The official website for Yanmar Holdings’ original anime project, “Miru: Paths To My Future,” has released its first main promotional video, revealing a key visual and the artist behind the ending theme song. The video, which includes English subtitles, confirms that Miyavi will perform the ending theme song, titled “Find A Way.”
A Glimpse into the Future: Miru’s Journey
Yanmar Holdings describes the anime as follows: In the distant future, humans create a robot named MIRU capable of traveling through time, visiting various eras, places, and even parallel worlds. Unlike some robots, MIRU isn’t equipped with weapons. Instead, it helps people overcome immense obstacles peacefully, encouraging new beginnings without violence. MIRU continuously evolves by interacting with people, learning and growing to assist those struggling to survive. It listens to their problems and offers support. By helping others, MIRU sets off a “Butterfly Effect,” of dramatic change guiding society toward a brighter future.
Thematic Exploration: Humanity, Nature, and Technology
“Miru: Paths To My Future” explores the theme of “confrontation and harmony between humans and nature” through five distinct episodes. The anime aims to inspire viewers to believe that “the future is in our hands” and seeks to make a positive impact on the world by fostering a commitment to a sustainable society.
Production Details: A Collaborative Effort
The anime is a five-episode omnibus series scheduled to air in Japan in April 2025. Masuo Ueda (Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space, City Hunter) serves as the executive producer. Production support is provided by Skyfall Co., Ltd., with planning cooperation from btrax Japan, LLC. The series is written by Shigeru Morita from Studio Nue.
Diverse Animation Studios: A Unique Vision for Each Episode
Each of the five episodes boasts a unique animation studio and staff, allowing for a diverse range of artistic expression within the series:
Episode 079: “Stardust Memory”
- Animation Production: LinQ
- Director: Norio Kashima
- Script: Yasushi Hirano
- Character Design: Sumakidori
- Mecha Design: Kenji Teraoka
- Plot: A civilian debris collection pilot, Yoshimura, grapples with the loss of his daughter and finds new hope when partnered with a promising young pilot. The episode explores the Butterfly Effect and the consequences of space debris.
Episode 101: “The King of the Forest”
- Animation Production: TriF Studio
- Director/Character Design: Okamoto
- Script: Aya Matsui
- Animation Director: Shoko Miyano
- Plot: A young man pursues his childhood dreams, inspired by the classic “Yanboh and Marboh Weather Forecast.”
Episode 217: “Londonderry Air”
- Animation Production: SCOOTER FILMS×SHIROGUMI
- Director: Tomohiro Kawamura
- Character Design: Jino
- Script: Kazuho Hyodo
- Animation Producers: Shinya Higuchi, Hiromasa Inoue
- Plot: A robot named MIRU embarks on a journey of self-discovery through music.
Episode 630: “Re: MIRU”
- Animation Production: REIRS
- Director: Naofumi Mishina
- Script: Yasushi Hirano
- Character Draft: Saeko Suzuki
- Animation Producers: Yukimasa Morimura, Shinichiro Sawae
- Plot: A bleak future unfolds as creative minds experiment with visual storytelling.
Episode 926: “Wait, I’ll Be There”
- Animation Production: LARX×Studio Hibari
- Director: Saori Nakashiki
- Character Designer/Executive Producer: Terumi Nishii
- Script: Katsuyuki Sumisawa
- Art Director: Hirofune Hane
- Plot: An origin story featuring the energetic girl Airu and the mysterious robotic dog Pochimaru.
Music: Opening and Ending Themes
Virtual singer group V.W.P (Virtual Witch Phenomenon) will perform the opening theme song “AI=UTA.” The group consists of KAF, RIM, Harusaruhi, Isekaijoucho, and KOKO, and is led by Noriyasu Agematsu. Akihiro Tomita is producing the song. As mentioned earlier, Miyavi will perform the ending theme song “Find A Way,” which was originally released in October as a collaboration between Yanmar and Miyavi to support the next generation.
Yanmar’s Vision: A Sustainable Future Through Anime
Yanmar Group is dedicated to creating “A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE”, guided by the principle of “HANASAKA”, which values belief in people’s potential and encourages new challenges. Through “Miru: Paths To My Future”, Yanmar aims to depict characters grappling with change, growing through interactions, and altering the future. The company believes that everyone has the power to shape the future and encourages viewers to take steps towards building a better future by fostering a commitment to a sustainable society.
Robot Design: Steering Away From Tropes
The anime’s staff deliberately steered the main mecha design away from existing hero robot design tropes. The project features robots designed by Yanmar’s in-house Design Division, with Yū Iguchi as concept artist.
Story: Beyond Traditional Heroism
The staff has indicated that the story may not have a traditional hero or conflict, and may not even have a villain. The focus is on the characters’ journeys and their impact on the world around them.
