COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing
Plot
In the world of music, where emotions and feelings are woven into melodies, Ichika, a high school musician, finds solace within the vibrant realm of "SEKAI," a mystical place where her deepest sentiments are shared with her closest friends through an otherworldly connection with the celebrated Hatsune Miku. She and her companions are part of an ensemble of avatars who come together under the digital icon of Miku, bringing people together through the powerful union of vocals and instruments. Ichika's journey in SEKAI is about self-expression and deepening bonds, but her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a new, mysterious version of Hatsune Miku. When the new Miku tries to perform, a heartfelt performance devoid of music, it is then revealed that this new Miku is in fact singing, but it is a pained cry and an inaudible whisper, the sound waves too faint for anyone to hear. No matter the effort this new Miku puts into her performance, she struggles to connect with her audience, her music lost amidst the numbness that has silenced her voice. The desperate plight of this struggling Miku stirs something within Ichika, compelling her to go above and beyond to help this digital soul, one who fears she has lost her purpose in the digital world. Under Ichika's unwavering support and encouragement, this new Miku becomes a part of the group, coming to terms with the isolation that has grown since the silence has engulfed her. Focused on seeking out a solution to help Miku's suffering, the friends delve into a path of discovery and hardship. Guided by her enigmatic bond with Miku and a series of cryptic events that reveal hidden doors to understanding memory, music, and heart she meets Sota, a talented musician who has experience dealing with his own inner-world voice. Together, they form a connection, whose uncharted paths weave a narrative illuminating the life story and struggles of Sota. This courageous step comes during a pivotal moment where all that lies at stake is the rediscovery of Miku's missing voice, and everything can be fixed if she's able to convey the true depth of her heart and music. Their journey is about unearthing the truth behind Miku's broken voice and reviving her spark as they strive for a harmonious perfect symphony. Those closely linked to Miku – each and every one of them playing a crucial role in illuminating the path of unspoken truth within her, to recapture the moments once long lost through music. During this inspiring, life-changing experience, Ichika explores the intricacies of friendship, loyalty, empathy, and compassion – all unifying experiences that show the unwavering significance music has over every soul, transcendent in time and not parting. That is when the story takes a poignant yet unpredictable turn as when all uncertainty about the cause for Miku's broken voice seems to subside – from being met with mystery and uncertainty – now transformed into limitless adventure. Miku sets out a determined course in recovering her hearing and reviving the symphony she had long considered as her forte. While going through this enigmatic process of self-discovery, she finds that music isn't just a source of expression and inspiration, but it's a source deep within – that kind whisper to the soul that reflects the deepest feeling & empathy we can reflect on from the external boundaries that life places. With Ichika's unwavering companionship, along with the gifted tunes of Sota, encouraging and gentle words from their circle, Miku's harrowing quest finally uncovers her hidden key – returning her full beauty and voice so essential to and revered by her world as it stands – leaving all with an inspiration emanating deep within and around her journey, filled with harmony amidst mystery. And so as we leave SEKAI, there's always music hidden deep down within us.
Reviews
Diego
The script, loosely based on "The Disappearance of Hatsune Miku," is a mess... A Miku who can't connect with human emotions loses her ability to convey her songs, goes berserk, and vanishes, only to be saved by four idol groups and one band… But this hodgepodge of ideas borrowed from GigaP's visuals and fan-created illustrations just doesn't work. The encore performance of the six Vocaloids is decent, with cheers and applause throughout the theater—nostalgia for everyone's childhood (realized belatedly that this is the mobile game world).
Zachary
With expectations set low, I was even touched to see a mobile game spin-off film that met the standard of a popcorn blockbuster! It exceeded expectations and was actually enjoyable. The entire work is built on character relationships and dialogue, so you probably won't fully appreciate the movie if you don't play the game... From the stage greeting to the after-live event, to entering redemption codes in the game to unlock cards and storylines, you can feel the emotional connection (even if it's commercialized) as a one-stop experience. The people in the world of "closed-off windows" represent a common modern neurosis (those who create, those with mental illnesses, and those who are both), and Miku = the internet (...
Adeline
Having only a passing familiarity with Vocaloid, not playing the game nor creating songs, I genuinely didn't have high hopes for this animated piece that seemed to have inconsistent visuals. However, I surprisingly ended up in the cinema and unexpectedly bought a ticket for a vocal support screening. This was truly my first time experiencing such a hardcore fan-oriented event. They didn't just cheer and praise the characters loudly; they even vocally reacted with humorous criticisms. Furthermore, about half of the audience brought glow sticks, changing colors in unison with the singers' shifts and waving them rhythmically (using their favorite character's color when multiple characters were on screen). As an "outsider," I found this incredibly amusing. The film's story is simple, but straightforward, filled with love and dreams. As for the animation...
Mabel
For someone who has wanted to give up countless times, or rather, has already tried to give up, the latter part of the movie just brought uncontrollable tears. Thank you all for being there all this time.
Phoenix
Honestly, I didn't have any expectations for the plot, but the production is full of sincerity. The 2DLIVE is a real surprise, the songs are great, and I enjoyed watching it.
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