 "Is Japan’s Mirumi the Labubu of 2026?")
It’s 2026 and Labubus are so passé. With the advent of the new year, we have a new internet obsession — Mirumi — the hyperrealistic charms, created by Tokyo-based Yukai Engineering.
But if you are mistaking Mirumi to be just another replacement of a Labubu, you are so very wrong. Mirumi isn’t just a plush toy to hang on your bag, but a “charm robot”, designed to mimic the joy of interacting with a human baby.
Let’s see what’s the big hype around Mirumi.
Meet the Mirumi
Pronounced ‘mai-a-mee’, this new charm robot has been created by Tokyo-based Yukai Engineering. It was first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) as a prototype, and will soon be ready for purchase.
Palm-sized, Mirumi is covered in soft fur and designed to hang from bags using its elongated arms. However, Mirumi isn’t just a bag charm — it’s a tiny robot that reacts to its surroundings with simple yet expressive movements.
According to the makers, Mirumi can’t understand words, it ‘hears’ sounds around it and will respond to nearby voices. When it picks up a nearby sound, its custom algorithm makes the robot appear to shyly glance up towards the source before looking away. It even shakes its head sideways when someone jiggles it as a way to say, ‘don’t do that.’
Shunsuke Aoki, CEO of Yukai Engineering, was quoted as telling Daily Mail: “There’s a very special kind of cuteness when a baby, held in a parent’s arms, quietly peeks through the gap and makes eye contact with you. It’s such a gentle moment that naturally makes you smile or wave back. We wanted to capture that warm, heart-melting feeling and bring it into a small, everyday companion.”
In addition to sound, Mirumi also responds to touch thanks to sensors embedded in its head. When Mirumi feels that it is being petted, the algorithm produces a randomised set of responses to give a natural-feeling reaction.
Also, when Mirumi’s battery is low, it will simply shake its head.
Purpose behind Mirumi
While Mirumi doesn’t do anything specifically — it doesn’t sweep or swab — its creators believe that the small movements that it creates can bring about big change. As Aoki said, “Our goal is to create small moments of joy in public spaces, shared between strangers through Mirumi’s gentle glance.”
“Whether you’re riding a crowded train or standing in line at the cashier, your Mirumi will always find a way to reach into people’s hearts with its innocent gaze, prompting the person to wave at the robot or make a funny face in response,” added Aoki.
What is special about Mirumi is that unlike other interactive charms, it is without a screen — an added bonus at a time when the dangers of screentime are being raised over and over again.
Getting your hands on a Mirumi
Mirumi isn’t available for purchase in the open market yet. They can be pre-ordered through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.
However, Mirumi isn’t a cheap toy to have. Available in gray, pink, or ivory fur, one can get their hands on a Mirumi for 18,360 yen (Rs 10,583), with discounts. And if you drag your feet, the crowdfunding pricing will end up at 21,803 yen (Rs 12,564), but that’s still discounted from the full retail pricing, which is expected to be $150.
Difference between Labubu and Mirumi
While many may call Mirumi a replacement for the Labubu, this Japanese doll is much more than its Chinese counterpart. As Aditi Randev posted on Instagram, “While the Labubu just exists, Mirumi responds. It looks at people. It looks away when you get too close. It reacts when you move. It behaves like a shy little pet.
“Labubus worked because we projected emotions onto them. But Mirumis work because they project emotions back at us,” she added.
Others added that while Labubus are about playful rebellion, Mirumi speaks to calm and presence.
The internet is buzzing over Mirumi
The new-age accessory is already making waves on social media. Lora, a Romania-based actor and songwriter, called it her “new best friend”. In a short video she shared on Instagram, the influencer called the bot her anti-stress medicine.
Some are even calling it better than the Labubu. As one wrote on X, “This could be the next Labubu style trend people will clip it to their bags just like Labubu.
“This is the future I dreamed of since I was a little girl. I will be buying asap,” another added.
Yet another wrote, “Mirumi is bringing the aww factor to robotics!”
There was one social media user who posted on Instagram, “Having a little buddy like this instead of an app would make self-care and symptom management feel like a treat!”
It is unclear when Mirumi will arrive in India, but we won’t be surprised if we see one of our very own celebs having the toy on their bag at the airport.
With inputs from agencies
 "US-Venezuela Tensions Live Updates: Maduro's next hearing date set for March 17")
 "Anything but 'war': The words America uses to sanitise its Venezuela-like operations")
 "Murder, rape and arson… Why Hindus fear for their lives in Bangladesh")
 "A curious no-show: JD Vance vanishes from Trump’s Venezuela stage")
 "US-Venezuela Tensions Live Updates: Maduro's next hearing date set for March 17")
 "Anything but 'war': The words America uses to sanitise its Venezuela-like operations")
 "Murder, rape and arson… Why Hindus fear for their lives in Bangladesh")
 "A curious no-show: JD Vance vanishes from Trump’s Venezuela stage")
