Hatsune Miku, the iconic virtual singer with turquoise twin-tails, is more than just software. She is a global cultural phenomenon, a blank canvas for creativity, and a pioneering force in the music and technology industries. First introduced in 2007 as a Vocaloid voicebank, she has since evolved into a beloved virtual idol, performing sold-out holographic concerts worldwide and inspiring millions of fans and creators. This timeline chronicles her remarkable journey from a digital vocal tool to an enduring international icon.
The Early Years: Birth of a Digital Diva (2007–2009)
Hatsune Miku ( code-named CV01) was developed by Crypton Future Media and released on August 31, 2007. She was the third commercially sold Vocaloid 2 library, marketed as an "android diva" from a near-future world where songs were lost.
Initial Success and Cultural Impact
Her impact was immediate. By September 12, 2007, just weeks after her release, she became the number-one-selling software on Amazon.co.jp, with sales totaling 57.5 million yen. This early success signaled the beginning of a new era in digital music creation. By July 2008, she had sold 40,000 units, a significant number that cemented her status as a major cultural hit in Japan.
The community's response was unparalleled. By August 2010, over 22,000 original songs had been created using her voice, showcasing the power of user-generated content and fan-driven innovation.
First Live Appearances and Global Expansion
Miku's journey from software to stage began on August 22, 2009, with her first "live" virtual concert appearance during the Animelo Summer Live event at the Saitama Super Arena. This groundbreaking performance demonstrated the potential for virtual performers.
Her first overseas appearance followed shortly after on November 21, 2009, at the Anime Festival Asia (AFA) in Singapore, marking the start of her global expansion.
Unique Collaborations and Fan Projects
The passion of Miku's fans often transcended music. In a unique fan-driven campaign, a petition was launched in late November 2009 to create custom aluminum plates featuring Miku and her derivative character, Hachune Miku, for the Japanese Venus spacecraft explorer, Akatsuki. The petition garnered over 14,000 signatures, and on May 21, 2010, the spacecraft launched with the three special plates on board.
In another quirky project, three figurines of "Hachune Miku" were launched in a rocket from Nevada's Black Rock Desert in September 2009, though they did not reach outer space.
Mainstream Breakthrough and Global Recognition (2010–2014)
This period saw Hatsune Miku solidify her place in mainstream culture, both in Japan and abroad, through major musical achievements, technological upgrades, and high-profile collaborations.
Major Musical Milestones
A significant milestone was reached on May 31, 2010, when the compilation album Exit Tunes Presents Vocalogenesis feat. Hatsune Miku debuted at number one on the Japanese Oricon weekly album charts. This was the first Vocaloid album to achieve this, proving the commercial viability of music featuring the virtual star. By 2011, the number of original songs attributed to her name reached an astounding 100,000.
Technological Evolution: Append and Vocaloid 3
To expand her vocal range, Crypton released Hatsune Miku Append on April 30, 2010. This add-on for Vocaloid 2 provided six different voice timbres, offering creators more versatility. A更大的 leap came on August 31, 2013, with her release for Vocaloid 3, which notably included an English vocal library, opening her up to a whole new world of creators. The updated Japanese vocal library followed on September 26, 2013.
Conquest of the Live Stage
Miku's live performances became more sophisticated and frequent. Her first solo concert, "Miku no Hi Kanshasai 39's Giving Day," was held on March 9, 2010, at Zepp Tokyo. Her international profile skyrocketed on July 2, 2011, with her first performance in the United States at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles.
Her cultural significance was officially recognized in October 2011 when Crypton displayed a letter from the Japanese Minister of Economy acknowledging Miku's contribution to the nation's "informatization."
High-Profile Collaborations
Miku began collaborating with major names outside the anime world. In December 2012, she starred in the opera The End, a collaboration with luxury brand Louis Vuitton and designer Marc Jacobs. In a major step into Western pop culture, she served as the opening act for Lady Gaga's ArtRave: The Artpop Ball tour from May to June 2014.
Her American television debut came on October 8, 2014, with a performance of "Sharing the World" on the Late Show with David Letterman.
Innovation, Endurance, and Icon Status (2015–Present)
From 2015 onward, Hatsune Miku has continued to innovate, adapting to new technologies and solidifying her status as a timeless icon.
Expanding Multilingual Capabilities and New Platforms
A significant development was the release of a Mandarin Chinese voicebank in September 2017, making Miku the first officially trilingual Vocaloid product. This was followed by the release of Piapro Studio, a new editor, and Hatsune Miku NT, a new voicebank, on November 27, 2020. The engine continues to evolve, with Hatsune Miku V6 AI anticipated for release.
👉 Explore the latest voice synthesis tools
Crossover Appearances in Games and Media
Miku's presence in video games became commonplace. She appeared as a DLC character in Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015), was a playable character in the mobile game #COMPASS (2017), and was featured in Just Dance 2018 (2018). She even made a recurring guest appearance in the anime Dropkick on My Devil! X (2022), voiced by her original voice provider, Saki Fujita.
Collaborations with Western Artists
Her influence on Western music grew, with artists across genres sampling and featuring her. Big Boi (of OutKast) sampled a Miku-featuring track for his 2017 single "Kill Jill." Electronic artist Slushii collaborated with her on "Through the Night" (2018), and Ashnikko featured her on a remix of "Daisy" (2020). In 2022, American rock band Set It Off featured her in their single "Why Do I."
Major Festival Appearances and Future Plans
Miku was announced as a performer at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in both 2020 (canceled due to the pandemic) and again in 2024, placing her alongside the biggest names in music. Recent high-profile collaborations include a major project with Pokémon, announced in September 2023, featuring 18 illustrations and songs.
The Racing Miku and Snow Miku Phenomena
Two annual traditions highlight the creative community surrounding Miku: Racing Miku and Snow Miku.
Racing Miku
Since 2008, Good Smile Racing has licensed Miku's image for its racing team. Each year, a new "Racing Miku" design is created by a different artist, which is then used on race cars and by racing queens. This tradition has showcased the work of renowned illustrators like Tony (2017), Hiro Kanzaki (2018), and annin doufu (2019). Art director Koyama Shigeto has been a consistent force behind the project's visual identity.
Snow Miku
A winter tradition in Sapporo since 2010, Snow Miku is a fan-voted design that becomes the mascot for the city's snow festival. Each year features a unique theme, such as the "Fluffy Coat" design (2012), "Strawberry Daifuku Shiromuku Miku" (2013), and the magical girl-inspired "Nekosumi" (2014). These designs are then turned into popular figurines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Hatsune Miku?
Hatsune Miku was created by the Japanese company Crypton Future Media. She was developed as a Vocaloid voicebank, with her voice provided by the Japanese voice actress Saki Fujita.
What was Hatsune Miku's first song?
While many early songs gained popularity, "Ievan Polkka" is often cited as one of the first viral hits that helped popularize Hatsune Miku globally, especially through a famous fan-made video.
How does Hatsune Miku perform live?
She performs as an animated holographic projection using a technology called "pepper's ghost." She is projected onto a semi-transparent screen on stage, creating the illusion of a three-dimensional performance that syncs with live music.
Is Hatsune Miku an AI?
Traditionally, she was not AI. She was a voice synthesis software that required users to input melody and lyrics. However, with newer releases like the anticipated Hatsune Miku V6 AI, her technology is incorporating artificial intelligence for more natural vocal expression.
Can anyone use Hatsune Miku to make music?
Yes, anyone can purchase the Vocaloid software or Piapro Studio and use Hatsune Miku's voicebank to create music. This open-access approach is a key reason for her vast and diverse music catalog.
What does the number 39 mean for Hatsune Miku?
The number 39 is significant because it can be pronounced as "mi-ku" in Japanese. It is often used by fans as a shorthand for her name and appears in many of her official events and concerts, such as "Miku no Hi Kanshasai 39's Giving Day."
Conclusion
From her debut as a piece of music software in 2007 to her status as a global performing artist and cultural icon today, the history of Hatsune Miku is a testament to the power of technology and community. She broke down barriers between the digital and physical worlds, redefined the concept of an idol, and provided a platform for limitless creativity. As technology continues to advance, the timeline of Hatsune Miku is far from over, promising new music, new performances, and new innovations for years to come.