/leek/ - How much has the vocaloid fandom changed?

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How much has the vocaloid fandom changed? Mikudayo Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 02:26 AM No.32026

This isn't a doomer post, but how has Miku exponentially exploded in popularity over the past few years? It started with Brazilian Miku, then Fortnite. Now she's a huge part of the Fifa world cup discourse. Miku was always big, but she wasn't this mainstream.

In terms of the characters, Teto, Neru and Gumi have surpassed all of the Cryptoloids, which was unthinkable a decade ago. Every meme now has one of those four, and most people don't even know about anyone else?

I tried listening to Mesmerizer, but it's the most overstimulating vocaloid song I've ever heard and watched. There's been some great songs in this new era, but there's definitely been a shift in what's popular online.

Is it because everyone is online now? Why is everything about Miku so widespread when I thought it had limited appeal? Did everyone have a mass preference change? I used to think that vocaloid only appealed to niche communities, but has the common demomenator shifted so much that Miku is now an icon? Has the internet always been mentally ill in general? What makes the internet make something appealing to a wider audience if doing so in real life works differently? Is the internet just a place of honesty of the mind? Does Miku somehow represent the internet and how it's moldable to your liking? Are people now realizing the appeal of Miku, or did they never realize that they had an inherent inclination towarda something like her which was awoken from the internet?

Sorry for my unorganized post

Mikudayo Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 06:54 AM No.32027

Mate you need to lay off the alcohol for a little before you end up having an existential crisis.

To answer the main question, Miku isn't popular "now", she's always been. She just happens to be a recognizable character whose source material is completely optional because there's no canon so people can easily latch onto her without ever consuming a single Vocaloid song.

Mikudayo Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 07:48 AM No.32028

Popularity is definitely a result of numerous things coming together but covid definitely changed a lot of things not just in Vocaloid but the whole music industry. These days nearly everyone focuses more on the MVs and tries to squeeze in some catchy part or dance to their song for TikTok algorithm and we clearly got our fair share of that. Fandom culture and forums mostly dying and discussions being carried over to mainstream platforms also sanitized things.

I don't really have strong opinions about "new vs old fandom" thing but 1 thing I definitely love about current era is how much easier it is to find fan concerts, gatherings or panels outside JP. Also despite me complaining about MVs, it's really interesting to see some songs from Korean producers passing stuff from established idol groups within the country.

From what I've experienced fandom you encountered irl is a lot more chill and approachable compared to whatever you see online. Online side is really hit and miss with most loud ones being kids so it is really common to see dogshit takes trying to be forced as facts or witch hunts against producers who make harmless songs about some fetish. "Worst" thing I've seen someone do irl was only knowing Miku-Teto and calling other crytonloids project sekai characters.

Mikudayo Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 10:14 AM No.32029

Simple, social media algorithms try to tie everything together that only has a very vague connection.

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