Chinmay Kore 
Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing marks the first theatrical appearance of Hatsune Miku, adapted from the beloved rhythm game Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage!. Directed by Hiroyuki Hata and animated by P.A. Works, the film premiered in India on 29th August by Medialink Films India. I thought I would be watching it alone considering all prefer Shonen generic stuff, but I was surprised that 40 people joined with me for the movie in The New Sky City Mall Inox Megaplex Cinemas.
Visuals & Music: A Feast for the Senses
From its very first frame, Colorful Stage! dazzles. The animation is gorgeously lush, cast in radiant light and bursting with expressive color—a visual language that speaks volumes even when the plot feels shaky. The climactic concert sequence sings with kinetic energy and psychedelic flair, elevating what could’ve been a standard musical scene into something transcendent. Music shines just as brightly. With six new tracks from Vocaloid heavyweights like Deco27—and a memorable theme by 40mp and sasakure.UK, plus the heartfelt ending “Worlders” by Jin—the soundtrack is a standout highlight. Fans were visibly moved, singing along, waving lightsticks, and reacting loudly in theatres during familiar tunes.
Story & Structure: A Crowded but Conceptually Ambitious World
The narrative centers on Ichika, a high-school musician who encounters an emotionally broken version of Hatsune Miku in a metaphysical realm called “Sekai”—a world born from human feelings, where music has the power to heal. This Miku can’t sing—and heartbreakingly, can’t reach hearts—leading Ichika and members of five idol groups to help her rediscover her voice and, symbolically, restore emotional connection across fractured realms.
Narratively, the film is ambitious. Each idol group—Leo/need, Wonderlands x Showtime, More More Jump!, Vivid Bad Squad, and Nightcord at 25:00—represents a different musical style, emotional conflict, and creative approach. This multiplicity allows for thematic richness: each group teaches Miku a unique musical expression forged in emotional authenticity.
But It’s Overwhelming—Especially for Newcomers
This abundance of characters and backstory comes at a cost. Critics and newcomers often find themselves lost amidst twenty-plus characters and interwoven “Sekai” universes—with little context if you’re not already familiar with the game. The Guardian put it bluntly: “Even by the standards of franchise anime that drops newcomers in blind, this is particularly incomprehensible”.Variety and others echo that the characters remain largely underdeveloped, with emotional arcs feeling shorthand and superficial.
As I tried to put it, “this is ultimately a film about a suicidal artist who is trying to find some will to live again,” yet the characters around her are little more than silhouettes, likely fleshed out elsewhere or in the game world.
In Summary: A Visual Spectacle with Heart—If You Come Prepared
Strengths:
Stunning animation—a vivid tour de force in color, light, and visual choreography.
Catchy, dynamic music—songs that fans cheer at and that lift the emotional core of the film.
Themes of emotional connection and creative healing resonate deeply—especially for creatives and fans.
Weaknesses:
Overstuffed narrative—too many characters, universes, and minimal exposition.
Newcomer-unfriendly structure—requires prior knowledge or at least some “homework” for full appreciation.
Shallow character development—many cast members remain underexplored.
Final Verdict
Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing is less a traditional story and more a vibrant, emotionally charged multimedia experience—one that pulses through sight and sound rather than character-driven narrative. For fans of the game, the idol groups, or Vocaloid culture, it’s a movement in motion—a dazzling, heart-thumping tribute. However, for casual viewers or seekers of tight storytelling, the film’s sensory brilliance may not be enough to fill in the narrative gaps.
Personal rating: 8/10—a must-watch for fans, an acquired taste for general audiences.
