LUMi (ルミ) is a Japanese VOCALOID developed and distributed by Akatsuki Virtual Artists. She was released for the VOCALOID4 engine in August 2017.
She is voiced by the Japanese voice actress Ohara Sayaka (大原さやか).[1]
Concept[]
According to her backstory, LUMi is a turritopsis shrine maiden who has come to the human world. LUMi is set to become the Goddess of Shinkei (literally means "deep sea"), a land on the seabed of Kamakura. In order to be considered worthy, she is undergoing the test of transforming 1,000 of humanity’s ‘seeds of anguish’ into ‘seeds of hope.’
However, LUMi is fragile, and would become paralyzed if she were to take on too much of humanity's pain. She has a wound in her heart from leaving Urashima Taro and Otohime, her caretakers, which aches under humanity's suffering.
LUMi's backstory ends with the question: "Can LUMi overcome this trial and become a goddess…?"[2][3]
Appearance[]
LUMi's keywords are 'Buddhism', 'Jellyfish', 'Shrine Maiden' and 'Kamakura'. Yoshizawa Karou of AVA gave LUMi the religious theme, which in turn inspired a connection to mortality and death. In relation to this, LUMi was based on a jellyfish, specifically that of the Turritopsis nutricula. This species is known for its biological immortality: it is one of the few members of the animal kingdom able to revert its bioptic cycle, bypassing death. The jellyfish can return to its youthful polyp state when its body is damaged, giving it the potential to live for an apparently unlimited amount of time. Similarly to the jellyfish, LUMi will revert to her animal form if killed, from which she will slowly regenerate.
Originally, the image of death was more prevalent in her design, she had no eyes or nose, and was conceptualized around the idea of a jellyfish imitating human form. She was also intended to be a Bodhisattva, someone with the ability to reach nirvana, but who delays doing to out of compassion for those that are suffering. However, LUMi's concept was later lightened and a subtle schoolgirl theme added in order to make her easier to establish as a character. Her appearance and theme were made brighter and more positive. LUMi's concept now focusses on the theme of bringing light to those in pain, and shedding light on resolution. LUMi's official illustrator describes her as representing 'death for life'.[4][5]
Ohara Sayaka feels the design can appeal to both genders.
Relations[]
- Urashima Taro - Caretaker
- Otohime - Caretaker
- ViNO - Conceptualized rival[6]
History[]
Marketing[]
Users of LUMi's character and vocals should read and agree to the usage guidelines seen on AVA's website.
A songwriting competition utilizing LUMi's trial voicebank was launched on June 5, 2017.[7] LUMi also had a debut concert at Kagurasai 2017 in Cinem@rt-Shinjuku on October 29, 2017. Audiences with pre-sale tickets were able to submit their 'wish to LUMi' via the company's official twitter.[8]
Voicebanks[]
- LUMi
- She is confirmed recorded with the new VOCALOID4 recording technique introduced in the engine by Murakami Noboru from Internet Co., Ltd., meaning that while she has sacrificed a bit of ease of use, her vocal has more traits from her provider captured. As a result, she does not behave the same as other VOCALOIDs of her voice typing. LUMi is also noted for her samples, which were made specifically for VOCALOID only and had no samples "borrowed" from other sources, a common practice among VOCALOID studios. Her vocal has different tones at different ranges.
Reputation[]
Achievements[]
- First VOCALOID from Akatsuki Virtual Artists
References[]
- ↑ https://twitter.com/readingradio/status/865509244367327235
- ↑ https://lumi.ava01.com/about
- ↑ http://www.vocaloidnews.net/more-details-about-lumi-revealed/
- ↑ https://ava01.com/interview/lumi01/
- ↑ Interview translation
- ↑ https://twitter.com/kaoruzawa/status/1029377636001173504
- ↑ https://ava01.com/news/002/
- ↑ [1]