Volks JP at Magical Mirai 2013 Hatsune Miku Event

Volks has put out a small video for DD miku!

http://ameblo.jp/blog-dd/day-20131025.html

Emphasis on the shiny

 

Is it just me, or is Volks hawking Miku way harder than any previous preorder? Banners all over Akiba, video ads. . .don't think they've done that in the past.

 

I was kind of hoping they'd have done actual video footage for that ad, like you sometimes see for figure ads, where they have the figure on a lazy susan or something and orbit around said figure. I think that would have been more effective than the After Effects funfest we got. ^^; /animation-n-video-nerd Guess it's not too surprising though, given Volks' photography precedent.

 

Though on the plus side, that introduced me to a Miku song I hadn't heard before! Definitely grabbing that when I get home.

 

yeah I was hoping the video would actually give more views of Miku than the ddblog pics they've already released (and of course the official ones on their preorder pages). 85% of that video was just frilly special effects... which ok, get me jazzed up about buying her, but I'd like to see more pictures that are upclose and very detailed. Surprised they didn't even have a small snippet with Senbonzakura playing, but maybe they didn't want to pay the licensing fee for it?

The two positives of the video for me at least were that they had clear closeups of her eyes and her head was in a few different angles so I could finally see that she doesn't always look a bit grouchy/ticked off. Other than that and the video was rather Volk's expected ho-hum preview pics that never quite seem sufficient.

 

As for how hard they are pushing the preorders, I'm pretty darn sure that they are trying to milk out as many sales of Miku as they can. I didn't think about it until now about the video being on YouTube, but where is the biggest and easiest conglomeration of Miku or Vocaloid fans in the US? On YouTube. None of the other DD have ever had a promo video that I know of. Raven even mentioned that the DD Miku popped up on the Crunchyroll news. It seems that with this DD that the exposure during the preorder period is really broad, allowing Volks to catch as many customers as possible. I mean for goodness sake, the preorder isn't even done and she already has two alternate outfits! I think that's a precedent even for Volks. I don't think it's a bad thing, but it is interesting to watch and I'm still personally expecting that it will cause some damage on standard body availability once the Miku orders go into production. Volks doesn't seem to plan things like that very well.

 

~Sister Kyoya

Well, they may have planned *slightly* better, in that they're only releasing one girl this time. I'd been concerned they'd do a double release of standard Miku and Miku Append, but I think the anticipated influx may have been a factor in deciding to do just standard Miku.

 

But yeah, I do still think the no-limit thing and the heavy advertising is probably still going to bite them. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised they haven't decided to split shipment into batches yet.

Which is the outfit everyone is talking about aside from the default and senbonzakura?

Her second alternate outfit is from 'Do Re Mi Fa Rondo' it looks to be a marching band style outfit in Blue.

http://www.volks.co.jp/miku/en/dress0201/

 

However, it says that it will not be a preorder item And will only be available in Volks stores, so unless you use a proxy you won't get it. Unless they do a web order for it.

Which is the outfit everyone is talking about aside from the default and senbonzakura?

This one, it won't be released til next year --> http://www.volks.co.jp/miku/en/dress0201/

I wonder when we'll get real pictures of it... There's a good chance I'll get this one too, Volks really has me with this Miku campaign

Oh how cute! I'd love to see how it will really look like as well.

It seems strange that this outfit will only be sold in Volks stores and I also think it's a mistake to not make it a pre-order, Volks could miss out on a lot of money. That's just my opinion though.

Edited October 27, 2013 by Guest

I often find it curious what things Volks chooses to have easily available and what things it makes in small quantities aiming specifically for the limited market in Japan. Sometimes it doesn't make too much sense if you ask me.

 

~Sister Kyoya

I often find it curious what things Volks chooses to have easily available and what things it makes in small quantities aiming specifically for the limited market in Japan. Sometimes it doesn't make too much sense if you ask me.

 

~Sister Kyoya

 

It's a real mystery!

I just put in the pre-order for Miku plus the outfit, and hoping to add the other outfit to the bunch. Is anyone thinking of turning a Miku into Black Rock Shooter? I have though about a cosplay since SQ Labs do the eyes. Hmmmmmm :/

 

Oooh good idea, I hope you do make that costume, it would be fantastic!

Can people here help me out or give me advice?

I'm in a though situation and I really want Miku. I don't want to make a new topic for this.

 

Ok, so my situation is: currently no job, I'm in college and my budget at the moment is only half of Miku's price.

What should I do? How can I get the money quickly before the orders stop?

I could try and sell other stuff, but it doesn't always go that fast and I don't want to sell too valuable things.

What kind of job is easy that pays off? I applied to some jobs lately, but no luck.

Would it be possible to take someones order by the time she comes out?

If I have until Fall 2014 I probably still will be able to get the money, but right now it's difficult for me making it in time.

I'm thinking of buying it in the aftermarket, but I guess it could cost me like 100k Yen by then.

Would buying from the aftermarket be a option? Or would it be too high in price already?

 

Please give me advice or tips. Finding a small job quickly isn't that easy.

If you preorder from the international site you don't need to put in a deposit or pay when you order.

 

>_>

You don't mention your location, but if you want the longest purchase delay, indeed the international site will not bill you until a month or so before Miku ships.

 

If you are in Volks USA's service area, you might prefer the down payment method if you don't want to get hit all at once. It's basically a layaway with the $282 down payment due immediately and the rest early next year. It also guarantees an exchange rate of ~95 yen/USD.

 

Whether or not it is wise to buy a Dollfie Dream while unemployed in the current economy is another matter. Next year will bring another preorder girl(s) so it's not the end of the world if you miss this year.

Thanks for the replies.

I will be qualified for the international shop order, since I'm not from the USA. So that means I will not have to pay until Miku ships out, however, I still couldn't place the order right now because I'm not 100% sure if I will have the money and a job by then. I'm really busy with college too, so there's not that much time for a job.

 

The Volks USA down payment method seems fair. But will it cost more in the end?

Unfortunately it's no option for me, I'm not from the USA.

 

Actually I'm a little unsure about buying a fullset DD while unemployed. Mostly because of the economy, my current situation and because this is not my only hobby. I'm being honest that buying a PS4 would be a more wise investment then Miku. Even though I really love this hobby too and I'm a big Hatsune Miku fan, currently it will mean I will sacrifice literally all on my money on a DD. That means I couldn't buy anything anymore until I have a job.

Right now it's a 50-50 chance if I still will get my Miku. If not, then maybe in the future or in the aftermarket, perhaps second hand.

How much will Miku cost in the aftermarket when it's released? Does anyone have a clue?

Will it be similar to Asuna for example?

I believe she was 70000 Yen for order and right now 100000 Yen at most shops.

Aftermarket on Miku is kind of hard to guess at. I'm sure she will sell for more than retail, but how much more is anybodies guess. On the one hand, she IS Miku, one of the most popular characters out there, right now. On the other hand, not only is she a pre-order, but they are allowing up to four per person online and as many as you want to buy in-store, so supplies will not exactly be super limited. I'm sure they'll have to release her in batches, and my guess is that unless it's extremely flawed, the first batch or two will be super expensive to catch the "gotta have her right now!" crowd, but as more and more make it out into the wild her price will come back down significantly.

Yeah, you're totally right with your reply, some of those thoughts are similar to me.

It's always the case that it becomes cheaper because of less interest over time or it can become rare, wanted and expensive. It's a guess and unguaranteed what will happen.

I wonder how the Miku hype will continue after fall 2014.

Is there any info if she will be available in Volks (Japan) stores too later on??

 

If I'm lucky I could find a used aftermarket Miku for the same price or cheaper afterwards, but right now I doubt that.

Taking Asuna as example, she became expensive in the aftermarket and not too common, pretty rare. However, Miku has bigger quantities available. I'm a big Miku fan, but currently it's not the best investment for me.

 

Is it possible to cancel Volks orders?? Are they difficult handling with that?

I've never bought a DD from the official Volks site yet. If cancelling a order isn't a huge problem, then I could try ordering and see if I have the money at least a month before it ships out.

 

Somewhere in 2015 I might be in Japan, if I'm not able to get the order, I really hope I could pick Miku up locally at a store somewhere. I'm really curious how Miku will outcome in the aftermarket.

Yeah, you're totally right with your reply, some of those thoughts are similar to me.

It's always the case that it becomes cheaper because of less interest over time or it can become rare, wanted and expensive. It's a guess and unguaranteed what will happen.

I wonder how the Miku hype will continue after fall 2014.

Is there any info if she will be available in Volks (Japan) stores too later on??

 

If I'm lucky I could find a used aftermarket Miku for the same price or cheaper afterwards, but right now I doubt that.

Taking Asuna as example, she became expensive in the aftermarket and not too common, pretty rare. However, Miku has bigger quantities available. I'm a big Miku fan, but currently it's not the best investment for me.

 

Is it possible to cancel Volks orders?? Are they difficult handling with that?

I've never bought a DD from the official Volks site yet. If cancelling a order isn't a huge problem, then I could try ordering and see if I have the money at least a month before it ships out.

 

Somewhere in 2015 I might be in Japan, if I'm not able to get the order, I really hope I could pick Miku up locally at a store somewhere. I'm really curious how Miku will outcome in the aftermarket.

cancelling volks orders may result in suspension of your account/ unwillingness to do business with you in the future

Don't count on cancelling. At least, not if you care about your relationship with Volks.

 

I'd estimate long term pricing at 100k yen. Short term after the orders ship will probably be a little lower. If Volks chooses to release another Vocaloid at some point, I'd expect Miku to increase to 120k or so from the renewal of interest.

Hi, I am very want Miku, but I don't have so much money now... so I want just the her wig (with all heads accessories), the eyes, and hands. If someone do split with DD Miku, please say it! Thank you very much! =^o^=

Hi, I am very want Miku, but I don't have so much money now... so I want just the her wig (with all heads accessories), the eyes, and hands. If someone do split with DD Miku, please say it! Thank you very much! =^o^=

 

You have a year to save up. I'd place a preorder in your place. They won't ask for any credit card details or anything until November 2014.

Hi, I am very want Miku, but I don't have so much money now... so I want just the her wig (with all heads accessories), the eyes, and hands. If someone do split with DD Miku, please say it! Thank you very much! =^o^=

 

You have a year to save up. I'd place a preorder in your place. They won't ask for any credit card details or anything until November 2014.

 

Really!? Thank you very much!!!

Hi, I am very want Miku, but I don't have so much money now... so I want just the her wig (with all heads accessories), the eyes, and hands. If someone do split with DD Miku, please say it! Thank you very much! =^o^=

 

You have a year to save up. I'd place a preorder in your place. They won't ask for any credit card details or anything until November 2014.

 

Really!? Thank you very much!!!

 

Yup. You have till the end of November 2013 to decide, but given the only risk being the loss of the Volks account I'd take the chance, if there is a reasonable chance of getting the funds in the period of one year. This is true for the Volks International (co.jp) site. The US site requires a deposit.

ordered 1 Miku and Senbonzakura outfit set

when the time is come, hope i still have enough money to buy Do-Re-Mi-Fa outfit

ordered 1 Miku and Senbonzakura outfit set

when the time is come, hope i still have enough money to buy Do-Re-Mi-Fa outfit

 

I ordered two Mikus and the outfit but am thinking about dumping the outfit and going only with one Miku.