Items are given by fans as a method of aiding in creating songs, the item also becomes part of the personality building of the Vocaloid. Fans often make videos featuring the item. Items may change due to opinions over time so nothing may be set in stone although Miku, Kaito and Gakupo's items are the most universally accepted items amongst Vocaloid fans. For the Crypton Vocaloids at the very least, character items have been used as a selling point, and a number of figures of Miku come with spring onions as an additional item, or as part of the figurine itself.

Originally, it was a item of food due to part of Kaito and Miku's item origins, however when items were applied to English Vocaloids, a number of English fans distressed the dislike for the items always being food. So therefore, while Japanese vocaloids often acquire food based items, English Vocaloids acquire more materialistic items instead. The exceptions to this rule is Prima and Tonio, whose singing style is lined to the upper class lifestyle so therefore Wine and a Martini, both considered or linked to the upper class lifestyle, are better suited to act as their items.

Each character may go through a process of arguments wherein items are proposed until one or more is agreed on. During the process, other surprising results may occur such as seen with both Luka Megurine and Big Al, who received animal additions as part of this process. However, as time has gone by, the item war has become less serious and more of a joke and the process is on a decline. The reason for this is mostly because, originally most were conceived via internet memes.