Akikoloid-chan

Akikoloid-chan (あきこロイドちゃん / Akikoroido-chan) is the Vocaloid of "Akiko-chan", the mascot of Lawson, Inc. and acts as the navigator for LAWSON's Nico Nico Douga channel. She is a unreleased "private" Vocaloid for commerical use by Lawson, Inc only.

History
In 2011, the LAWSON convenience store chain's new mascot, "Akiko-chan" will receive a synthesized Vocaloid voice makeover to become "Akikoloid-chan," who will act as a navigator for LAWSON's new Nico Nico Douga channel. On September 6 of 2011, Akikoloid-chan movies were uploaded on Nicovideo. The vocal was from Vocaloid3 engine and the voice provider was Arimoto (有本) from Koe-bu (こえ部), a voice sharing site for amateur voice actors. A video showing her "production" was made and she was revealed in a interview about Vocaloid with a Yamaha rep as well as songs using her vocals.

Currently, she is owned only as a private-license that Lawson acquired from Yamaha and it is unknown if she will be released for commercial use. A boxart for her has also since appeared. However, it is confirmed she is not for sale and the box was for display purposes only.

Concept
She is based on Akiko-chan's character, much how Ryuto (Gachapoid) is based on Gachapin, she is not Akiko-chan herself. To further clarify this, her background story was that she was made by Akiko's brother in a lab and she was modelled after Akiko herself.

Etymology
Her name is a combintion of Akiko's name and "loid" from "andriod" (R and L overlap in the Japanese language, see Japanese Phonetics). "Chan" is a Japanese honorfic given normally given for young females.

Her name refers to literally the fact she is a android based on Akiko.

Marketing
Akiko-chan was originally introduced as a campaign character for Lawson under the profile "a university sophomore student and a part-time worker for Lawson." This Vocaloid character is "an Akiko-chan like android which Akiko's elder brother developed with confining himself to university laboratory for a week."

Campaign
A new campaign related to the character has begun "LAWSON x Vocaloid" titled "Vocalawson campaign". During the period of the campaign, customers at Lawson stores will be able to obtain an ID application upon purchase of the ten goods in the promotion, which will allow entry into a lottery. Applicants enter via mobile phone or the LAWSON website. This is the first campaign where original Yamaha VOCALOID goods can be won.

This ran from 13/09/2011 to 26/09/2011.

3D Concert
Gumi and Akikoloid-chan appeared in a concert together in Japan dancing on stage. Though other concerts have been done for Vocaloid, this is the first official "3D" concert, previously all concerts had been done with 2D technology. Merchandise related to the concert was later produced such asa CD and DVD.

On the 2nd of November a video clip about the 3D Concert "VOCALOID3 x LiveAR" was relased. On the 26th of November Gumi, VY1V3 , Akikoloid-chan and Aoki Lapis appeared in a 3D concert at VOCAFARRE 2011
 * "VOCALOID x LiveAr" at DIGITAL CONTENT EXPO 2011 Youtube Broadcast
 * Gumi - Megu Megu Fire Endless Night Youtube Broadcast
 * Gumi - Love Droid Youtube Broadcast
 * Gumi & Akikoloid-chan - Cyber Thunder Cider Youtube Broadcast
 * Gumi & Akikoloid-chan - Beyond the glass World Youtube Broadcast
 * VY1V3 - Opening VOCAFARRE Youtube Broadcast
 * Aoki Lapis - Daydream Flight Youtube Broadcast
 * Aoki Lapis - Little Wish Youtube Broadcast
 * All Involved - VocaLawson Vocafarre Full Concert Youtube Broadcast

Live Jam
Akikoloid appeared in a Live Jam Event in 2012.

Figurine
Akikoloid is going to have a figurine. Not much is known.

Voicebank Library
Unreleased

Her licensing is restricted to use only for Lawson's purposes only and can only be used by Producers with premission from Lawson., Ltd themselves. Therefore information on her vocals is limited.

Her vocals have been used for both music and talking. Little is known on her except that she is using the Vocaloid 3 engine. She is capable of speech on a more delicate level then most Vocaloid voicebanks, although appears to not be using Voiceroid and may be using a version of the Vocaloid-flex engine, although this cannot be confirmed. She was confirmed a Vocaloid 3 at time of introduction.

Popularity
Since her announcement Akikoloid-chan seemed to be well received by the Japanese fandom though this may be due to the fact that popular producers where the only ones who were allowed to use her for LAWSON's promotions. In the Western fandom she was well received as well with most fans. Nothing is clear wether she would be popular if she was released as a public VOCALOID though.