As a vocaloid Hatsune Miku’s voice has been used in over 100,000 songs, and with her popularity continuing to grow, we can expect that number to steadily rise. Illustrator KEI gave birth to her iconic design 16 years ago and since then, Miku has been utilized in all sorts of projects. These days, Rella has been one of the main Miku artists and has been in charge of creating many key visuals and official artwork. Her art is characterized by a fresh and casual style with excellent use of different shades of colors. Rella’s style results in delicate, subdued images which mimic paint on a canvas. She enjoys creating peaceful and elegant worlds, with a touch of loneliness conveyed through pastel colors. Her ability to capture the essence of characters and emotions has made her a much beloved figure in the otaku community.

Miku's voice is just as iconic as her character design. Countless musicians have produced numerous songs and complete them by borrowing Miku's vocals. One such singer-songwriter is Sasanomaly (ササノマリイ), known for his unique blend of electronic, pop, and rock elements. He initially gained recognition in the vocaloid community under the name "nekobolo," commonly using the different vocaloid software to sing on his tracks. Sasanomaly's music works well with vocaloid singers, often featuring introspective lyrics and powerful, captivating music videos.

What happens when one of the greatest Miku illustrators and musical geniuses get together? Something truly amazing is born. "Little Missing Stars" is a song featuring Hatsune Miku, created in collaboration with Sasanomaly and illustrator Rella. The song was released to celebrate Hatsune Miku's 16th birthday and just might be the perfect gift for a virtual idol. To tackle such an important project, Sasanomaly wrote the lyrics and composed the music based on keywords provided by Rella. Once the song was completed, Rella designed the jacket keeping the music in mind. The music video was directed, illustrated, and color-coordinated by Rella, making it a video that truly highlights the creator's individuality.

Despite both having been involved with Hatsune Miku for many years, this is the first collaborative work between the two. I really hope we get more from this duo but if not, at least we can leave the music video on replay.

Good Smile Company has decided to recreate the Miku design featured in the Little Missing Stars music video in their budget friendly Pop Up Parade figure line. It is currently available for pre-order and set to release early 2025. This figure captures the essence of Miku in a way that is both enchanting and unique. The design elements are meticulously crafted to reflect the ethereal and whimsical nature of the song.

Miku's legendary twintails are styled to resemble musical notes. The addition of starry details, evokes a sense of the night sky. For those with a knack for creativity themselves you could have fun making the perfect display for this dreamy rendition. The change in design of her twintails adds a unique touch to her classic look and fits the vocaloid theme. Rellas ability to reimagine Miku in a variety of ways never ceases to amaze me.

Miku wears a flowing white top with wide sleeves and a skirt with more frills compared to her default outfit. Paired with a black and teal skirt that adds a touch of whimsy. This look is reminiscent of her NT casual style outfit which Rella was also in charge of designing. Miku may be forever 16 but you have to appreciate the more elegant, older aesthetic.

Every detail, from the intricate folds of her clothing to the gentle expression on her face, is crafted with precision. As a non-scale budget friendly figure line, Pop Up Parade figures don't have extreme levels of detail, but the effort shown in this figure is much appreciated. The figure captures Miku's charm and the magical atmosphere of the Little Missing Stars music video.

The figure also captures Miku in a graceful pose, with her delicate hands held close to her heart. The imagery depicted gives a sense of hope and longing. Simultaneously there is a hint of solemness creating a dichotomy of emotion which fits the music and the character. It is a charming piece for any Miku fan.

The Little Missing Stars figure not only adds a touch of elegance to Miku but also serves as a reminder of the creativity and artistry that vocaloid culture has brought to the world.

Do you have a favorite Miku creator or design? Leave a comment and let us know!