From the Good Smile Company comes a Vocaloid spin-off called Black Rock Shooter. The character was created from a song produced from the Yamaha Vocaloid 2 program Hatsune Miku.

For those unfamilar with what the Vocaloid program is: it’s a computer program that sings songs from the words the user types. Hatsune Miku is an Anime themed voice–there are of course more professional sounding voices in other programs such as in Vocaloid 1.

The Miku program had “exploded” after it’s arrival with the creation of statues, figures and other merchandise. YouTube is full of homemade songs and videos–some which were made into a CD album. There is a Manga, and appearances in Anime’s. The Good Smile Company also sponsors a racing team in Japan where images of Miku adorn the cars.

Now, courtesy of a song and video created off of the Hatsune Miku Vocaloid 2 program, there is a new character called Black Rock Shooter. Already available (if you can find them) are coffee mugs, T-shirts and spiral note books. There is a beautiful statue and a second version of the statue on the way.  Following the merchandising is an OVA Anime which a 50 minute sample is available on-line.

Coming in August (was July) is the Figma action figure of Black Rock Shooter. This figure is fully articulated to be posed in just about any position. She is accessorized with a sword, a huge gun and different faces or heads. Included is a stand that can be used to add to the impossible poses that normal action figures could never do.

Although the figure is costly at an average of $45.00+overseas shipping, it is truly a great collectible and worth every penny.

I have a Hatsune Miku Figma and although it’s still in it’s box, the back of the package shows some poses that could be in her future–with a curio cabinet that is…

 

Japanese companies and a few in the States are taking pre-orders at this time, including on ebay. I’d shop around for the best price though, some are just too costly to consider. I have my pre-order in, now for the wait…

Some of the fascinating aspects of the Black Rock Shooter character are that she is flat-chested (one of the few small breasted Anime characters.)  She has nasty looking scars on her stomach (which is simply cool and original) and that flaming eye thing…  Her outfit is in true Anime style with the string bikini top and the little shorts.  Add the boots and long coat and you have a memorable character–not to mention the wild hair!

For the Cosplayers out there, you have a great character to play–just don’t go to the conventions with a real Katana, you might get arrested!

Even though Japan isn’t an Otaku paradise, the fact that so many interesting properties , themes, and characters are easily available there, it makes you wish you could hop the next plane and go–it doesn’t matter what people think about you’re interests, you like what you like.

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