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Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing

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Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing
Theatrical release poster
Japanese劇場版プロジェクトセカイ 壊れたセカイと歌えないミク
Revised HepburnGekijōban Purojekuto Sekai Kowareta Sekai to Utaenai Miku
Directed byHiroyuki Hata
Written byYoko Yonaiyama
Based onHatsune Miku: Colorful Stage!
by Colorful Palette and Sega
Starring
Edited byAyumu Takahashi
Music bySatoshi Hōno
Production
company
Distributed byShochiku
Release date
  • January 17, 2025 (2025-01-17) (Japan)
Running time
110 minutes[1]
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese
Box office$12.2 million[2]

Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing[a] is a 2025 Japanese animated musical drama film based on the mobile game Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! developed by Colorful Palette and published by Sega. Produced by P.A. Works and distributed by Shochiku, the film is directed by Hiroyuki Hata and written by Yoko Yonaiyama. It is the first feature film based on the Vocaloid character Hatsune Miku.[3]

The film debuted in Japanese theaters on January 17, 2025. GKIDS licensed the film for an official English release and released it in North American cinemas on April 17, 2025, and would eventually release on digital services (such as Apple TV) on December 16, 2025, over half a year later.

Plot

[edit]

In Shibuya, five musical bands of teenagers (Leo/need, More More Jump!, Vivid Bad Squad, Wonderlands x Showtime, and Nightcord at 25:00) go about their lives while producing music. They do so with the support of alternate themed versions of Virtual Singers Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin & Len, Megurine Luka, Meiko, and Kaito, who reside in Sekai, virtual dimensions made from the group members' emotions, which they travel to using their phones or computers.

Meanwhile, a previously unseen version of Hatsune Miku[b] is traveling between screens in Japan, looking for help. Originating from a gloomy and unwelcoming Sekai, the people whose feelings that gave rise to it experience depression and consider abandoning their creative ambitions, believing they are unable to achieve them. Consequently, this version of Miku is despondent and lonely, and discouraged whenever trying to connect emotionally through a song to the people whose feelings make up her Sekai, to no avail. Said Miku seeks the help of the members of all five bands, who each help her refine her song and gain confidence in herself. Reinvigorated, she once again attempts to reach out in song to the people whose feelings formed her Sekai, but is again met with failure.

As the individuals that formed her Sekai fall further into depression, the lonely Miku begins to fall into despair, so she transports the five groups into her Sekai. Inside, they witness scenes of each of the people whose feelings created it struggling in their daily life and unsuccessfully attempt to persuade Miku to not give up. Miku tearfully thanks them for their efforts and sends them away, and her lonely Sekai is swallowed in an ocean of darkness, which also permeates the other five Sekai to abduct each of the groups' versions of Hatsune Miku. The Sekai's collapse causes an unusual blackout throughout Japan, and the groups subsequently discover that all traces of Miku's voice in songs and elsewhere have disappeared from the real world.

The bands each realize the connection between the depressed people in reality and the Sekai, and come to the conclusion that the only way to save the lonely Miku and restore their own Mikus to existence is to cheer up the people whose feelings formed the lonely Sekai. In order to do this, they resolve to create and publicly perform new songs, hoping it will reach the people and ameliorate their depression, dispersing the ocean of darkness subsiding from the lonely Miku's Sekai as more people start listening to them, restoring the other Sekai's Mikus. Now empowered with renewed hope, Miku reappears and performs her song for all of Shibuya, and this time successfully connects emotionally with the populace.

After the performance, the now optimistic Miku teleports the groups to her Sekai, now bright and filled with hope, thanking them for helping her complete her song. The bands bid her farewell and return to their normal lives. Later, one of the people whose feelings created the new Miku's Sekai visits her. She greets them, having awaited their arrival.

Production

[edit]

The film was announced on July 29, 2024. The film is produced by P.A. Works and directed by Hiroyuki Hata, with Yoko Yonaiyama writing the script, Yuki Akiyama designing the characters, and Satoshi Hōno composing the music. The cast members from the smartphone game Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! reprise their roles.[4]

Release

[edit]

The film is distributed by Shochiku and opened in Japan on January 17, 2025.[4] It was initially stated to be released in US theaters by GKIDS on April 11,[5] but was later delayed to April 17, 2025.[6] GKIDS also released the film in Canada on May 11.[7] Madness Entertainment licensed the film for theatrical distribution in Mexico, where it was released on March 13.[8] Cinecolor licensed the film for theatrical distribution in Chile, where it was released on April 24.[9] Commemorative postcards containing special serial codes which unlocked content within the mobile game were given away at Japanese theaters to those who attended screenings of the film.[10][11] The commemorative postcard giveaways also took place at theaters showing the film in the United States, Mexico and Chile.[12][13][14][8][15] The film was distributed in 800 North American theaters.[2]

In Asia, Medialink acquired the film, releasing it in Taiwan on March 28, Hong Kong and Macau on April 3, Thailand on April 10, Malaysia and Singapore on April 17, the Philippines on April 19, Indonesia on May 9, Vietnam on June 13, and China on October 25.[citation needed] PVR Inox Pictures acquired and released the film in India on August 29.[16]

In Australia and New Zealand, the film was acquired by Sugoi Co and released for a limited time on May 1, 2025.[17] A special premiere screening was held in Sydney at Event Cinemas George Street on April 28.[18]

In the United Kingdom, the film was announced to be released in the Summer after it was publicly announced that Anime Limited had acquired the rights on May 23.[19] As of Monday July 7, 2025, the film was announced to be released in UK and Irish cinemas on August 31, 2025.[20]

Songs

[edit]

The theme song by 40mp and sasakure.UK titled "Hajimari no Mirai" (はじまりの未来; 'The Future of Beginning') features vocal by Hatsune Miku, and the ending song by Jin titled "Worlders" with an arrangement by TeddyLoid is performed by all 26 characters. The film also featured six new songs that are written and composed by Deco*27, with each song arranged by six different Vocaloid producers:

Title[c] Arrangement Vocal
"Hello, Sekai" (ハローセカイ) tepe Hatsune Miku
"Story" Shota Horie (kemu) Leo/need
"Fun!!" Iyowa More More Jump!
"Fire Dance" (ファイアダンス) Giga Vivid Bad Squad
"Smile*Symphony" (スマイル*シンフォニー) Nilfruits Wonderlands x Showtime
"Soko ni Aru, Hikari."
(そこに在る、光。; 'The Light That Dwells Here') 		Surii Nightcord at 25:00

The film also featured previously released songs with new arrangement. A new insert song titled "Kimikoi Quest" (君恋クエスト) composed by irucaice and Ichinose LUPO, and arranged by, in addition to the composers, Tanchiky.[21] Some Vocaloid songs also made a cameo in the film.[d][22][23]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

In its first weekend, Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing made roughly 307 million yen at the Japanese box office and finished in second place behind Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Beginning.[24][25] The film came in first in terms of its screen average (box office revenue per screen) that weekend.[26][27] As of February 23, 2025, box office revenue has exceeded 1.03 billion yen (equivalent to US$7,216,471).[28][23][2]

In the United States (reported by BoxOfficeMojo), this film earned an estimated US$3,338,141 and ranked #7 at the U.S. box office in its weekend limited screening, with an estimated US$1,424,687 on Friday (including Thursday previews), an estimated US$793,017 on Saturday and an estimated US$605,431 on Sunday. The screening continued, making the film gross US$3,020,824 in its first week. In its second week, the film earned an estimated US$302,184, and an estimated US$15,133 in its third week.[7] In Mexico, it reached #6, with an estimated revenue of $381,232.[2] In China, it debuted in second place with $2.8 million.[29]

Critical response

[edit]

Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network noted that while the film was packed with "great animation, superb music, and a straightforward, thematically poignant plot", it did not properly introduce any of its characters, making it difficult for viewers to juggle "more than 20 new characters while trying to figure out the rules of the world on the fly", if the viewer did not play or was not at least familiar with the original game.[30]

Petrana Radulovic of Polygon also echoed these concerns of the movie being confusing for those who were not already familiar with the game, but said that after taking time to research the characters and setting she was glad that she "took the time to do my homework with this one". Radulovic noted that it was difficult for her to keep track of the cast, saying that it was "so much to keep track of", and that "The character designs are admittedly all distinct and fun, but when a given character is only on screen for a few minutes at a time before the story jumps to the next group and then the next, the brightly colored hair and big eyes all blur together." Despite these issues, she called the movie "particularly special", appreciating its themes of "how music connects all different sorts of people, and how different musical stylings can convey the same message."[31]

Writing for The Guardian, Phil Hoad reviewed the film negatively. He said that the film's plot was "particularly incomprehensible", complaining that the characters are given no development and that the stakes are poorly defined. He said the film was "garbled", "chronically online", and "like The Matrix if Neo had huffed a nitrous oxide canister before having every edition of Pop Idol downloaded into his cranium".[32]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. August 14, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  3. ^ Radulovic, Petrana (February 13, 2025). "Hatsune Miku gets her first ever movie". Polygon. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (July 29, 2024). "Project Sekai: Colorful Stage feat. Hatsune Miku Smartphone Game Gets Anime Film". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 30, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  5. ^ Luster, Joseph (February 13, 2025). "GKIDS Licenses COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing". Otaku USA. Archived from the original on February 15, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  6. ^ "⭐ ANNOUNCEMENT ⭐ The US release date for COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing has been moved to April 17–20. 🎥 Tickets on sale starting March 27. 🎟️ ▶️ Sign up for updates: brnw.ch/21wRrza #colorfulstage". GKIDS.
  7. ^ a b Cayanan, Joanna (April 21, 2025). "COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing Film Ranks #7 in U.S. Box Office". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Vargas, César Eduardo Torres (February 28, 2025). "Así puedes obtener el boleto conmemorativo de Cinépolis de Colorful Stage! La película: Miku no puede cantar". Revista Merca2.0 (in Spanish). Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  9. ^ Arismendi, Gustavo (April 15, 2025). "La primera película de la idol virtual Miku llega a Chile". Supergeek (in Spanish). Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  10. ^ "映画『プロセカ』全ユニット＆バチャシンが大集合して織りなすセカイの一幕に注目". アニメイトタイムズ (in Japanese). Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  11. ^ "2025年1月17日（金）公開『劇場版プロジェクトセカイ』楽曲情報解禁！オープニングは40ｍP×sasakure.UK、エンディングはじん×TeddyLoidに決定！". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES (in Japanese). December 26, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  12. ^ Macias, Patrick (April 4, 2025). "Anime Is Great, And New York City's Wild Hatsune Miku Lookalike Contest Will Show You Why". ScreenRant. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  13. ^ "[Important] Movie Serial Codes｜NEWS｜HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE!". HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE!. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  14. ^ GKIDS (March 27, 2025). "Tickets on Sale for "COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing"". GKIDS Films. Archived from the original on March 29, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  15. ^ Pérez, Darío "Kentaro Darkdox" (April 26, 2025). "Cómo obtener y canjear los códigos de Colorful Stage! al ver la película de Miku". Alerta Geek (in Spanish). Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  16. ^ Rayan Sayyed (August 22, 2025). "Hatsune Miku Anime Film Colorful Stage! A Miku Who Can't Sing Set for Indian Theatre Release in August". IGN India. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  17. ^ "Sugoi Co to release "COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing" in cinemas". FilmInk. March 21, 2025. Archived from the original on April 17, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  18. ^ @sugoicoau (April 28, 2025). "Sugoi Co on X: "Thank you to all the fans that came to our premiere ..." (Tweet). Retrieved May 10, 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  19. ^ @AllTheAnime (May 24, 2025). "Colorful Stage! the Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing – We heard the passion from many of you, and we are thrilled to be bringing this release to UK cinemas this summer!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 14, 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  20. ^ "Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing". Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  21. ^ 『プロジェクトセカイ カラフルステージ！ feat. 初音ミク』のアニメ映画『劇場版プロジェクトセカイ 壊れたセカイと歌えないミク』楽曲提供クリエイターや入場者特典など、さまざまな新情報を公開！ (in Japanese). Sega. December 27, 2024. Archived from the original on March 9, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  22. ^ "MUSIC | 『劇場版プロジェクトセカイ 壊れたセカイと歌えないミク』". 『劇場版プロジェクトセカイ 壊れたセカイと歌えないミク』 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 17, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  23. ^ a b "『劇場版プロジェクトセカイ』興行収入10億円を突破！ 本編に登場する"隠れ楽曲"情報を公開！". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES (in Japanese). February 19, 2025. Archived from the original on March 13, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  24. ^ "Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Film, COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing Top Japanese Box Office". Anime News Network. May 2, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  25. ^ "『機動戦士Gundam GQuuuuuuX〜』が初登場1位！その他『劇場版プロジェクトセカイ〜』などランクイン（2025年1月17日-1月19日）／ニュース - CINEMAランキング通信". www.kogyotsushin.com. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  26. ^ "『劇場版プロセカ』が公開初週3日間でスクリーンアベレージ第1位を獲得。興行収入3億円を突破し大ヒットスタート | ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com". ファミ通.com (in Japanese). Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  27. ^ "「劇場版プロジェクトセカイ」スクリーンアベレージ第一位を獲得！！公開初週3日目で観客動員数23万人、興行収入3億円を突破！". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES (in Japanese). January 20, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  28. ^ "興行収入10億円突破🎉". 劇場版プロジェクトセカイ 壊れたセカイと歌えないミク on Twitter. 興行収入10億円突破🎉
  29. ^ Naman Ramachandran (October 26, 2025). "China Box Office: 'Row to Win' Remains No. 1 as 'Colorful Stage! The Movie' Opens in Second'". Variety.
  30. ^ Eisenbeis, Richard (February 4, 2025). "COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing Anime Film Review". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  31. ^ Radulovic, Petrana (April 17, 2025). "I had to do homework to really get the Hatsune Miku anime movie, but it was worth it". Polygon.
  32. ^ Hoad, Phil (August 25, 2025). "Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing review – candy-haired popsters put on a show". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 26, 2025.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Japanese: 劇場版プロジェクトセカイ 壊れたセカイと歌えないミク, Hepburn: Gekijōban Purojekuto Sekai Kowareta Sekai to Utaenai Miku; lit. 'Project Sekai the Movie: Broken Sekai and Miku Who Can't Sing'
  2. ^ Identified off-screen and in Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage as the Miku of the Window Sekai (窓のセカイ, Mado no Sekai)
  3. ^ Information is taken from the official X account of the film.
  4. ^ While some songs are played, some appeared as CD jacket, advertisement board, or simply being referenced.
[edit]
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