Tohoku Zunko

Tohoku Zunko (東北ずん子) is a Japanese VOCALOID being developed by AH-Software Co. Ltd.. She is also sold as a VOICEROID+. Her voice is provided by the Japanese female voice actress, Satō Satomi (佐藤 聡美; Satomi Satō), who is notable for providing the voice for the character Ritsu Tainaka from the Japanese anime music show "K-ON!".

2013
She was released on September 28, 2012 in her VOICEROID+ and is currently in planning for her VOCALOID after a successful Anipipo campaign. On May 16, AH-Software announced that she would become a VOICEROID+. She is going to be recorded as a VOCALOID in August or September 2013 and is slated for a late 2013/early 2014 release.

In December 2013, a tweet confirmed that her deadline was still uncertain.

2014
In Jan 2014, it was confirmed that recording was complete. Her first sample was also given via a livestream.

Etymology
Her family name Tohoku comes from the Tohoku region which she was made to support, after a tsunami struck the area in 2011. Her first name is derived from "zundo", from zundo mochi.

Appearance
Zunko's clothing is based off Zunda mochi, a type of mochi (rice cake) with sweetened green soybean paste. It is a local speciality in the Tohoku region.

A short bio that was included in her strap says Zunko enjoys archery and making cakes and that her dreams for the future are to own her own cafe in Tokyo.

VOICEROID+


AH-Software released her as a VOICEROID+ voicebank first. VOICEROID allows several tones of vocals showing different emotions. Zunko has several new features compared to previous VOICEROIDs, she has the ability to adjust strength of intonation, as well as the ability to insert pauses directly into the tuning screen. Users can also directly use ruby pronunciation markers in the text. It also reads text up to 4x fast and can output 22.1 kHz sample-rate audio files. However, it is intended for speech rather than singing. Despite this, VOICEROID offers the chance for users to make rap songs easier or use her VOICEROID in conjunction with her VOCALOID voicebank allowing for talking during songs.

exVoice
ExVoice contains additional samples for Zunko. This includes samples for laughter, giggling, weeping, etc. Zunko's ExVoice also includes samples of the Tohoku landmarks and other things related to Tohoku. The software has also since release been updated to add more samples to the package. Users can log onto the Ah-Software website to retrieve the additional samples if they have the old version. More updates on this extension are planned in the future.

Marketing
Zunko has a basic terms of use policy. After registering with the owners, Tōhoku region based companies can use her for advertisements and doujin works. She was originally created to help promote the recovery of the Tōhoku region, which was the region devastated on March 11, 2011 by a major earthquake and tsunami. She had a similar campaign to her VOCALOID one to become a VOICEROID, she had to reach 4.5 million yen. Zunko had to gain 5 million yen between June 20 to July 20, she gained all the funding she needed about week before the deadline on July 12.

Apps
There has been a Android smartphone widget created for Zunko. The widget is simply training a chibi Zunko in her archery skills, gaining experience points to earn new levels where, on a certain level you can unlock wallpapers for your phone. After a certain amount of training Zunko will grow tired, and you have the option to replenish her energy by giving her a break and her energy goes back to normal over time, or you can prepare and give her Zunda Mochi to heal her. It is available in the Android Marketplace but only in Japanese.

Alongside this app, the AR東北ずん子ちゃん app was also released, this is a augmented Reality camera app which will place her in any environment.

A second App was produced called Tohoku Zunko camera.

Strap
Zunko has had several polyester straps made for her manufactured by the company S･O･F･T.
 * Strap product page

Novel
Tohoku Zunko is receiving a novel that is going to be out summer 2013, published by PHP Institute Inc.. Her book will contain stories from her Twitter, posted by Toshio Sato.

3D model
An official 3D model of Zunko appears in the software "AHS キャラミん Studio", along side Yuzuki Yukari. Guest feature model GUMI in her Megpoid and V3 Megpoid versions are also featured in the software.

Sticker
AHS also released an official sticker that is about 25x30 cm, and features Tohoku Zunko's Voiceroid+ boxart and has her name signed at the very bottom, next to her left foot.