And Now, Miku Hatsune With The Weather

It's Friday, so be kind to yourself and watch this adorable as hell fan-made video of Miku Hatsune trying her hand in broadcast journalism. What more is there to say to make you wanna watch?

Hat tip to ANN for the video link, where there is also news about a new Miku album from the same artist who created the above video.

New PV From Miku Hatsune Dark Is Hazy

Thanks, Crunchyroll, for the heads up: there's a new Miku Hatsune PV! From VOCALOID producer Keeno and the soundback of Hatsune Miku comes "morning haze". The song actually uses Miku Hatsune Dark, one of the Append music banks meant to create different moods in Miku's songs.

You'll be able to listen to the full LP that this song comes from - "Download feat. Miku Hatsune" when it comes out next month via Warner Music Japan. The album can be pre-ordered through CDJapan, either as a regular or a limited edition.

Happy Birthday, Miku Hatsune!

Is it weird to celebrate the 'birthday' of a computer created Japanese pop idol whose voice is drawn from a synthesized voice bank? Oh, well. Considering how VOCALOID music is a popular staple of anime culture, and that Miku Hatsune's popularity has soared in the past couple of years, there's nothing wrong with celebrating it.

Hatsune-san first hit shelves in 2007 on this day, making her program seven years old, although technically her outer persona is permanently sixteen years old. I know that Miku Hatsune is a polarizing figure - she's not a real person, although her voice bank was created by an actual voice actress, fandom's adoration of her can get overwhelming at times, and some people find her songs grating. Not me. Miku Hatsune was my first exposure to VOCALOID culture and I've enjoyed what fandom has created with her voice bank since then.

Sing A Happy Song With Miku Hatsune

I don't know about y'all, but in light of current entertainment news and the passing of an iconic comic actor, I think we could use a happy, optimistic song and a smile right about now.

Being an anime fan can sometimes be an isolated, introverted kind of life, and sometimes we get so wrapped up in it that we forget to reach out and connect to other fans. For some anime fans, those connections can be life saving.

That's why we have forums and online communities, why we get excited about dressing up and going to conventions, why there are anime clubs at colleges and libraries and video game tournaments and cosplay meet-ups and so much kindness to draw upon when things get tough. We have the power to get together and, to paraphrase a well-known Doctor Who quote, add to someone's pile of good things. Let's keep doing that, now more than ever. Be kind. That's all.

Top 6 Favorite VOCALOID Tracks (At The Moment)

Yes, I do owe y'all an Accel World post. That will be tomorrow - I promise. Tonight, it's VOCALOID love all around. I've been inspired by a recent post by Loli Salad, Great Vocaloid Tracks You Can Buy From North American iTunes, to post my current top five favorite computer generated tracks by the Vocaloid stars we love so much. Well, some of us.

(For those few people in anime fandom who have no idea what the hell I'm talking about: Vocaloid is computer generated music based on vocal banks and the fictional idols created around this music. Vocaloid fandom has exploded over the past couple of years to include fan-made music/videos, fanart, video games, animation, and even 'live' concerts featuring some of the Vocaloid artists. If you think that's a lot, try stepping into Touhou Project fandom.)

Anyway, I'm usually preferential to Miku Hatsune, the undisputed queen of Vocaloid fandom, but recently I've been delving into her vocal siblings' discographies and I've found a few gems definitely worth sharing. Of course, that doesn't mean there won't be any Miku in the mix of six (because I'm too indecisive for only five!).

AMV Of The Week (Not Really): All Hail The Tsundere Vocaloid Queen

This week's AMV is . . . not really an AMV at all. It's a VOCALOID video. Shut up, I'm just happy I got a new netbook to post this on! And I really like Miku's face in this! I-it's not like I wanted to post this or anything, geez! 
  
(turns red, stomps off in the direction of ANN)
 
AMV: The World Is Mine
Author: ???? (NicoNicoDouga repost)
Music: supercell/Hatsune Miku's "The World Is Mine"
Warnings: N/A

Interesting News Piece About Vocaloids Of The Day

Hat tip to An Eternal Thought in the Mind of Godzilla for this one: Hatsune Miku Goes J-Horror In "Bacterial Contamination" Clip.

Every now and then, a new VOCALOID video comes around that is destined to be the stuff of legend. The full CGI animated “Bacterial Contamination” clip goes one better by being the stuff of nightmares, too.

I have to say, it's pretty cool! The CGI work is nice and Miku Hatsune in a horror setting is always interesting to watch. You can watch the clip of Miku below: