#as well as the “everyone should have their own miku design” post so here's my take!

[st4ngray]

Carnivorous plant

The full flytrap Miku design (albeit very messy) under read more! (Or keep reading(?) idk)

[mikunology]

Mikunology File #4: Fanmade/Derivative Characters in Vocal Android

Forget those dumb character lists I made in the first two files, I don’t have the time to make icons/portraits for everybody.

But, I figured I might as well talk about the fanmade and deriative characters that will be featured in this series/comic/story/whatever, so here we go. And remember, some portrayals of characters are made up purely for storytelling’s sake--if there wasn’t a story to any of this, I’d probably portray some of these characters differently.

Info under the cut! (WARNING: A CRAPTON OF READING.)

Truthfully, unlike the Cryptons, who have a clear-cut role in the story (which is, duh, the main characters), a lot of the fanmade characters are sort of scattered throughout the story. Some are important, most are just little background characters that help populate this wacky, futuristic world the Vocaloids live in. But I have to say, I have the Friendship is Magic approach to background characters: despite being backgrounds, they probably have their own story to tell.

So what of them?

Akita Neru & Yowane Haku: Oh, these guys. As stated on a post I made on Incorrect Vocal Android Quotes, these two start out as low-tier villains, so low-tier I actually wouldn’t categorize them as such considering other characters fill the title of “villain” so much better. Why? Story-wise, these two do little more than make halfhearted attempts at antagonizing Miku and the Cryptons, and even then, it’s mostly Neru’s personal envy. That’s why I don’t consider it a spoiler that Neru and Haku end up joining the heroes--though Haku’s role gets expanded later on as we learn more about her creators.

Calne Ca/Calcium: Calcium, surprisingly enough, would have counted as a oneshot villain if it weren’t for the fact she’s just terribly lonely. Calcium, in reference to Deino’s concept, is supposed to be a robotic exoskeleton--and in this story, a robotic exoskeleton developed by a miscellaneous company for some shady reasons. She gains a Miku skin (thus becoming Calne Ca) after coming to idolize Miku’s music and deeds, and later on gets the more humanlike skin from Bacterial Contamination after Miku befriends her.

Zatsune Miku: As mentioned on Incorrect Vocal Android as well, Zatsune is definitely one of the more textbook supervillains in Sapporo. Created by a mysterious underground company, Zatsune’s mission is basically Kill & Replace--assassinate Miku, get all her glory and fame, maybe cause a robot uprising in the process, who knows. Thing is, curiously enough Zatsune’s specific function is more of an attack droid, not a singing one, and while at first she’s a bit more quirky and hammy she gets MUCH more serious when you see her...other design (aka her original one, if you’ve been to the Fanloid Wiki).

Dell Honne: Last I checked, I mentioned Dell quite a few times on Incorrect Vocal Android as well, and well...he’s not at all a nice guy, and arguably a worse villain than Zatsune depending on your perspective. While in retrospect I realize Dell was supposed to be a “Yowane Len”, so to speak, he’s actually a human character who is supposed to be Haku’s creator. He runs the large technology company Honne Corporation (a corporation I’ll go into more detail about later since I plan on making a post about companies in this story), and initially created Haku based on Miku’s success, and subsequently junked her when Haku failed to perform. But he’s not just a backstory character--he gets up to some evil plans later.

Hagane Miku: OK, OK. I’ll be honest that my portrayal of Hagane is a bit confusing, but I’ll do my best to be straight about it. (The problem with Miku’s derivatives is that I had to explain why she has so many lookalikes.) To start, I will say that I didn’t initially intend Hagane to be her own person in this verse--in one of the old drafts of this plotline, Hagane was simply a death metal alter ego Miku took on when people wanted her to be edgier. But in this current plotline, there are two Haganes, based on the H-side and M-side versions the Haganeloids were supposed to have. 

Hagane Type-H: The Type H Haganes are a line of attack droids sent to destroy Sapporo while simultaneously wrecking Miku’s reputation, supposedly created by a faction of Honne Corp. (though it’s unconfirmed). The thing is about the H-Haganes is that unlike the Cryptons, or heck, unlike Zatsune, they are mindless--they simply follow the commands whoever made them gives them. Which, to Miku and crew, makes them that much more dangerous.

Hagane Type-M: This is where the more confusing part comes. See, as more stuff happens, the Vocaloids end up inspiring a LOT of people, and not only do more singers pop up because of them, more heroes do, too! That said, it’s not uncommon for some of said new heroes to base their image on the Vocaloids themselves--and thus, M-Type Hagane Miku is a vigilante fighting bad guys on the lower deck in a punk-rock Miku image. Who she really is, no one knows, but she definitely helps the group when the H-Types show up.

Sakine Meiko: OK, this one is purely technical but I felt I should clear up some things in case someone tries to point it out--Sakine Meiko and the Meiko that features as a main character (MEIKO) are one and the same. Sakine as the derivative she’s known as was Meiko’s persona when she used to be a teen idol, being a one-hit wonder before retiring so Meiko could study science. Hence, that’s why I give Meiko the surname of “Sakine” even as an adult.

Shion Family: Yes, they exist here, too. The Shion Family is, as expected, Kaito’s crazy family of brothers (and one sister) that he occasionally goes to visit, or that occasionally visit him and cause havoc. I won’t go into detail about each one, but the family is pretty much made up of (in order of birth): Akaito (red), Kikaito (yellow), Kaito himself (blue), Mokaito (brown), Taito (purple), Nigaito (green), Kaiko, and finally Kageito (who I’ll go more into next). All this plus their unnamed foster father who I need to make. Zeito, as much as I wanted to include him, isn’t here simply because I haven’t figured out a role for him yet (as Kageito kind of has the role people would expect Zeito to have, knowing Zatsune).

Kageito Shion: You know how above I say that not all portrayals in Vocal Android are reflective of my image of the character, and that if this were ust a story-less random thing characters would be portrayed differently? This is definitely one of those times. Kageito, in this story, is Zatsune’s right-hand man and most loyal lackey, being a calm and sweet boy that was transformed into a devious and crazed monster after being possessed by a mysterious shadow being. He directly antagonizes Miku and the Kagamines numerous times but is routinely defeated, and goes into hiding with Zatsune sometime later (whom he’s infatuated with, by the way). Whether Miku actually brings him back to his original self is up in the air.

Hatsune Mikuo, Kagamine Rinto, and Kagamine Lenka: I was slightly iffy about adding genderbends in simply because it’d be hard to explain how they exist (because, like I said before, I’m trying to explain why there’s so many Mikus running around), but I gave in eventually. Kind of along the lines of how Haku was developed, the genderbends were made as knockoffs--created by a couple of random scientists who wanted a piece of the action. Mikuo, Rinto, and Lenka don’t have the powers that Miku and crew have, though, but they befriend them just the same. S’all good.

Kagami Kawaiine: Now we’re getting to the silly ones. Kagami, unlike most of the characters above, is simply a silly background character that pops up now and again to annoy absolutely everyone around her. She’s a human girl that tries to imitate Miku and interrupts random events by being a weeb.

Sasayaki Nerune: Another background character, and actually my OWN character--she’s a narcoleptic android that works random odd jobs and appears from time to time doing something weird. I just think it’s fun to have her cameo occasionally.

Hachune Miku, Tako Luka, Shiteyanyo and Larval Rin: The weird little mascots are characters that simply pop in now and again to do whatever, with Tako Luka officially being Luka’s pet in this story. Hachune shows up very randomly as a sort of a visual joke, but also offers Miku rather assertive advice (thus leading Miku to believe Hachune is simply a figment of her imagination). Shiteyanyo and Larval Rin I haven’t decided on yet, but maybe they’ll show up somewhere.

Mikudayo: Mikudayo, in all essence, is just a little running gag that exists solely to spook the hell out of the other characters. While I imagine it originated at a convention/concert kind of place (mirroring how it came to be in real life), it just stalks Miku relentlessly for some reason. Miku isn’t too sure it’s even just a human in a suit, either.

OK so that was a LOT of writing I just did. But yep, those are the plans for those characters, at least. And just so everyone knows, I’m totally open to suggestions on other derivatives as characters (I am NOT taking ocs, but if there’s a more notable fanmade I haven’t heard of then I’d love to include them). If you got to the end of this post, then I wholly appreciate your endurance of my weird ideas and your interest.

[mysticdragon3md3]

With WonFes 2017 Winter over, it’s time to post the obligatory wishlist!  ^o^

Even though there were a lot of exciting figure announcements and prototype reveals at Wonder Festival 2017 Winter today, I don't feel my wallet is in too much danger.  There were a lot of Nendoroids that looked interesting, but I likely won't buy.  And the figures I ABSOLUTELY POSITVELY HAVE TO PREORDER, were fairly few (at least compared to previous WonFes).  

Below, the squares shaded darkly are figures I likely won't buy.  They caught my eye, but seriously, I'd rather spend my money on other Nendoroids.   The squares clouded in white are figures that if I was forced into a corner, I might be able to give up.  But it'd be nice if I didn't have to.  

Good Smile is going to kill my wallet if they announce more Harvest Moons!  ;u;  If every Crypton Future Media Vocaloid gets a Harvest Moon version, I don’t know what I’m going to do.  Those costumes are just too pretty.  XwX  

I feel like I'm obligated to get Figma Utena and Nendoroids Ed & Al, but I don't feel as strongly about those fandoms anymore, enough to justify the money those figures cost.  On the other hand, I have a rule about not passing up merchandise from an old fandom, for that reason alone.  The last time I passed up a Devil Hunter Yohko artbook, just because it was no longer my all-consuming obsession, I regretted it.  And I kept hunting for it at each succeeding con.  *That* is a regret.  Which is why I bought Figma Hikaru Shidou, even though I haven't been into CLAMP's manga, let alone Magic Knight Rayearth for years.  So when I see Utena, Ed & Al, my nostalgia dictates that I preorder them, even though my current obsessions say that I shouldn't be spending on old fandoms like Utena and FMA.  

I'm not really into these paritcular swords, but I've got a completionist problem.  * I already have Kashuu Kiyomitsu, so I have to get Yamatonokami Yasusada, right?  And Yasusada has a generic hakama!  Before Touken Ranbu Nendoroids, it was so hard to find nice, generic, male wafuku that could go on any character.  Still, even now, though it's gotten easier to get hakama from Tourabu, it's hard to find male kimono or yukata.  So I snatch up any versatile male wafuku wearing Nendoroid, I can find.   * Izuminokami Kanesada isn't really a character I'm particularly attached to, since I'm more a Dategumi fan than a Shinsengumi fan, but I've always liked his character design.  It even managed to make me ignore the long hair, even though I usually don't like that character design on males.  His costume was just elaborate enough, and the color scheme, contrasting between the deep red and intense blues, just really pop.  ^_^   * So that being said, I really shouldn't get Horikawa Kunihiro.  His costume design is closer to modern Western and I'd rather throw my money at wafuku designs.  But damn it, he's got the same intense blue contrasting against dark hair, just like Izuminokami.  ~_~;  That contrasting color scheme---or rather, contrasting intensity or value scale---just work too well on me.  And after seeing Horikawa in the Touken Ranbu Hanamaru anime, I'd feel bad if I split him up from the senpai partner he idolizes.  ~__~!  Anyway, I already preordered his brother (Yamanbagiri Kunihiro), so my completionist itch should be happy about that.  ...Even though the Kunihiro brothers don't seem very close...  x_x   * As for Ookanehira!  You can't trick me into wanting your Nendoroid!  ~w~!  I told myself not to buy any more characters I didn't already know!  (Unless they were exceptionally cute!)  I don't care if your eyes and hair color remind me of one of my main character OCs!  Nor if your seiyuu is Ono Yuki!  You're too full of yourself and I should be spending my money on cuter characters!  Stay back, I say!  Keep your charms away from me!  ~W~!

The Disney Nendoroids are cute and I like those classic "2nd Renaissance" movies, along with Tim Burton, but not enough to get figures.  But if I ran into them at a con or something, really cheap, and there was nothing else I was spending at during a small con, I might go ahead and get them.  Like what happened with Nendoroid Anna.  

I didn't include Nendoroid Yuri, because I already preordered him.  It's strange that I'm certain about getting Nendoroid Victor, even though I'm not as totally obsessed with Yuri on Ice as everyone else seems to be.  But despite YOI not taking over my life, I still do like the characters.  They're sweet!  And I want that ambiance in my display cases!

Karasuno Nendoroids.  No question there.  I just want all my Karasuno starters.  Announcing Yamaguchi and Sawamura together, when there are only 2 more starters on Karasuno, makes me think they'll be announcing them in pairs.  Here's to hoping for some Asahi and Tanaka Nendoroids!  ^o^  And if they decide to make a Nendoroid Ennoshita, I'll consider him.

Japan.  Kiku Honda.  My rule about still collecting for old fandoms, as if they're still my current obsession, applies here.  Except that my Hetalia fandom doesn't feel that long ago.  Probably because I saw Hetalia the World Twinkle at AkibaFest2016.  Let's hope that if we show demand for Japan, USUK will get some Nendoroids too.  *o*!

Nendoroid More Dress-up sets are my favorite Nendoroid more.  The outfits are so nicely generic and versatile, and help put a stop to me buying Nendoroids of characters I have no attachment to, just for their wardrobe.  (I've given Masamune & Yukimura enough wardrobe options already---but I just can't stop!  It's for DateSana!  ;o; )  It’ll be great to put some period era Nendoroids, uniformed characters, and fantasy costumed characters into a modern AU.  Groomsmen for those Nendoroid More wedding sets...Haikyuu boys in formal wear...my KanColle girls as office ladies...  *U*  I could make a cubicle diorama!  O.O  Still waiting for male wafuku Nendoroid More sets, but until then, any Nendoroid More Dress-up sets are always welcome!!!  ^U^

Ice Kirby is so cute and I love blue.  But if I wasn't willing to get original Kirby, with all his cuteness, and I didn't get MetaKnight, despite his cuteness, then I should probably save my money.  I wasn't deluded for a second into buying that robot armor Kirby.  It's on my wishlist because I just like to look at it.  ^^;  I mean, what the heck is that giant, cute thing?!  ^o^

Nendoroid More face cases are cute, but if it comes down to it, those are the first things I cut out of my budget.  After all, I skipped on that Konnosuke faceplate case, and I love Touken Ranbu.  Still, that penguin and fishing bear are ADORABLE.  When I saw the penguine case's announcement last year, I wanted to get it to re-create Chiyo's costume scenes from Azumanga Daioh.  ^u^

I'm not watching Re:Zero, but Emilia is beautiful!  *.*  I have a weakness for pastel hair and her outfit, on top of that, is just so pretty.  Her character design just screams "ingenue" deredere, and that's my favorite type of waifu (alongside kuudere and sometimes dandere).  And if I remember correctly the spoiler I heard once, then she could also be one of my favorite mythological archetypes, the "universal mother goddess".  

I'm not going to buy a Racing Miku.  Let's be honest.  They always look so cool, but they're $80, instead of the usual $50-$60, because they're supposed to support Good Smile's racing team.  But damn, this mint green fairy is cute!  I thought it hurt to pass up the knight themed Racing Miku.  But this is adorable!  ;w;  And I had needed a green female Nendoroid for my rainbow figure photos.  

I was flabbergasted when I saw the Lum Nendoroid and the Rinne Nendoroid.  I thought it might be a hoax, a different figure line from Nendoroid, or maybe even from years ago, long out of print.  But it's actually just one of those Nenodroids made by a different company; Good Smile only does the distribution.  (Like Tomytec's Wixoss Nendoroids.)  So it's not even on Good Smile's WHL4U website, which catalogs all their WonFes announcements.  It might be too easy to not realize when these are even released.  But I absolutely have to support Rumiko Takahashi Nendoroids.  I'm more a Ranma 1/2 fan, than Urusei Yatsura, and I've barely read much Rin-ne.  But if we support these, then maybe Play Future will make some Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha, or Maison Ikkoku Nendoroids.  I would go nutz if Mermaid Saga Nendoroids were ever announced.  

The kimono Nendoroids for Puella Magi Madoka Magica are an absolute buy.  I never thought I wanted more than just Homura and Madoka, but if all the girls are going to get kimono Nendorids, then it's a good time to get the entire Holy Quintet.  ^-^  

Last but not least, Nendoroid More sets for Halloween and Christmas.  I really hope these are Dress-up sets and not just some accessories.  I'm a clay crafter; I can make little accessories on my own.  So these better be full-blown outfits.  Halloween is my favorite holiday and these would just be so useful for holiday figure photos.  I'm really looking forward to more info about these sets.  ^o^    

It was a really great WonFes.  And right on my birthday, it made the best present.  ^u^!  Hopefully, despite this long wishlist, I'll be able to keep things civil with my wallet.  ^^;