For Gundam Fans: Who Is Hatsune Miku and Why Does She Keep Appearing with Mobile Suits?

If you've browsed the toy aisles at HMV or Hobbycraft recently, you've probably seen her — a girl with long turquoise pigtails, big eyes, and a presence that seems to span across anime figures, blind boxes, plush toys, and even T-shirts at Next.

Maybe you've wondered who she is. Maybe you've noticed her name appearing alongside Gundam on product listings and thought "what's a virtual pop star doing with my mobile suits?"

You're not alone — and the answer is more interesting than you might expect.

Who Is Hatsune Miku? (The Short Version)

Hatsune Miku is not an anime character. She's a virtual singer — a piece of music software called a Vocaloid, developed by Crypton Future Media, that lets anyone create songs using a synthesized voice. Her name means "the first sound of the future", and since her release in 2007, she's become one of the most recognisable pop culture icons in the world.

Here's what makes her unique:

• Her voice comes from real voice actress Saki Fujita, who recorded phonetic samples that users can string into lyrics. Over 100,000 original songs have been created using Miku's voice.
• She performs live concerts as a 3D hologram projection — not a recording, but a real-time animated performance synced to music. She's played at Coachella, opened for Lady Gaga, and appeared on David Letterman.
• Her iconic turquoise colour isn't a random design choice — it's based on Yamaha's synthesizer signature colour, a nod to her origins as music software.

But here's the key thing for Gundam fans: Miku is not a character from a specific anime with a fixed storyline. She's a creative platform — anyone can make music, art, or content featuring her. That flexibility is exactly why she's partnered with so many brands, including Bandai.

Miku x Mecha: A Surprising Natural Fit

Before we get to Gundam, it's worth noting that Miku and giant robots go way back. She appeared as a character in Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion (a train-mecha anime). Her racing team, Good Smile Racing, has fielded Miku-themed Super GT race cars since 2008. She's been a playable character in Fortnite Festival, Rocket League, and even Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.

Mecha, speed, and music — they're part of her identity.

The Gundam 45th Anniversary Collaboration

For the Gundam 45th Anniversary, Bandai and Crypton Future Media launched a special collaboration project that included an original music video — "Idol Senshi" — featuring Miku singing about being a mobile suit pilot. The project produced several lines of collectible figures:

1. Gundam x Miku Anniversary Kigurumi Figures
Four adorable figures of Miku wearing mobile suit kigurumi (costume pajamas) inspired by the music video. These are pure crossover fun — Miku cosplaying as mobile suits.
View at Gunpla Capsule UK

2. Mobile Suit Gundam Capsule Action Hatsune Miku Color Ver.
Four highly articulated mobile suits repainted in Miku's iconic colour scheme — teal, black, and turquoise. These are actual Gundam mecha with Miku aesthetics.
View at Gunpla Capsule UK

3. Mobile Suit Ensemble Hatsune Miku Color Ver.
A complete MSE set featuring mobile suits in Miku-inspired colours — a limited-run collaboration that collectors are actively seeking.
View at Gunpla Capsule UK

4. Blokees Hatsune Miku Figures
Multiple ranges of Blokees building kit figures featuring Miku in various styles — from the Fantastics Edition (fully articulated, 15cm) to the SD blind box series. These use the same high-quality tool-free assembly system Blokees is known for.
Browse all Blokees Miku figures

5. Banpresto EVOLVE-GUNDAM Miku Figure
A 21cm limited-edition collaboration figure featuring Miku in a special Gundam-themed outfit, based on an exclusive illustration created for the 45th Anniversary.
View at Gunpla Capsule UK

6. Gundam 45th Anniversary Miku Kigurumi Figures
Two stylised Miku figures (approx. 16cm) wearing Zaku and Char's Zaku kigurumi — direct references to the collaboration music video.
Char's Zaku Kigurumi Ver. | Zaku Kigurumi Ver.

Hatsune Miku in the UK: She's Closer Than You Think

One of the most common reactions from Gundam collectors when they first encounter Miku is "is she really that popular in the UK?"

Yes, she absolutely is.

Hatsune Miku has held Miku Expo concerts worldwide, including London — most recently in 2024, with another tour scheduled in 2026. These are full-scale holographic live concerts that draw thousands of fans. She's not a niche internet curiosity; she's a global touring act with a genuine UK audience.

Beyond concerts, Miku merchandise is widely available on UK high streets:

• Hobbycraft — Miku-themed craft kits, figures, and accessories
• HMV — CD releases, figures, and blind boxes
• Menkind — novelty Miku merchandise and electronics
• Next — officially licensed Miku T-shirts and sweatshirts

If you've ever browsed the pop culture section at any of these stores, you've walked past Miku products without realising who she is. That's how mainstream she's become.

Why Should a Gundam Collector Care?

1. Limited availability. The Gundam 45th Anniversary collaboration is a fixed-period event. Once these figures sell out, they won't be reprinted. Miku x Gundam crossover items tend to appreciate in value on the secondary market.

2. Unique crossover appeal. These aren't just repainted figures — they're genuine collaborations between two iconic Japanese pop culture brands. A Miku-coloured Gundam is something you won't find anywhere else.

3. It's a gateway. Many Gundam collectors who pick up a Miku x Gundam figure find themselves curious about the other Miku products available — Blokees kits, Banpresto figures, and the wider world of Vocaloid collectibles. It's a whole new category of Japanese pop culture to explore.

The Bottom Line

Hatsune Miku is not a random pop star who accidentally appeared on Gundam merchandise. She's a 19-year cultural phenomenon, a virtual singer with a global fanbase, and — as the Gundam 45th Anniversary collaboration proves — a natural creative partner for the mobile suit universe.

Whether you're in it for the limited-edition collectibles, the crossover novelty, or just curiosity about who that teal-haired girl is, now you know.

And if you want to add a piece of Gundam history to your collection, we've got you covered.