Crunchyroll and Crypton Future Media are under fire from Hatsune Miku enthusiasts following the commencement of the “HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2024 North America tour powered by Crunchyroll,” which debuted in Vancouver, Canada, on April 4.
Attendees of the initial concerts have voiced disappointment, noting the utilization of LED screens instead of Crypton Future Media’s trademark transparent projection technique, akin to the Pepper’s Ghost method employed in various virtual events and Disney’s Haunted Mansion. Dissatisfied fans have taken to Twitter to share examples of the current concert setup.
Adding to the discontent, fans assert they were not informed of the alteration prior to purchasing tickets.
In February, the Ticketmaster page for the tour touted Hatsune Miku’s prowess, stating, “The trilingual, holographic Miku has long sold out arenas in her native Japan, so international fame was inevitable.” However, this statement has since been removed from the current page.
A Change.org petition demanding refunds has amassed over 6,400 signatures as of press time, also addressing concerns such as limited merchandise availability.
Hatsune Miku’s appearance at the 23rd Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival featured a non-transparent screen during the live-streamed event.
The North American leg of the tour is set to unfold across various locations throughout April and May 2024, followed by a European tour encompassing six cities in October and November.
This concert series marks the first North American tour since 2018, as the 2020 edition was canceled due to the pandemic. However, the European leg proceeded as planned in January 2020. Notably, this tour commemorates the 10th anniversary of Miku Expo.
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Source: Change.org Petition Page
