I <3 Vocaloid

One of Comiket 80’s most anticipated premieres is a collaborative project between Japanese search engine site Surfer’s Paradise, and anime studio Studio Deen, and Nico Nico Douga users, called “i-style Project".


Specifics about the nature of this collaborative effort are still under wraps, but official images for the Vocaloid, named “Aoki Lapis” (with the characters for “blue” and “princess,” and “Lapis” from the blue precious jewel, lapis lazuli) have been uploaded to the i-style website. Furthermore, the team has posted a call for singers on Nico Nico Douga to record and upload a song they think best suits Aoki Lapis for a chance to become her voice provider.


The i-style Project team has given scant details about the new Vocaloid, including a potential release date. They did say, however, that Aoki Lapis will be used on Yamaha’s upcoming VOCALOID3 software, and will be designed for a new type of music, termed “lifestyle.” Though the meaning of this is yet unclear, an event for i-style Project at this year’s summer Comiket, stated that Aoki will be a Vocaloid that even “light users can enjoy.” It is clear that the i-style Project team is designing Aoki Lapis to work with everyday users of VOCALOID, not just professionals.



Will this collaborative project between several companies, designed for casual Vocaloid users, usher Vocaloid culture into a new era of user-centrality? How exactly are Surfer’s Paradise and Studio Deen working together? Who will get to become to the voice of Aoki Lapis? Much is still unknown.



i-style Project Site.[i-style.surpara.com]
i-style Channel at nicovideo.jp.[ch.nicovideo.jp]