SEGA is releasing a Mikudayo-themed New Nintendo 3DS XL carrying pouch in Japan. It will retail for about ¥3,900 (about $32.80 USD). The pouch will also include a screen cleaner inspired by the antics of a recent promotional video (which will be reproduced below). It is meant to coincide with the release of the 3DS rhythm title Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai Deluxe, itself an updated iteration of Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai 2. The game’s 2015 Western release will be titled Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX.
Mikudayo — which can be interpreted as “it’s Miku, you know” with “you know” being implied — originally refers to a Nendoroid-inspired costume of the Vocaloid Hatsune Miku. A promoter wore the costume to promote SEGA’s Project DIVA rhythm game franchise a few years ago. The design is, overall, a strangely exaggerated depiction of Hatsune Miku and was initially poorly received. The costume itself wasn’t initially given a separate name by SEGA but was instead nicknamed by fans of the series as “Mikudayo” somewhat derisively. It has since been appropriated as a symbol of humor and is also sometimes appreciated unironically, with the design embraced by fans and SEGA itself.
