The number one princess in the world is celebrating another year of success as millions around the world wish this virtual pop star a happy birthday. First released on August 31st 2007, Miku was a bold new dream developed by Crypton Future Media. I feel like just about anyone can recognize Miku’s iconic pigtails now, even if they don’t fully understand her concept. She performs on sold-out stages around the world and performed on Letterman in 2014. This year, Tokyo found a new creative way to appreciate this cyber princess.
To ring in the new year, Tokyo projected Hatsune Miku on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. She dazzled audiences around the globe, performing her hit song M@GICAL☆CURE! LOVE ♡ SHOT complete with possibly the biggest Miku Miku Beam lighting up the city. I thought the show was amazing, not just because Miku was the star of it, but because of the concept. Miku was dancing around on a massive building. Even though it was on a screen, it felt like a monumental show. Miku was a hologram again, which was an element missing from her latest concerts. Others must have felt the same because the Tokyo Government decided to continue letting anime characters dance across its building.
Tokyo Night & Light is much more than anime characters, though they have performances from anime like Bocchi the Rock and Blue Lock. They also have more artsy performances available, like the Tokyo Concerto. It’s calming music with beautiful imagery revolving around Japan. If you happen to be visiting Tokyo, there is a schedule on the Tokyo Night & Light website that has the performance times. The website also has a section that gives more background on each light projection show. Each blurb describes what the show is inspired by plus they showcase the creators. Some of the shows are original concepts put together by students who are interested in image mapping and currently studying at several universities around Tokyo. What an incredible accomplishment to put on your resume, being featured in such a large event.
If you don’t see Tokyo in your near future, I know I don’t; don’t fret. There is still a way to experience these amazing shows. There is a YouTube Channel called TOKYONightandLightOfficial that has some of the image-mapped performances recorded. It’s not as cool as actually being there, but at least it’s one way to experience some real magic.
Hatsune Miku took the world by storm with a beam that put joy and hope in everyone’s heart. From there, it felt like the door opened and suddenly everyone was brought together to enjoy extra art in their lives. I like how much goes into making the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building feel like a part of the performance. It’s a stage that bends to the artist’s will. It almost feels like the building disappears mid-performance. If I could spend one weekend in Tokyo seeing the projection mapping display, it would be the perfect way to end the day. I’d love to see either Hatsune Miku, Bocchi the Rock, or the Atarashii Gakko shows. Fun fact Tokyo Night and Light holds the Guinness World Record for the largest architectural projection-mapped display (permanent). What show would you want to see?
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