By: Sarah Kiran
How does it feel to find your freedom in a character?
For some people, cosplay may look like dressing up. A costume, a wig, a few photos, and an event crowd. But for Hatsune Melvin, it is something much more personal than that.
It is a way to step outside the version of himself that feels too quiet, too reserved, or too weighed down by real life. Through Hatsune Miku, he found a persona that gives shape to something he had always carried inside.
A melody. A softness. A freedom.
In this Spotlight feature, we step into the safe space of Hatsune Melvin, a finance executive in Singapore who found comfort, confidence, and connection through cosplaying his favourite Vocaloid character, Hatsune Miku. Captured first by her design, then by her songs, he slowly built a world where his inner self could finally be seen.
When a Character Becomes a Safe Space
Hatsune Melvin first discovered Hatsune Miku through Project Diva in 2019. At first, it was her character design that caught his attention: the long twin tails, the colours, the bubbly presence.
But over time, it became more than just admiration.
He fell in love with her songs, her personality, and the world that fans had built around her. Soon, he came across people cosplaying as Miku, and something clicked. He wanted to try it too.
During the COVID period in 2020, he started cosplaying at home. What began as a private interest slowly became something he shared online, posting almost every day and building a following. By the time events returned in 2022, people already recognised him from social media.
The name Hatsune Melvin came naturally. As he explains, “Hatsune is Miku’s first name, last name and Melvin is my first name. So you combine them together, you get Hatsune Melvin.”
It had a nice ring to it, so he kept it.
Being Different in a Conservative World
Melvin is aware that not everyone understands what he does.
In Singapore, he feels cosplay can still be seen as unusual, especially by older generations. There is also the added layer of him dressing as a character of a different gender, which he admits can feel “a bit of a taboo”.
But his view is simple.
“As long as you love the character, you love what you’re doing, then you’re not harming anyone or anything whatsoever, I feel it’s okay.”
That belief sits at the heart of his story.
It is not about asking everyone to understand immediately. It is about giving yourself permission to enjoy something that brings you joy, even if others do not fully get it.
After all, everyone has their own version of fandom. Some people love Mickey Mouse. Some love Hello Kitty. Some collect antiques. For Melvin, it is Miku.
And there is nothing wrong with finding joy in something that makes your world feel a little brighter.
Building a World of His Own
Over the years, Melvin’s love for Miku has grown into a room filled with merchandise, memories, and meaning.
He started collecting Miku merch in 2019, slowly building his collection piece by piece. When he shared a room tour on social media, the response surprised him. People were inspired by it, with some saying they wanted to create their own “shrine” one day too.
One of his most memorable pieces is a giant Miku bag he found online. It was not common, but it felt special to him, so he had to get it.
To others, these may look like objects. To him, they are part of a world he has patiently created. A world that reflects his passion, his identity, and the character who helped him express himself.
What Keeps Him Going
Cosplay takes effort.
But what keeps him going is the community around him.
He has friends in the same space who appreciate his dedication to the character and the care he puts into his look. Their encouragement gives him a reason to continue, especially on days when the effort feels heavy.
There is also the dream of growing further. He hopes to cosplay more versions of Miku in the future, gain more recognition, and perhaps one day collaborate with Crypton Future Media to promote Hatsune Miku and her merchandise.
His bigger dream is simple but heartfelt: to become a kind of ambassador for Miku in Singapore.
(Image Source)
A Melody the World Can Hear
For anyone who wants to start cosplaying but feels nervous, Melvin’s advice is gentle.
Start slow. Try cosplaying at home first. Build confidence. Then, when you are ready, attend events and meet new people.
It does not have to happen all at once. Like any form of self-expression, it can begin quietly.
At the end of the episode, Melvin describes his journey in a way that feels almost poetic. Cosplay, to him, is “something like hearing a melody in my head, but now the rest of the world can hear it too.”
That is the beauty of his story.
Hatsune Melvin is not just dressing as a character. He is giving sound, colour, and form to something that already existed within him.
And maybe that is what freedom really looks like.
Not becoming someone else, but finally finding a way to let the world hear who you have always been.
Discover More Stories That Matter
Hatsune Melvin’s story is one example of how self-expression can become a path toward confidence, connection, and quiet freedom. Across the city, more stories continue to unfold, each shaped by passion, identity, and the courage to be seen.
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