Is Japan’s Mirumi the Labubu of 2026?

Tokyo-based Yukai Engineering unveils Mirumi, a palm-sized "charm robot" that mimics human baby-like reactions to sound and touch, aiming to create moments of joy in public spaces. Mirumi is screen-free, responds with expressive movements, and is available for pre-order via Kickstarter, with prices starting at 18,360 yen. Unlike Labubu, Mirumi interacts with users, projecting emotions back and sparking a social media buzz as the next must-have accessory.