History YMMV / HatsuneMikuProjectDiva

** One of the biggest criticisms for ''X'' was the Virtual Singers receiving "canon" characterization to go with the game's storyline. Fans complained about this because they felt like these official portrayals were being forced on them, despite Sega going on the record to say that the characterization was ''not'' meant to be taken as how the Virtual Singers actually are. Fast forward a few years later to Sega's second attempt at this in ''Project SEKAI'' where they utilized a similar method to the personality-changing modules from ''X''; Instead of the Virtual Singers' personalities changing with their module's aura, they are influenced by the SEKAI they appear in, with their characterization primarily being a reflection of the SEKAI's owners' own traits, though they do have quirks unique to them as well. The "original" Virtual Singers that appear outside of the main SEKAI's have characterization as well, however, they are largely FlatCharacters that don't have much screentime. As well, while fans of the Virtual Singers criticized the game for giving the characters official characterization, they eventually warmed up to the idea, making quite a few of these iterations fan favorites. Ironically, after some time fans began to complain that the Virtual Singers didn't receive ''enough'' screentime to expand on their characterization and inner group dynamics compared to the OriginalGeneration.

** ''X'' received negative criticisms for adding a storyline to the game as well as giving the Vocaloids characterization, the reason being that fans felt like their own interpretations of the Vocaloids were being overwritten. Fast forward to Sega's second attempt at this years later with the release of ''VideoGame/ProjectSekai'' in which there are different iterations of the "Virtual Singers" along with their "original selves", all of which have their own characterization, inner group dynamics, and storylines. While there were complaints similar to ''X's'' prior to the game's release, the game went on to be hugely successful regardless with fans coming to like and appreciate the new depictions of the Virtual Singers. Also, [[{{Irony}} fans have begun to criticize the creators for not giving them enough focus compared]] to the [[OriginalGeneration main cast]].

** It is very common for the original [=PVs=] created for this game to overshadow the original [=PVs=] in popularity. Especially on Western-based sites like [=YouTube=], where the ''Project Diva'' [=PVs=] tend to be the more accessible option. A famous example is from Doriko's "Romeo and Cinderella", while it is one of the most popular Vocaloid songs of all time, the original [=YouTube=] upload has less views than the unofficial ''Project DIVA'' [=PV=] upload, with the former having 5 million views vs the latters ''38 million''.

** Gumi seems to be a popular addition to the series, judging by her ''mirai'' reaction. Unfortunately, [[ScrewedByTheLawyers her licensing is difficult to negotiate for Project Diva.]]
** Sakine MEIKO, Akita Neru, Haku Yowane, and Teto Kasane were popular additions, largely thanks for their preexisting popularity with the fanbase.

** In a rare case where this applies to a song, KAITO's Vocal Switch for Len's "Terekakushi Shishunki" proved to be very popular due to the cute, youthful tone that is used for him the song.

** Ironically for such a content-filled game, one of the only notable downsides of ''Future Tone'' is that it's essentially a rhythm game in its purest form -- as in, there actually isn't ''anything'' to do other than play the Rhythm Game (and watch [=PVs=]). Of course, most fans don't mind this, but it was notable enough for many critics to state the fact.

** In ''Project Diva F'' and ''F 2nd'', many of the Miku and Rin duet songs are heavily on the shipping, with Summer Idol having them consider going out with each other. [[AmbiguouslyGay Rin looks disappointed when Miku says that's not going to happen, as well]]. They sing about how they ''like'' the other in Colorful X Melody.

** KAITO and MEIKO used to receive this treatment by fans due to the two often getting the least amount of songs and outfits compared to the other characters. In recent years, this has let up as fans tend to treat this as more of an "injustice" more than anything, as they believe the Crypton Virtual Singers should be fairly represented.

** ''f'' is often forgotten in favour of its UpdatedRerelease, ''F'', which includes every song and properly attributes several modules to their correct song.

*** "Rin-chan Now!". Extremely quick tempo that utilizes a very repetitive note chart that quickly ramps up in difficulty as you push on through the song.

** Many fans were upset after ''Mega Mix'' cut a ton of fan-favorite and iconic songs from the ''Future Tone'' setlist (Ievan Polka, Roshin Yuukai and the vast majority of MEIKO's songs among them) and some less-liked songs made it in in their place, including some examples of ThatOneLevel.

** Despite appearing in the games as playable characters, Kasane Teto, Akita Neru and Yowane Haku don't receive any songs of their own, nor do they share any with the others, being little more than glorified skins. While this could be understandable for Neru and Haku, given they're merely derivatives of Miku, it is less understandable for Teto, who is an independent voice bank like the main Crypton characters and has several songs under her belt that could've been added to the games (such as "Mischivious Function" and "Song of the Eared Robot", amongst others), but were ultimately ignored instead.

** In ''Project Diva F'' and ''F 2nd'', many of the Miku and Rin duet songs are heavily on the shipping, with Summer Idol having them consider going out with each other, and singing about how they ''like'' the other in Colorful X Melody.

** Kaito and Meiko tend to recieve this treatment by fans due to the two often getting the least amount of songs and outfits compared to the other characters.

* MemeticMutation: Safe[[labelnote:Explanation]]Safe is the note ranking you get for when you press a note too early, which has become a target of mockery and disdain by fans for how just ''one'' safe alone can often break a long combo and completely prevent the player from getting an perfect, even if they were good otherwise. This has especially blew up thanks to ''Future Tone'', due to that game's more brutal nature compared to past games[[/labelnote]]

* MemeticLoser: "packaged", which is often derided for being one of the easiest EXTREME charts ever made. Its ''F 2nd'' variant is actually easier than ''F'' songs on ''Hard''.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Despite appearing in the games as playable characters, Kasane Teto, Akita Neru and Yowane Haku don't receive any songs of their own, nor do they share any with the others, being little more than glorified skins. While this could be understandable for Neru and Haku, given they're merely derivatives of Miku, it is less understandable for Teto, who is an independent voice bank like the main Crypton characters and has several songs under her belt that could've been added to the games (such as "Mischivious Function" and "Song of the Eared Robot", amongst others), but were ultimately ignored instead.

* NightmareFuel:
** The music video of ''Sadistic.Music Factory'' in F. The song itself could be pretty scary if one takes into account the lyrics (which are about being trapped in a factory and forced to make music for a mechanical tyrant for the rest of one's life) and the [[CreepyMonotone frightening robotic monotones]], but combine all that with the Chance Time ending...
** ''The Disappearance of Hatsune Miku'', which has the song become garbled, as well as there being interference and odd glitches in Miku's movements, constantly. According to WordOfGod, Miku is being deleted while attempting to complete the song. The end of the song is when she finally crashes due to it.
** Toward the end of ''Disappearance'', Miku can be seen ''banging at the screen with her fists'' as though begging the player to help her. And at the end, she says a cheery goodbye before just...freezing up [[GoOutWithASmile with a sad smile on her face]] as her voice speaks eerily in the background.
*** Thankfully averted with its answer song, ''The Intense Voice of Hatsune Miku'', where the full length version's opening lyrics have Miku celebrate being alive, and she promptly finds a solution to the bad ending of ''Disappearance'' with one of the [[MotorMouth fastest denouements in Vocaloid history!]]
** Pinky Swear from ''F 2nd'' is a subtly off-kilter song with an equally off-kilter video. Its creepiness is mostly due to the weirdness of the visuals and implications of the lyrics until [[spoiler:the end of the video implies that Miku has not only cut off her pinky finger as promised in the lyrics but has incorporated it into the bento she's shown making for her crush.]]
** The lyrics to "''This is the happiness and peace of mind committee''". It's about Miku wondering why everyone in the world isn't happy. So, she seemingly ''brainwashes everyone into being happy'' by... singing.
** The [[AscendedMeme Mikudayo]] head/costume is either hilarious or this, depending on taste.
** The entire video of ''Kagerou Daze'' wherein Miku stumbles onto the site of an accident and repeatedly gets killed or injured trying to avoid the domino effect of everything that goes on. Sure, it's a CatapultNightmare for each event so she knows how to avoid it next time, but the video still ends with an accident on stage and Miku vanishing completely.
** The video of [=NegaPosi*Continues=] may definitely startle people the first time they see it as the game Miku is playing appears happy and normal at first, but when repeated continues occur, the game seems to be slowly corrupting, as the music slows and the colors become inverted, with Miku herself appearing to glitch, especially in a certain section that can come unexpected as static shows and Miku's head moves completely erratically.
** "LOL-Lots of Laugh" in ''Mirai DX'' features a figure in a giant rabbit costume. The way it [[JumpScare just suddenly appears in a deep close-up and just stares at the player for several seconds]] is just jarring.
*** Arcade's version of the [=PV=] adds a comical "boing" effect to the bunny's reveal, but somehow makes it look ''creepier'' than in ''mirai DX''.
** Also in ''Mirai DX'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhFHI8BfVik the PV]] for "Matryoshka" features some creepy parts such as X-ray photos showing blood spreading through a person's lungs and wrists, a moment where a butterfly's wing is being cut off with a pair of scissors, and black-and-white pictures of the Nendoroid characters, each sporting a SlasherSmile, splattered with paint that makes it look like they are covered in blood.

* UncannyValley: A recurring problem with the "toon shader" is that the shader often modifies how lighting interacts with the characters, oftentimes making them look plasticine or lacking features when viewed from certain angles. This problem is especially prominent in ''Mega Mix'', as in previous games, this issue was less noticeable due to the [=PVs=] being specifically designed with the toon shader in mind, but in this game ''every'' song has the toon shader, further exacerbating the problem.

** ''X'' received negative criticisms for adding a storyline to the game as well as giving the Vocaloids characterization, the reason being that fans felt like their own interpretations of the Vocaloids were being overwritten. Fast forward to Sega's second attempt at this years later with the release of ''VideoGame/ProjectSekai'' in which there are different iterations of the "Virtual Singers" along with their "original selves", all of which have their own characterization, inner group dynamics, and storylines. While there were complaints similar to ''X's'' prior to the games release, the game went on to be hugely successful regardless with fans coming to like and appreciate the new depictions of the Virtual Singers. Also, [[{{Irony}} fans have begun to criticize the creators for not giving them enough focus compared]] to the [[OriginalGeneration main cast]].

** It is very common for the original [=PVs=] created for this game to overshadow the original [=PVs=] in popularity. Especially on Western-based sites like [=YouTube=], where the ''Project Diva'' [=PVs=] tend to be the more accessible option. A famous example is from Doriko's "Romeo and Cinderella", while it is one of the most popular Vocaloid songs of all time, the original [=YouTube=] upload has less views than the unofficial ''Project DIVA'' [=PV-] upload, with the former having 5 million views vs the latters ''38 million''.

** It is very common for the original [=PVs=] created for this game to overshadow the original [=PVs=] in popularity. Especially on Western-based sites like [=YouTube=], where the ''Project Diva'' [=PVs=] tend to be the more accessible option.

** ''Mega Mix'':
*** As catchy as [=JitterBug=] is, it can be absolute hell for newcomers on the hard and extreme difficulties. Having an inconsistent timing that requires quick reflexes, odd charting placement with an heavy emphasis on slide notes, multi notes and hold notes, shifting tempos like the song itself, it all comes together to make for one of the most difficult new charts in the game and one of the few in hard that is in the 8-10 difficulty range, a category that is usually for tracks on the ''extreme'' difficulty.

* ''Mega Mix'':
** As catchy as [=JitterBug=] is, it can be absolute hell for newcomers on the hard and extreme difficulties. Quick and inconsistent timing, odd charting placement, shifting tempos, it all comes together to make for one of the most difficult new charts in the game and one of the few songs in hard that is in 8-10 difficulty category, a category that is usually dedicated to tracks on the ''extreme'' difficulty.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Despite appearing in the games as playable characters, Kasane Teto, Akita Neru and Yowane Haku don't receive any songs of their own, nor do they share any with the others, being little more than glorified skins. While this could be understandable for Neru and Haku, given they're merely derivatives of Miku, it is less understandable for Teto, who is an independent voice bank like the Crypton's and has several songs under her belt that could've been added to the games (such as "Mischivious Function" and "Song of the Eared Robot"), but were ultimately ignored instead.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Despite appearing in the games as playable characters, Kasane Teto, Akita Neru and Yowane Haku don't receive any songs of their own, nor do they share any with the others, being little more than glorified skins. While this could be understandable for Neru and Haku, given they're merely derivatives of Miku, it is less understandable for Teto, who is an independent voice bank much like the Crypton's and has several songs under her belt that could've been added to the games (such as Ochame Kinou and Song of the Eared Robot), but were ultimately ignored.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Despite appearing in the games as playable characters, Kasane Teto, Akita Neru and Yowane Haku don't receive any songs of their own, nor do they share any with the others, being little more than glorified skins. While this could be understandable for Neru and Haku, given they're merely derivatives of Miku, it is less understandable for Teto, who is her own independent voice bank and has several well known songs under her belt that could've been added, but are simply ignored instead.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Despite appearing in the games as playable characters, Kasane Teto, Akita Neru and Yowane Haku don't receive any songs of their own, nor do they share any with the others, being little more than glorified skins. While this could be understandable for Neru and Haku, given they're merely derivatives of Miku, it is less understandable for Teto, who is her own independent voice bank and has several well known songs under her belt that could've been added, but are simply ignored instead. Not even "Triple Baka" appears in the game despite its popularity and all three characters from the song (Miku, Teto and Neru) being present.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Despite appearing in the game as playable characters, Kasane Teto, Akita Neru and Yowane Haku don't receive any songs of their own, acting little more than glorified skins. While this could be understandable for the likes of Neru and Haku, given they're merely derivatives of Miku, it is less understandable for Teto, who is very much her own voice bank despite being heavily inspired by Miku and has several well known songs under her belt that could've been added, but are simply ignored instead. Not even "Triple Baka" appears in the game despite it being one of Miku's most popular songs and all three characters from the song (Miku, Teto and Neru) being present.

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Gumi seems to be a popular addition to the series, judging by her ''mirai'' reaction. Unfortunately, [[ScrewedByTheLawyers her licensing is difficult to negotiate for Project Diva.]]

*** "DECORATOR", despite being relatively concert-style, takes what it does best and runs with it. The song itself is super catchy, too.

* {{Misblamed}}: Sega is often blamed regarding The usage of the original 2D [=PVs=] for certain songs in ''Future Tone'' and ''Mega Mix'' instead of 3D [=PVs=] made for them, with many accusing them of being lazy. However, the decision to use the original [=PVs=] was a creative choice made by the original producers of those songs, not an act of laziness or what not by Sega.

** Being a rhythm game drenched in J-Pop and ear worms, this is inevitable.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeArt: A lot of the MV's are ''gorgeous'' to look at, with that one of the series' biggest highlights. It's gotten to the point where MV's from the game uploaded to various [=YouTube=] channels have gotten more views than the Vocaloid songs they're originally tied to.

* {{Misblamed}}: Sega is often blamed regarding The usage of the original 2D PVs for certain songs in ''Future Tone'' and ''Mega Mix'' instead of 3D PVs, with many accusing them of being lazy. However, the decision to use the original PVs was a creative choice made by the original producers of those songs, not an act of laziness by Sega.

** For a decent chunk of the gaming community, this game is often their only real exposure to Hatsune Miku and Music/{{Vocaloid}}, leading to the common misassumption (and FandomEnragingMisconception) that Miku and company are characters that originated from this series, when it's actually the other way around.