Summary of Vocaloid and Voice Library Types (Including CeVIO and UTAU)
Starting with the 2007 debut of Hatsune Miku, the number of Vocaloid characters and voice libraries has grown alongside the expansion of the scene.
I’m sure each of you has your own favorite Vocaloid character.
In this article, we’ll give a quick overview of the many Vocaloid characters and the different types out there.
It’s recommended for anyone who wants to start making Vocaloid tracks but isn’t sure which voicebank to use!
Strictly speaking, “Vocaloid” refers only to certain libraries like Hatsune Miku and Kagamine Rin/Len, but here we’re using the term “Vocaloid” as a catch-all for other singing synthesis technologies and voice libraries as well.
Thanks for your understanding in advance!
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Summary of Vocaloid and Voice Library Types [including CeVIO and UTAU] (1–10)
Kagamine Rin / Kagamine Len
Rin and Len Kagamine are twin-vocal VOCALOIDs performed as a dual role by voice actress Asami Shimoda.
Released in 2007 following Hatsune Miku, they have been active since the early days of the VOCALOID scene.
Modeled after adolescent boys and girls, they feature a cute, bright singing voice.
They also excel at mechanical-style vocals, making them a perfect fit for EDM and pop with heavy bass.
Taking advantage of their paired libraries, they’re great for duet songs or tracks that unfold like a conversation.
This VOCALOID pair is known for their cool yet adorable presence, delivering passionate vocals from a 14-year-old boy and girl.
Otomachi Una
Otomachi Una was created based on the voice data of voice actress Aimi Tanaka, who played the protagonist Umaru in the anime “Himouto! Umaru-chan.” It’s well known for being used in songs like Kinoshita’s “I Want to Be That Right Now!” and Carlos Hakamada’s “Different!!!”.
There are two libraries: Sugar, which is known for its sweetness, and Spicy, which gives a crisp, lively impression.
Both have an extremely cute vocal quality! Maybe that’s why I feel like songs featuring Otomachi Una are often bursting with energy.
Yuki Kaai
The voice library produced by the software brand AH-Software is Yuki Kaai.
She is a character who debuted in 2009 alongside the voice libraries Kiyoteru Hiyama and miki, and one of her distinguishing traits is that she is set as an elementary school student.
In fact, she was created based on voice data from a real female elementary school student.
As the description suggests, her charm lies in her childlike singing voice, but this is the Vocaloid scene, where many different producers are active.
Among them are solidly cool tracks and artistic works as well.
You can glimpse her true capability in the smash hit “Rag Train” by Kumori Inaba.
Summary of Vocaloid and Voice Library Types [Including CeVIO and UTAU] (11–20)
Megurine Luka
Vocaloid Megurine Luka has been active across a wide range of scenes from the early days of the Vocaloid movement to the present.
Released in 2009 as the third installment following Hatsune Miku and Kagamine Rin/Len, she is also known as the first Vocaloid to achieve Japanese–English bilingual capability.
Her cool expression and long pink hair are distinctive, matching her mysterious singing voice that exudes a mature aura.
From passionate tracks like “Luka Luka★Night Fever,” which made her name widely known, to songs that depict heartrending emotions, she is a character who can perform an impressive breadth of music.
GUMI（Megpoid）
GUMI is a Vocaloid created based on the voice of voice actress Megumi Nakajima, known for her work in numerous titles such as the anime Macross Frontier.
Since the early days of the Vocaloid scene, she has been used primarily in rock-oriented Vocaloid tracks.
In Matryoshka, produced by Kenshi Yonezu, she collaborated with Hatsune Miku, delivering a rich, human-like singing voice.
She’s a memorable character with light green, wavy hair, singing energetically.
With her piercing female vocals, add vivid color to passionate sounds.
Meika Hime & Mikoto
Hanehana twins Hime and Mikoto, whose pink and light-blue hair stands out against their horns.
Their voicebanks were released by Gynoid—the company behind v flower—in 2019.
Both Hime and Mikoto were created using voice data from voice actress Kotori Koiwai.
Hime’s voice leans more toward cuteness, while Mikoto’s has a cooler, edgier feel.
When you have both, it’s hard to decide which to use.
For comparison, Rerulili’s demo song “Special Girl,” introduced here, might be a good reference.
KAITO
KAITO is a male vocal library affectionately known as “Big Brother.” It was released in February 2006, before Hatsune Miku’s debut in August 2007, and was the first male voice among Japanese Vocaloids.
KAITO’s popularity soared with the Hatsune Miku boom, earning him many fans.
His appeal lies in his cool yet warm singing voice.
He also excels at comedic or meme songs, and many people became KAITO fans because of that character trait.
When it comes to male Vocaloids, KAITO is the first name we can recommend.