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Hatsune Miku used to sell Toyota cars...in America

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Shortcake Since: Apr, 2010
#26: May 6th 2011 at 3:29:45 PM

Sort of off topic, but why is this in the Manga and Anime subforum? Vocaloid is neither, so I was unaware this topic existed until I stumbled upon it while randomly browsing.

Anyhow, the initial shock has worn off and I can safely say that this was an excellent idea. They could have picked a better song, and the face is a bit off, but it's the thought that counts.

Torquey Dreamworks Since: Oct, 2010
Dreamworks
#27: May 6th 2011 at 3:56:02 PM

[up] I didn't exactly know where to put Vocaloid news combined with Toyota. Is it an anime? A software? An advertisement? I honestly had no clue.

Shortcake Since: Apr, 2010
#28: May 6th 2011 at 4:09:11 PM

Well, the main Vocaloid thread is in the Music subforum, so maybe it could have gone there?

Torquey Dreamworks Since: Oct, 2010
Dreamworks
#29: May 6th 2011 at 4:42:12 PM

I guess. But what's done is done.

FurikoMaru Reverse the Curse from The Arrogant Wasteland Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: He makes me feel like I have a heart
Reverse the Curse
#30: May 6th 2011 at 7:08:04 PM

You'd think they'd pick one of her more Western-friendly hits for the BGM, like Melt or something. I mean, I like World Is Mine, but that shriek ain't gonna endear any new folk to Miku.

A True Lady's Quest - A Jojo is You!
sirnoob Smárling Lendrmaðsson Since: Jan, 2011
Smárling Lendrmaðsson
#31: May 6th 2011 at 9:07:28 PM

Vocaloids. In American advertising. Whut.

"badass" doesn't anything in after used end fail be fine.
Shortcake Since: Apr, 2010
#32: May 6th 2011 at 9:12:26 PM

Well, Crypton has been trying to bring Vocaloid to America for a while now. This is a good step forward.

RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#33: May 7th 2011 at 1:12:21 AM

^Perhaps. Unfortunately, they're using a voice synthesizer software to try to sell cars (or cars to sell voice synthesizer software?), and they used what sounds like the original recording of World Is Mine for it - like someone above said, that won't win them anyone who doesn't already know what a Vocaloid is.

...They could at least have redone it with, like, the Sweet Append or something...

It's been fun.
Daremo Misanthrope Supreme from Parts Unknown Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: If it's you, it's okay
#34: May 7th 2011 at 3:55:12 AM

Just earlier, um... yesterday, at this point, I was looking at SVEDKA_GRL and going over the benefits of having a wholly artificial spokesperson(not going to miss an appearance, never asks for a raise, won't make any embarrassing tweets, isn't likely to desert you for a TV deal, will never claim to be a tiger blooded warlock drug who's bi-winning, can get away with saying sleeping with Tiger Woods was just a 'programming glitch', the list goes on...), and if you're going that route, going with one with some name recognition probably beats making one up out of whole cloth.

Creed of the Happy Pessimist:Always expect the worst. Then, when it happens, it was only what you expected. All else is a happy surprise.
CompassionateSadist from some other place Since: Sep, 2009
#35: May 7th 2011 at 8:40:18 PM

When I first saw the commercial, I really didn't know what to think except "...Wow, she looks really ugly in this commercial". And the song choice...

Enlong Court Dragon from The Underground Facility Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: is commanded to— WANK!
Court Dragon
#36: May 7th 2011 at 9:30:52 PM

I think it makes a measure of sense.

From what I could gather, they appear to be boasting the car's MP 3-player-support. Therefore...

I have a message from another time...
Sabbo Since: Jan, 2001
#37: May 7th 2011 at 10:17:05 PM

Therefore use music which the majority of the target audience would actually know.

Watchtower Since: Jul, 2010
#38: May 7th 2011 at 10:23:54 PM

I don't really care much for Vocaloid, let alone Miku, but when I saw her in the commercial I nearly crapped my pants. Jesus that scared the shit outta me.

I too am curious as to what Toyota was trying to do here. If it was trying to appeal to fans of Miku, then I fail to see why they even bothered. Miku's American fanbase is way too small to be beneficial. And if it was trying to boost Miku's popularity, then it did a shitty job by assuming that I know who Miku is. That only works if done for a rising star like Justin Beiber. Miku (at least in America) is no where close to having that kind of recognition. Besides, I bet that the average American knows enough about Japanese stuff to see this, label it as anime crap, and move on.

Usht Lv. 3 Genasi Wizard from an arbitrary view point. Since: Feb, 2011
Lv. 3 Genasi Wizard
#39: May 7th 2011 at 11:04:54 PM

It's spreading...

But I still find this hilarious.

The thing about making witty signature lines is that it first needs to actually be witty.
SpainSun Laugh it off, everybody from Somewhere Beyond Here Since: Jan, 2010
Laugh it off, everybody
#40: May 7th 2011 at 11:15:58 PM

ok I don't know what this thread is about, but regarding that picture linked on the last page:

OH MY GOD MY EEEEEEEEEEEEEEYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES

I spread my wings and I learn how to fly....
Ukonkivi Over 10,000 dead.:< Since: Aug, 2009
Over 10,000 dead.:<
#41: May 8th 2011 at 12:08:17 AM

That's it, I want a Corolla now.

Genkidama for Japan, even if you don't have money, you can help![1]
CompassionateSadist from some other place Since: Sep, 2009
#42: May 8th 2011 at 5:00:34 AM

[up][up][up][up]Personally, I think it was a (rather poor) attempt to get Miku recognized among a mainstream Western audience, with her English voicebank in the making and all that.

Shortcake Since: Apr, 2010
#43: May 8th 2011 at 8:30:24 AM

I found the adserver advertising it, and it says that Hatsune Miku will be having a concert in Los Angeles. Perhaps that's why this ad exists?

blueharp Since: Dec, 1969
#44: May 8th 2011 at 10:46:53 AM

Toyota has weird advertising sometimes. It's better than the one where some kid is throwing around a bunch of chicken nuggets.

Ronnie Respect the Red Right Hand from Surrounded by Idiots Since: Jan, 2001
Respect the Red Right Hand
#45: May 8th 2011 at 3:12:13 PM

...I liked the ad, myself. You're all overthinking it, the public'll just think, "Cool, Toyota's using this anime character as the face of the Corolla".

RocketDude Since: May, 2009
#46: May 8th 2011 at 5:10:50 PM

From a purely automotive standpoint:

Why didn't they try this with the Scion FR-S?

EDIT: In retrospect, why not any Scion product? From what I heard, the brand is dying out, and not much seems to be done in the way of saving it.

/Loleditingareallyoldpost

edited 5th Jul '11 4:00:31 PM by RocketDude

Ukonkivi Over 10,000 dead.:< Since: Aug, 2009
Over 10,000 dead.:<
#47: May 9th 2011 at 2:09:01 AM

Yes, the definitely could have done a much better job of this commercial if they were going to introduce 'Joe ignorant of other cultures and nerdy things' American to Hatsooni Meeku. That scream was totally uncalled for, and I have definitely seen better Hatsune Miku CG, particularly in that one scene of getting out the car.

It still feels like a win when something on American television just a little bit cooler, by having something I actually like. However, I'm the type of person who didn't even rage at that Sakura Con commercial. So I'm an outcast and weeaboo among among weeaboos. Which isn't hard to do considering that most of us hate ourselves, myself included.

Genkidama for Japan, even if you don't have money, you can help![1]
TheStupidExclamationMark Orbs from In ur cupboard Since: Dec, 2009
Orbs
#48: May 9th 2011 at 12:45:30 PM

Although the ad is somewhat Flat "What"-inducing for geeks, I don't think this is different from a transforming Citroën car advertisement to the general public...

"That said, as I've mentioned before, apart from the helmet, he's not exactly bad looking, if a bit...blood-drenched." - juancarlos
Sabbo Since: Jan, 2001
#49: May 10th 2011 at 3:20:33 AM

A transforming car at least has its origins known by most people. The extent most people could say about this would be that it has a 3D Japanese character who sings in it.

TibetanFox Feels Good, Man from Death Continent Since: Oct, 2010
Feels Good, Man
#50: May 10th 2011 at 3:43:56 AM

A great deal of marketing is just throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks.


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