Yanmar Holdings’ original anime project, Miru: Paths To My Future, is gearing up for its television debut. A recently released promotional video confirms the anime’s premiere date as April 2, 2025, on MBS, followed by a premiere on Tokyo MX on April 3. The video also offers a sneak peek at the opening theme song, “AI=UTA,” performed by the virtual singer group V.W.P.
A Unique Sci-Fi Anthology
“Miru: Paths To My Future” is an original anime produced by Yanmar Holdings, an Osaka-based industrial equipment company known for its agricultural machinery and diesel engines. The anime sets itself apart as an eco-themed sci-fi anthology comprised of five distinct episodes, each with its own story, staff, and animation studio.
Thematic Focus: Harmony Between Humans and Nature
The anime explores the theme of “confrontation and harmony between humans and nature” within a world where robots and people coexist amidst a looming environmental threat. It aims to inspire viewers to believe that “the future is in our hands” and seeks to make a positive impact on the world.
The Protagonist: MIRU, a Weaponless Robot
At the heart of the story is MIRU, a robot from the distant future capable of traveling through time, various eras, places, and even parallel worlds. Unlike many robots in science fiction, MIRU is not equipped with weapons. Instead, MIRU’s purpose is to help people overcome obstacles peacefully, encouraging new beginnings without violence. MIRU continuously evolves by interacting with people, learning, growing, listening to their problems, and offering support. By helping others, MIRU sets off a “Butterfly Effect,” creating dramatic changes that guide society toward a brighter future.
Production Details and Staff
Masuo Ueda, an accomplished anime producer known for works such as “Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space” and “City Hunter,” serves as the executive producer for “Miru: Paths To My Future”. Skyfall Co., Ltd. provides production support, while btrax Japan LLC is cooperating in the planning of the anime. Shigeru Morita from Studio Nue is responsible for the series’ scripts.
Distinct Animation Studios for Each Episode
Each of the five episodes will be animated by a different animation studio, bringing a unique visual style and perspective to the series:
- Episode 079: “Stardust Memory”: LinQ
- Episode 101: “The King of the Forest”: TriF Studio
- Episode 217: “Londonderry Air”: Scooter Films x Shirogumi Inc.
- Episode 630: “Re: MIRU”: REIRS
- Episode 926: “Wait, I’ll Be There”: LARX x Studio HIBARI
Key Creative Contributors
- Concept Artist (Robots): Yū Iguchi (Yanmar Holdings Inc. Brand Department Design Office)
- Executive Producer: Masuo Ueda
Story and Cast Details for Each Episode
Each of the five episodes of “Miru: Paths To My Future” tells a unique story with its own set of characters and themes.
Episode 079: “Stardust Memory”
- Story: Yoshimura, a space janitor who has spent 10 years collecting space debris, is urged to retire due to advances in AI technology. His replacement is a young pilot named Umi. While Umi takes her training seriously, Yoshimura remains unmotivated. However, the two soon find themselves facing a critical emergency.
- Cast:
- Kōichi Yamadera as Yoshimura
- Saori Hayami as Umi Nagahama
- Mariya Ise as SDK/Kanon
- Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Sanders
- Tsuyoshi Koyama as Jackson
- Kenichi Ogata as MR. ONION
- Mari Yokoo as Narrator
- Director: Norio Kashima
- Character Design: Sumakidori
- Mecha Design: Kenji Teraoka
- Animation Production: LinQ
Episode 101: “The King of the Forest”
- Story: Mario, who lives in a tropical rainforest, works as a tour guide, spending his days leading tourists through the forest. However, the forest has gradually changed since he was a child. Then one day, he stumbles upon an illegal gold mining site…
- Cast:
- Tomohiro Ōno as Mario vasco Debritto
- Anna Nagase as Young Mario
- Junpei Morita as Mario’s grandfather
- Yasuyuki Kase as Mario’s father
- Honoka Kuroki as Clara
- Makoto Furukawa as ???
- Director/Character Design: Okamoto
- Animation Production: TriF Studio
Episode 217: “Londonderry Air”
- Story: Ame attends music school, pursuing her dream of becoming a professional pianist. While she works at a construction site to pay for her tuition, her secret joy is playing a public piano on a street corner. One day, her piano skills are noticed, and she is invited to participate in an AI demonstration experiment…
- Cast:
- Chika Anzai as Ame
- Yoshimasa Hosoya as Miru
- Ami Koshimizu as Big Sis
- Daisuke Hirakawa as Professor
- Animation Production: Scooter Films x Shirogumi Inc.
Episode 630: “Re: MIRU”
- Story: In a world plagued by division, conflict, and worsening global warming, a young diplomat, Toshi, returns home after successfully brokering a peace negotiation. But his moment of relief is short-lived, as news of the negotiation’s collapse plunges him into despair. Exhausted and wandering the streets aimlessly, he is unexpectedly saved by an unremarkable, middle-aged man.
- Cast:
- Daisuke Hirakawa as Toshi/Drunk Man
- Nao Tōyama as Miho
- Risae Matsuda as Adam
- Takuma Suzuki as Sato
- Animation Production: REIRS
Episode 926: “Wait, I’ll Be There”
- Story: In a frozen post-apocalyptic world, Airu travels with her companion Pochimaru. Their mission is to travel the world making flowers bloom using the “magic sand” left behind by her mother, a botanist. Deep in a mountain of dead trees, they meet Izumif, a boy who says he’s from the distant future…
- Cast:
- Natsu Yorita as Airu
- Romi Park as Izumif
- Aimi Tanaka as Pochimaru
- Yūko Kaida as Dr. Aira
- Director: Saori Nakashiki
- Character Designer/Executive Producer: Terumi Nishii
- Animation Production: LARX x Studio HIBARI
Theme Songs
- Opening Theme: “AI=UTA” by V.W.P (Virtual Witch Phenomenon), composed by Noriyasu Agematsu (Elements Garden), lyrics by Hibiki, arrangement by Yusuke Takeda (Elements Garden), and production by Akihiro Tomita. The V.W.P group consists of KAF, RIM, Harusaruhi, Isekaijoucho, and KOKO.
- Ending Theme: “Find A Way” by MIYAVI
Additional Voice Talent
Maaya Sakamoto voices a girl character in the anime’s prologue and narrates the trailers.
Where to Watch
“Miru: Paths To My Future” is scheduled to premiere on Japanese terrestrial TV in April 2025. The series will air on MBS on April 2 and on Tokyo MX on April 3. Details about a global release will be announced once confirmed.
Official Website: https://www.miru-anime.com/en/
With its unique premise, diverse animation styles, and focus on environmental themes, “Miru: Paths To My Future” is poised to offer a thought-provoking and visually engaging anime experience.
