Codebreaker

Pop music somehow becomes even more artificial than the Black-Eyed Peas

John Moe Oct 28, 2011
Codebreaker

Pop music somehow becomes even more artificial than the Black-Eyed Peas

John Moe Oct 28, 2011

An hour-long augmented reality concert took place in Japan yesterday, featuring 3-D characters that have been consistently ranking in the top 10 Japanese pop charts. Their names are Megpoid and Akikoloid, and nothing about them, not even their voices, is real. 150 lucky fans at the Digital Concert Expo in Tokyo were treated to songs and dancing by the two anime-looking characters. Audience members were encouraged to “interact” with the pop stars by waving specially-marked poles which triggered effects in the augmented reality world. Over 65,000 people watched the show on Nico Nico Douga, a Japanese version of YouTube.

I like Megpoid’s earlier stuff. Akikoloid is way too commercial for me.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.