I was chit-chatting with a new friend while shopping a few weeks back. I was opening a fresh package of Project DiVA Weiss Schwarz cards, and the first one I got was MEiKO.
Crissy (my friend I was chatting with) looked at MEiKO, and remarked:
"I'm glad they only use my favorites in the Project DiVA games. No offence, but I just can't stand some of these Vocaloid 3 wannabes."
I asked her to elaborate. This is what Crissy said.
"Well, I was listening to v Flower the other day, and she just sounds BAD. Like, I've heard UTAU banks that are more clear. V Flower just SCREAMS and SCREECHES. She doesn't sing, and I'm not even sure if she really IS a she! She sounds like when you try to genderbend Rin and Len. And Tone Rion looks like she belongs in a Hentai game, rather than Vocaloid. Is she like a Miku answer to Acme Iku? What do you think, are there any voices you can't stand? I'm sure if there was a bigger manga book, Len and Rin would probably beat Flower for stealing their sound."
I wasn't sure exactly how to answer that one.
Everyone I meet has a favorite Vocaloid, but they also have a few they could live without.
I see some people complain that Luo and SeeU sound too much like Miku. Kiyoteru and VY2 sound like KAITO on a bad day. And now V Flower is accused of sounding like Rin and Len. The list goes on and on, and I'm sure you've seen it all too on YouTube. Some people think that Ryuto sound weird, Lily and Iroha sound super deep, and then I've even seen costume hate. Some people just can't stand that Gakupo has such an elaborate costume, that he can't have a model finished in a few seconds, and don't get me started on all the early Bruno and Clara hate.
But all the teasing aside, each Vocaloid seems to have a purpose.
I told Crissy that Vocaloid has one thing in common with Pokemon, outside of awesome video games and now a cool card game. It's that just like in Pokemon, there is now a character for everybody.
I asked her to close her eyes, and imagine the following.
V Flower right now, is giving a voice to a smart, young teen, who may be teased at school for being somewhere between a boy and a girl.
Lily and Iroha are right now making some deep voiced young lady smile. Why? Because their voices are letting her know that she isn't a "monster" for having a deep voice. She's glamorous.
Ryuto is making someone with a new voice box grin, because now that person knows he or she is just as normal as everyone else, and has every right to sing with what he or she can.
Yohio and the Zola Project just helped a lad and a lass realize that they don't need a mainstream conglomerate dictate to them what is and isn't "hot" and they are now discovering Vocaloid love for the first time.
Prima and Tonio just helped someone realize that they aren't alone in opera love anymore, while LOLA and LEON just taught a boy what software can really do. And over the border, Bruno, Clara and Maika just gave a voice to someone who badly needed it.
Kiyoteru, Luka and MEiKO right now are making men and women under 35 feel gorgeous again, because those three remind us that super idol status does not end at age 17.
Big Al just made someone laugh. Yuki Kaai just brought someone back their innocence. CUL and MEW just helped someone belt out their angst in an electric new light. Aoki and Merli just helped two sisters talk to each other, instead of fight. Len just mended a broken heart, while Rin helped a troubled youth explain her frustrations with the world.
SFA2-Miki and Piko just inspired a fanfic writer to write the best sci-fi drama of his young life. Miriam just reminded someone of a happy memory. Kokone just helped someone express their love, while Avanna just helped someone else cry out their pain.
And right there in the corner, there is Miku, bringing joy to someone's day.
Yes, there are some songs that are hard to hear with certain voices. Some characters that are hard to like at first.
But hate them? "Can't stand" any?
No. I don't think I can.
Every Vocaloid serves a purpose, and it's far more than just staying ahead of the trend, or piling up more cash for some company. No, Vocaloid is more than that. Vocaloid is bringing technology and innovation to the music world, and each voicebank is giving someone out there more than a hobby, they now have comfort. It's not really possible to be angry at any Vocaloid, when you know someone out there is benefitting from him or her. And with just a little fine-tuning, even the so-called "worst" Vocaloid can bring out the best in a song.
I think Crissy understood this very well. At my request, she looked on YouTube for a few more V Flower songs, and she found one she actually liked. I can't remember which one right now, but she has since given a second chance to Tone as well, and I think she's cured of "Vocalhate" and is now into "Vocalove".
I'm happy to say I'm into Vocalove myself.
Crissy (my friend I was chatting with) looked at MEiKO, and remarked:
"I'm glad they only use my favorites in the Project DiVA games. No offence, but I just can't stand some of these Vocaloid 3 wannabes."
I asked her to elaborate. This is what Crissy said.
"Well, I was listening to v Flower the other day, and she just sounds BAD. Like, I've heard UTAU banks that are more clear. V Flower just SCREAMS and SCREECHES. She doesn't sing, and I'm not even sure if she really IS a she! She sounds like when you try to genderbend Rin and Len. And Tone Rion looks like she belongs in a Hentai game, rather than Vocaloid. Is she like a Miku answer to Acme Iku? What do you think, are there any voices you can't stand? I'm sure if there was a bigger manga book, Len and Rin would probably beat Flower for stealing their sound."
I wasn't sure exactly how to answer that one.
Everyone I meet has a favorite Vocaloid, but they also have a few they could live without.
I see some people complain that Luo and SeeU sound too much like Miku. Kiyoteru and VY2 sound like KAITO on a bad day. And now V Flower is accused of sounding like Rin and Len. The list goes on and on, and I'm sure you've seen it all too on YouTube. Some people think that Ryuto sound weird, Lily and Iroha sound super deep, and then I've even seen costume hate. Some people just can't stand that Gakupo has such an elaborate costume, that he can't have a model finished in a few seconds, and don't get me started on all the early Bruno and Clara hate.
But all the teasing aside, each Vocaloid seems to have a purpose.
I told Crissy that Vocaloid has one thing in common with Pokemon, outside of awesome video games and now a cool card game. It's that just like in Pokemon, there is now a character for everybody.
I asked her to close her eyes, and imagine the following.
V Flower right now, is giving a voice to a smart, young teen, who may be teased at school for being somewhere between a boy and a girl.
Lily and Iroha are right now making some deep voiced young lady smile. Why? Because their voices are letting her know that she isn't a "monster" for having a deep voice. She's glamorous.
Ryuto is making someone with a new voice box grin, because now that person knows he or she is just as normal as everyone else, and has every right to sing with what he or she can.
Yohio and the Zola Project just helped a lad and a lass realize that they don't need a mainstream conglomerate dictate to them what is and isn't "hot" and they are now discovering Vocaloid love for the first time.
Prima and Tonio just helped someone realize that they aren't alone in opera love anymore, while LOLA and LEON just taught a boy what software can really do. And over the border, Bruno, Clara and Maika just gave a voice to someone who badly needed it.
Kiyoteru, Luka and MEiKO right now are making men and women under 35 feel gorgeous again, because those three remind us that super idol status does not end at age 17.
Big Al just made someone laugh. Yuki Kaai just brought someone back their innocence. CUL and MEW just helped someone belt out their angst in an electric new light. Aoki and Merli just helped two sisters talk to each other, instead of fight. Len just mended a broken heart, while Rin helped a troubled youth explain her frustrations with the world.
SFA2-Miki and Piko just inspired a fanfic writer to write the best sci-fi drama of his young life. Miriam just reminded someone of a happy memory. Kokone just helped someone express their love, while Avanna just helped someone else cry out their pain.
And right there in the corner, there is Miku, bringing joy to someone's day.
Yes, there are some songs that are hard to hear with certain voices. Some characters that are hard to like at first.
But hate them? "Can't stand" any?
No. I don't think I can.
Every Vocaloid serves a purpose, and it's far more than just staying ahead of the trend, or piling up more cash for some company. No, Vocaloid is more than that. Vocaloid is bringing technology and innovation to the music world, and each voicebank is giving someone out there more than a hobby, they now have comfort. It's not really possible to be angry at any Vocaloid, when you know someone out there is benefitting from him or her. And with just a little fine-tuning, even the so-called "worst" Vocaloid can bring out the best in a song.
I think Crissy understood this very well. At my request, she looked on YouTube for a few more V Flower songs, and she found one she actually liked. I can't remember which one right now, but she has since given a second chance to Tone as well, and I think she's cured of "Vocalhate" and is now into "Vocalove".
I'm happy to say I'm into Vocalove myself.