Tohoku Zunko

Tohoku Zunko (東北ずん子 / Tōhoku Zunko), is a 17 year old girl. On May 16, AH-Software announced that she would become a VOICEROID+. The donor of the voice is Satomi Satō, a voice actor who is notable for providing the voice for the character Ritsu Tainaka from the Japanese anime music show "K-ON!" She was released on September 28, 2012 in her VOICEROID+ and is currently in planning for her VOCALOID after a succesful Anipipo campaign.

Concept
Zunko's clothing is based off zundo mochi, "a type of soft rice cake that is covered with sweetened "edamame" beans and which is a local specialty 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.

Etymology
Her family name Tohoku comes from the Tohoku region who she was made to support when the earthquake and tsunami struck the Tohoku region in 2011, her first name is derived from zundo, from zundo mochi..

Voiceroid +

 * Tohoku Zunko at the Voiceroid Wikia

AHSoftware 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 has been added, 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 22.1kHz 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.


 * Demo

Marketing
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 has to reach 4.5 million yen. Zunko had to gain 5 million yen between June 19th to July 19th, she gained all the funding she needed a week before the deadline on July 12th.

Android Smartphone Widget
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.
 * Widget page

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.

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

iOS App
An iOS app is currently under development for Zunko. The game is set to be released around the end of October and will be completely free of charge.

Novel
Tohoku Zunko is receiving 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.

Popularity
Google Trends "Tohoku Zunko"

Gallery
[source]
 * -|Boxart =
 * -|Concept art =