Hatsune Miku to get her own newspaper in Japan
Hochi Shimbun, the publisher of the Sports Hochi daily newspaper, is set to release a special Hatsune Miku newspaper.
The “2025 Sakura Miku Special Edition” newspaper will be bundled with merchandise and will focus on Sakura Miku, a derivative of the popular virtual singer Hatsune Miku, that embodies the themes and imagery of springtime in Japan.
Sakura Miku is one of several different versions of Hatsune Miku, with each having a separate thematic variation in appearance and design whilst retaining core elements of Hatsune Miku’s visual identity.
In particular, Sakura Miku has become associated with the spring season in Japan, frequently appearing in marketing campaigns and as a symbolic figure for springtime events.
Notably, Sakura Miku has served as the official support character for the Hirosaki Sakura Festival, a cherry blossom festival held annually in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture and as the campaign character for the Hirohako Spring Tourism Campaign, a collaborative tourism initiative promoting the cities of Hirosaki and Hakodate, Hokkaido.
The Sports Hochi newspaper has published special editions dedicated to Sakura Miku since 2020, aiming to showcase the character’s appeal and various activities.
The forthcoming “2025 Sakura Miku Special Edition” promises exclusive content for fans of the character.
The cover art for this special edition has been created by the popular illustrator CHRIS, and a pull-out poster featuring an original illustration by ERIMO will be included.
Additionally, the publication will feature in-depth interviews with both CHRIS and ERIMO, providing insights into their creative processes behind the artwork and their personal perspectives on the character of Sakura Miku.
The special edition will also highlight various collaborations and initiatives featuring Sakura Miku that have been implemented both within Japan and internationally, underscoring the character’s widespread reach and appeal.
As supplementary items, two postcards featuring the Sakura Miku illustrations by ERIMO and CHRIS will be included with each purchase of the newspaper.
The “2025 Sakura Miku Special Edition” newspaper will cost 1,000 yen (approx. $6.64 USD / £5.15 GBP) and will go on sale from April 30th.
It will be available for purchase at select Lawson convenience stores within the prefectures of Aomori, Hokkaido, Tokyo, Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba.
Additionally, it can be purchased at the Hochi Entertainment Market store located on the 3rd floor of the Ikebukuro P’PARCO building in Tokyo.
Online orders will also be available through the Hochi Entertainment Market website.
Source: PR Times
Images: © The Hochi Shimbun Co., Ltd., Crypton Media Future, Inc.