(Note: This is my first review, I apologize if it's bad.)
It has been 3 years, huh? Here's a special comeback! :)
To comprehend furthermore, this review will cover both aspects from movie and game. Happy reading~!
(TW: dark topics [suicide, depression])
_Someday, our frequencies will meet.
Somehow, the veils will lift._
A Miku Who Can't Sing is a full-animated movie based on the rhythm game Project SEKAI COLORFUL STAGE! ft. Hatsune Miku (known globally as HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE!). It is released in Japanese theatres on 17th January 2025.
The main plot of the movie revolves around Ichika Hoshino, a teenager along with 19 other teenagers who met a mysterious Miku that appeared on her phone. They soon found out this mysterious Miku have tried to reach out to people who haven't found their true feelings. However, she kept failing to do so. The teenagers' goals are to help this Miku find her true voice and help out more people.
Leo/need
All-girls rock unit formed by 4 childhood friends with a goal of overcoming their differences. Members are Ichika Hoshino, Saki Tenma, Honami Mochizuki and Shiho Hinomori.
MORE MORE JUMP!
All-girls idol unit formed by a girl who dreamt to be an idol and 3 other former idols. Members are Minori Hanasato, Kiritani Haruka, Airi Momoi and Shizuku Hinomori.
Vivid BAD SQUAD
A street music unit formed by two merging groups, Vivids and BAD DOGS with a goal to surpass a legend, RAD WEEKEND. Members are Kohane Azusawa, An Shiraishi, Akito Shinonome and Toya Aoyagi.
Wonderlands x Showtime
A musical theatre troupe formed by 4 people to bring back life to the Wonder Stage and spread happiness to other people. Members are Tsukasa Tenma, Emu Otori, Nene Kusanagi, Rui Kamishiro.
Nightcord at 25:00
An indie music circle formed by 4 online members, each member facing different problems and having thoughts of "wanting to dissapear". Members are Kanade Yoisaki, Mafuyu Asahina, Ena Shinonome and Mizuki Akiyama.
And there are also:
Virtual Singers
Living beings in SEKAI, they help humans to find their true feelings. Includes Miku Hatsune, Rin Kagamine, Len Kagamine, Luka Megurine, MEIKO and KAITO.
Each characters have unique traits and important roles in their respective units, though it won't matter that much in the movie since the main focus is on the mysterious Miku. To understand more, you can try reading in-game main and event stories.
Warning: Contains in-game and movie spoilers. All opinions are mine, and shouldn't be taken as a fact.
As a Project SEKAI fan for nearly 3 years, although not as old as other people, I've been familiar with this game quite well. Like any fan would, I was waiting for this movie's release in my country since the moment it got announced via live stream. It was a hype, a very huge news for both the SEKAI and VOCALOID community, since it's Miku Hatsune's first movie.
When it's finally released in the local theatre, I was so hyped. It has been MONTHS since I've been thinking about the movie. I ended up watched this movie twice, both alongside other fans and close friends of mine. Got two special shikishi cards too, which is awesome.
Visual
Rate: 85/100
This movie is produced by P.A Works, a studio known for producing many great titles. Most notably Angel Beats!. It's no wonder why this film is well-animated. This includes choreography and the wonderful world views. The use of CGI in the unknown SEKAI especially, is amazing.
Audio
Rate: 95/100
Might be one of my favourite OSTs of all time. Featuring known VOCALOID producers, such as 40mP and sasakure.UK for the opening song "The Future of Beginning", Jin and Teddyloid for the ending song "Worlders" and DECO*27 for "Hello SEKAI". The units also get special songs composed by DECO*27 alongside other producers as well. My personal favourite is "SToRY" for Leo/need. Oh, and there's a special solo cover of "Glow" by Ichika Hoshino. It warmed my heart.
Feeling
Rate: 88/100
It actually managed to make me very emotional on my seat...! This movie also talks about real-life problems, such as school and work pressure, feeling burnt out, depression, suicidal thoughts, etc. From my understanding, it made the story felt relatable to the viewers, how all people face problems all the time, but couldn't figure to solve it out.
Plotline
Rate: 80/100
If there is one thing that's a minus in this movie, it's the plotline. This movie is meant for people who played Project SEKAI, so it might confuse people who aren't following the game or are relatively new. But even for me, this movie felt like it's set on a rather different universe... I'm rather confused which timeline is this movie taking place in. Due to some factors:
And the existence of the unknown Miku and SEKAI in the game makes it more difficult to understand. Other than that, the movie's story is easy to follow on its own and has great plot conflict.
Overall
Rate: 90/100
If you're a Project SEKAI or VOCALOID fan, this movie is definitely for you. Though not targetted for everyone, it's still a nice and comforting movie to watch. The best part is obviously, the music. (Afterall it's what the franchise focuses on...) Hopefully there'll be more movies or shows to come, but who knows? Surely, I can't wait for more~
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