The Illusionist's Toolkit: Understanding and Using Misdirection

By admin

Magic by misdirection is a technique often used by magicians to create illusions and deceive their audience. It involves directing the attention of observers to one thing while another, usually the intended trick or manipulation, is happening in a different area. This misdirection is crucial to the success of any magic trick as it distracts the audience from the actual moves and actions being performed by the magician. Misdirection works by exploiting the limitations of human perception and attention. Our brains are naturally inclined to focus on one thing at a time, often missing important details or actions happening in our periphery. Magicians take advantage of this by using various techniques to divert our attention away from their true intentions.


1440p/1080p mirrors without captions: [1] [2].
Some more mirrors if Youtube decides to be the fun police: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].

The fact is though, that it was eerie fitting for the depressing times we were in, even more perfect for the situation because since fans weren t allowed to cheer nor sing along due to the sanitary restrictions when the song ends you just see waving glowsticks and timid claps in the audience, as if they were too emotionally broken by the song to make any other move and maybe they really were. Lyrics however, are nothing without a good interpreter, and this is another impressive aspect of this performance Miku s tuning for this one was simply perfect.

Magical mirai 2020 live performance

Magicians take advantage of this by using various techniques to divert our attention away from their true intentions. They may use verbal distractions, such as engaging in witty banter or telling interesting stories, to keep our minds occupied. Additionally, magicians also utilize physical misdirection to direct our gaze and attention elsewhere.

Inochi ni kirawarete Iru @ Magical Mirai 2020

This is a (free) advertisement post about Hatsune Miku’s presentation of Kanzaki Iori’s Inochi ni Kirawarete Iru at a Magical Mirai concert held on November 2020 in Osaka, Japan.
I stumbled upon this Miku performance at random thanks to YouTube’s autoplay and was left dumbfounded by the sheer beauty of it. Usually this blog is about the technical aspects of anime and etc but sometimes it’s good to take a break to simply recognize and give praise to something praiseworthy.

Translating for those who have no idea what I’m talking about:
Hatsune Miku is a vocaloid synthetic software “singer” and one of Japan’s big three otaku cultural exports (the other two being Touhou and anime). She’s so popular these days that even mass media is catching up and trying to explain to your grandpa how the whole thing works. The company behind Miku, Crypton Future Media, annually holds live concerts in Japan called,
Magical Mirai, where Miku holographically “performs” on stage accompanied by a live band. It’s an exhibition of state-of-the-art holographic tech and audiovisual synchronization, besides looking incredible silly and fun. The concert’s setlist is comprised of songs written by vocaloid producers such as,
Kanzaki Iori, who happens to be the lyricist and composer of,
Inochi ni kirawarete Iru. (命に嫌われている。), transliterated “hated by life”, a gloomy vocaloid song with lyrics about depression and suicide. Arranged for Miku’s voice, while undeniably dark in theme, it has a hopeful message and ends in a comforting note.

So, back on topic, what makes this performance so special are the interesting coincidence of circumstances and the quality of every element involved.

Inochi ni Kirawarete Iru is, first of all, a beautiful anthem. It’s one of those upbeat high tempo melodies with sad lyrics -a trending style now being popularized by bands like Yoasobi and Yorushika. The lyrics are written from the singer’s perspective as he/she’s singing for someone angry at the hardships of life and the paradox of wanting it let it all go but hanging on for the sake of those around.
These lyrics are what makes the performance so amusing. Magical Mirai’s setlist is often comprised of happy, cheerful songs that, while varying in theme, never tend to the gloomy side. Not only unusual, it is quite surprising that it made to the list, especially considering, or perhaps it was precisely considering, the fact that 2020 was the year marked by the covid pandemic.
We may never know if they did include the song because of the virus or if it was just an unexpected coincidence. The fact is though, that it was eerie fitting for the depressing times we were in, even more perfect for the situation because since fans weren’t allowed to cheer nor sing along (due to the sanitary restrictions) when the song ends you just see waving glowsticks and timid claps in the audience, as if they were too emotionally broken by the song to make any other move –and maybe they really were.

Lyrics however, are nothing without a good interpreter, and this is another impressive aspect of this performance: Miku’s tuning for this one was simply perfect.
Whoever was responsible for it deserves some pats on the back. They did good.
Unlike the original song by Kanzaki Iori, which uses a more deep voice, the live performance takes advantage of the fact it’s accompanied by an actual piano and band instead of MIDI instruments and increases Miku’s pitch, while also slowing down the tempo. This turns the overall mood of the song, from a sorrowful rant to a despairing plea, that in my opinion makes the lyrics way more impactful.
Her tone fluctuates during the song, being more sad during the intro and bridge, then going all out in the high notes for the chorus. It’s emotional and real, perhaps more “human” than actual human performers.
What is more real, a hologram singing with a voice carefully tuned by someone passionate about it, or a flesh & blood musician relying on playback for live performances?

This hologram, that not only sings but also shows emotion through its expression and movements.
Yes, another department which should also get a bonus is the one responsible for Miku’s choreography and facial expressions in this song.
You can feel her angst, her movements aren’t just for show, they match the stages of the lyrics. She complains about society while punching her fist in the air; she pleads for the audience while facing forward and pointing at them; she reaches a realization about her song with an arm wide open. Just like her voice, her movements are dynamic and emotional.
And not only Miku, but the musicians accompanying her are also grooving to the song, when the cameras focus on them or we get glimpses of the stage, they always seem invested into it (brother on the guitar was really feeling it).

Finally, perhaps the most unique aspect of this performance is that it is actually …unique.
Magical Mirai 2020 was held in two separated times, first in Osaka, then in Tokyo. This song was only played as an encore in the Osaka leg of the tour, in Tokyo it was replaced with a different one. Not only that, but the concert footage from the DVD/BD release is recorded from Tokyo, and Osaka footage is only available as bonus content on the “special limited edition” of the BDs. What this all means is that unless you were in Osaka in November 2020, had a virtual ticket, or own a physical limited edition BD, the only way you can see this magical performance is through Youtube/torrent rips, uploaded by blessed anons. And even that risks extinction as these days DMCA takedowns are one report away.
Like a shooting star, it shines beautifully and brightly but is only seen by few and, in a brief instant, it’s gone again.

Hatsune Miku is one of humanity’s greatest treasures and there’s nothing that can convince me otherwise.
This song and this performance are the perfect soundtrack for the SNAFU of covid-ridden years.
If you have 5 minutes to spare, please go and watch it.

1440p/1080p mirrors without captions: [1] [2].
Some more mirrors if Youtube decides to be the fun police: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].

This is a (free) advertisement post about Hatsune Miku’s presentation of Kanzaki Iori’s Inochi ni Kirawarete Iru at a Magical Mirai concert held on November 2020 in Osaka, Japan.
I stumbled upon this Miku performance at random thanks to YouTube’s autoplay and was left dumbfounded by the sheer beauty of it. Usually this blog is about the technical aspects of anime and etc but sometimes it’s good to take a break to simply recognize and give praise to something praiseworthy.
Magoc by misdeiection

They might make exaggerated gestures or movements, use flashy props or costumes, or create a spectacle that captures our attention. By creating a diversion, magicians are able to perform their tricks or manipulations without arousing suspicion or scrutiny from the audience. One of the most common techniques used in misdirection is called "patter". Patter is the continuous flow of dialogue and actions that the magician presents to the audience. By engaging the audience with conversation, the magician is able to draw their attention away from the mechanics of the trick. This is often used in card tricks, where the magician engages the audience with a story or a game while secretly manipulating and controlling the cards. Another common technique is the use of props or assistants. Magicians frequently incorporate props into their acts, which serve as visual distractions. For example, a magician might use a top hat or a wand, waving it in the air to capture the audience's attention while their other hand performs the trick. Similarly, assistants can be used to divert attention or create confusion. By having multiple people on stage, the magician can create more potential sources of distraction for the audience. In conclusion, misdirection is a fundamental technique used in magic to create illusions and deceive the audience. By skillfully diverting attention and manipulating perception, magicians are able to perform amazing feats that appear impossible. Through a combination of verbal distractions, physical movements, props, and assistants, magicians create an immersive and captivating experience for their audience, leaving them amazed and mystified..

Reviews for "Unveiling the Mysteries of Magic: A Journey into Misdirection"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic by Misdirection". The tricks were predictable and lacked the wow factor that I was expecting. The magician's performance felt lackluster and his patter was unconvincing. Overall, I felt like I wasted my money on this show.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I can't express how much I disliked "Magic by Misdirection". The tricks were so simple and poorly executed. It was obvious to me how the magician was performing his tricks, and I felt like I could have done a better job myself. The entire show was a letdown, and I regretted attending.
3. David - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic by Misdirection", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The tricks were repetitive and lacking in creativity. The magician's stage presence was also underwhelming, and I found myself getting bored halfway through the show. It was a disappointing experience overall.
4. Rachel - 1 star - "Magic by Misdirection" was a complete disaster. The magician seemed to fumble through his tricks, and I could see all the moves he was making. It was evident that he lacked the skill and practice necessary to deliver a truly impressive performance. I wouldn't recommend this show to anyone.
5. Mark - 2 stars - I regretted attending "Magic by Misdirection". The tricks were basic and easily figured out, which took away all the excitement. The magician's personality also seemed bland, and his attempts at humor fell flat. I was bored throughout the entire show and left feeling unsatisfied.

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