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Labubus are being replaced by tiny furry lifestyle robots called Mirumi, which can react to sound and touch when you pet them.
Mirumi is a lifestyle robot brought to life by Yukai Engineering
Move over, Labubus! There is a new charm on the block. And they are tiny robots that can interact with people.
Called Mirumi, these lifestyle robots are cute, furry and super tiny. They have tiny arms which they use to cling to your bag handles, belt loops or straps and come to life when you pet them. Incredulously, these robots can even move their heads as you pet them.
These bag charms are being created by a Japanese company, Yukai Engineering, which specialises in “Lifestyle Robots”. It is meant to be more than just a fashion accessory – it’s meant to feel like a sentient companion.
Unlike the Labubu that started off as something that you could only buy in certain countries and stores (that is, before it blew up and everyone began making dupes of it), the Mirumi is not being mass-produced either. In fact, Yukai Engineering is currently seeking support for the project and expects to begin shipping the final Mirumi device to consumers in May 2026.
According to Tokyo Weekender, the bag charm looks like a cross between a small yeti, an owl and a Sesame Street character with a blank stare. It’s tiny enough that it can fit in the palm of your hand. Similar to a teddy bear or a Labubu, the Mirumi is covered in a soft, furry material, but unlike a Labubu, it is only available in shades of pastel pink, grey and beige.
Also, unlike those Chinese-made collectable plush toys that gained popularity in 2025, Mirumi features a motor within its body that allows it to tilt and turn its head. These movements are triggered by three main inputs: touch, sound and internal actions.
It has a sensor in its head that detects when someone pets it and sound sensor picks up ambient sounds, which allows it to react to the noise ‘naturally’. Because of its neck motor, the Mirumi can look up and around, and its movements are programmed to even turn away before looking back.
The Mirumi is powered with a built-in, rechargeable battery accessible via a Type-C cable on its back. The team even integrated a ‘natural’ way to signal low battery status: Mirumi will slowly shake its head, as though it’s tired after a long day of dealing with you, according to the report by Tokyo Weekender.
January 09, 2026, 10:36 IST
