The joy of dressing up in a costume is as old as time. This timeline traces a history of cosplay.
Hatsune Miku was developed in 2007 to sell a synthetic voice. The Japanese company Crypton Future Media makes voice synthesis software: a computer program based on a real person’s voice, which you can use to create new music and voiceovers yourself. To give the program more personality, manga artist Kei Garō created an iconic character — a girl with long turquoise pigtails: Hatsune Miku.
Before long, Hatsune Miku took on a life of her own. She was embraced by fans and companies alike, and thousands of songs, collaborations and outfit versions followed. These days, Hatsune Miku is a genuine virtual global star: she’s opened for Lady Gaga, collaborated with fashion brand Louis Vuitton, and in 2024 performed a sold-out hologram concert at the AFAS Live.
Hatsune Miku is a major source of inspiration for many cosplayers. Precisely because there are endless versions of her, Miku offers all kinds of opportunities for creating your own interpretation. As cosplayers put it: every Miku is canon!
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