Hatsune Miku and Gloomy Bear Unite: Iconic Characters Celebrate 25 Years with Stunning LAM Artwork
A fresh collaboration brings the virtual idol and the mischievous bear to life, kicking off with a special pop-up and festival appearance.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of “Gloomy Bear,” the notoriously adorable yet dangerous character, and to celebrate, an exciting collaboration with the globally popular virtual singer Hatsune Miku has been announced. At the heart of this special event is brand-new artwork created by the acclaimed illustrator LAM, known for their distinctive style that merges edgy aesthetics with captivating character design.
The newly unveiled artwork showcases Hatsune Miku in a dynamic and visually striking pose alongside Gloomy Bear. It’s a fresh visual interpretation that truly captures the spirit of both characters, blending Miku’s digital pop charm with Gloomy’s edgy cuteness. This unique pairing offers fans a new perspective on these beloved icons.
Illustrator LAM, who crafted this compelling visual, boasts an impressive portfolio, including the main visual for “Hatsune Miku ‘Magical Mirai 2023′” and character designs for the app game “takt op. Destiny in the City of Crimson Melodies.” Their work also extends to popular VTuber designs, showcasing a broad and influential presence across various media.
Exclusive Pop-Up Store “GLOOMY meets Hatsune Miku”
Following the reveal of LAM’s artwork, a special pop-up store, “GLOOMY meets Hatsune Miku PremiumShop,” is set to open. This event will offer a range of new merchandise featuring the collaboration art.
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Event Name: GLOOMY meets Hatsune Miku PremiumShop
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Location: Sapporo PARCO Main Building 7F Elevator Front Space
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Dates: February 5 (Thu) – February 15 (Sun), 2026
After its run in Sapporo, the PremiumShop is scheduled to tour five additional cities across Japan: Tokyo, Sendai, Nagoya, Namba, and Hakata. For those unable to visit in person, online sales are expected to commence on February 5 (Thu). More details can be found on the official PremiumShop website: https://premiumshop.tokyo/gloomy-hatsunemiku/
In addition to the pop-up store, Gloomy Bear is slated to make an appearance on stage at “SNOW MIKU 2026,” a festival celebrating Snow Miku (Hatsune Miku), the character supporting Hokkaido. Attendees are invited to experience the lively winter atmosphere of Sapporo with the energetic 25-year-old Gloomy and Snow Miku.
Understanding the Characters and Organizers
Hatsune Miku is a virtual singer developed by Crypton Future Media, Inc. She is a software that allows anyone to make songs by inputting lyrics and melodies. This technology ignited a massive movement as creators worldwide shared their music online. Beyond her software origins, Hatsune Miku has evolved into a beloved character, engaging in merchandise collaborations and live concerts globally. She is often accompanied by other virtual singers like Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka, MEIKO, and KAITO.
Official Website: https://piapro.net/
Gloomy Bear is Pitty-kun’s pet bear. Despite their close bond, Gloomy’s playful nature often leaves Pitty-kun battered and bruised, highlighting the humorous challenges of living with a bear. This darkly humorous take on pet ownership showcases the ‘kawaii’ (cute) yet ‘yami-kawaii’ (dark cute) side of Japanese character culture, where cuteness is blended with a touch of mischief and danger.
Official Website: https://gloomy-official.com/
PremiumShop organizes pop-up stores featuring intellectual properties from anime, games, and artists. They create immersive spaces that bring the worlds of these works to life for fans, offering exclusive merchandise and photo opportunities.
Official Website: https://premiumshop.tokyo/
Fans are already buzzing with excitement, eager to see how this ‘mischievous’ collaboration unfolds, blending Miku’s digital pop charm with Gloomy’s edgy cuteness. This unique pairing of a beloved virtual idol and a delightfully dangerous bear not only celebrates Gloomy’s milestone but also pushes the boundaries of ‘kawaii’ culture, showing its diverse and evolving nature to a global audience. It’s a testament to how Japanese pop culture continues to innovate and surprise, keeping fans on their toes and eager for what’s next in the world of character collaborations.
