supercell – The World is Mine feat. Hatsune Miku (a J!-ENT World Groove Digital Single Review)

1. The World is Mine (ワールドイズマイン)

Miku Hatsune is possibly the biggest virtual idol to come from Japan.

And with recent commercials for Toyota showcasing the long blue haired character and a recent announcement of a concert in July in Los Angeles, needless to say that people in America have been wondering who Miku is?

Miku Hatsune actually one of the characters (or mascots) of the singing synthesizer application known as “Vocaloid” developed by Crypton Future Media using Yamaha Corporaton’s “Vocaloid” technology.

And then those who had the software started making their own songs using Hatsune Miku and then came figurines, video games and sure enough Hatsune Miku and music soundtracks.

And when it comes to the music utilizing the Vocaloid software and Hatsune Miku character, the Japanese group Supercell is best to known to utilize it.

The group supercell consists of 11 members, 10 that are illustrators and support  (these members work on the vivid illustrations, animation, design, and photography for album booklets, CD cases and music videos) and Ryo who creates the music and lyrics for the group was born in 2007 and were the first to utilize the Japanese video sharing site, Nico Nico Douga to promote their music and weres signed by Sony in March 2009.

The group have released two albums and three CD singles.  The first album selling more than 150,000 copies.   And the group has performed at concerts with Hatsune Miku on stage via a 3D hologram.

And now the group has released their first single in the U.S. courtesy of Sony Music Direct (Japan) titled “The World is Mine feat. Hatsune Miku” which is available on Amazon.com and iTunes and it is the song that can be heard on the Toyota USA commercial featuring Hatsune Miku.

As for the music, while the music of Hatsune Miku and music using the vocaloid is popular among  many fans worldwide, it’s a style that may or many not appeal to people.  Because the software uses the Vocaloid software, the software enables users to synthesize singing by typing in teh lyrics and melody.  And the software uses technology with specially recorded vocaloids of voice actors or singers.

So, it may be an acquired taste for some people.  For me, the whole concept of virtual idols and also the Vocaloid Software has been quite intriguing for me and I have followed it for years now and I have to admit that I am also interested in Hatsune Miku and how the character has been marketed, especially via videogames, Figma figures and Nendoroids. So, it makes me quite biased.

So, rather than tell people it’s worth it listening to or not, I’ll have you decide.