If you love music, this is a MUST WATCH

It's NOT "VOCALOID the movie" People already have certain expectations of the film, which I'd like to address without spoilers. This isn't "VOCALOID the Movie." This is a film about Project Sekai, a video game in which several VOCALOIDs play a role.

But who is this film for? Do I need to know the game to do this?

Well, the film is for anyone who likes music. Nothing more. You don't know Miku? You don't know the film? Believe me, that's no reason to not watch the film. The film does a great job of providing any missing context. Who Miku is and what impact she has on the world becomes clear in the first few minutes of the film. And all the Sekai characters? You don't necessarily have to know them either. I went to the film with some friends who had no idea about Sekai. And they understood everything smoothly throughout the film and accepted the characters. While the pasts of all these characters are definitely a nice bonus for a lot of hidden content, they are definitely not required. I guarantee you'll like the characters without knowing what made them the way they are today.

A slow start for an heartwarming story (no spoilers) As mentioned, the movie starts really slow. But why? Well, the movie is about that one Miku appearing in the world, that can't reach the hearts of the people. This is how she gets to know the characters from the Sekai franchise, whom she befriends and from whom she learns how to improve her music. This naturally means that we first have to somehow connect all the characters to this Miku. It's tiring, but it's an element I don't know if it can really be improved. BUT (!) it's worth it. It's precisely these scenes in which we get all the individual characters on the big screen. This is great for Sekai fans because we see how the film has implemented them, and it's useful for new viewers because they get to know the characters briefly and succinctly.

I don't want to spoil the plot, of course, but it's a very nice plot. I wouldn't go too far in saying that half of my eight-person viewing party in the theater actually cried at the end. The film does a wonderful job of empathizing and, above all, using the music as an element that ultimately reaches your heart.

The music is key, the music is peak No VOCALOID fan? No problem. Many people who don't like VOCALOIDs musically are afraid to try the film because of this. But I can tell all of them that very few of the songs are actually VOCALOID. Most of the songs are by the real singers introduced in the video game. Wonderful bands that cover various genres and incorporate the film's basic message into the film in their own way. Personally, I strongly expected that I wouldn't like some of the songs... but that's not the case. All of the songs were a huge success for me, but that's just a side note. After all, musical taste is subjective. I still assume that everyone out there will find a song they like. That's what the different bands are for.

Also: If you are a VOCALOID fan, this movie will also statisfy you. After all, the VOCALOID songs are great too.

Pros and Cons CON - slow start CON - the VOCALOIDs sound awful, when they talk and don't sing

PRO + great music
PRO + satisfactory implementation of the characters
PRO + nice visuals
PRO + heartwarming story
PRO + great voice acting
PRO + awesome secret after the credits-- wait wha--?

Note: I watched the movie with german sub. The german cinema release was April 5th 2025.