'2026 Sakura Miku Special Issue' Tabloid on Sale April 25th [Sports Hochi]

Hochi Shimbun (President: Tsuyoshi Hasegawa), publisher of the 'Sports Hochi', will release the '2026 Sakura Miku Special Issue' on Saturday, April 25th. This tabloid newspaper features a digital appendix and focuses on 'Sakura Miku', a spring-themed character derived from the virtual singer Hatsune Miku.

Sakura Miku has colored the Japanese spring, serving as the official cheering character for the 'Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival' and the campaign character for the 'Hirohako Spring Sightseeing Campaign' in Hirosaki and Hakodate cities. Since 2020, Sports Hochi has published the 'Sakura Miku Special Issue' to introduce her charm. This highly anticipated latest issue is filled with exclusive attractions, including a cover drawn by popular illustrator Tiv and a giant fold-out poster by Mitau.

Furthermore, Sports Hochi will make its first-ever exhibition at 'Niconico Chokaigi', held at Makuhari Messe on April 25th and 26th, where they will sell Sakura Miku merchandise.

Sakura Miku Acrylic Stand (Mitau Ver.) ¥1,870 Sakura Miku Acrylic Stand (Tiv Ver.) ¥1,870 Sakura Miku Can Badge (Mitau Ver.) ¥600 Sakura Miku Can Badge (Tiv Ver.) ¥600 Sakura Miku B2 Tapestry (Mitau Ver.) ¥3,850 Sakura Miku B2 Tapestry (Tiv Ver.) ¥3,850 Sakura Miku Acrylic Panel (Mitau Ver.) ¥2,750 Sakura Miku Acrylic Panel (Tiv Ver.) ¥2,750 2026 Sakura Miku Special Issue ¥1,000

<Release Overview>

Title: '2026 Sakura Miku Special Issue'

Release Date: Saturday, April 25th

Format: Tabloid size, 8 pages, with newly drawn poster and digital appendix

Price: 1,000 yen (tax included)

Sales Locations: Hochi Entertainment Market physical store on the 3rd floor of Ikebukuro P'PARCO, and their online store (https://hochi-em.com/), Animate Ikebukuro Main Store, Animate Machida, Animate Sapporo, Animate Shibuya, Animate Nagoya, Animate Akihabara 1st Building, Animate Hachinohe Lapia, Animate Tennoji, Animate Sannomiya, Animate Kyoto, Animate Fukuoka Parco, Animate Hiroshima, Animate Osaka Nipponbashi, Animate Aomori, Animate Yokohama Vivre, Animate Umeda, Animate Hirosaki, Animate Mail Order, select Gamers stores, select bookstores, etc.

◆ What is 'Hatsune Miku' (https://piapro.net) A 'software' developed by Crypton Future Media, INC. that allows anyone to make it sing by entering lyrics and a melody. It became a massive movement when many creators made music with 'Hatsune Miku' and posted it on the internet. It has also gathered attention as a 'character', now active in various fields as a virtual singer, including merchandise and live performances, with popularity spreading worldwide.

◆ What is 'Sakura Miku' Sakura Miku is a character derived from 'Hatsune Miku', appearing from late winter to early spring, clad in designs overflowing with a seasonal sense inspired by spring.

[Inquiries regarding this release] Email: pr1872@hochi.co.jp