Gumi Vocaloid Cosplays
We're loving these great Gumis from Vocaloid, and YuchaP's "Poker Face" track for her.
Photograph by: angora-cat http://angora-cat.deviantart.com/
Gumi by: Akimme http://akimme.deviantart.com/
Photograph by: NamiWalker http://namiwalker.deviantart.com/
Gumi by: Yuiie http://yuiie.deviantart.com/
Gumi is another impressive Japanese
Yamaha Vocaloid created by
Internet Co. as Megpoid. If you’re not familiar with the world of Vocaloid yet, then here’s a little run down for you...
A Vocaloid is a singing voice synthesizer, a vocal library. What this software enables the user to do is to synthesize singing by inputting lyrics and melody into the program. Using specially recorded voices of actors and singers, the Vocaloid software synthesizes these to create songs once a user has inputed lyrics and melody. Each Vocaloid is sold as "a singer in a box" and has been created for professional musicians as well as hobby computer music aficionados. There are currently over 50 official Vocaloids, and more are coming from different countries and in different languages. The Vocaloid4 engine specifically offers 24 different Vocaloids.
Gumi’s voice is provided by Filipino-Japanese female singer and voice actress Megumi Nakajima. The character name Gumi is actually Megumi Nakajima’s nickname from childhood. The actual software name, Megpoid, is taken from Megumi’s first name. The "poid" section of the software name is taken from Vocaloid. Essentially, the software is named "Megumi-like Vocaloid"
This can get a little confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with Vocaloids. We’ll try and explain it. Gumi is a Vocaloid. The software that powers her voice and creates her songs is called Megpoid. You'll sometimes see people calling Gumi "Gumi Megpoid" or "Megpoid Gumi" - this isn’t correct. Also, Gumi isn’t anime. There is no defined character for Gumi, and she doesn’t have a back story or set of character rules - which means people can be more creative when creating music for her.
Gumi's original avatar character of the software was drawn by the illustrator Masami Yuuki. Some people have said that she was influenced by Megrim's first voice character, Ranka Lee- a petite, lively and cheerful teenage girl with green hair. Also known as the "Super-Dimension Cinderella", she suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome as a result from witnessing the death of her family.
If you look at the two characters, you can definitely see similarities. They both have green hair, and their outfits contain green, yellow and orange. However, Gumi's outfit often incorporates an Irish twist - she’s sometimes depicted with shamrocks.
We’ve also seen Gumi take on a look that resembles that of a pack of playing cards, which can be attributed to her song "Poker Face", created by YuchaP. In these outfits the signature green hair is still there, but the orange and yellow is replaced by black and white and card motifs are introduced.
Photograph by: katy-angel http://katy-angel.deviantart.com/
Gumi by: katy-angel http://katy-angel.deviantart.com/
Photograph by: BlizzardTerrak http://blizzardterrak.deviantart.com/
Gumi by: Rexluna http://rexluna.deviantart.com/
YuchaP is a producer and part of the music group "Live Family". He’s known for his rock-style songs which have been credited as giving a fast and refreshing feeling. YuchaP plays the guitar himself which has gained him a good reputation for being a competent musician.
YuchaP started producing desktop music, also known as DTM, in 2008 with his first song, "Snow Fairy"- a techno-pop track. Since then he has produced several tracks that have achieved Hall of Fame status - a term used for Vocaloid videos that have gained 100,000+ views on the video sharing site Niconico.
One of these tracks was "Poker Face", which he created with Gumi, and we love it. It’s a moody track that talks about mistrust, deceit and, unlike Lady Gaga's song of the same name, poker. It currently has more than 265,000 views on Niconico.
Here’s the video for your enjoyment....
Is she playing a game of poker with someone? Or is this all subtext for a turbulent relationship? In the song it seems as if she’s playing into tilt. Going "into tilt" is a poker pro term that means that you’re playing recklessly – with your heart rather than with your head. So players want to avoid tilt at all times, because an opponent can use your own negative emotions against you.
So, when Gumi says "No matter how many times I deceive them. Anyhow, anywhere, I'm losing my cool"
is she talking about going into tilt while playing poker? Or maybe she’s losing her cool in a relationship? The lyrics probably work on both levels, but there’s even more poker lingo flying around here... "bluff," "full house," "trump card" and more.
Here are the lyrics if you need them to decide for yourself...
An unclear mask, perhaps
Everything you've shown me is also a lie?
A heart that can't meet you is held out
Before you know it, the diamonds are stolen too
True character? Instinct? Truth?
Happiness, misfortune, Pierrot falls down
Right before you're blinded, there's another bluff
"How's your head?" seeing right through it
Anyhow, anywhere, I'm losing my cool
Here, there, this way Mr. Demon
Follow my hand
I want you
One pair? Two pairs? No, a full house?
I'll expose you
Can't see, can't show, both eyes are closed
"Nothing left" "Is that so?" as if I were fooled
I drop my king
"I'll save this one" I say as it goes down my leg
No, no, that guy's an imposter
But by the time you say that it's already too late
No matter how many times I deceive them
Anyhow, anywhere, I'm losing my cool
As usual, a perfect crime
With my remaining energy,
I kill you
Making an alibi, the outer face
Becomes that of a good child
I'm happy I won, now my first request
I want that kid,
I want you
Without writing up a bargaining point
I'll make you snatch away the Joker
Beneath the liar's mask
Am I just hiding my embarrassment?
Tell me!
Here, there, this way, Mr.Demon
Follow my hand
I want you
One pair? Two pairs? No, a full house?
I'll reveal my real intentions
As usual, a perfect crime
With my remaining energy,
I love you
Before I present my last trump card
I'll expose you
True character? Instinct? Truth?
Maybe we're reading way too much into this? We love the song, we love Gumi - let’s listen to it again. And look at some more Gumi cosplay. It’s cool how lots of Gumi cosplay has been influenced by YuchaP's track as the poker/playing cards theme gives great opportunity for creative costumes.
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March 15 2016