• @Paradachshund
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    83 months ago

    Who is this character, and how did she become so ubiquitous?

    • @Ashyr@sh.itjust.works
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      193 months ago

      I didn’t know either, so a quick google revealed she’s the mascot for voice generation technology that’s over 15 years old.

      She’s especially famous for giving a live music performance where her likeness was projected onto a display.

      She may be the first virtual idol.

      • @scrion@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        I know nothing about the character, but it’s sure possible to have some fun with even the old Vocaloid technology.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hk-kOPdHAY

        Musical stuff starts at around 2:00

        Edit: I just realized if you’re reading this and are interested into Vocaloid, this is not a representative video. It’s just showing off a fun, cheap pocket synth.

      • @Paradachshund
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        43 months ago

        Huh interesting. I guess I’ve never understood the idol thing, much less a virtual one. I ask this in a totally non-judgmental and purely curious way: what’s the appeal?

        • @TheCheddarCheese@lemmy.world
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          163 months ago

          Okay so as a Vocaloid fan, I’ll try to explain best as I can

          First off, computer voices are just cool, and we just like how a lot of them sound. I love Kagamine Rin’s voice for example, and still would even if she wasn’t a computer program.

          Second, the community surrounding Vocaloid is absolutely massive. If you like a real singer, they’ll have a limit to how many songs they can release. But since this is an instrument, anyone can release a song with practically the same voice (practically since people usually tune it differently). There’s music in tons of different genres, by tons of different artists, all sung by Miku.

          Third, I’m assuming when you’re talking about ‘appeal’ here you in some part mean the concerts. Well, on these concerts the band covers both original songs made specifically for the event by prominent Vocaloid producers, and band covers of existing popular songs. At least I think that’s how that works, I’ve never been to one before. So there’s not only hearing songs you like on there, but also meeting with like-minded people with the same interest as you. Also the animations for them are just so damn smooth

          Four, a lot of us are just weebs

          I’m bad at explaining but I hope that helped a bit at least :)

          • @Paradachshund
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            43 months ago

            Not at all, that was a great explanation! I like hearing about things I don’t understand from people who are passionate about them, so thanks for the response.

      • Carighan Maconar
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        43 months ago

        Yeah I remember when this first happened, it felt a bit magical because while sure, the tech was around, this was the first time someone was doing it big. Virtual idols!

    • BassaForte
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      53 months ago

      I don’t know exactly, but she did steal a leek from Orihime Inoue and that wasn’t cool.