About
Larval Rin (Japanese: リンの幼虫, Rin no Youchuu,) is a nickname given to a fan-made Vocaloid character inspired by Kagamine Rin. This mutant has developed a following in many online illustrator communities.
Origin
Larval Rin was created by pixiv user mossan (もっさん)[1] on December 17th, 2009.[2] In the description, the creator left a comment about this mutant consisting of Rin’s too-long head with legs “It might evolves at Lv.14.”.
Spread
This creepy mutant has gained a favour of some amatuer illustrators and movie creators. Their illustrations and videos, usually utilizing Larval Rin’s Miku Miku Dance (MMD) models, are uploaded to pixiv[3], piapro[4] and the Japanese video sharing service Nico Nico Douga (NND).[5] In addition, a few of Larval Rin fanarts are also found on deviantART.[6] In those fan works, Tako Luka often appears with other user-generated “creepy” characters in NND mashup videos, which group is called “The Three Miserable Sisters” (惨姉妹, Sanshimai)[7] consisting of she, Tako Luka and Shiteyanyo.
However, Larval Rin hasn’t spread so much compared to previous fan characters such as Hachune Miku or Tako Luka. This is because more shocking mutant, Shiteyanyo, came shortly after Larval Rin, and fan made Vocaloid characters have been getting predictable in the fandom.
Official Approval
A Japanese model sculptor circle Qvinta Essentia released Larval Rin figures on the Japanese garage kit convention Wonder Festival[8] in July 2010.[9] Due to its release, mossan and Crypton Future Media made an agreement for Larval Rin ’s character licensing deal. A similar licensing deal had previously been made with the creators of the fan characters Tako Luka, Shiteyanyo and Akita Neru. At that moment, Larval Rin joined the official recognized Vocaloid characters. Larval Rin character goods have been released in Doujin market or figure conventions under this license.
Besides, SEGA has released Larval Rin wallpapers designed by mossan for Vocaloid rhythm game Hasune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade[10] since 2011 and included Larval Rin figure in Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F[11] released in August 2012.
Notable Examples
Illustrations
Videos
Left: Vocaloid Song “Matryoshka” | Right: Animated Music Video for Vocaloid Song “Toeto”[12]
Left: Soaring Dance[13] | Right: MMD Comedy Skit[14]
Search Interest
External References
Editor’s Note: Registration is needed to browse the original videos listed in this section.
[1]pixiv – 「もっさん」's Profile
[2]pixiv – 「リンの幼虫」/「もっさんさんさんさん」のイラスト> / Posted on 12-17-2009
[3]pixiv – Search results for リンの幼虫
[4]piapro – Search results for リンの幼虫
[5]niconico Video – Search results for リンの幼虫
[6]deviantART – Search results for Larval Rin
[7]niconico Pedia – 惨姉妹 (Japanese)
[8]Wikipedia – Wonder Festival
[9]Qvinta Essentia ものづくり部 – WF2010[夏]新作：リンの幼虫 / Posted on 07-14-2010 (Japanese)
[10]Wikipedia – Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade
[11]Wikipedia – Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F
[12]niconico Video – 【リンの幼虫さんで】トエト【描いてみた】 / Posted on 12-08-2011
[13]niconico Video – 【MMD暗黒舞踏会】深夜3時過ぎにひっそりとみなぎるリンの幼虫の動き / Posted on 04-24-2010
[14]niconico Video – 【第7回MMD杯本選】おや、幼リンちゃんの様子が… / Posted on 08-20-2011