↑ "みくみくにしてあげる♪ 初音ミクの認知度は全体で6割超え" (in ja). CNET Japan. 17 October 2008. https://japan.cnet.com/article/20382172/. Retrieved 3 May 2025. 
  32. ↑ "MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN’s Best Vocaloid Culture Song Entries Highlight Different Domestic & International Trends". Billboard. 22 April 2025. https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/music-awards-japan-vocaloid-culture-song-entries-analysis-1235953014/. Retrieved 3 May 2025. 
  33. ↑ Green, Scott (6 March 2013). "Hatsune Miku Helps You Order Domino's Pizza with New App". Crunchyroll. https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2013/3/6/hatsune-miku-helps-you-order-dominos-pizza-with-new-app. Retrieved 4 May 2025. 
  34. ↑ Iikura-Gross, Ken (11 March 2025). "McDonald's Rolls Out Hatsune Miku Collaboration". Anime News Network. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2025-03-11/mcdonald-rolls-out-hatsune-miku-collaboration/.222168. Retrieved 5 May 2025. 
  35. ↑ Hatano, Eri (25 December 2023). "ヒットIP研究「初音ミク」、『プロセカ』で韓国ファン増加（後編）" (in ja). Nikkei XTrend. https://xtrend.nikkei.com/atcl/contents/18/00930/00017/. Retrieved 5 May 2025. 
  36. ↑ Lou, Xiaojing. 哔哩哔哩吐槽动漫 (in zh). CBN Weekly 16 (30 April 2012)Shanghai Media Group. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  37. ↑ Romano, Sal (22 August 2020). "Project SEKAI: COLORFUL STAGE! feat. Hatsune Miku launches September 30 in Japan". Gematsu. https://www.gematsu.com/2020/08/project-sekai-colorful-stage-feat-hatsune-miku-launches-september-30-in-japan. Retrieved 23 June 2025. 

Sources

Other websites

  • Media related to Hatsune Miku at Wikimedia Commons
  • Lua error in Module:Official_website at line 90: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). (in Japanese)
  • piapro.net - containing official information about Hatsune Miku and other Crypton Vocaloids
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