Timeline

This document below is a list of events pertaining to vocaloids and the history of the software, release dates, and other major events.

2000

 * Kenmochi Hideki began the first developments with a team at the Pompeu Fabra University in Spain.

2002

 * PowerFX joins Vocaloid production.

2003

 * February 26: The VOCALOID™ project was announced.
 * July 24: An album titled "HISTORY OF LOGIC SYSTEM" was released, this contained the first commercial render of VOCALOID vocals (later known to be MEIKO and KAITO).
 * "JODIE", "TARO" and "HANAKAO" are seen on the Yamaha Vocaloid website. These are the development names of "Sweet Ann", "KAITO" and "MEIKO".

2004

 * VOCALOID Release: Jan 15 - LEON and LOLA released.
 * VOCALOID Release: March 3 - LEON and LOLA released in Japan.
 * March 3: The song, "Beloved Tomboyish Girl" was covered by LOLA and posted on Nico Nico Douga. This was the first VOCALOID song to be uploaded onto Nico Nico Douga.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 1 - MIRIAM released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 26 - MIRIAM released in Japan.
 * VOCALOID Release: November 5 - MEIKO released.
 * December: trial version of MEIKO released.
 * December 26: A concert was held in Novosibirsk, Russia. The vocal MIRIAM performed the first ever song "Sad Mondays", a cover song, live on stage.

2005

 * LEON and LOLA won the 2005 Electronic Musician Editor’s Choice Award.
 * MEIKO sells well, selling over 3,000 units, which is 3x more then expected. She is the most successful Vocaloid to be released.
 * English Vocaloids met all expectations of sales, except in America.

2006

 * VOCALOID Release: February 17 - KAITO released.
 * November 25: The film "Paprika" was released. This contained the first ever film usage of VOCALOID™, the vocal was LOLA.
 * The album "Mesto Pod Solntsem" was released. This was the first ever VOCALOID™ album, the vocal was LEON.

2007

 * January 27: VOCALOID2 is announced.
 * Due to KAITO's failure to sell in 2006 (managing to sell just 500 units, the least of any Vocaloid) there is a realisation that male Vocaloids do not sell. Attention turns to producing female Vocaloids for many years, Crypton Future Media believing there was no market for male Vocaloids at all when they start planning their Character Vocal Series.
 * VOCALOID Release: June 29 - Sweet ANN released.
 * June 25: "Miku" unveiled.
 * July 12: "Hatsune" revealed, giving the full name of Crypton's next VOCALOID as "Hatsune Miku".
 * July 12: Crypton reports that VOCALOID2 was being released without public BETA testing.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 31 - Hatsune Miku released.
 * Hatsune Miku astonishes her developers, as she obtains 3,000 sales within her first week. This is the same amount as MEIKO sold in her first year.
 * November 8: Kagamine Rin is introduced as Crypton Future Media's next VOCALOID.
 * November 26: Hatsune Miku is nominated for an "All About" award.
 * December: Work begins on Gackpoid.
 * December 3: Kagamine Len was introduced.
 * December 25: Miku picks up an "All About" award.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 27 - Kagamine Rin/Len released.

2008

 * January: Gackt returns to the studio to record a second sample set for Gackpoid.
 * VOCALOID Release: January 14 - Prima released.
 * January 29: Crypton picks up a BCN award thanks to the increased sales their company received due to VOCALOID sales.
 * VOCALOID Release: February 22 - Prima released in Japan.
 * March: Gackpoid falls behind schedule.
 * March 5: Hatsune Miku wins the "Digital Content" AMD award.
 * June: Gackpoid is ready for release, but without a mascot image; the release is delayed a month.
 * June 12: Kagamine Rin/Len act2 announced.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 18 - Kagamine Rin/Len (act2) released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 31 - Gackpoid released.
 * Due to increased interest in VOCALOID, LEON, LOLA and MIRIAM are returned to sale.
 * KAITO claims 2nd place on Nico Nico Douga "Best seller" award.
 * Hatsune Miku successfully sells 40,000 units in her first year of release. This is the most of any Vocaloid yet.
 * The Kagamines sell 20,000 units in their first year.

2009

 * January 5: the first letter of Crypton's next VOCALOID is revealed.
 * January 6: the full name of Crypton's next VOCALOID "Megurine Luka" is unveiled.
 * VOCALOID Release: January 30 - Megurine Luka released.
 * February 14: Work began on Crypton Future Media's next Hatsune Miku project.
 * VOCALOID Release: June 26 - Megpoid released.
 * July 2: Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- released on PlayStation®Portable.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 14 - SONiKA promoted.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 15 - SONiKA released/shipped.
 * August 1: Vocals "CV01-dark-ProtoTYPEβ" and "CV01-vivid-ProtoTYPEβ" confirmed by Crypton Future Media.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 7 - SONiKA released in Japan.
 * November 13: VOCALOIDs SF-A2 miki, Kaai Yuki and Hiyama Kiyoteru revealed.
 * December: trials of Hatsune Miku Append "Dark" and "Soft" released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 4 - SF-A2 miki released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 4 - Kaai Yuki released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 4 - Hiyama Kiyoteru released.
 * December 11: A leaked video with a snippet of the song "When Saints Go Marching In" appears on YouTube showing BIG AL's new voice.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 22 - BIG AL released.
 * This year at some point, Spanish VOCALOIDs entered production.

2010

 * January 8–11, 2010: Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- Arcade released.
 * VOCALOID Release: March 5 - BIG AL released in Japan.
 * VOCALOID Release: April 30 - Hatsune Miku Append released.
 * June 24: Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- Dreamy Theater released on PlayStation 3.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 14 - Tonio released.
 * July 29: Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- 2nd released on PlayStation®Portable.
 * August 6: VY1 announced.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 10 - SONiKA released in Taiwan.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 25 - Lily released.
 * August 26: a new voice based on Gachapin announced.
 * VOCALOID Release: September 1 - VY1 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 8 - Gachapoid released.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 22 - Nekomura Iroha released.
 * December 3: KAITO and MEIKO confirmed to be considered for updating.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 8 - Utatane Piko released.
 * December 13: Internet Co. announces they were going to "Extend" the Megpoid software.
 * December 24: VY2 confirmed delayed
 * VOCALOID Release: December 27 - Kagamine Rin/Len Append released.

2011

 * January 20: Work begins on Megpoid "Extend".
 * VOCALOID Release: April 25 - VY2 released.
 * June 8: VOCALOID3 is announced.
 * June 8: CUL confirmed to be becoming a real VOCALOID.
 * August 11: Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- Dreamy Theater 2nd released on PlayStation 3.
 * August 30: SeeU revealed.
 * September 13: Mew's boxart unveiled.
 * October 14: a silhouette is seen of a upcoming VOCALOID
 * VOCALOID Release: October 21 - VY1V3 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 21 - Mew released.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 21 - V3 Megpoid released.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 21 - SeeU released.
 * October 21: Tone Rion revealed to have been the VOCALOID whose silhouette was seen on October 14.
 * November 2: VOCALOID3 Ver.3.0.2.0 released
 * November 10: Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- extend released on PlayStation®Portable.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 16 - SeeU released in Japan.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 16 - Tone Rion released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 21 - OLIVER released.
 * December 21: VOCALOID3 Ver.3.0.3.0 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 22 - CUL released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 22 - Yuzuki Yukari released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 23 - Bruno released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 23 - Clara released.

2012

 * January: Megpoid VOCALOID2 original voice confirmed being revamped for a VOCALOID3 release.
 * January 3: The first VOCALOID CHINA contest ended.
 * January 26: VOCALOID3 Ver.3.0.3.0 released as a automated download.
 * VOCALOID Release: January 27 - IA released.
 * February 21: VOCALOID3 Ver.3.0.4.0 released.
 * March 8: Hatsune Miku and Future Stars Project mirai released on Nintendo 3DS.
 * March 9: Miku Flick released for the iOS operating system in Japan.
 * VOCALOID Release: March 16 - V3 Megpoid - Native released.
 * March 23: VOCALOID3 Ver.3.0.4.1 released.
 * March 31: Luo Tianyi and the supporting characters of VOCALOID CHINA are revealed.
 * VOCALOID Release: April 6 - Aoki Lapis released.
 * April 12: Miku Flick released internationally.
 * VOCALOID Release: April 19 - V3 Lily released.
 * July 10: VOCALOID3 Ver.3.0.5.0 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 12 - Luo Tianyi released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 13 - V3 Gackpoid released.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 5 - galaco released.
 * August 10: Miku Flick/02 released.
 * August 30: Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- f released on PlayStation Vita.
 * September 13: Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- Dreamy Theater extend released on PlayStation 3.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 19 - VY2V3 released.
 * November 8: Hatsune Miku Live Stage Producer released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 5 - MAYU released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 22 - AVANNA released.

2013

 * VOCALOID Release: February 15 - KAITO V3 released.
 * February 18: YOHIO confirms that he is the provider for upcoming VOCALOID from PowerFX YOHIOloid.
 * February 22: VOCALOID 10th anniversary project announced.
 * February 26: The VOCALOID™ project enters its 10th year anniversary.
 * VOCALOID Release: February 28 - Megpoid English released.
 * March 4: ZOLA PROJECT revealed to be the 10th anniversary project announced in February.
 * March 28: Megpoid the Music♯ released on PlayStation®Portable.
 * VOCALOID Release: April 24 - AVANNA released in Japan.
 * VOCALOID Release: June 20 - ZOLA PROJECT released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 11 - YANHE released in China.
 * July 24: Silhouette for the new Spanish VOCALOID was shown.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 31 - Miku V3 English released.
 * VOCALOID Release: September 10 -YOHIOloid released.
 * September 11: MAIKA revealed to be the silhouette of the Spanish VOCALOID.
 * VOCALOID Release: September 26 -Hatsune Miku V3 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 18 - MAIKA released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 24 - Merli released.
 * VOCALOID Retirement: December 31 - It was announced that LEON, LOLA and MIRIAM would be permanently retired from sale via retail the next day.

2014

 * January 1: VOCALOID Retirement: Zero-G Ltd. ceased retail sales of the VOCALOIDs LEON, LOLA, and MIRIAM.
 * January 31: VOCALOID CHINA shuts down (later relaunched as VOCANESE).
 * January: INTERNET Co., Ltd. announced VOCALOID3 vocal library "kokone", set to be released in February.
 * VoxWave announces name of new female French VOCALOID3, "ALYS".
 * VOCALOID Release: January 31 - Macne Nana released.
 * VOCALOID Release: February 4 - MEIKO V3 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: February 14 - kokone released.
 * February 18: Yamaha announces two new female VOCALOID3 vocal libraries, anon & kanon, set to be released in March.
 * VOCALOID Release: March 3 - anon & kanon released.
 * March: VOCANESE was launched and replaced VOCALOID CHINA.
 * March 27: Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- F 2nd released on PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 3
 * VOCALOID Release: April 3 - Pocket Miku released.
 * April 17: HoneyWorks uploads the first song using flower.
 * April 18: Yamaha releases more information on "v flower", and mentions set release date of May 9.
 * VOCALOID Release: May 9 - flower released.
 * VOCALOID Release: June 5 - Tohoku Zunko released.
 * July 13: Yuezheng Ling was announced to become a VOCALOID.
 * VOCALOID Release: June 27 - IA ROCKS released.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 5 - galaco NEO released.
 * August 19 - Plans for Gachapoid V3 were resumed and a new VOCALOID3 by INTERNET CO. was anounced (This VOCALOID was later announced as "Chika").
 * August 26: Zhanyin Lorra was revealed in Beijing with potential voice providers for her and Yuezheng Ling.
 * VOCALOID Release: September 9 - Rana released.
 * September 11 - Name, design, and demo was revealed for Chika.
 * VOCALOID Release: September 17 - Gachapoid V3 released.
 * September 19: Ruby was confirmed to be in production and a sample of her voice was released.
 * October 9 - Megurine Luka V4X demo revealed, along with a design silhouette and a projected release of Q1 2015.
 * October 15: The VOCANESE voice provider contest ended, with QI Inory as Yuezheng Ling and Gui Xian Ren as Zhanyin Lorra.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 16 - Chika released.
 * November 9: Uni was announced to be a new Korean VOCALOID.
 * Software Confirmed: November 20 - VOCALOID4 was revealed and confirmed.
 * December 7: A Uni design was revealed in Shanghai, but was subjected to change.
 * December 17: VOCALOID4 is released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 17 - VY1v4 released.
 * December 20: Yuzuki Yukari V4 was confirmed to contain three voicebanks: Jun, Onn, and Lin.

2015

 * January 9: The final E.V.E.C. list for Megurine Luka V4X was revealed.
 * January 16: Xin Hua was revealed.
 * January 21: CYBER DIVA was revealed.
 * January 30: Hideki Kenmochi announces his retirement from Vocaloid.
 * VOCALOID Release: February 4 - CYBER DIVA released.
 * VOCALOID Release: February 10 - Xin Hua released.
 * VOCALOID Release: March 18 - Yuzuki Yukari V4 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: March 19 - Megurine Luka V4X released.
 * March 31: Camui Gackpo was confirmed to have VOCALOID4 update.
 * April 23: A V4 update for flower was confirmed and a new design was revealed.
 * April 25: A second design for Nekomura Iroha's VOCALOID4 update was revealed (Later confirmed to be the design for the SOFT voicebank).
 * VOCALOID Release: April 30 - Gackpoid V4 released.
 * May 14: Nekomura Iroha V4 was confirmed to have a NATURAL and SOFT voicebank, while SF-A2 miki V4 only has a NATURAL voicebank.
 * May 28: VOCANESE was renamed to Vsinger and Xingchen was revealed.
 * VOCALOID Release: June 18 - SF-A2 miki V4 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: June 18 - Nekomura Iroha V4 released.
 * June 16: Kano Akira is announced to become a VOCALOID.
 * June 20: DEX and DAINA were revealed at Anime Mid Atlantic.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 16 - v4 flower released.
 * July 16: RUBY's final boxart was revealed.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 17 - Yuezheng Ling released.
 * July 17: Xingchen's final design was revealed.
 * July 20: IA/VT Colorful released on PlayStation Vita.
 * July 23: Sachiko was revealed as a new VOCALOID.
 * July 23: Yuezheng Longya was confirmed to become a VOCALOID.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 27 - Sachiko released.
 * July 30: ARSLOID confirmed for public release.
 * August 31: Hatsune Miku V4X receives a beta release and demo.
 * VOCALOID Release: September 23 - ARSLOID released.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 7 - RUBY released as a digital download.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 29 - Kaai Yuki V4 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 29 - Hiyama Kiyoteru V4 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: November 5 - Megpoid V4 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: November 20 - DEX released.
 * VOCALOID Release: November 20 - DAINA released.
 * November; despite retirement, MIRIAM continued to be sold via mail order. In September 2015, all her codes were reported as having sold out. LEON and LOLA continued to be sold this way, though it is unknown when all codes ran out.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 1 - Rana V4 released.
 * December 12: RUBY's physical copy released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 24 - Kagamine Rin/Len V4X released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 24 - Kagamine Rin/Len V4 English released.

2016

 * VOCALOID Release: January 14 - Unity-chan released.
 * VOCALOID Release: January 28 - Fukase released.
 * March 24: Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- X released on PlayStation Vita.
 * VOCALOID Release: April 13 - Xingchen released.
 * June 15: Otomachi Una unveiled.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 30 - Otomachi Una released.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 31 - Hatsune Miku V4X released.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 31 - Hatsune Miku V4 English released.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 27 - Tohoku Zunko V4 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: October 31 - CYBER SONGMAN released.
 * December 2: Hatsune Miku V4 Chinese announced at the HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2016 CHINA TOUR.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 15 - Macne Nana V4 released.

2017

 * VOCALOID Release: February 14 - UNI released.
 * VOCALOID Release: February 16 - Yumemi Nemu released.
 * VOCALOID Release: February 16 - Tone Rion V4 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: June 24 - Yuezheng Longya released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 12 - AZUKI released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 12 - MATCHA released.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 30 - LUMi released.
 * VOCALOID Release: September 1 - Xin Hua V4 released.
 * VOCALOID Release: September 5 - Hatsune Miku V4 Chinese released.
 * VOCALOID Release: September 22 - Xin Hua Japanese released.
 * VOCALOID Release: December 30 - Luo Tianyi V4 released.

2018

 * VOCALOID Release: April 26 - Kizuna Akari released.
 * April 30 - Zhang Chuchu and Yuecheng were officially announced as private vocals.
 * VOCALOID Release: May 18 - Luo Tianyi V4 Japanese released.
 * VOCALOID Release: May 24 - Mirai Komachi released.
 * July 12 - VOCALOID5 was revealed and released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 12 - Amy released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 12 - Chris released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 12 - Kaori released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 12 - Ken released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 12 - CYBER DIVA II released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 12 - CYBER SONGMAN II released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 12 - VY1 (VOCALOID5) released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 12 - VY2 (VOCALOID5) released.
 * VOCALOID Release: July 26 - Haruno Sora released.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 2 - Zhiyu Moke released.
 * VOCALOID Release: August 2 - Mo Qingxian released.