My response to Facebook's mostly mixed reaction (some positive, some alarmingly negative) to the Toyota campaign -- the general consensus seems to be that it's cool to have Miku coming to America, but that Miku just doesn't look like herself and the animation is something of an embarrassment (it looks as if they spent about 45 minutes working on it). Here's a song I wrote as a tribute to all those who are worried about Miku losing whatever quality it is that makes her unique and endearing. I have no strong opinions on the subject either way, but I sympathize with all those who are concerned for Miku's future.
Additional thoughts, 7 May: I uploaded this same video to NicoNico and it's been getting a somewhat favorable reaction there as well. One commenter summed up the perceived "change" in a way that I particularly like (my translation): "Miku's 'aura' seems to be different here in kind of the same way that the American Godzilla differed from the Japanese version." In which case, I guess this makes her MINO: Miku In Name Only.
NicoNico link: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14381251
ADDITIONAL: Since the Mikunopolis event at Anime Expo, any reservations I may have had about this idea are gone. I'm not taking this video down, however -- firstly because it may still be of interest to the curious, and secondly because I'm sure there are still some among the Vocaloid fanbase who continue to feel this way about the whole endeavor.
EDIT 2011.08.14: Holy s__t, 15,000 views and climbing! Where are you guys finding this?
