Yuzuki Yukari Mμ Project Announced by Chihiro Ishiguro
**Revision History**
December 23, 2019: The crowdfunding campaign has reached 100% completion, and in less than a day after starting! Congratulations to Ishiguro-san and all who contributed! Ishiguro-san is now coming up with stretch goals which we will report on once they are announced.
December 29, 2019: The first stretch goal has been announced! See the ‘Stretch Goals’ section below for more information!
January 11, 2020: The first stretch goal has been fulfilled!
January 21, 2020: A second stretch goal has just been announced! See the ‘Stretch Goals’ section to learn about it!
January 29, 2020: Ishiguro-san’s birthday livestream content now revealed!
February 4, 2020: Videos of the new design and 3D model for Yukari Mμ from the livestream now shared on Twitter!
February 27, 2020: Full versions of the Yukari Mμ theme song now available online!
February 29, 2020: The crowdfunding campaign has officially concluded with a grand total of ￥9,774,480 JPY raised!
Right before its conclusion, Chihiro Ishiguro also held a special livestream to thank all her supporters, review the details about the campaign, and even revealed new songs created by ねじ式 / Nejishiki, なきゃむりゃ / Nakyamurya, 赤牧 / Akamaki! You can watch a replay of the livestream below!
April 15, 2020: Full versions of Yukari Mμ’s second theme song now available online!
June 5, 2020: Full versions of Yukari Mμ’s third theme song now available online!
END OF REVISION SECTION
Prior to the Yuzuki Yukari & Kizuna Akari birthday livestream on December 22, 2019, Chihiro Ishiguro has been teasing fans about a big new announcement concerning CHIHILAB! that she will make during the livestream.
And towards the end of the stream, she made good on her promise, announcing what she calls the 2.5D Yuzuki Yukari Mμ Project!
The term 2.5D refers to a character that this not completely 2D (like a fictional anime or video game character), but not full-on 3D (a real person) either. 2.5D is instead used to refer to a fictional character who is manifested in the real world in a more substantial way than simply drawn on paper or animated in a cartoon. Fans of VOCALOID concerts or Vtuber videos – where the fictional character’s persona, voice, image, personalities and more are manifested to make them seem almost real – perhaps understand this concept the best.
And now, Ishiguro is creating her own in-house developed version of Yuzuki Yukari to use in a variety of media like livestreams, VR concerts, and more in real time (as in nothing pre-recorded); all of her spoken sentences and movements would be done fully live and on-the-spot by Ishiguro herself. Again, think Vtubers. To this end, she has started a crowdfunding campaign called Chihiro Ishiguro x Yuzuki Yukari! Let’s make the 2.5D character ‘Yuzuki Yukari Mμ’ together on CAMPFIRE!
Project Overview
Letter to Fans
Readers may remember how Ishiguro retired from her agency earlier this year in June, and formed a new independent company called CHIHILAB! As has been her way of making announcements recently, she penned a letter to fans that can be read on the crowdfunding site:
Long time no see, everyone! This is Chihiro Ishiguro.
I’m writing to inform everyone that CHIHILAB! is taking on a brand new project that we’ve never done before. It’s the 2.5D Yuzuki Yukari Project!
This is something that I’ve been preparing for tirelessly ever since becoming independent this summer. I’ve consulted with VOCALOMAKETS, and received backing from so many different creators! I have been practicing my singing and my dancing a ton for this day.
I’ll be working hard in order to give fans who love Yuzuki Yukari many more fun activities for us to all enjoy together! I appreciate your continued support!
–Chihiro Ishiguro
Creation of Yuzuki Yukari Mμ
Illustrator: LAM
LAM designed Yuzuki Yukari Mμ to be suitable for live performances, which will be her key function. LAM is known for designing for VR fashion shows like FAVRIC, for VR mystery adventure games like Tokyo Chronos, and even the Vtuber Kujo Ringo, making them the ideal designer for Yukari Mμ. LAM even got input for cute accessories to add from Ishiguro herself!
Theme song producer: 桜村 眞 / Shin Oumura, a.k.a. 町屋 / Machiya
Hokkaido native Machiya will be writing and playing the guitar for Yukari Mμ’s theme song.
**UPDATE ON FEBRUARY 28, 2020**
You can now hear the full version of the song!
Title: 徒歩十一年 / Toho Juuichi Nen (Eleven Years On Foot)
Yukari version:
Yukari Mμ version (with Chihiro Ishiguro singing):
VR tech support and 3D modeling: Masafumi Mikami and Yakuya Ikarashi of Gugenka
Other Collaborating Artists
Here are the VOCALOID producers whom Ishiguro will be collaborating with and lending their support for song-writing:
**UPDATE ON APRIL 15, 2020**
Yukari Ｍμ’s second theme song, re-born, is now online!
Producer: ねじ式 / Nejishiki
Illustration & movie: 檀上大空 / Danjou Oozora
Sound engineering (Yuzuki Yukari ver.): VoxBoxStudio
Mix (Mμ ver.): 中里隆夫
Yuzuki Yukari version:
Yuzuki Yukari Mμ (Chihiro Ishiguro) version:
And here are some VOICEROID producers who will help Ishiguro make VOICEROID videos with Yukari Mμ!
Project Goals
Real-time Live Concerts
・Hold 2.5D live concerts in which Ishiguro can perform through Yukari Mμ
・Yukari Mμ moving and dancing completely in real-time while onstage
・Yukari Mμ speaking in real-time onstage using not only Ishiguro’s voice, but also voice effects
・Create original music and an original musical identity for Yukari Mμ with the help of various VOCALOID producers, artists, and other creators
VR Live Concerts
・Creating new potential for VR concerts
・Holding live concerts that go beyond the boundaries of the stage, creating extraordinary spectacles that fully immerse the audience in the VR world
・Using binaural mics and stereo sound to heighten the sense of being in another reality (ex: waves crashing in the ocean or sounds of forest)
・Using spoken lines and sound effects to heighten the sense of immersion
・Continuously deliver on fan expectations, creating fully convincing VR live concerts
Livestreams
・Hold livestreams with Yukari Mμ emoting rich facial expressions
・Deliver content for Yukari and Yukari Mμ fans once a week (whether in the form of livestreams or recorded videos is still under consideration)
Livestream content example:
ー Introducing new Yukari music videos
ー Inviting VOCALOID producers, video-makers, and other creators to the show for interviews
ー Create videos in collaboration with many different video-makers
ー Hold games that listeners can participate in and sing requested songs live
Planned Timetable
Beginning of 2020
Create Yukari Mμ’s 3D model, songs, talk ing voice, and other preparations
Spring 2020
Begin broadcasting programs, and hold a ‘Yuzuki Yukari Mμ Real-Time Birthday Live Show’
Summer 2020
Hold a ‘Yuzuki Yukari Mμ VR Birthday Live Show’
Rest of 2020
Continue to broadcast programs and hold live shows
If the Project Hadn’t Been Started
Although Ishiguro has laid all the groundwork for the project by herself, it won’t be successful without the necessary funds. So now that the project has begun, donations are appreciated!
Stretch Goals
If the crowdfunding campaign reaches 100% completion, stretch goals will be considered. Besides the obvious like new outfits and other improvements for Yukari Mμ, Ishiguro promises to think up many other uses for the extra funds that will please fans.
**UPDATE ON DECEMBER 23, 2019**
In a new update, Ishiguro-san thanks her supporters with the following message:
To all supporters…!
Thank you all for making the Chihiro Ishiguro x Yuzuki Yukari! Let’s make the 2.5D character ‘Yuzuki Yukari Mμ’ together project garner such amazing support.
In not even 24 hours since the crowdfunder launched, it managed to raise the targeted ￥2,5000,000 JPY, which means that the project can now officially begin.
This makes me so happy that I still feel like I’m dreaming…
I’m also truly grateful for all the people who have shown their warm support and encouragement through Twitter…!
This project has been one that I’ve been wanting to make happen for such a long time, and which I take as a serious challenge. Like many of you, I love Yukari dearly, and as a single user of hers, I will do my utmost best to make this an even more enjoyable project for fellow users and lovers of VOCALOID and VOICEROID as we take this challenge on together.
We’ve managed to raise ￥2,500,000 JPY for this project, but given how large-scale it is and how little time we have, I would like to humbly ask the creators for more of their generous help and cooperation with it. Even this new stretch goal is one that I’ve decided on after only a short amount of consideration time!…
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to all the creators who have lent me their strength…!
Thank you all so much!
And with that, Ishiguro-san has announced the new stretch goal of ￥5,000,000 and what she will do if it is reached!
① Request the producer なきゃむりゃ / Nakyamurya to create a new song for Yukari Mμ
② Have LAM create a new illustration for Yukari Mμ
③ Use said illustration for a new outfit and 3D model for Yukari Mμ
Ishiguro-san even asks fans to express what kind of Yukari Mμ they would like to see, asking that they tweet their thoughts on Twitter with the hashtag #結月ゆかりMμ!
**UPDATE ON JANUARY 11, 2020**
The first stretch goal of ￥5,000,000 JPY has been reached, and now the new song and illustration from Nakyamurya and LAM will be made!
**UPDATE ON JUNE 5, 2020**
The requested song has now online!
Song title: メカノロジック / mechanologic
Music/lyrics: なきゃむりゃ / Nakyamurya
Illustrations: トロメラ / Toromera
Movie: UME of Over Forte
Mix: 中里隆夫
Yuzuki Yukari version:
Yuzuki Yukari Μμ version:
**UPDATE ON JANUARY 21, 2020**
Now a second stretch goal has been announced! Ishiguro-san explains the new goal and even the new donation options below:
Thanks to everyone’s ever growing support, we’ve reached our stretch goal on January 11, 2020! Thank you all so, so much!
The aims of this stretch goal were:
・Have LAM design a new illustration and 3D outfit for Yuzuki Yukari Μμ
・Have Nakyamurya create a new song for Yuzuki Yukari Μμ
And now the above goals will definitely happen!
I can’t wait to show everyone the new outfit! Thank you to all who submitted your suggestions on Twitter!
Taking everyone’s opinion into account, we will be creating all sorts of variations to Yukari Μμ’s concert outfit. Our concert preparations have been proceeding smoothly, and I look forward to the day when we can present it to everyone.
Now that we are 300 supporters strong and have just over a month remaining in the crowdfunding campaign, I’m now adding a second stretch goal! And this will probably be the last one, too…!
Second stretch goal: ￥7,500,000 JPY
① 桜村眞 / Shin Oumura to create a 30-second anime music video for Yuzuki Yukari Μμ’s theme song
② あじみ / Ajimi to create a song for VR use, and チェリ子 / Cherico to serve as the illustrator for the song’s music video
If the stretch goal is reached, we’ll improve on the illustrations being used for the music video, and make many more videos with them.
We have also opened up a new donation option.
￥10,000 JPY Course
Receive:
・A T-shirt with Yuzuki Yukari Μμ’s new design (T-shirt to be designed by LESS Kitayama)
・A poster with Yuzuki Yukari Μμ’s new design
・A movie featuring Yuzuki Yukari Μμ’s new design expressing her gratitude
This course features some brand new and splendid merch featuring Yuzuki Yukari Μμ’s new design!
※Please note that this course does NOT include the merch that you can get in the ￥1,000 and ￥6,500 JPY courses
The Yuzuki Yukari Μμ project is showing no signs of stopping. We will do our absolute best to meet the expectations of everyone who supported us so much! Look forward to follow-up news!
**UPDATE ON JANUARY 29, 2020**
The new design has been revealed, being dubbed Mμ White!
Furthermore, we now get to hear a sample of Ajimi’s song!
Title: 徒歩十一年 / Toho Juuichi Nen (11 Years On Foot)
※Still work in progress
**UPDATE ON FEBRUARY 4, 2020**
Here are the video recordings from the livestream talking about Mμ White and the 3D model!
Donation Options and Rewards
The CAMPFIRE crowdfunding project site can be found here, and the goal is to raise ￥2,500,000 JPY.
￥1,000 JPY Course
・Thank-you video A
A short movie of Yukari Mμ expressing her thanks
・Thank-you email
An email from Yukari Mμ expressing her thanks
*NEW* ￥10,000 JPY Course
・A T-shirt with Yuzuki Yukari Μμ’s new design
・A poster with Yuzuki Yukari Μμ’s new design
・A movie featuring Yuzuki Yukari Μμ’s new design expressing her gratitude
※This course does NOT include the merch that you can get in the ￥1,000 and ￥6,500 JPY courses
※The rewards for this course are now available in other courses
**UPDATE ON JANUARY 29, 2020**
T-shirt design now revealed!
￥6,500 JPY Course
・All of the above
・Live digest video
A digest video for ‘Yuzuki Yukari Mμ Real-Time Birthday Live Show’ (to be recorded and sent to you after the show takes place)
・T-Shirt
A T-shirt with Yukari Mμ’s logo design. You can choose from available sizes:
・Bookmark
Illustrated with a mini Yukari Mμ by さっざ / Sazza
・A sticker with Yukari Mμ’s logo
￥20,000 JPY Course
・All of the above
・Thank-you video B
Different content from Thank-you video A
・Fabric poster illustrated by LAM
・Mini character acrylic keychain illustrated by さっざ / Sazza
・Voice message
A message of thanks from Yukari Mμ who can address you by name. You must give them the name that you want her to speak in hiragana. We suggest consulting with someone who knows Japanese, and you may consult with us by email or social media if you would like.
・Ticket B to ‘Yuzuki Yukari Mμ Real-Time Birthday Live Show’ OR ticket to ‘Yuzuki Yukari Mμ VR Birthday Live Show’
￥50,000 JPY Course
・All of the above
・Autographed portable instant camera
Comes loaded with a photo of Yukari Mμ’s 3d model and an autograph from her
・Collection of birth record documents for Yukari Mμ
A pamphlet with comments and interviews with supports and staff behind Yukari Mμ’s creation, plus the secret story to her creation
・Acrylic character stand illustrated by LAM
・3 additional voice messages
Supply 3 messages that you would like Yukari Mμ to say to you, no longer than 15 seconds each. Anything too long will be modified by the staff. Messages will be sent to you as mp3 files.
・Ticket B to ‘Yuzuki Yukari Mμ Real-Time Birthday Live Show’ AND ticket to ‘Yuzuki Yukari Mμ VR Birthday Live Show’
￥200,000 JPY Course
・Giclée-printed illustration by LAM
A2 size, autographed by Yukari Mμ and sent in a picture frame
・Call and response for a new song
Your own personal call included in an original Yukari Mμ song. The creators will send you a demo and script of the song, and you can then record your call with your phone and send it back to them to use for the song.
￥600,000 JPY Course
・All of the above
・A song that Yukari Mμ will sing specifically for you
An original song that Yukari Mμ will sing just for you. They ask that you send a simple biography of yourself for the producers to write lyrics from. Sent to you as an mp3 file
・Your name in the credits for ‘Yuzuki Yukari Mμ Real-Time Birthday Live Show’
You must provide your name or nickname
・Invitation to a meeting for a live broadcast program
Details to be given out after the crowdfunder ends
Closing Remark
To everyone…
Thank you for reading up to this point. This is Chihiro Ishiguro.
I have been a voice actress for 10 years now. Among all the different roles that I have played, Yuzuki Yukari is especially precious to me.
What I would like is for more people to know about Yukari, and want to work together with creators who use her! That’s is the dream that I wish to fulfill!
In order to accomplish this goal, I’ve stopped being a voice actress who plays many different roles, and have founded CHIHILAB! in order to walk my future path alongside Yukari alone, a drastic change in my life.
This new project that I’ve formed is like a culmination of all my wishes.
I’ve utilized everything that I have learned and all my strengths developed as a voice actress, as well as all the physical endurance that I’ve developed from exercises like dancing and swimming, in order to get this project set up.
This is also the first time that I’ve reached out to so many people in this line of business for help and assistance. I’ve had many talks with people who run platforms for VR shows, worked together with many real-time live show specialists, and perform checks on all the equipment!
All of this has been a completely new experience for me, and it would give me great pleasure if I could work together with all of you and make the process a truly enjoyable and exciting one for all of us.
I absolutely love Yuzuki Yukari!! Do you all love your own version of Yukari as well?
From here on out, I wish to accomplish all sorts of goals along with anyone else who also loves Yukari!
This may just be one small step, but it could turn out to be an important first step towards an amazing future! In order to make that happen, I need everyone’s support. So, will you take my hand in yours, and let us walk this path together?
Looking forward to working with you all!
-Chihirose (Chihiro ishiguro)
We at VocaSphere want to commend Ishiguro-san for her tremendous courage and equally tremendous effort to start this new undertaking in her life, all inspired by her deep and heartfelt love for Yukari. It is our hope that she finds nothing but success in this endeavor, and meets many like-minded fans along the way to support her in all her goals.
Wishing Ishiguro-san all the best, and wishing for anyone reading this who feels inspired by her to lend her some of your support!
Links
Crowdfunding page for ‘Chihiro Ishiguro x Yuzuki Yukari! Let’s make the 2.5D character ‘Yuzuki Yukari Mμ’ together’
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