Hatsune Miku, the virtual diva who's about to hit her 18th anniversary, is still dropping collabs left and right, proving her undeniable charm and the unwavering devotion of her fanbase.
Recently on X in Japan, a user flexed their acquisition of a "cultural artifact"-level ultra-rare Hatsune Miku CD: the 2007 Comiket dōjin (indie) version of "Melt" (メルト). With 18 years having passed since its release, the post instantly blew up, igniting a fiery discussion among veteran Vocaloid fans.
Fun fact: the "Melt" CD was originally unveiled on Niconico Douga on December 7, 2007, with the self-produced physical single dropping at Comic Market 73 on December 31 of the same month. ryo shot to stardom with the track, later founding supercell in 2009, and "Melt" naturally found its home on supercell's debut album.
For many old-school Vocaloid fans, this CD is, without a doubt, a holy grail.
Netizens flooded the comments, exclaiming, "It's almost 20 years since 2007, that's wild!" Another chimed in, "That was the first Miku song I ever properly heard, and I even got it while working at Winter Comiket." Others recalled missing out on buying it at the event and having to snag it online or through stores like Toranoana. Some even pointed out that the dōjin version boasts superior audio quality: "The commercial release is more heavily compressed; the Comiket version sounds way better."
Beyond its rarity, the pristine packaging design in the photos also became a hot topic. Many users dubbed it a "legendary relic," noting that its price has been steadily climbing in the secondary market. This surge is likely due to creator ryo's long absence from Comiket and recent lack of new releases, making the original version incredibly scarce.
It's worth noting that visually similar versions of "Melt" exist, such as commercial releases labeled "supercell" or "ryo feat. Hatsune Miku." These aren't the same batch as the dōjin version, and their collector's value and price tag differ wildly. The truly rare and highly sought-after item is the original 2007 dōjin CD, produced under ryo's individual name.
"Melt" stands as one of the quintessential tracks from the early Vocaloid boom, serving as an entry point for countless fans into the world of Hatsune Miku. Even today's superstar Kenshi Yonezu has previously cited the song as a profound influence on his own creative journey.
This September, Hatsune Miku officially turns 18. But for many fans, she'll always be that eternal 16-year-old girl, singing those moving and beautiful songs. No wonder unearthing this CD reignited the fiery nostalgia for the early days of the Miku phenomenon!
▼ "Melt"
via： togetter