In 2020, game studio Colorful Palette in collaboration with SEGA, published the game ‘Project SEKAI: COLORFUL STAGE’ released in Japan first, then releasing as ‘HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE!’ in the U.S. in 2021, becoming a hit with over 11 million downloads.
The film, produced by P.A. Works taking place in Shibuya, Japan would demonstrate if Hatsune Miku could never sing–affecting all advertising, her fan base and software, all gone in the blink of an eye.
During the movie, there were two versions of Miku, the canonical version that everyone knows and struggling Miku, being on the traditional Sony Walkman. This was a version of Miku who was learning about making her voice heard by everyone.
In the universe, there are SEKAIs that are formed based on people’s feelings who are struggling to understand themselves. Miku’s own SEKAI, named Lonely SEKAI, gives up when the struggling people tell her to stop. When she gives up, everyone is affected, including the people who are struggling. Everything in Japan shut down and came back to normal, but the canonical Miku was gone.
For a real world example, imagine MAGICAL CURE LOVE SHOT or Daisy 2.0, but the only thing people would hear on ‘MAGICAL CURE!” is the plain instrumental. For ‘Daisy 2.0’ you would just be listening to Ashnikko, but with a few added verses and no instance of Miku.
Throughout the film, LEO/NEED, one of the main SEKAIs try to encourage Miku to keep on singing. Then LEO/NEED announced a concert between all the other SEKAIs citizens of Shibuya. Everyone was surprised by this announcement and everyone attended, either on television or in-person.
Every SEKAI went on with their set. Eventually, Miku built up the confidence to sing in front of millions of people. No one expected Miku to impress them with her new ability to sing.
After the concert, all advertising, music, software voicing, reverted back to normal and Miku thanked the members of LEO/NEED for encouraging her to keep pushing on her dreams. Post credits roll around, an aftershow of the song “Hello, SEKAI” is performed
The production of this film, the storyline from the film, tracing back to the game, all of the music that was brought into this film’s production was very enjoyable. The film did need some knowledge of “COLORFUL STAGE” game so that people can understand the plot, or be a hardcore fan of Hatsune Miku. Overall, the production by P.A. Works deserves an 8 out of 10.
