KIC: VOCALOID - 1.B Characters

 Image from Safebooru

This one will be long. Very long. Complete with videos and images.

Image by shoumu

a. Meiko/Kaito
 These two are the predecessors of Miku and co. Released by Crypton Future Media, they use the older Vocaloid engine, giving them a much broader range of sound, though it also means that they're voices are rougher, more mechanical. Both Meiko and Kaito have other characters based off of them, though Sakine Meiko is the most well known of them. She is based off Meiko, and was made by Nanameue-P and Daigoman. The two are also portrayed as the older siblings of the Crypton Vocaloids who came after them.

Kaito - Pollyanna (Mother 3)



Meiko (Sakine Meiko) - Be Myself (Nakajima Megumi cover)

 

Image by Imori 

b. Hatsune Miku was the first Japanese Vocaloid to use the new VOCALOID2 engine. Illustrated by KEI, and released by Crypton, Miku has pretty much become an internet idol. She's even got her own game. She is the most popular Vocaloid character, as most producers who have released albums have used her as the main voice. Her special item is a green onion, or negi, which is often misinterpreted as a leek. This was made famous by the onion spinning video of the Llevan Polka (video and Vocaloid rendition made by Otomania fyi) Note that she also has many other characters based off of her, and her program. Fujita Saki lends her voice to Miku.

Hatsune Miku - MELT (supercell)

 

Image by Marumi

c. Kagamine Rin/ Ren are twins released by Crypton as Vocaloid2 02. While using the new VOCALOID2 engine, the Kagamine twins come with two voice samples, one for each of the twins. Though not as popular as Miku, Rin and Ren have their own share of popular songs (though Rin holds the majority of those). Many of their songs are linked. For example, the Daughter of Evil series by akuno-P. It has 4 songs, all by either Rin or Ren, and are all related to tell a story. While usually portrayed as twins, they are actually the same person reflected, as their name implies. Kagami (鏡) mirror, while the "ne" (音) sound. Their names Rin and Ren are puns for left and right. Shimoda Asami lends her voice to both of the twins. Rin's special item is a mandrin orange, while Ren's is a banana. They also share a second item, the road roller.

Kagamine Rin - Daughter of Evil (akuno-P)


Kagamine Ren - Servant of Evil (akuno-P)

 

Image by onineko

c. Megurine Luka is the third Vocaloid to be released by Crypton. Also illustrated by KEI, she brings a new feature into the field of Vocaloid: an English voice bank. Illustrated as the oldest of the newer Vocaloids, she is often envied by Miku and Rin. At certain pitches, she will end up sounding very similar to Ren. Asakawa Yuu lends her voice to Luka. Her special item is a tuna.

 

Image by Tetsuo

d. Kamui Gakupo was released by Internet Co., and illustrated by Miura Kentaro (Berserk). His voice was made by sampling J-rock singer, Gackt's voice (hence the name, Gakupo). He is dressed akin to a samurai, and is the "older brother" of Internet's other Vocaloid, Gumi. His popularity rose after the release of Gumi, likely attracting more attention to Gakupo and Internet co.. Gackt lends his voice to Gakupo. His special item is an eggplant.

 

Image from Safebooru

e. Gumi, or Megpoid, is the second release of Internet Co. She was designed by Masami Yuki, and voiced by Nakajima Megumi, which is where her name is probably from. Her design is a parody of Ranka Lee, a character in Macross Frontier in which Nakajima voiced. She is the "younger sister" of Gakupo, and has the same birthday as me. She sounds very human (more so than the other Vocaloids) and is very popular at the moment. Her special item is a carrot.

f. Other Vocaloid characters

There are a whole whack of other characters that have spawned since the release of the Vocaloid characters. Noteable characters are Hachune Miku, Akita Neru, Yowane Haku, Sakine Meiko, and Takoluka. There are more, but only those listed are actually accepted by Crypton.