This Banpresto figurine depicts Hatsune Miku in a design inspired by the Black Swan from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet *Swan Lake*. Part of the BANPRESTO EVOLVE – Classical Tuning collection, this Black Swan Ver. stands approximately 24 cm tall and brings the aesthetics of classical ballet into the visual world of the virtual singer.
Miku strikes an elegant ballerina pose, standing on her toes with one leg slightly crossed and both arms spread wide. Her outfit takes the form of a tutu in shades of bluish black and powder pink, composed of several panels reminiscent of feathers. The dark bodice features delicate pink motifs, whilst large feather-shaped elements extend from the skirt, lending further movement to the silhouette.
Her long turquoise pigtails are styled here into large, wavy strands, the ends of which gradually become translucent and whitish. Dark, feather-like embellishments also appear in her hairstyle, directly echoing the Black Swan theme. Her wrists are adorned with white ruffles and thin black ribbons, whilst her pink ballet shoes are held in place by long ribbons crossed around her ankles.
Technical specifications
• Manufacturer: Banpresto / Bandai Spirits
• Range / Collection: BANPRESTO EVOLVE – Classical Tuning
• Licence: Hatsune Miku / Piapro Characters
• Character: Hatsune Miku
• Version: From the ballet ‘Swan Lake’ – Black Swan Ver.
• Inspiration: Swan Lake / Black Swan
• Type: pre-painted collectable figurine
• Height: approx. 24 cm
• Material: PVC
• Presentation: ballerina pose on a circular base
• Main colours: bluish black, pink, turquoise and white
• EAN: 4580886904396
Origin and character background (Lore)
Hatsune Miku is the character associated with voice synthesis software developed by Crypton Future Media. This software enables the generation of a singing voice from lyrics and melodies entered by the user. Originally launched on 31 August 2007, Miku has grown far beyond her original software to become an internationally recognised virtual singer, driven by the thousands of musical creations, illustrations, videos and performances produced around her. Her official profile describes her as looking 16 years old, standing 158 cm tall, and with blue-green as her signature colour.
The ‘Swan Lake’ version does not correspond to a narrative event specific to Hatsune Miku: it is an artistic reinterpretation linking the character to the world of classical ballet. In *Swan Lake*, the Black Swan is traditionally embodied by Odile, who seduces Prince Siegfried by posing as Odette. This contrast between the White Swan and the Black Swan is one of the most famous themes in Tchaikovsky’s ballet.
Banpresto’s Black Swan Ver. thus captures this darker, more theatrical facet through a black and pink tutu, feather-shaped embellishments and a classical ballet pose. Miku’s long turquoise pigtails, however, immediately preserve her visual identity, creating a fusion between the aesthetic of the Piapro Characters and one of ballet’s great classics.
