シンガポール(Singapore)

シンガポールには行ってません。一応ご報告まで。

行きたかった…　うらやましい…

I didn't go to Singapore to join the live concert.

I... I wanted go there... I'm green with envy...

VOCALOIDって楽器なの？

機械の歌声を認めようとしない人たちがまだいる。人間が歌うことで完成する＝VOCALOIDでは仮歌止まりとでも考えているのであろう人たちのことである。「本物」は人間にしか歌えないのだとかたくなに信じているかのようでもある。
じゃあVOCALOIDのこれは歌声じゃない？　VOCALOIDって歌声をシンセサイザで扱うことができる技術なんだと考えたら、そりゃあボーカルじゃなくてインストゥルメンタルになる？　もしかしてVOCALOIDって楽器なの？

でも「ことばの意味」が乗ってしまっている以上は純粋な器楽としては考えられそうもない。
実はこの辺の話は「白いクスリ（※）」騒動の時にも考えていた。言語として意味を持つ音を発するってことはもう楽器とは呼べないと。
じゃあ、やっぱりVOCALOIDは楽器じゃないんだとすると、VOCALOIDの歌を「未完成」と考えることは声帯しか知らない頭のかたい保守層？


そんなことをずっと考えていてひとつ思い至ったのは、バーチャルと現実の間、合成物と天然物の間に境を敷いているかどうか。
わたしはあまり深く考えないから、自分にとって心地よい音が出ているのならそれがシンセサイザであろうと生楽器であろうと頓着しない。しかし世の中にはアコースティック以外は認めないとする立場の人もいる。本革はアリで合成皮革はナシ、マーガリンも化繊も１ランク落ちると。そういうふうに考えればいくらか彼らの言い分も理解できるかなあって。同意できるかどうかは別としてね。

（実はこの言い方だとわたしにも思い当たる節がある。バターの方が風味豊かでマーガリンは安価な代用品という意識は少しあるので…）


ところで「言語として意味を持つ音を発する…」ということを考えてゆくと、スキャットとかはどうなっちゃうんだろう…とは一応考えた。




（オリジナルはこちら）
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14624566


しかしこれも「ぬ」であることに意味はある。たったひとつの「め」が混じってもいけない。言語としての意味が歌詞に盛り込まれるのなら、やっぱりVOCALOIDは楽器というカテゴリには入れられない。バーチャルなボーカルだと断言して間違いない。

合成皮革が本革にくらべて水に強く手入れが簡単であるように、VOCALOIDにも音程を狂わさない、連続何曲でも歌える、などなど肉声には真似のできない利点がある。優劣でも勝ち負けでもなく、用途や表現に応じた両者並立の時代がやってきたと思っている。


（※）
［騒動の経緯］http://dic.nicovideo.jp/a/%E7%99%BD%E3%81%84%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%E3%83%AA
［関連の記事］http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/450/450278/index-2.html

非表示のおしらせ

１０月１５日付けのエントリ「あるＲＴの件」は非表示にいたします。

【理由】
　１　最初に自分で範囲指定した「標的」以外への言及があったから
　２　論点をすり替えていたから

気づいちゃったらもう恥ずかしくて外に出せないでしょう。だから非表示しました。
関係者にはお騒がせしました。元の発言主にも迷惑かけたかもしれません。ごめんなさい。
書いたときと今と、気持ちはまったく変わってないのですが、ルール違反はダメだよね。
慣れないことをするものではないなーと反省してます。


なお、Twitterで「あれは読み応えあったので広めるべき」というご意見をいただいた記事へのリンクは、ここに貼っておきます。
わたしの書いて消した内容とはあまり関係ないのだけれどね。

「初音ミクは日本の伝統芸能だった」
四本淑三の「ミュージック・ギークス！」 ― 第71回　-ASCII.jp
http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/634/634796/

９月のVOCALOIDの３つのイベント

[English edition is here!]

３つのVOCALOIDイベントがこの９月に東京とその近郊で開かれました。わたしは幸運にもすべてのイベントに参加できました。

これらのイベントは制作者たちによる直接のＣＤやコミックなどの即売会の一種です。聴取者は自分たちのお気に入りの１枚を選び制作者の手から買うことができます。あなたはもしかしたら彼らの手を握ったりサインをもらったりすることができるかもしれません。わたしは米国の非常に類似なイベントとしてAX11の中の「アーティスト　アリー」を知っています。

(1) THE VOC@LOID M@STER 17

９月４日　東京池袋サンシャインシティ

"THE VOC@LOID M@STER"は世界最大のVOCALOIDオンリーイベントです。わたしは449の制作者が参加したと聞きました(*1)。では一般参加者は？　たくさん！　これは2007年以来第１７回目で最も長い歴史を持っています。

ボーマス16のとき、わたしはホールが非常に混んでいたので危険だと感じました。わたしと他の多くの参加者がホールの中央部で動けなくなり他の大勢の人々によってすべての方向から押されました。わたしたちはもう少しでドミノ倒しのように倒れるところでした。

しかしながら、このボーマス17はまだ少し混雑していたけれど、非常な混雑ではありませんでした。16と比較して、わたしは人々が彼らのお気に入りのＣＤやコミックを簡単に見つけることができ、通路を激しい渋滞なく快適に歩くことができたと思います。

わたしはこれらのＣＤと本をこのイベントで買いました。もっとも特筆すべきものは中央に置かれた本です。これは"VOCALO CRITIQUE(*2)"と名付けられた（おそらく）VOCALOID界で最初の評論です。多くの評論がAHS(*3)社長、VOCALOID制作者、聴取者、大学教授などによって書かれています。

右上の１枚は大阪に住むわたしの友達のためのものです。彼女は東京に来ることができなかったので彼女の代わりにわたしはそれを買ったのです。

"THE VOC@LOID M@STER 18(*4)"は１１月１９日（土）に開かれるでしょう。参加者は１人につき１つのカタログを買わなければなりません。通常そのカタログは秋葉原やその他の地域の一部の書店で前売りされます。カタログの購入方法は間もなく知らされるでしょう。

コスプレはこのイベントでは禁止されました。ときどき会場の状況やその他の理由により発生します。

(2) VOCALOID FESTA 03(*5)

９月１１日　東京ビッグサイト

これは前週の"THE VOC@LOID M@STER 17"と対照的に小さなイベントでした。制作者サークルの数は60以下でした。会場は東京ビッグサイトではあるけれど、このイベントはそのホールのひとつの一角だけで開かれました。そして残りは1500スペースのもうひとつのイベント、博麗神社例大祭(*6)によって選挙されました。

あなたが想像するとおり、例大祭はとても多くの数の人を集めました。その列は駅に続きました。…500m？　長大な列の影にあるわたしたちの入口を見つけることはとても難しいことでした。

この"VOCALOID FESTA 03"は入場無料でした。わたしたちはカタログを買う必要はありませんでした。（このイベントのカタログは公式サイトからpdfファイルとしてダウンロード可能でした。）

わたしはVOCALOID FESTAから生まれた新しいVOCALOID3の「リング・スズネ」を楽しみにしています。わたしは彼女のデザインと声が好きです。

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGUldG3nG5k

(3) VOCALOID Fantasia 2

９月１８日　横浜産貿ホール

これもまたボーマス17より小さかった。100前後のスペースが「マリネリア」と名付けられたホールに配置されました。このホールは山下公園と横浜湾の前にあります。横浜市は東京の中心部から頻繁に運転される電車で１時間以内の距離です。

他の２つのイベントと対照的に、そのホールには多くのコスプレイヤーがいました。わたしは、彼らは外に出て港とともに美しい写真を撮影されるべきだと思います。この国で２番目に多い人口のこの市は風光明媚な国際港として知られています。

しかし、通常は、コスプレイヤーはホールの外に出ることは許されません。わたしはこの７月にロサンゼルスのAX11に参加したときとても驚かされました。なぜならロサンゼルス中心街に多くのコスプレイヤーがいたからです！

ともかく、ホールの中に入ります。

ホールの一角では、VOCALOIDを流ちょうに話させるために調教する講座が開かれていました。そこには床に座って講師の話を聞く30〜40名の聴衆がいました。

参加者はカタログをめいめい買う必要があります。(¥800)

わたしはこれらのＣＤを２つのイベントで買いました。より上方の４つがVOCALOID FESTAです。より下方の４つとカタログ（中央）がVOCALOID Fantasiaです。

(*1) http://dic.nicovideo.jp/a/the%20voc%40loid%20m%40ster (Jpn.)

(*2) http://www.vocalo-critique.net/ (Jpn.)

(*3) http://www.ah-soft.com/ (Jpn.)

(*4) http://ketto.com/tvm/ (Jpn.)

(*5) http://vocafes.com/ (Jpn.)

(*6) http://www.reitaisai.jp/sptop.html (Jpn.)

3 Events in September (Eng.)

［日本語もあります］

Three VOCALOID events are held in and near Tokyo in this September. I luckily could attend all events.

These events are kinds of sale of CDs, comics... etc. by the creators directly. Listeners can choose and by our favorite one from the creators hands. You may be able to shake their hands and to get their autographs. I know the "Artist Alley" in the AX11 as the very similar event in the US.

(1) THE VOC@LOID M@STER 17

- Sep.4 at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.

"THE VOC@LOID M@STER" is the largest event only about Vocaloid in the World. I heard that 449 creator groups attended. (*1) How about the ordinary attendee? ...Many! This was the 17th since 2007, having the longest history.

When the V.M. 16, I felt that was dangerous because the hall was very crowded. I and other many attendee were stuck in the center of the hall and pushed by many other people from every direction. We almost fell over just like a file of dominoes.

However, this V.M. 17 was not extremely crowded, still a bit, though. Compared with 16, I suppose that people could find their favorite CDs and comics easily and walked corridors comfortably without severe traffic jam.

I bought these CDs and books in this event. The most remarkable one is a book that is put on the center. This is named "VOCALO CRITIQUE(*2)" that is (maybe) the first criticism about the world of Vocaloid. Many reviews are written by the president of AHS(*3), Vocaloid producers, listeners, a professor of a university...

The right top one is for my friend who live in Osaka. She couldn't come to Tokyo, so I bought it instead of her.

"THE VOC@LOID M@STER 18(*4)" will be held on Nov.19(Sat.). Attendee have to buy a catalog per person. Usually the catalog for V.M. are sold in advance at some book/magazine shop in Akihabara and other area. The way to buy the catalog (=brochure) will be announced soon.

Cos-Play were prohibited at this event. Sometimes happens because of condition of the hall, or other reason.

(2) VOCALOID FESTA 03(*5)

- Sep.11 at Tokyo Big Site in Ariake, Tokyo

It was small event, in contrast to "THE VOC@LOID M@STER 17" last week. The number of circle of creators were less than 60. Although the place was Tokyo Big Site, this event was held only a part of one of the halls. And others were occupied by 1500 booths of another event, Hakurei Shrine Reitaisai(Hakurei Shrine's Regular Grand Festival,*6).

As you imagine that, the Reitaisai gathered huge number of people. The line flowed to the station... 500 meter? It was very difficult to find our entrance behind the gigantic line.

This VOCALOID FESTA 03 was admission free. We didn't have to buy a catalog. (Catalog for this event was downloadable from the official website as a PDF file.)

I'm looking for the new Vocaloid3 "Ring Suzune" born from VOCALOID FESTA. I like her design and voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGUldG3nG5k

(3) VOCALOID Fantasia 2

- Sep.18 at Yokohama Sambou(*7) Hall in Yokohama

It was also smaller than V.M.17. Around 100 booths were placed in the hall named "Marineria". This hall is located in front of Yamashita Park and Yokohama Bay. Yokohama city is less than 1 hour way from central Tokyo by frequently operated train.

In contrast to the other 2 events, there were many cos-players in that hall. I think that they should go out and be taken beautiful photos with the harbor... The second largest populated city in this country is well known as the picturesque international port.

But, usually, costume players are not permitted to go out of the hall. I was very surprised when I attended AX11 in LA this July. Because there were many cos-players in downtown LA!

Anyway, go into the hall.

In a part of the hall, A lecture was held to train Vocaloid to talk fluently. There were 30~40 listeners who were sitting on the floor and listening to the instructor.

Attendee have to buy a catalog for each(¥800).

I bought these CDs at these two events. Upper 4 CDs are from VOCALOID FESTA. Lower 4(and catalog(center)) are from VOCALOID Fantasia.

(*1) http://dic.nicovideo.jp/a/the%20voc%40loid%20m%40ster (Jpn.)

(*2) http://www.vocalo-critique.net/ (Jpn.)

(*3) http://www.ah-soft.com/ (Jpn.)

(*4) http://ketto.com/tvm/ (Jpn.)

(*5) http://vocafes.com/ (Jpn.)

(*6) http://www.reitaisai.jp/sptop.html (Jpn.)

(*7) "Sambou" stands for "Sangyou Boueki" means "Industry & Trading" in English.

American Hatsune Miku (Eng.)

(This is not a report of anything. It's just my impression of a news.)

Piapro.jp had been collected ideas of the design of "American Hatsune Miku". Today, the result of selection was announced.

[Official Announcement (Jpn./Eng.)]

http://piapro.jp/static/?view=sf_japantown

The selected illustration was drawn by American.

http://piapro.jp/t/opAe

http://exiled-artist.deviantart.com/art/2011USMIKU-Americana-244414393

According to the official site, this costume in this illustration will be used some projects in the future, such as a design of goods on the next live concert, as the image of the triumphant homecoming.

This announcement was impressive to me.

The point is that this Miku was drawn by American creator, with American sense. It means that this Miku is born in the US!

When I went to the Anime Expo 2011, I was surprised the quality of illustration of VOCALOIDs by many American artists.

In my opinion, Japanese should not force the ideal figure of Miku to the World. Miku should be understood by the various cultural backgrounds. I'm looking forward to the homecoming of more Americanized Hatsune Miku! I think that this picture is still under the very strong influence of Japanese Animation.

It is OK that Japanese Animation is influential. However, I believe that everyone shouldn't consider the original Miku as the untouchable masterpiece.

Also, I want to meet more ethnic/national Mikus based on various culture. Miku is not only for Japanese, any more.

And I believe that these kinds of many expression with particular culture makes Miku and the world of VOCALOID more international. It must be quite effective way to make Miku globalize!

On the other hands, as I wrote in the past article, this result indicates that the possibility of the international collaboration, which means the borderless joint of creation! It also enhance the Miku's internationalization by making solidarity of the world creators. Although I'm not a creator, it is excited to imagine that many artists in the World who love Hatsune Miku work together to create a great work!

The winner, Mr./Ms. Exiled-Artist will be invited the next live concert to Japan.

Comic Market 80 (Eng.)

Sorry for being late.

I attended the 2nd day of "Comic Market 80".(Aug.13)

［日本語はこちら］

I departed from my home at 8:20. It was around 1 hour trip from my home to Tokyo Big Site.

I attended the Comic Market 79 last December, too. But, Summer and Winter is very different, you know. I and other attendee had to wait for a long time under the sunlight. Although many were sitting or squatting on the ground, I kept to stand up. Because I could get much wind from the Tokyo bay. Standing posture makes my surface area bigger than sitting. Some girls were using parasol, I covered my head by towel. Unfortunately, a few attendee were carried out using wheelchair. Maybe they were suffering from heatstroke...

10 am, the hall was opened. Everyone in the long line clapped their hands. It means that the top end of this line are going into the hall. However, we were still at the long queue... When I started to walk again with other attendee around me was 10:50 am. It was 90 minutes waiting time.

The circles on VOCALOID were located the East end of East 3rd hall. That's very near from the entrance. I made a beeline to Nijihara Peperon's booth first.

Just after I got his latest album, something was happened on my body.

I felt strange feeling just like a weak electric shock on my nose to eyes. And more, my field of vision became slightly darker and tiny stars or dust were started to fly in my eyes. Something is wrong! I escaped from the hall to the parking lot out of the hall immediately and had a short break. Despite sunny place, there was comfortable breeze from the bay.

From the symptom, I thought it might be either hyper ventilation syndrome or an oxygen shortage, on the contrary... I also suspected the shortage of blood circulation for my brain because of low blood pressure. This largest event on self publishing might have made me too excited, or the long waiting time under the sun might have made my vessel wider and decreased blood pressure.

Anyway, I was sure that it was not heatstroke. When I had sports drink, I didn't gulp everything in the bottle. When I had dried umeboshi (pickled ume(Prunus mume) fruits), I felt that was strongly salty. They mean that my body still kept water and salt.

This sunny and breezing parking lot was more comfortable than the inside of the humid hall that was lack of ventilation. I stayed there for a while.

Fortunately, my strange symptom was disappeared rapidly. The sequel of shopping was started. I visited some booths that were already checked off.

I was grabbing an iPhone on my hand. The display indicates the map of the hall added tips of info about booths and circles by myself. Because it's small, I could carry and see the map very easily in the crowded hall.

The example of the map is below. The map itself was from Twitcmap.

http://twitcmap.jp/

I also visited some circles that were not checked out. Glanced at the name of circles, I confirmed what was displayed on the table. An illustrator whose pictures I bookmarked at PIAPRO were selling Negitoro (Miku & Luka) comic. Although I usually buy only CDs and it's very rare to buy self-published comic, I handed it and opened my wallet in front of the illustrator...

There was crowded, but not very crowded. At the "THE VOC@LOID M@STER 16" (the largest self publishing event limited to vocaloid, held in June), I was just like a packed sardine... However, the record temperature and humidity gave me pain. I had put a towel into my back between shirts to absorb my sweat effectively. But the towel completely got wet and made my outer clothes wet.

After the second short break to cool down my body and brain, I tried 「ジャケ買い」, "Jacket buying" in direct translation, means making the decision whether I buy the CD or not by the appearance (especially the design of the cover) of CD.

I have bought some previous released unknown CDs from a circle whose latest works were my aim. This time, I went to some circles I didn't know the name before, and watch the design of their CDs and check the name of VOCALOIDs, finally I made decisions whether I buy anything or not there.

If the jacket was very cute illustration of VOCALOID, the songs inside of the CD should be also cute.

This bizarre shopping made me buy some CDs sung by miki and Yuki Kaai, usually I wouldn't buy.

They are the trophy of the war! I didn't buy very much. Actually I found many attractive CDs without them... But, "THE VOC@LOID M@STER 17" will be held on the first Sunday of September! I need to protect my wallet from extravagantness...

(For VOCALOID fans, THE V.M. is more important than Comiket, I suppose. Many producers tend to release the new workes for the V.M.)

I didn't go to the West hall.

I'm going to listen to these CDs from "Jacket buying". If I prefer any CDs, I will follow the circle. It is not recommendable way to buy CDs for everyone. Of course, this way can't make us select whether the works are good or bad before purchasing. We may have unnecessary and dislike CDs.

However, I wanted to find new producers by myself even if I pay for potentially boring CD, rather than following only famous and popular producers with bright long history.

I'm a fan of VOCALOID music since Hatsune Miku was released(2007). That long time have made me choose the name of producers and I didn't want to do so. That's why, I had checked out all VOCALOID music everyday (now I can't listen to all songs every night. Because I'm too busy to listen to everyting...), and I don't rely on the ranking still now.

However, as I already mentioned, I can't check out all songs now. That situation gradually made me depend on the rate of fame and the number of page view. That has been the thing to regret. I still wanted to meet new sound... So, I did such kind of gambling.

To tell the truth, I can't answer the name of the circles where I bought these CDs. Of course, it is easy to find their names and URL on the label. But, the situation that I'm going to listen to unknown music by unknown producers makes me excited!

Add more.

I've been get used to the hot weather because I've been working outdoor through the year. Certainly, that was no heatstroke.

However, on the other hand, I realized that we should be more sensitive to our health condition, again. If I didn't noticed or neglected the sign of health problem, I might fall down in a faint.

In my working place, I, my co-leagues and bosses frequently addressed "You never push yourself too much in the burning season!" each other. This time, this routine greeting was effective to protect myself from a serious health trouble.

Ｃ８０行ってきた

ご報告が遅くなりました。

「コミックマーケット８０」２日目(8/13・土曜日)に参加してきました。

［English Edition is Here.］

当日は８時２０分頃に自宅を出て、地下鉄とバスを乗り継いで約１時間後に入場待機列最後尾に到着。昨冬と同じ最東端の駐車場の、ほぼ同じ位置でした。到着が冬より２０分ほど遅れたけど同じぐらいの位置ってことは、Ｃ７９の３日目よりは人出が若干少なかったのかな。

しかし、そもそも夏と冬では条件が違いすぎる。 タオルでほっかむりして屋根などない駐車場にじっと立ちつくして待ちます。別に座っていても良かったんだけど、立っていたほうが身体に風が当たるのでいくらか涼しいのです。すでにこの段階で車椅子に乗せられて退場してゆく人もチラホラいました。 １０時の拍手を過ぎてなおも駐車場に釘付け。やはり列が動き出したのは９０分後のことでした。

今回はVOCALOID系が東３ホールの東端ということで、入場してすぐの好立地。まっしぐらに虹原ぺぺろんさんのところに赴いて１枚購入。

　―ここで異変が発生。

眉間から鼻にかけてシビレが発生し、視界が薄暗くなって細かな星というかほこりクズみたいなものが飛びました。ともかくホールの外へ退避！　日なたではあるけど風通しの良い場所で少し休みます。熱中症ではないだろうという自覚はありました。症状からして可能性が高いのは過換気症候群、逆にホール内が酸欠状態だったのか。あるいは脳貧血のような低血圧。久々の“聖地”で興奮していたのかもしれません。炎天下じっと待っている間に血管が拡張して血圧が下がっていたのかもしれません。

いずれにせよ、身体はまだ水分と塩分を保持していて、念のため口にしたスポーツ飲料を一気にあけるほどの喉の渇きはなく、干し梅もたいそう塩辛く感じました。 しかしこの日なたが涼しい…ってお前は何を言っているんだという反応が戻ってきそうですが、風が入らず湿気がこもって汗がまったく蒸発しない館内よりも、直射日光はあっても海からの風が吹き抜けて汗を乾かす駐車場の方が涼しく感じられたのです。しばし日なたで一服。

体調の異変もほどなくして収まったので再び館内へ。まずは目を付けてあったいくつかのサークルを訪問します。昨冬から導入した「iPhoneに館内見取り図流し込んで持ち歩く作戦」はかさばらなくて良い作戦だと自画自賛。たとえばこんなものを簡単に作ってiPhoneに表示させるわけ。


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（表示内容は実際のものと異なります）

このようにあらかじめチェックしておいたサークルさんに限らず、パッとブースのサークル名を見てどなたかわかる程度の有名Ｐのブースを見つけてはテーブルの上を確認します。 ピアプロでブックマークした絵師さんがネギトロ本（非エロ）を出しておられるのを見かけたのでこちらも購入します。わたしはあまり同人誌は買わないのですが、あの絵師さんでネギトロならば…というわけでｗ

混雑度はそれほどでもなく、まともに歩ける状態ではなかったボーマス16に比べたらかなり楽。C79よりもまだ楽だったかも。その代わり温度と湿度は過去最高。わたしは背中に多く汗をかいてすぐに衣類が濡れてベタベタになってしまうので、タオルを１本衣服と背中の間に入れて襟のところをクリップ止めしてありましたが、結局汗がタオルをすっかり濡らして衣類まで濡れてしまいました。

再び、今度は純粋に涼をとるために外に出たのち、三度目の突入。今度は初の試み、ジャケ買いです。従来も新作目当てに有名サークルを訪れて既作ＣＤも買ってくるということはありました。今回は名前を聞いたこともないサークルに顔を出して、ジャケットと歌ってるVOCALOIDを選考基準にＣＤを買うという“冒険”です。 可愛いイラストのジャケットならば「かわいいミクうた」「爽やかなミクうた」あたりのタグがつくような曲であろうという程度の甘い基準が、今までだったら買うこともなかったであろうmikiや歌愛ユキの歌うＣＤをも入手させました。

というわけで今回の戦利品一覧。 購入量としてはジャケ買い分も含めて抑えめにしてあります。ホントはもっといろいろ欲しかったけど９月４日にボーマス17が控えているので…　VOCALOIDファンにとってはコミケよりもボーマスの方が重要なのです。プロデューサ諸氏も新作はボーマス合わせって人が多いんじゃないかな。もうカタログも用意してありますよ！

西館には行きませんでした。企業にもVOCALOID関係はあるのですが、それほど重要とも思えなかったので。

これから、まず「ジャケ買い」分から聴こうと思います。それで気に入ればこれからそのサークルさんを追いかけてみようかなって。 あまり皆さんにオススメはしない手法ではあります。好き嫌いも当たり外れもどうしても発生すると思うし、ＣＤの購入枚数も増えてしまう。でも作品に定評ある有名Ｐ・古参Ｐばかり追いかけているよりも、身銭を切っても新規開拓をしたいと思ってしまったものですから…つい。 長くVOCALOID曲を追いかけていると、どうしても「Ｐ名で聴いてしまう」ことになりがちだと思っていました。それが嫌で以前はＰ名にも再生数にもこだわらない全曲チェックを続けていたのだし、今もランキングをあまり頼らないでいます。

でもプロデューサが増え続け、わたし自身も全曲チェックできるほどのヒマがなくなってしまいました。そうするとだんだんＰ名や再生数を頼りに聴くようになって、自分にとっての名曲を発掘することができなくなってしまいました。それがずっと心残りで、何とか新しい音に出会いたくて、こういうことをしてみたわけです。 実のところ、何というサークルさんで購入してきたのかさえ即答できないのですｗ　もちろんＣＤにはサークル名やＵＲＬが印刷されているので後から調べることは可能ですが、今これから再生しようとするＣＤが誰のどんな作品なのかもわからないってのも結構ドキドキするもんですよ？

それから。わたしは夏の間ずっと屋外で仕事していて暑さには慣れているつもりでしたが…確かにあれは熱中症ではありませんでした。しかしそれはそれとして、ほんの少しの体調変化にも敏感になるべきだなあと改めて感じました。この程度の立ちくらみは平気だとサークルさんを回り続けたら倒れていた可能性だってある。自分で「あれ？おかしいぞ？」と少しでも思ったから館外に退避したので、そこは職場で「暑い中、少しでも異変を感じたら無理せず休め」と互いに声を掛けてきたのが功を奏したのかもしれないなと思います。

AX11 (without MIKUNOPOLIS) (Eng.)

［日本語版はこちら］

"MIKUNOPOLIS" was a part of "ANIME EXPO 2011". First I reported the nitty-gritty of the whole event. Secondary I'm going to report about the main exhivition.

So, again, I'll report it in my English that is under development... (re, really...?)

"ANIME EXPO 2011" was held from Jul.1 ~ Jul.4, at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), Los Angeles, California, US. That is the largest animation festival in the North America.

I got the LACC at around 3pm, July 1. However, I've only bought 1 day ticket for Jul.2... It means that I can't enter the inside on that day.

I could enter the lobby without ticket. And there were...

There were "Itasha" Toyota Corolla!

(A car that body is decorated by illustration of animation/video game character. You know that Miku is not an animation character though.)

We could get a poster when we answered a sheet of simple survey about car.

The next day, they were giving another poster. And more, the other group were distributing different poster in front of NOKIA theater. Totally I got 3 different posters.

However, I couldn't get the fourth design that was released Jul.3, my leaving day. Moreover, I couldn't grab a (kind of) cushion designed Miku at the NOKIA theater. These are strongly regrettable point of this journey.

Later, I bought a 2-feet-long drain pipe at the DIY store. It helped to bring these posters to Japan in perfect condition!

Stick to the main hall. I went to the reception and asked "I have a pre-registration for tomorrow. Can I exchange my real(?) ticket now?". The answer was "Yes, you can.". I will save some time tomorrow...

Anyway, my ticket was only for tomorrow. Can't wait!

　+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

...July 2 is coming!

I arrived at the LACC at 8:30 because I'd misunderstood it opens 9am. However, the hall opened at 10am. I had to stay in a line to wait for the opening of the door.

At five to ten, the line advanced inside of the hall. Unlike Japanese similar festival, there were no clapping hands.

I went to the already crowded "MIKUNOPOLIS" booth first, bought the official brochures and coasters. I also stood in a line to buy Nendoroid... but I got out from the line several minutes later. Because, I thought that just making line is waste of my time (aroumd 1 hour). And I also thought that the Nendoroid should be bought by the American. It's a kind of charity for the East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami victims.

I chose walking the whole area of the hall. As I see it, it's not as large as the West hall of Tokyo Big Site. But, the width of corridors and the size of each booths were enough for many visitors. Also, there were many tables and chairs to take rest. It was possible to have a light meal from a booth.

Most booths were by the companies. Some Japanese companies also displayed their products.

...By the way, "YAOI"...

The innermost area was "Artist Alley". It was a doujin... amateur illustrator's booths. The number of booths were not as many as Japanese event such as "Comic Market", but the quality of their illustration were quite high! I couldn't find any "Thin Book" as a derivative works that is very common in Japanese events. Mainly, posters, postcards and badges were sold. Some group were selling big tapestries.

I bought these illustrations. It costed around $10 each. Personally I think these were expensive although I don't know much about the average price of Doujin in Japan.

There are many print shop among Japan because Japanese loves books, magazines and fliers... so, it is very easy to publish anything in Japan. American situation must be very different.

I'm not sure that American point of view for copyright and derivative works influences Doujin or not. Also, I can't speculate that whether many American illustrators are not aiming for their original (includes derivative) scenarios. The price might reflects that American doujin is not matured yet. Although their works are rising remarkably high level, American doujin world is still under construction, I think.

On the other hands, Japanese prices are rather cheap than American are expensive. A day in this travel, I paid $30 for my dinner at a casual restaurant. (I ordered a mug of beer, salad and pasta (including tax and tip)). Certainly, the pasta was delicious and it had many large scallops and shrimps. However I was confused the price actually. If I ordered soup and dessert, it would cost up to $50.

When I set this price as a kind of guideline of all prices in the States, paying $10 for each illustration may be reasonable...

Back to the main hall.

There were many cosplayers. And they were real.

When I asked "Would you mind taking your picture?", many cosplayer showes a little shy smile. But the next moment, they answered "Not at all!" and posed for my photo.

(To tell the truth, the shy smile must be the prettiest face for them, I believe! But you know, only photographers can know the smile...)

These costume can be bought from web shop even in the States, and of course it's possible to import them from Japan personally. However, the cosplayer should think about the size of the costume. These for Japanese women must be to small for westerners.

Then, I suppose many cosplayers sew their own costume by theirselves. Fortunately or unfortunately, there was Hollywood, as the home of entertainment. People seeks reality and accuracy.

She could become Rin Kagamine with her natural hair. That must be a kind of advantage.

Some cosplayers are dressed in special costume about particular song such as "Matryoshka" and "magnet".

Of course, there are many many cosplayers without VOCALOIDs.

And they leave the hall with their costume. I found GUMI was walking downtown near the next station of the LACC.

After the lunch near the Nokia theater, I went to the West building of LACC to listen to a conference. There were Mr.Sasaki (Crypton Future Media Inc.) and Mr. Onyx Kobahashi (the vocaloid producer who composed "Saihate").

That conference was also aimed a sort of marketing in the North America by Crypton Inc. Hatsune Miku English edition is going to be developed. However, unlike Luka, English Miku may speak and sing "Engrish" =Japanese-like English because Ms. Fujita Saki, as "the person inside of Miku" (Ms. Fujita gave Miku the voice.) can't speak English well, according to the conference.

During the conference, Mr. Sasaki said that "I suppose, the song by the prototype of English Miku might be listened near here, tonight... ". The large conference room was filled by shouts of joy! You should know what it means... yes, of course!

Mr. Sasaki asked many questions to the audience. Do everybody choose and listen to VOCALOID songs by the name of producer, Where do you find new VOCALOID songs...

The supplier's point of view, they are very important question whether English Miku will succeed or not. It is, so to speak, the possibility of the advent of English-speaking producers from the US, currently only as a consumer.

Mr. Onyx Kobayashi also emphasized that "I want to listen to music that was produced by the American sense of music." Definitely, I think so, too. In near future, when many nice songs get across the Pacific Ocean West bound, that must cause the improvement of skills and senses together. Also, that improvement will bring international collaboration, a song by American and an illustration by Japanese... for instance. The Web make us realize international exchange quite easily!

Personally, for the future of VOCALOID, it must be very important test whether Miku is sold well in the US or not, equally means whether many American producers appears or not.

However, double check the current situation.

Actually, although there are many English VOCALOIDs, I've never heard that these VOCALOIDs are popular and common among the World. That's regrettable. You know that Luka can sing Japanese and English songs now. Also, there are other English VOCALOIDs such as SweetAnn and BigAl who has VOCALOID2 engine. But still, why American prefer Miku? Is the US still sticking to the character? You never forget that she and her mates sing YOUR SONG on your desktop!!

I sincerely expect that how many American change their class from consumer to producer because of their strong desire, "I want Miku to sing my song!".

After the conference, I went to NOKIA theater for the live!

http://hankthornfeld.blogspot.com/2011/07/mikunopolis-eng.html

All photos about this report are on Picasa.

https://picasaweb.google.com/103134350275315987925/ANIMEEXPO2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCLvzjYHe3ejPNA#