Yanmar's animation project "Miru" is in full swing! Character design by YKBX, script by Shigeru Morita (Studio Nue)!

Yanmar Holdings Co. has announced that the animation project announced in November 2022 is now in full swing and that the title of the work has been officially decided as "Miru" (未ル).

*The following is the mamma of the release text.

This work is an original commercial animation produced and produced by Yanmar, and features a robot that was drafted by our designers.
There is an accelerating worldwide movement to seek a sustainable society in which people and nature coexist in harmony, such as the transition to a decarbonized society. The theme of this work is "confrontation and harmony between people and nature," and the animation will show the protagonists' struggle and growth to protect nature, the living environment we all need to survive, and the robots therein.
The title of the animation is "Mi-Ru," which is based on the image of the main characters pioneering a "future" in which both "human affluence" and "natural affluence" are compatible. The "mi" represents the future, and was made into a verb to evoke the image of people actively working on their own. It represents Yanmar's desire to realize a sustainable society, where each individual, despite difficulties, will take on the challenge of creating a better tomorrow.
In addition, in conjunction with the official decision on the title of the work, Yanmar will exhibit the work at Anime Expo 2023, one of the largest anime events in North America, to be held in Los Angeles, California, from July 1 (Saturday) to 4 (Tuesday), local time.

■Outline of the "Miru" Animation
Produced by: Yanmar Holdings Co.
Cooperation: btrax Japan LLC
Release date: 2024
Synopsis: A story about the main character's efforts to change the future by joining forces with his friends and growing up while interacting with robots
Screenplay: Shigeru Morita (Studio Nue)
Miru" special page: miru-anime.com
Miru" official Twitter account: https://twitter.com/miruanime_info (@miruanime_info)
Miru" official Facebook account (US) https://www.facebook.com/miruanimeinfo/

Background of this animation project

Our company's purpose is to realize a sustainable society "ASUSTAINABLE FUTURE" by building "a society that realizes energy-saving lifestyles," "a society where people can work and live with peace of mind," "a society where people can enjoy the blessings of food with peace of mind," and "a society filled with exciting and enriching experiences. We are committed to building a "society filled with exciting and enriching experiences.
The word "anime" nowadays generally refers to Japanese animation overseas, and animation, which is the pride of Japanese culture, is becoming a common language throughout the world. In addition, with the spread of video distribution services, it is now possible to watch Japanese anime in any country in the world. The production of this film is one of our efforts to expand awareness of anime overseas. In addition, we hope to increase sympathy for our efforts by depicting the universal goal of realizing a sustainable society in an animated story.

Comment from Akihiro Nagaya, Director, General Manager of Brand Department (CBO), Yanmar Holdings Co.
Animation is a medium that allows the viewer to immerse themselves in the story and worldview of a work of art, while at the same time overlapping with the future envisioned by Yanmar. The relationship between people and machines, the symbiosis between people and nature, and the story of the main character who believes in his own potential and takes on challenges and grows are fundamentally shared with Yanmar's values of "HANASAKA" and the "excitement" that drives the company. The fictional world of anime and the real world in which we exist influence each other to create a single worldview. We would like to realize such a challenge through animation, the pride of Japan.
We are happy if our "excitement" can be the starting point for people to empathize with anime and become the catalyst for a powerful step toward a more affluent society.

About Robot Design

Yanmar's in-house Design Office, which is involved in the design of Yanmar's agricultural and construction machinery as well as various graphics, was in charge of the original concept for the robot design. The Design Office usually imagines the situations in which the products will be used and the customers, and creates essential designs that are close to the people. In designing the robot for this project, as with the product design, we were conscious of the essential meaning of the design. We believe that a robot is only for people, and the design combines an organic form that is close to people with powerful and functional attachments. The combination of opposites expresses a unique sense of aesthetics.

Outline of Anime Expo 2023

Dates (local time): Saturday, July 1 - Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Place: Los Angeles Convention Center
Anime Expo 2023" official website: https://www.anime-expo.org/ax/

Exhibit Outline

1 Lobby Exhibition
Date (local time): July 1 (Sat.) - July 4 (Tue.), 2023 All day
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center South Hall Lobby Space
Description：Exhibition of giant robot statues and key visuals from the anime, as well as a broadcast of concept movies

2 Panel Session
Date (local time): Monday, July 3, 2023 10:00 - 11:30 (1.5 hours)
Place: Los Angeles Convention Center Room 511
Content: Introduction of the animation "Unru" and its production episode by Akihiro Nagaya, CBO of Yanmar Holdings and Brandon K. Hill, CEO of btrax; live drawing by YKBX (an event where you can see the process of illustration production right in front of you)

YKBX Profile
Director / Art Director / Artist
In addition to directing and producing video works, YKBX's activities include art direction, illustration, and art works. YKBX has released a number of works that aim for total art direction and have been highly acclaimed at film festivals and events both in Japan and abroad. He served as visual director, director, and video director for the Hatsune Miku Vocaloid opera "THE END," which was performed around the world. He has created numerous genre-defying works for many other projects. He has received numerous awards.
https://ykbx.jp/

Creator team for "Anime Expo 2023

Planning: btrax Japan LLC
Creative Director: Kota Hikichi

Robot design draft
Design: Design Office, Brand Department, Yanmar Holdings Co.
Concept Artist: Tasuku Iguchi
Key Visual
Art Director, Illustrator, Character Design: YKBX
Concept Movie
Movie Director : YKBX
Sound Designer : cubesato

Unru" is a development of "YANMAR Project Socius" announced on November 1, 2022.
https://www.yanmar.com/jp/news/2022/11/01/115520.html

<About YANMAR>.
Founded in Osaka in 1912, Yanmar was the first industrial machinery manufacturer in the world to successfully commercialize a compact diesel engine in 1933. Yanmar is a global manufacturer of powertrains, such as engines, and is expanding its business globally in the fields of agriculture, construction machinery, marine products, energy systems, and other fields. Aiming to be an environmentally burden-free and GHG-free company, we provide solutions that create value for our customers. Based on Yanmar's "HANASAKA" values, which nurture the future, we will realize "A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE" as our brand statement.
For more information, please visit Yanmar's website at https://www.yanmar.com/jp/about/をご覧ください.

<Notes
The information contained herein is current at the time of publication. Please note that the contents may differ from the latest information.