Tone Rion

Tone Rion (兎眠りおん) is a Japanese VOCALOID developed and distributed the YAMAHA Corporation, and was created in collaboration with Dear Stage (Moe Japan, Co. Ltd.). She was released in December 2011 for the VOCALOID3 engine. In December 2016, Rion's voice provider was confirmed to be Dempagumi.inc's Nemu Yumemi.

She was confirmed to receiving a VOCALOID4 update in December 2016.

 days until VOCALOID4 release!

Concept
Her brief back-story states that she is 16, and was born in the year 2095. Rion performs on the "Dear Stage" (ディアステージ) located in future Akihabara set 100 years from the current time. She is based on the idea of "VOCALOID + idol = Vocaloidol" and was the first of Dear Stage VOCALOID "Vocaloidol" concepts, of which 5 vocals were planned. The vocals would come from within Moe Japan's own vocalists.

Etymology
The kanji for Tone Rion's name means 兎 (bunny/rabbit) and 眠 (sleep), however the phrase itself "兎眠" (rabbit's sleep) has no significant meaning in Japanese. Though the company does not give any account, Rion's name is believed to be a double pun on the English word Tone and the musical instrument Tenori-on produced by YAMAHA.

Appearance
The design has the distinct appearance of a 'cooking' maid. However, based upon her background, the design is meant to portray an Akibamaid (秋葉原 メイド), a cosplay girl whose role is that of a waitress rather than a cook.

Relations

 * Yumemi Nemu; shares the same voice provider.

Music featuring Tone Rion
Examples of usage

Marketing
Tone Rion is the first VOCALOID to specifically be sold as "Moe" and first to focus on the otaku based culture. Rion is also the first to target this particular classification directly with her avatar mascot design and vocal designed around the commonly considered moe traits of Japanese manga and anime characters.

VOCAFARRE 2011
On the 15th-16 of December, V3 Megpoid, VY1v3 , Akikoloid-chan, Tone Rion and Aoki Lapis appeared in a 3D concert at VOCAFARRE 2011.

During Rion's segment, she was 'trapped' behind a screen and needed encouragement by the audience to break out. Once she was free, she performed with the girl pop group, Dempagumi.inc (でんぱ組.inc). Do note that this concert is difficult or impossible to find online - See VocaLawson Vocafarre Concert summary Nico Nico Douga Broadcast



Norton Anti-Virus Commercial
Tone Rion's vocals were used in a Japanese Norton Anti-Virus Commercial "Norton Antivirus USB Amulet". Her character illustration can also be seen on a man's T-shirt and monitor screen. She sings the background song as well, titled "Omamori Uta".

Akiba's Trip 2
Tone Rion & Dear Stage makes an appearance in the game Akiba's Trip 2 for the Playstation 3 and PSVita which was released November 7, 2013.

Social Media
Rion has an official Twitter account.