Yanmar’s Miru Brings Time-Traveling Robots & Butterfly Effects to Anime—Meet the Five Studios Behind It!
Japanese company Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd. has officially announced the five animation studios behind its upcoming eco-themed sci-fi anime anthology, Miru: Paths to My Future. Scheduled to premiere on Japanese terrestrial TV in April 2025, the series promises a thought-provoking blend of time travel, human resilience, and a hopeful vision for the future.
With Masuo Ueda (Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space) serving as executive producer, and support from Skyfall Co., Ltd. and btrax Japan, LLC, Miru is shaping up to be a must-watch anime for fans of introspective sci-fi storytelling.
What is Miru About?
Set in a distant future, humanity has created MIRU, a time-traveling robot with no weapons, designed not for war, but for helping people overcome hardships peacefully. As MIRU interacts with different civilizations across time, parallel worlds, and space, it triggers a Butterfly Effect, influencing events and guiding society toward a better future.
But why was MIRU created? Can it save Earth from a dystopian fate? These questions form the core mystery of the series, designed to inspire audiences to believe in the power of change and hope.
Meet the Five Episodes & Their Animation Studios
Each episode of Miru is crafted by a different animation studio, bringing its own unique vision and artistic style to the anthology.
🚀 Episode 079: Stardust Memory (Produced by LinQ)
Director Norio Kashima takes us into the depths of space, following Yoshimura, a grief-stricken debris collection pilot haunted by the tragic loss of his daughter, a young space pilot.
Ten years later, he is assigned a new co-pilot, igniting a chain reaction of events that could prevent another tragedy. This fully CG-animated episode explores how seemingly minor events—like space debris—can lead to devastating consequences.
🌲 Episode 101: The King of the Forest (Produced by TriF Studio)
A deeply personal episode for director Okamoto, this story follows a young man chasing his childhood dreams—inspired by the ‘Yanboh and Marboh Weather Forecast’, a nostalgic staple of many Japanese households.
Just like the Butterfly Effect, Okamoto hopes this episode inspires audiences, showing how even small dreams can create ripples in the world.
🎹 Episode 217: Londonderry Air (Produced by SCOOTER FILMS × SHIROGUMI)
What happens when a robot with no memory meets a young pianist? Londonderry Air explores themes of identity, purpose, and destiny, setting up an intriguing “Episode 0” that could tie into the larger Miru storyline.
Director Tomohiro Kawamura crafts a mystery-driven episode that may hold the key to MIRU’s true purpose.
⏳ Episode 630: Re: MIRU (Produced by REIRS)
A bleak vision of the future takes center stage in this darkest episode of the anthology.
Director Naofumi Mishina describes Re: MIRU as a paradox—discussing a hopeless future while his team creates something visually captivating. How will MIRU navigate a timeline where hope is scarce?
🐶 Episode 926: Wait, I’ll Be There (Produced by LARX × Studio HIBARI)
Directed by Saori Nakashiki, this episode introduces Airu, a spirited girl, and Pochimaru, a mysterious robotic dog.
Serving as an origin story, this episode sets up crucial elements of Miru’s universe, following Airu and Pochimaru as they embark on a journey toward a future filled with flowers—a poetic contrast to the dystopian themes explored in other episodes.
Why Miru is a Must-Watch Sci-Fi Anime
💡 A Unique Take on Sci-Fi: Unlike typical action-heavy mecha series, Miru focuses on philosophical themes, personal struggles, and the impact of small choices.
🎨 Diverse Animation Styles: With five studios contributing, each episode has its own artistic identity, keeping the series visually fresh and exciting.
🌎 A Message of Hope: At its core, Miru is about believing in change and making a difference, a theme that resonates deeply in today’s world.
Final Thoughts: A Sci-Fi Anthology Worth Watching
With its innovative storytelling, stunning animation, and thought-provoking themes, Miru: Paths to My Future is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most exciting anime releases.
Can MIRU change the fate of humanity? Or is the future already written? We’ll find out when Miru premieres in April 2025.
