Political holograms: Vocaloid, Japanese politics and Mexican youth

Abstract

This article analyzes the circulation of the cultural phenomenon Vocaloid from Japan to Mexico, exploring its role within Japan’s soft power and its connection to the Cool Japan political strategy. It examines the historical, political, and economic factors that have facilitated its dissemination within the context of neoliberal globalization, as well as the role of Japan’s cultural industry in projecting national values on an international scale. More than just vocal synthesis software, Vocaloid has been reinterpreted by Mexican youth through artistic and community-driven practices, becoming a vehicle for cultural expression. In Mexico, its reception and appropriation have given rise to new forms of identity and embodiment among urban youth, reshaping their modes of participation in physical and digital spaces.