IGN can exclusively reveal the first details and trailer for BEYOND BORDERS Vol.1: EMERGE MODE MIKU, a new collaboration EP that will pair virtual singer superstar Hatsune Miku with such artists as Grimes, slayr, MOLIY, Odetari, George Clanton, Frost Children, and XAMIYA.
The artist lineup and official EP trailer were unveiled during Anime Expo in Los Angeles, and this ‘Beyond Borders’ project from Dwango is all in an effort to introduce Vocaloid music to a new generation of global listeners.
Dwango is working with Nebula17 through their US Label on this project, and Hatsune Miku will be the lead vocalist across all tracks that span multiple genres, including electronic, alternative, hyperpop, rap, and experimental music.
Alongside the artists mentioned above who are teaming up on this project, the EP is being brought to life by a team of Grammy-winning and platinum-selling collaborators. Producers include Grant Boutin (Tate McRae), VADAKIN (Grimes), MOMBRU (Fridayy), Byrd (Bad Bunny), Xansei (XG), while songwriting contributions include Charles “Scoot” Anderson (Ariana Grande) and Cecile Believe (Charli xcx). jon-YAKITORY, SatapanP, and picco, a few of Japan’s most celebrated Vocaloid producers, are also part of the team.
While no release date has been announced beyond fall 2026, a series of singles will be released during the summer to help with the wait.
“Vocaloid culture was born in Japan from the passion of producers making music in their own bedrooms and on their own desktops, and now it’s taking flight on the global stage,” said Gorokiyotake Orimoto, General Manager at Dwango. “Watching it grow into this new form of expression through collaborations with world-renowned artists has been an honor, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone whose support made this milestone possible.”
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
