Otaku Breakout (1): Vocaloid

Otaku Breakout is an original feature dedicated to spreading the love to  all things anime and video games.

Salutations, good friends. I hope the New Year has been treating you well! If it isn't then take a break and join me as I tackle the first edition of Otaku Breakout. 

School had already kicked off for me so I figured it would be nice to psyche myself up with music! But the thing is, I may as well live under a rock when it comes to music. The only songs I know are a). Extremely Mainstream b). songs by the old Panic! at the Disco (I had a Brendan Urie and Ryan Ross phase) and c). Japanese songs. The last one isn't surprising because, obviously, I watch anime and like all other shows, they start and end with a song... Man, I just made that sound like High School Musical. 

"Hey, Gellie, you aren't even Japanese. Why like a song you can't understand?"

Well, I could tell you all the mushy explanations of how music speaks to you not only by it's lyrics but by its melody and such but instead, I'll just tell you my secret - subtitles. 

Subtitles are awesome. \m/

I like Japanese songs because unlike some nonsense party songs out there, they almost always have a solid story behind them. And as a reader, that's what attracts me the most. The catchy tune becomes secondary... most of the time.

Take my favorite Japanese song, Servant of Evil, for example: (I recommend you watch to Daughter of Evil first for full impact.)

If for some reason you can't play the video or are too lazy to listen to it, (Don't worry, I totes understand!) here are the English translation of the lyrics:

You are my lady. 

I am your servant. 

Destiny divided pitiful twins. 

If it's to protect you, I'll become evil for you.

Many was expected of the two of us since we were born. 

The bell of church blessed us. 

For selfish adults' reasons, our future was ripped in two. 

Even if all of the world becomes your enemy, I will protect you. 

So just be there smiling and laughing.  

You are my lady. 

I am your servant. 

Destiny divided pitiful twins. 

If it's to protect you, I'll become evil for you.  

When I visited the neighboring country. 

I happened to see a green girl walking in the city 

With her kind voice and smiling face, 

I fell in love at first sight. 

But if the princess wishes to that girl die. 

I will answer that. 

I wonder why my tears won't stop... 

You are my lady. 

I am your servant. 

Destiny divided lovely twins. 

"Today's snack is brioche." 

You laugh , a laugh that was ever so innocent. 

Before long, the angry townspeople will probably overthrow us. 

Even if we so rightly deserve this, 

Despite that, I will still defy them. 

"Here, I will lend you my clothes." 

"Wear this and escape immediately." 

"It'll be alright, we are twins , no one will notice." 

I am a lady, 

You are a fugitive. 

Destiny divided sad twins. 

If you are proclaimed as evil, then I also have the same evil blood running through these veins. 

A long time ago, in a certain place, 

Evil people lived in a kingdom, and there ruling over all at the throne was my very cute sibling. 

Even if all of the world becomes your enemy, I will protect you. 

You just be somewhere laughing and smiling. 

You are my lady. 

I am your servant. 

Destiny divided pitiful twins. 

If it's to protect you, I'll become evil for you. 

If I could be reborn, 

At that time, I'd like to play with you again.

Excuse me, while I dry my tears. *blows nose into a tissue* Man, that song gets me every time. That love and dedication is so pure that it melts my heart. No matter how many times I listen to it, it never fails to undo me. The haunting tune and the beautifully made images that goes along with it doesn't help at all.

Which is why some of you may by surprised to believe that that song wasn't sung by a man. Not a woman too. But a computer!

That song is sung by Len Kagamine who is a Vocaloid. And he's not the only Vocaloid out there:

Clockwise, from left to right: Len Kagamine, Rin Kagamine, Luka Megurine, Meiko, Kaito, Gakupo, Miku Hatsune.

(That adorable blonde boy is Len. And the girl beside him is his twin.

And yes, the green-haired girl with the twintails is the girl on my button.)

So what exactly is Vocaloid? To put it simply, it is a voice synthesizer. Though humans give the "reference" voice, it's the program that completes a song. Cool, huh? 

There are many other Vocaloid songs sung by different characters. Other favorites of mine include Spice! wherein Len plays the part of a playboy sleeping with different girls while he is secretly in love with his sister, Rin; The World is Mine, where Miku acts like a spoiled brat in front of her boyfriend; and Kokoro(Heart) and Kiseki(Miracle) which is about an android living in isolation finding her late creator's program of a human heart.

Vocaloid has become tremendously popular that different merchandises have been made for its big fanbase such as figurines, bags, tumblers etc. Miku, the girl with the twintails, is the most viral of all the Vocaloid characters. In fact, Miku is so well-loved that a documentary, aptly dubbed Mikumentary, is in the works. 

But my favorite Vocaloid is obviously the Kagamine twins. Their songs are always so tightly plotted. Plus, since they are twins, their songs usually respond to the other. Like how Daughter of Evil is answered by Servant of Evil. Or how Paper Planes responds to Prisoner (A story about a doomed love during the Holocaust). Kokoro and Kiseki too!

So there you have it. Vocaloid 101. Did you like Servant of Evil? Did you become addicted? Tell me what you think in the comments!

Happy listening.

P.S. If you'd like to know more about what happens after Servant of Evil, there are sequel songs: Regret Message, Daughter of White, and Re-Birthday.