Aoki Lapis
Developer(s)Yamaha Corporation
i-style Project
Initial releaseApril 6, 2012
Stable release
Aoki Lapis Neo / 2013
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
macOS
Available inJapanese
TypeVoice Synthesizer Software
Websitehomepage

Aoki Lapis (蒼姫ラピス, Aoki Rapisu, lit. "Blue Princess Lapis") is a vocal synthesizer application software program produced by Yamaha Corporation with i-style Project for the software Vocaloid 3. The voice was provided by a contest winner, Japanese actress Nako Eguchi. Aoki Lapis is named after the semi-precious gemstone Lapis lazuli.

Development

Aoki Lapis was introduced at the Comiket 80. It is part of a joint collaborative project between Japanese search engine site Surfer's Paradise, anime studio Studio DEEN, and Nico Nico Douga users, called "i-style Project." It has been designed to work with everyday users of VOCALOID, not just professional musicians, and designed for a new type of music, termed "lifestyle".[1] The product was sold with or without the Vocaloid 3 editor or as deluxe edition with bonus content.

Later updates to this software included "Aoki Lapis SE" which was a re-release of her original software and "Aoki Lapis Neo", which was released as a Mac update.

It was later given an "older sister" called "Merli".

Additional software

The software package was released for iOS apps VocaloWitter and iVocaloid. That version of the VocaloWitter app managed to earn 1st place out of all paid apps on the iTunes store on September 11, 2013.[2]

On August 10, 2013, Lapis was shown in a demonstration using another synthesizer called "ToSpeak". The voice was also shown at the "Comic Market 84", an event held at Osaki West Station shopping centre.[3][4]

It was later released for Mobile Vocaloid Editor.

Characteristics

The character Aoki Lapis is a fairy who has no memory of who she is.[5] She belongs to a race of fairies capable of transforming music into power and her voice is said to have the power to give life when she sings. The large gem she has on her head is a Paraíba Tourmaline, an extremely rare and precious gemstone. Her design is "light" in contrast with her sister, Merli.[6]

Marketing

Video games and apps

Lapis appeared in an iOS game called "Vocadol" along with Vocals Anon & Kanon, Lily, VY1, Merli, Cul and Kokone.[7]

A free to download iOS app can be downloaded based on the character. It allows Lapis to appear on screen as though she was in the environment being pictured. The app is called Fairy Glasses (妖精眼鏡), Lapis can be selected by typing in the code 105-2659. She will appear anywhere her PDF file stage (which must be printed off on a separate sheet of card/paper) is registered. She will sing and dance to the song "Daydream Flight" when active.[8][9][10]

Another released app, which was released for free, was called Lapis Night (おやすみラピス) for both iOS and Android. In it, Lapis counts sheep, ostensibly to help the user fall asleep; it also comes with an alarm.[11]

She also starred in a series of app-based games starting with Lapis and the Strange Labyrinth (ラピスと不思議なラビリンス).[12]

Competition

There was a "dress up" competition for Lapis. A base picture was issued and fans were invited to dress her up and submit the entry.[13][14]

I-Style then started two contests to celebrate Lapis' second anniversary. The first contest was an art contest for Lapis, while the second was a song contest.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "A Mysterious New Vocaloid Appears: Aoki Lapis and the "i-style Project" for VOCALOID3 – Vocaloidism". Vocaloidism. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  2. ^ "初音ミクみく". Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  3. ^ "コミケ84開催期間中に『蒼姫ラピス』と『大崎一番太郎』が大崎駅の構内アナウンスを担当！". ガジェット通信. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  4. ^ "コミケの行き帰りを、蒼姫ラピスと大崎一番太郎がアナウンス！". KAI-YOU.net - POP is Here . 6 August 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  5. ^ "キャラクター - VOCALOID3 i-style Project". VOCALOID3 i-style Project. Archived from the original on 18 December 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  6. ^ link Archived February 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "VOCADOL". Archived from the original on 26 August 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  8. ^ "初音ミクみく". Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  9. ^ link Archived January 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ 妖精眼鏡株式会社. "妖精眼鏡 - Android Apps on Google Play". Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  11. ^ "おやすみラピス 製品紹介ページ - VOCALOID3 i-style Project". VOCALOID3 i-style Project. Archived from the original on 14 August 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  12. ^ "脱出ゲーム ラピスと魔法のメロディ 製品紹介ページ - VOCALOID3 i-style Project". VOCALOID3 i-style Project. Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  13. ^ "このURLに該当するページは存在しません。 VOCALOID3 i-style Project". VOCALOID3 i-style Project. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  14. ^ "Crunchyroll". Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  15. ^ "蒼姫ラピス生誕祭2014 - VOCALOID3 i-style Project オフィシャルブログ". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
Categories