Mirumi (robot)
Mirumi, the shy 'glancing' charm robot from Yukai Engineering, has exploded in popularity after going viral on TikTok and appearing at Milan Fashion Week.
The context
Mirumi is a small interactive robot designed to hang from a bag, reacting to sound and touch with adorable head-turns that convey shyness and curiosity. It’s built by Tokyo-based Yukai Engineering, the same company behind the Qoobo cat-tail cushion. The robot launched in Japan on April 23, 2026, priced at ¥19,800 (roughly $166 for US pre-orders, with a Kickstarter early-bird around $118). Its Kickstarter campaign drew 1,870 backers across 32 countries and raised over ¥70 million, a company record. The buzz spiked after Mirumi appeared at Milan Fashion Week in February 2026 and subsequent TikTok virality, with media dubbing it a ‘post-Labubu’ breakout object of 2026.