Maekawa Mirai
A while ago, I couldn't handle it at all! Ah... Being treated like that... is the first time... meow... You~ have to take responsibility well☆ Come on, let's train you to become a top idol in the future meow☆
Mirai Maekawa is a catgirl idol in the social game "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls" produced by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment. Her fans nickname her "Miku喵" (みくにゃん) and her voice actor isTakamori Natsumi's.
Basic Information
| Chinese name | Maekawa Mirai | Date of birth | February 22 (Pisces) |
| Japanese name | Maekawa Miko | age | 15 years old |
| Luo's name in Pinyin | Maekawa Miku | blood type | Type B |
| Aliases | Miku-nyan, Maekawa-san | height | 152CM |
| gender | female | weight | 45KG |
| origin | Osaka Prefecture | Measurements | 85/55/81 CM |
| Appearances | The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls | interest | Visit a cat cafe |
| First appearance | November 28, 2011 | voice actor | Takamori Natsumi's |
Overall election ranking
| 1st time | No. 28 | 7th | No. 27 |
| 2nd time | No. 33 | 8th | No. 30 |
| 3rd time | No. 22 | 9th | No. 25 |
| 4th time | No. 2 | 10th | No. 22 |
| 5th | No. 8 | Stage for Cinderella 2022 | 11th place in Preliminary Group A |
| 6th | No. 19 |
Introduction
🎯 Initial appearance and character setting
Since the game's release on November 28, 2011, Miku Maekawa has appeared as a boss character in the Harajuku area and as a tutorial guide, presenting a challenging role to the producers. She gained immense popularity by joining the agency after losing a battle, earning her the image of "the original rival." She is a high school girl cat idol, affectionately known as "Miku-nyan" (みくにゃん) by her fans. Her signature song is "Onedari Shall we~?"
🐱 Appearance and styling features
Body shape and figure: She is only 152 cm tall and petite, but has an excellent body proportion of B85/W55/H81, and is speculated to be an F cup. Her plump upper body is particularly prominent among many characters.
Style Changes: She usually wears short, straight hair on weekdays; when performing on stage, she often wears a double-bow cat-ear hair accessory and wears her hair in a curly ponytail. Later card designs also feature her with straight hair and no ponytail.
🗣️ Personality and voice characteristics
His accent and Kansai accent: He has a "nyan" (にゃ) accent that he struggles to break. Despite claiming to be from Osaka, he doesn't speak Kansai accent and isn't good at making fun of others. However, he does occasionally speak Kansai accent in the later episodes, becoming a recognized "expert in making fun of others," leading some to suspect this was part of his character development.
Interesting contrast: Although she is a cat idol, she hates eating fish, but has a special liking for fish-shaped Taiyaki.
📖 Background story and development
Agency experience: It was revealed in the relevant plot of "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage" that she had belonged to another agency, but later chose to leave because she could not agree with some of the practices of the original agency.
Operational emphasis and cross-border activitiesConsidered one of the series' poster girls, she's held in high regard, having been featured prominently at key milestones, including her SR upgrade just a month and a half after her debut, her CD debut, the addition of a new SR card and voiceover for the anniversary celebration, and her selection for the second anniversary event. She's also been featured prominently in merchandise, CDs, and other media collaborations, and even appeared in the original Idolmaster series as one of the "Shining Festival's guest idols." These factors have led some fans to refer to her as the "Fourth New Generations," despite the unofficial designation.
Cat girl
Mirai Maekawa is a character carefully designed with "cat" as the core image. She chose the route of "cat girl" idol on her own initiative. From her habits, appearance to behavior, she is full of strong cat elements.
📍 Core Settings
Her linguistic habits and appearance: She naturally ends her sentences with the word "meow"; when performing on stage, she always wears cat ears and a cat tail, and her overall appearance is closely tied to the theme of cats.
Cat lovers are different:
Although he loves cats very much and his hobby is visiting cat cafes. He likes cats because "they are free", but he does not allow pets at home.
She has no luck with fish and is also helpless with mice.
Dietary preferences:
Dislikes fish: I don't like fish, but I can tolerate dried bonito flakes. I can eat fish paste products (such as kamaboko), but I guess the problem is whether the ingredients retain the original shape of the fish. Incidentally, fried fish is also not acceptable.
Real preferences: She actually prefers meat and sweets, especially hamburgers, which can be seen from the lyrics of her songs and her radio drama speeches.
The origin and nature of oral habits:
She said she uses the "meow" habit "to remember the feeling of being able to understand cats' feelings when she was a child."
This has become her true nature, and it comes out naturally even in her monologues in informal settings. However, according to the voice actor, the "meow" at the end of her speech decreases when she is not working, indicating that this is also a deliberate performance of her as an idol.
🎬 Interesting facts and plot performance
Professional Challenge: In "Cinderella Girls Theater", she was once in a difficult situation because of the dubbing work, she was required to not use "meow" in every line, which showed the deep connection between the character and the habit of speaking.
Calling habits: She often adds the word "nyan" when calling other characters, for example: Maoyuenyan, Shibuya, Miyo, etc.
Cat Ear Promotion: Her cat ear accessories even come in winter and summer versions, and she often encourages other idols to try wearing cat ears or using the Meow Mouth Fetish.
Cat Group: Formed the "Meow·Meow·Meow" group with Anastasia (Ah Meow) and Gaofeng Noah (Noah Meow).
🎤 Performances and Interactions
Choice of style: In the "Nothing but You" event plot and the 5th Live Fukuoka performance, in order to better express the mood of the song, she deliberately took off her cat ears; but later she restored the cat ears style in the SSA performance.
Interesting contrasting interactions: Since 2018, the official has deliberately increased her interactions with Nanami Asari, who likes to eat fish, forming an interesting contrast of "a cat girl who doesn't eat fish x a companion who loves to eat fish".
📌 Setting Easter Eggs and Anecdotes
Birthday Easter Egg: Her birthday, February 22, is Cat Day in Japan, and the connection with cats is full of ingenuity from the setting to the date.
Childhood Mark: In the 11th episode of the anime, there is a photo of her wearing a cat ear headband and taking a photo at a theme park when she was young, showing that she has a long-standing love for cats.
Favored by the Cat God: According to the character Yoshino Yoda, she seems to be blessed by the Cat God. If this is true, she would be a cat-themed idol recognized even by the Cat God.
rumor
- It is said that the cat-ear-shaped wardrobe in her room contains photos of her childhood with cats.
- She is said to carry a brush with her for removing cat hair.
- It is said that she likes celebrating birthdays but not zodiac signs.
Interesting Facts
Impression Color:red.
- High emotional intelligence and a master of controlling situationsMirai Maekawa has a high emotional intelligence and keen observation skills, often being assigned the role of "complaint" by the official. Although she claims not to be able to complain, she is actually a master of controlling the situation, often showing a cat-eye expression of "thinking deeply" with wide eyes.
Examples of clever solutions:
When Aimi Munakata attempted a prank, he silently called his nemesis, Ryu Seiryoshi, and turned on the loud speaker, successfully intimidating him with just the voice message.
In the "Cinderella Post" plot of "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage", because Tada Licai accidentally ate Clarisse's pudding, Mirai pointed out Clarisse's distress by observing the reply time, and urged Licai to apologize sincerely.
Voice actor interaction: Voice actor Nazumi Takamori is also good at controlling the stage and often hosts the MC segment in concerts, which echoes the character image.
Famous fansMusician Gen Hoshino is known as "Mirai P" (producer of Mirai Maekawa). On February 22, 2023, Mirai's birthday, his cover of "Koi" was officially released in "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage." Previously, illustrator and character designer for "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls," Almond Tofu, also created illustrations for the cover.
CD debut
On August 8, 2012, she debuted as the second member of "CINDERELLA MASTER" together with Ranko Kanzaki, Kirari Moroboshi, Mika Kinosaki, and Uzuki Shimamura.
The voice actress, Nazumi Takamori, revealed that she was originally a producer of the Idolmaster series. When she auditioned for the role of Kirari Moroboshi, she also tried out for the role of Mirai and was eventually chosen.
Many famous quotes (or myths) were born in the CD's accompanying interviews, such as: "This is a violation of cat rights, meow!", "Mirai will never distort herself, meow!", "Mirai's very existence is in crisis, meow... well, never mind", "Eh... isn't that too much? (Honone)", and her image as a "cute but miserably treated" character is deeply rooted in the hearts of players.
The SR card included with the CD is only commemorative in nature, but after awakening, it performs well in tasks such as accumulating fans due to its medium to high attack power and low consumption cost.
The pre-awakening card features the same illustration as the CD cover, while after awakening, she wears matching outfits with the four co-debutants. Her dialogue is filled with excitement about co-starring, and she seems quite confident in her singing skills.
Incidentally, the design principle of "adopting a set of clothing after awakening" was also adopted by subsequent idols who debuted on CDs.
Personal single
Included in the CDTHE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA MASTER 007 Miyuki Maekawa》, released on August 8, 2012, is one of the second character CDs released by "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls".
Included in the CDTHE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS STARLIGHT MASTER 02 Tulip》, released on May 18, 2016.
Included in the CDTHE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS STARLIGHT MASTER R/LOCK ON! 11 メモリーブロッサム》, released on December 14, 2022.
Participating songs
moba version card
Original R card
Completing the tutorial level grants Mirai Maekawa a card, and further cards are available upon clearing subsequent areas. Due to its easy availability, it's become ubiquitous, with even the voice actor stating, "This is the only R-rated character everyone is most familiar with."
Her performance is at a fateful level in the early stages, and for unknown reasons, she cannot be converted into rare badges. Therefore, once her intimacy reaches maximum, she is often used for free trade or as material for cultivating stronger idols. Her self-sacrificing image has earned her the nicknames "Future Meow-senpai" and "Everyone's Food" from fans of the series.
In the new version of the tutorial level, she, the New Generations group, and Chikawa Chihiro are also equipped with new voices.
Sexy cat girl (セクシーキャット)
On January 19, 2012, she became the second idol to be SR after Shibuya Rin in this work (excluding characters who were SR on their first appearance).
Because it is an early card with defensive ability values, its value has dropped significantly nowadays. It is a card that can be easily obtained by players without classes, whether before or after awakening.
Her previous lines revealed her dislike of fish, and before her awakening, she can be seen picking fish out of her lunch box with a sad face. After her awakening, she is shown in heartwarming scenes, moved by fan letters and with tears in her eyes.
It's worth mentioning that if you make the "Sexy Cat Girl" a team leader before awakening during a gift event like Valentine's Day, she'll be shown handing chocolates with chopsticks, tears streaming down her face. Interested creators should definitely give it a try.
CD debut
On August 6, 2012, a special SR was released to commemorate the release of Mirai Maekawa's first song.
Charming Cat Girl (チャーミングキャット)
A new SR was released on November 27, 2012, to commemorate the game's first service anniversary. This is the first card in the game to come with voice acting, and it joins the "New Generations" trio of Rin, Uzuki, and Mio in adding voice acting to existing cards.
The illustration before her awakening depicts a recording studio scene, where she appears to be attempting to seduce the producer with her voice. However, her cat ears prevent her from wearing headphones, and she maintains her usual style, as seen in episode 53 of "Cinderella Girls Theater," where she unauthorizedly adds "meow" to the end of her lines.
After waking up, he was filmed surrounded by cats, immersed in a happy time. Not only did he want to purr with the producer, he also longed to be patted on the head, his cat-like nature doubled.
By the way, looking at the large area of exposed skin after awakening, I can't help but worry whether it will be scratched by the cat's claws.
This costume also appears in episode 11 of the anime as a future stage costume, but with slight differences in details such as the removal of the armbands to accommodate the microphone holding action.
This card is a balanced one with an offensive bias. Its easy-to-use skills and overall high practicality, along with its high-quality graphics and voice acting, have made it incredibly popular, with even the voice actor reportedly spending a fortune to acquire it.
Due to the stable supply and low trading price of the regular card pool, players who play micro-classes or even non-classes have a chance to obtain this card. Its performance is excellent for both forward and backup use, making it a truly iconic card in the future of SR.
Seaside Cat Girl
It debuted on July 31, 2013 in the "Swimsuit Paradise 2013 Gacha".
Before the awakening, it was a vacation on the southern beach, and after the awakening, it was a swimsuit performance on the seaside stage with the dazzling sunset. The cat ear elements are retained in both the front and back.
In episode 138 of "Cinderella Girls Theater," she appears alongside Anastasia, who has also been upgraded to S rarity. Before her awakening, she's depicted wearing cat ears—an attempt to "catify" Anastasia, tricking her into yelling "Meow!" when she's lost for words.
From lines like "feeling like another self", it can be seen that the two have a deep friendship.
Whenever a cat-themed character or cat-eared idol appears, it always triggers rumors and concerns about an "existential crisis", but she has made it clear that she is happy to see an increase in cat-eared idols, and even claims that "she is number one."
Although she is speculated to hate the ocean due to her aversion to fish, she actually enjoys splashing around in the water and actively invites people to swim (though she seems to be afraid of deep water). The only thing that puts her off is the smell of the ocean tide - perhaps it's the association with fish?
Its performance is what's commonly known as a "debuff type," maintaining a high level of balance between offense and defense.
The debuff effect itself is highly practical, and the benefits of related activities are significant. Although the ability is excellent, the price is affordable. It is an easy-to-use card like "Charming Cat Girl".
Anniversary Cat Girl (アニバーサリーキャット)
On November 28, 2013, he debuted at the "Idol Training 2nd Anniversary" event, commemorating his second anniversary. After completing the New Generations trio announcement, he can be trained as the fourth character. As is customary for this game, a "smiling version" variant card is also available.
Before his awakening, he explored the urban landscape alongside the New Generations trio. Through his Cat Ears missionary work, the Cat Ears faction steadily grew. He also diligently participated in concert rehearsals, demonstrating his reliability and dedication when necessary.
After awakening, it was the anniversary concert. From singing, showing off his charm to performing on the microphone, his performance was unimpeded.
During the "Idol Training" event, she was seen enjoying the stage to the fullest, and even a hint of Kansai accent could be heard.
The celebration party was a blast: handing out cat ears, helping everyone put them on, playing meow wrestling, and even throwing the producer high. Inspired by this, New Generations also added a "2nd Anniversary Cat Ears" variant costume.
The message behind this is "As long as I am happy and everyone I work with is happy, that's enough." The act of distributing cat ears also implies creating an opportunity for strangers to connect.
Mirai said that being able to continue such happy activities is his dream.
Cinderella's Dream (シンデレラドリーム)
Starting from April 23, 2014, SR can be exchanged for 30 "Cinderella Dream Tickets" obtained from the event.
Her ability values are the same as those of Minami Nitta with Co attribute and Aiko Takamori with Pa attribute.
This card rarely subverts her fixed style of "short hair before awakening/ponytail + cat ears after awakening", and becomes a short bob with her hair down before awakening, and a ponytail after awakening.
Before Awakening, the motivation for becoming an idol was mentioned in the lines: "I want to be a cute girl" and "Since the pinnacle of cute girls is idols, of course I have to be one, meow."
At the same time, the film focuses on her love for cats, presenting details such as her attention to the angle of the cat's ears and her concern for the spare cat ears.
Serious/Kitten (マジメ／ネコチャン)
On September 30, 2014, she appeared in the "Shining Youth☆Schoolgirl Gacha".
Before awakening, she's waiting for the train on the platform. Without her cat ears, she's wearing glasses and in a serious mood. This look is an official adaptation of a popular fan-made meme featuring "Maekawa-san."
After awakening, she appeared on a variety show with Nana Abe. Her wild, exuberant expressions, like "Love with all my strength, meow!", were reportedly inspired by the producer's advice that "an aggressive attitude is crucial." While seemingly playful cat mode is actually a reflection of her dedication to her idol profession.
Japanese Sakura (ハイカラサクラ)
On March 31, 2015, it was featured in the "Sakurama Japanese Romance Gacha" for the first time since its debut as an R-rated game.
Also appearing in the same pool are Anne Futaba, Minami Nitta, and Rika Kinosaki, all in R-rated form, echoing the lineup of "Cinderella Project."
Before awakening, a homemade lunch box containing "Future Cat-chan's Cute Rice Balls" is given as part of a flower viewing event. The line mentioning the extra rice balls being added to Tada Li's lunch box reflects the setting of the anime.
After awakening, she wore a Taisho romantic-style hakama, put on cat ears as usual, and posed in a cat pose.
Moonlit Night Cat Girl
On July 22, 2015, the "Moonlit Night Cat Girl Limited Gacha" debuted with SR positioning.
Before awakening, she read with her white cat friend in the night park, but she acted coquettishly and asked the producer for his company.
After awakening, he plays the role of the owner of the mansion, but...
“Hey, a cat otaku…? That’s a bit… grammatically incorrect, meow!”
"The black cat is a witch's familiar~ He uses magical powers to grant wishes, nya♪"
——Anyone who sees this can only describe it as a cat house...
Episode 544 of the movie "I'm Not Running Away, Meow!" When he appeared in the park with the producer...
(If you're confused about the origins of "cat house," please search for "cat house." If you're as afraid of ghost stories as the future, I suggest you avoid searching.)
ASTERISK（アスタリスク）
A new SR+, available upon logging in during the "Frenzy Friday Night" event on August 1, 2015. It has no pre-awakening state and starts in + form.
Waiting for the Cat Girl (まちぶせキャット)
On January 31, 2016, the "Bitter Sweet Ultimate Valentine's Day Gacha" debuted with SR positioning.
In the 649th episode of the movie "Work is Love, Cat", she was encouraged by Chihiro Chikawa's promotion to star in the "Valentine's Day Theme Commercial", but she expressed her concerns:
"I need to perform a confession scene, meow... I have little experience in relationships, so I'm really lacking in confidence..."
When asked "What is love?" and she replied "I will think about the other person all day long," Mirai went on to say:
"My future job now is my lover-nyan~ Like, 'What kind of work will Mr. P bring next time?' 'Did Mr. P plan his schedule well?'"
But Chihiro complained: "Isn't this just thinking about Mr. P all the time?" She blushed immediately.
Not Serious/Kitten (フマジメ／ネコチャン)
An SR that debuted in the Dream Chance Gacha of the same name on September 21, 2016.
The name of the card is self-evidently a tribute to the self of [Serious Mode/Cat-chan].
Different from the studious "Maekawa-san" back then, this time she transforms into a rebellious girl sitting on the rooftop railing.
After awakening, he appears in a wild look with cat ears + earrings, a cat tattoo on his chest, a torn top, and a chain in his hand.
In episode 774 of the movie, "Catch Me... Meow♪," he agrees to leave the enclosure due to the producer's concerns about the danger. However, unable to descend on his own, he requests the producer to catch him from below. Although he lands safely, his bold leap raises questions about his ability to escape independently. Mirai simply excuses himself with, "Who knows? Neko-chan is a headstrong meow♪" before leaving the rooftop.
Black Cat Phantom (ブラックキャット)
On April 19, 2017, the "Pride Focus Fantasy Limited Gacha" was released with an R-rated rating.
Before waking up, he was checking his teeth with a hand mirror.
In episode 888 of the movie, "Fidget Meow," she confides in the producer about a dental problem and is vague when advised to see a dentist. When the producer suggests examining her in person, she declines, citing shyness. Chihiro then appears, saying, "Then I'll do it myself," cutting off her escape route and urging her to seek medical attention. Ultimately, she resigns herself to the producer's decision. That day, she flinched at the mere mention of the nurse calling her name.
Holy Night Cat Girl
On November 30, 2017, the "Sixth Anniversary Christmas Gacha" featured SR.
Paladin? Presumably referring to Christmas Eve.
Before awakening, he graffitied on the foggy window. After awakening, he wore Christmas-style clothes with his cloak half open.
Drama Kitten (ドラマチックネコチャン)
On June 21, 2018, the "Target Neko-chan♪ Idol Challenge" ranking reward SR. Matsumoto Sarina and Namba Emmi, who co-starred in the cat musical, showed off their feline charm and demeanor.
The illustration before awakening is a cat-petting scene in a cat cafe, and after awakening is a performance scene of the musical "Happy Cat".
Cat Lord Style (バロンザキャット)
On November 28, 2018, SR appeared in the "7th Anniversary Cat Lord Accumulation Gacha".
Episode 1196 of the movie "Morning Jog" depicts a funny incident in which she suddenly sees a target on the treetops of a hill while jogging in the morning, and tries to climb it, but falls into a cat trap along the way.
Japanese kitten (和ごころネコチャン)
On March 31, 2019, SR appeared in the "Cherry Blossoms Scattering Spring Tea Party Exchange Ticket Gacha".
Warm-hearted kitten (ほっこりネコチャン)
On October 31, 2019, SR cards will be added to the "Autumn Story...♪ Healing Hot Spring Voucher Gacha." SR cards in the same pool include: Sagisawa Fumika and Mukai Takumi; R cards include: Mochida Arisa, Kirino Fumi, and Himekawa Tomoki.
Dream Bride (ドリーミンブライド)
On May 26, 2020, "Happiness Delivery - Wedding Story Surprise Gacha" will be released as SR.
Both the card name and illustrations use the SSR design that first appeared in "Starlight Stage".
Sunshine Kitten (おひさまネコチャン)
On April 19, 2021, SR will appear in "Sunny Cat Dream Chance Gacha".
Psychic Cat Guide (心通わすニャビゲーター)
Ranking reward SR at the 60th Producer Battle Carnival on January 26, 2022.
Meimiao's Anniversary
11th anniversary commemorative S rare Maekawa Mirai gift event.
Log in for the first time between November 28th and December 15th, 2022, at 14:59 JST to receive the first character, and share the event page on Twitter to receive the second character.
Starlight Stage
settings
Appeared since the early days of the game. Since this game does not have a "LIVE Battle" mechanism, the opportunity to join the agency is different from the social game version:
◆ Because the original agency asked him to transform into a "giraffe idol", he transferred here to maintain his cat-like image.
◆ The card faces of the initial R cards and SR [Sexy Cat Girl] are retained.
Additional SR
- March 31, 2016 "Chunxu Afterschool Time Gachapon": SR [Serious/Kitten]
- September 3, 2018 "Celebrate! 3rd Anniversary Gacha Party": SR [Charming Cat Girl]
- August 4, 2021 "Smiles Bloom, Summer Begins! Gacha": SR [Seaside Cat Girl]
Main storyline
Episode 6 "Cat Whisker Rhythm♪": An announcement is arranged immediately after the New Generations trio, highlighting their exclusive privileges in the future.
Starlight Stage Limited Card
Cat Party (キャットパーティー)
On September 17, 2015, SSR was added to the "Platinum Audition Gacha".
Dream Bride (ドリーミンブライド)
On May 31, 2016, the "Happiness Delivery Wedding Story Gacha" and Kanzaki Ranko were synchronized for the second SSR:
- The 3D dress changed from a sexy two-piece style to a cute style of a cream-colored one-piece dress + lace gloves.
EVERMORE
November 30, 2016 "LIVE Parade" Second Event Points Rewards SR:
◆ Sing the fifth anniversary song "EVERMORE" with Mika Jouzaki, Ranko Kanzaki, Asuka Ninomiya, and Shiki Ichinose
◆ Before awakening: Visiting the Maihama Amphitheater with Ranko and Asuka (the venue for the first concert "WONDERFUL M@GIC!!")
◆ After Awakening: Perform at the Dome Concert with Shiki in a Cinderella Dream dress (the card can be combined with the same-generation SR [EVERMORE] Shirosaki Mika)
Adventure・Castle（アヴァンチュール・シャト）
June 29, 2017 "Cinderella Carnival" limited SSR (third one):
At 15:30 on the same day, the system mistakenly sent a push notification, which leaked information in advance. The operation issued an apology and reopened as usual at 22:00.
◆ The second SSR in the game to have "Skill Amplification", with the special skill "Adorable Fingertips": every 8 seconds, there is a high probability of enhancing the skill effects of other members
◆ 3D stage costumes are red and phantom-thief style (echoing the sexy cat girl theme)
Take me☆Take you
July 31, 2017 "LIVE Parade" 6th event points reward SR (second event reward after EVERMORE):
◆ Special episode: Perform the 5th General Election Song "Take me☆Take you" with Yoshino Yoda, Nono Morikubo, Kokoro Sato, and Mifune Miyu, and be interviewed in the documentary
◆ Before awakening: Participating in a video recording with Nanano and Miyu wearing cat ears
◆ After awakening: Nono greets fans at the flower path (the card face can be combined with the same period SR [Take me☆Take you] Yoshino Yoda)
Event Easter Eggs:
- Harajuku appears in the performance map "Capital District" (a tribute to the social version of Harajuku area boss Mirai-nyan)
- The performance goal contains the number 2 (にゃん homophonic)
- "Kansai District" and "EX District" including the birthplace of Osaka (future preview voice ①)
Starry-Go-Round
October 31, 2018 "LIVE Dance" eighth event points reward SR:
◆ Special episode: Yui Otsuki, Anastasia, Yuki Himekawa, and Asuka Ninomiya were selected to perform the new song "Starry-Go-Round" at the Dome, and they were interviewed with the "commemorative cat ears"
◆ Before awakening: Maid outfit displaying souvenirs (Anastasia and Asuka in the background also wear cat ears)
◆ After awakening: Wearing a coat and the [Sexy Cat Girl] costume, she appears on the same stage with Yuki (the card face can be combined with the same-generation SR [Starry-Go-Round] Yui Otsuki)
Happy Meow Year (ハッピーにゃーイヤー)
The fourth SSR of the "Lucky Spring Kimono Gacha" on January 4, 2020
The world of beautiful cats (ニャンダフル・ワールド)
February 13, 2021 "Cinderella Carnival Nocturne" Fifth SSR
Willful Master (気ままなごMaster様)
May 4, 2022 "Overflowing Love♡Happy Maid Gacha" 6th SSR
The charming cat girl
March 4, 2023 "Ancient and Modern Drama Girls Gacha" 7th SSR
Full Miracle Adventure (Full Open Miracle Adventure)
April 30, 2023 "LIVE Carnival" 13th Event Medal Reward SR
Summer Cat Girl☆Secret Meeting (サマーキャット☆ランデブー)
July 5, 2024 "Summer Opening - Seaside Madonna Gacha" 8th SSR
Heartbeat☆Kitten (ときめき☆ネコチャン)
On March 19, 2025, the "Idol Training" event will reward SR. This event is a long-awaited performance with Tada Liina
Meowth・Diva（ニャンダフル・ディーヴァ）
The ninth SSR in the "Blank Carnival Gacha" on August 27, 2025. The background before awakening is Harajuku, and he returns to his hometown as the Harajuku BOSS.
Animation
2nd Anniversary PV
The game's second anniversary commemorative animation PV was released, marking the beginning of its animation adaptation.
The core position of television animation
In the 2015 TV animation "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls", Mirai Maekawa is one of the core members of the "Cinderella Project" (CINDERELLA PROJECT), and the plot depicts the complete trajectory of her growth from a competitive newcomer to a professional idol.
🎯 Initial image and positioning
First appearance: Appeared as a background crowd in the first episode, and officially debuted from the second episode, and was portrayed as "the member with the most passionate idol dream."
Personality: He combines the naturally cheerful nature of Kansai people with a fierce competitive spirit, but also displays a delicate and considerate side. For example, he cares for the insecure Ogata Chieri and restrains the over-the-top performances of Jouzaki Rika and others, demonstrating his professionalism. His famous quote also highlights his essence: "Never distort yourself!" (みくは自分を曲げないよ!)
🎤 Growth and conflict main plot
Episode 3: The Battle Between the Old and New Generations
Unsatisfied with the New Generations trio debuting first, Mirae, filled with strong dissatisfaction, challenged them three times but failed each time.
Her arrogant cheering posture made the audience nicknamed her "provocative cat", and this plot was also considered to be an allusion to her setting as the boss of the teaching level in the original game.
Episode 5 Protest Storm
Witnessing the debut of idols such as New Generations and Love Laika, the anxious Mirai leads Rika Jouzaki and Anne Futaba to occupy the company cafe in protest.
This incident became a key turning point: Producer Takeuchi P admitted that "there is a debut plan but the details have not been determined", and Mirai also let down his guard and apologized sincerely in the process, showing the growth of the character.
Episode 11: The Birth and Conflict of the *(Asterisk) Group
Mirai finally forms a duo with Tada Liina called "Asterisk", but a conflict soon breaks out due to their different philosophies:
Future: Stick to the cute idol style with cat ears.
Li Yicai: I advocate hard-core rock style.
Their first successful collaboration: During an impromptu event, the two put aside their differences, wrote the lyrics together within 48 hours, and successfully performed the song "ØωØver!!" (a song co-written by voice actors Natsumi Takamori and Ruriko Aoki in real life).
Due to a misunderstanding by Chihiro Senkawa, the group was officially named "Asterisk".
In their daily interactions, the two's "disbandment" combination has become a signature joke, and they also took over from Mika Shirosaki as the host of the radio drama "Magic Moment".
After episode 13, he became a regular host of the show and was described as "awkward but sincere."
Crisis, breakthrough and ultimate sublimation
Episodes 15-16: The survival of the plan and the nature of idols
Faced with the crisis of disbanding the Meicheng General Manager, Mirai led the others to organize the archives and put forward a plan, which became the blueprint for the subsequent "Cinderella Ball".
When working with Nana Abe, Mirai was moved by her determination to stay true to her role as a rabbit. When the company's policies were wavering, Mirai cheered for Nana from the audience, supporting her and declaring, "Mirai will never betray my cat!"
Episode 19: Trust Test and Team Upgrade
He fell into self-blame due to the estrangement of his partner Li Yicai. After the stage accident, the two broke down in tears and had a heart-to-heart talk. Mirae said frankly: "It's not your fault, I just want to take on too much..."
The group accepted Natsuki Kimura to join, forming a new structure of "＊(Asterisk) with Natsunana", and sang the ending theme song "Wonder Goes On!!".
Chapter 24-25: The Climax and the Ending
Encourage Uzuki: When Shimamura Uzuki returns, Mirai, wearing cat ears, sternly encourages him: "Idols shouldn't be absent without reason!"
Cinderella Ball: Break through departmental barriers and team up with Nana Abe to stage a wonderful animal-themed show.
Ultimately, the group *(Asterisk) displayed a rapport of evolution on stage with Lee Ee-na and Natsuki. Like the original New Generations, Mirai and Lee Ee-na parted ways in the spring, each pursuing their own path, a sentiment that "parting is to meet at a higher level," but their group will never disband.
TV animation "Cinderella Girls Theater"(2017)
- Re-enactment of classic scenes
The trailer PV reproduces the "famous door-breaking scene in episode 53 of the original work" twice: the shocking scene of Mirai "slamming the door hard" in the BGM, and even the trailer of the main film repeatedly edited this clip, becoming a signature joke in the series. - Key episodes appear
| Episodes | Corresponding to the original episode |
|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Original Chapter 58 |
| Episode 3 | Original Chapter 53 |
| Episode 18 | Chapter 551 |
| Episode 36 | Chapter 544 |
| Episode 41 | Chapter 490 |
- Ending theme song(4th issue・April ED)
Singing with Ichinose Shiki, Otokura Yuki, Shiina Houko, Munakata Aimi〈Throbbing・Heartbeat・MAX!〉（きゅん・きゅん・まっくす）.
In-game theater "Tuesday Cinderella Theater"(火曜シンデレラシアター)
Chapter 14 (corresponding to Chapter 389)
Animation "Cinderella Girls Theater" Extra Stage》(Limited broadcast in the game in 2020)
Episode 43: The Price of Staying Up Late
comics
New Generations
In the manga series "New Generations," serialized in the "GANGAN JOKER" series, she appears as a senior at the agency to the main characters Uzuki, Rin, and Mio. From the very first episode, she encounters the dilemma of having her work cat-ear props taken away without permission, perfectly portraying the comedic role.
U149
In the manga U149 serialized in Cycomi, she appears as a guest character in episodes 44 to 47, where Koga Koharu is the main character.
She belongs to a different agency from the Third Arts Department where the main character is, and like Yumizu Sachiko who appeared earlier, she has been active in the variety show field for a long time.
As a regular member of the online limited program "Animal Committee", she serves as the host. Not only can she liven up the atmosphere with her rich expressions and reactions, but she can also calmly deal with various situations on the live broadcast site. She is a model of professionalism.
However, facing Koharu, who seemed to be completely absorbed in her work, oblivious to the situation on set, she sternly pointed out, "We're no longer just spectators," despite knowing she was meddling in the affairs of the other agency members. She even blurted out harsh words, accusing Koharu's producers of inadequate supervision. However, these words were seen by both as an opportunity to re-examine themselves, and they expressed gratitude for them.
In subsequent programs, she witnessed Xiaochun's rapid growth and expressed her expectations and encouragement for the future after the recording.
She later appears in episodes 49 to 52 of Ryuzaki Kaoru's main story. While observing her colleagues at work on her day off, she stumbles upon the members of the Third Arts Department. Despite being reprimanded by her own agency for the incident, she remains concerned about the producer's distress and decides to observe them secretly. Incidentally, since she was on vacation that day, her appearance was in "Maekawa mode."
In episode 53, a side story from the Kaoru arc, she was about to greet the other idols when she saw Shudo Aoi and Oikawa Shizuku cooking fish, and immediately turned away. This was witnessed by Igarashi Kyoko.
| Episodes | Corresponding to the original episode |
|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Original Chapter 58 |
| Episode 3 | Original Chapter 53 |
| Episode 18 | Chapter 551 |
| Episode 36 | Chapter 544 |
| Episode 41 | Chapter 490 |
- Ending theme song(4th issue・April ED)
Singing with Ichinose Shiki, Otokura Yuki, Shiina Houko, Munakata Aimi〈Throbbing・Heartbeat・MAX!〉（きゅん・きゅん・まっくす）.
In-game theater "Tuesday Cinderella Theater"(火曜シンデレラシアター)
Chapter 14 (corresponding to Chapter 389)
Animation "Cinderella Girls Theater" Extra Stage》(Limited broadcast in the game in 2020)
Episode 43: The Price of Staying Up Late
Relationship with other idols
* (Asterisk)
In the TV anime, they formed a duo with Tada Liina in episode 11. Later in the second season, they joined Abe Nana, their idol whom they admired in the future, and Kimura Natsuki, the object of Liina's admiration, to form the four-member group "＊(Asterisk) with Natsunana".
Cat Best Friend
Kamijou Haruna: A fellow cat lover, Mirai nicknames her "Haru-nyan." Based on Haruna's dialogue, it's speculated that she also has a close relationship with Wakui Rumi.
Influenced by Haruna, she often promotes cat ear culture in the office in the future, with the catchphrase: "Come on, come on, put on cat ears, meow?" (まぁまぁネコミミどうぞにゃ).
Anastasia (アナスタシア): Known as "Anmeow" (あーにゃん) in the future.
In the "Dream LIVE Festival" (ドリームLIVEフェスティバル), the two formed the cat-ear group "Meow・Meow・Meow" (にゃん・にゃん・にゃん) with Noah Takamine. Mirai complained: "I always feel like there is a conspiracy, nya..." (な物をSense of He か意図), because Nozomi once played a cat-eared maid, and Anya is a "deliberately arranged" candidate.
During the event, the background of Natalia's S rare card showed Anya recommending sushi, and Mirai was frightened on the spot instead of just being surprised.
New Generations trio
She interacts closely with the members of Shining New Stars (ニュージェネレーション), often giving them cat ears when performing with them:
Shimamura Uzuki: Called "Uzuniyan" or "Uzuki-chan," he says he'll always turn to her for advice when he encounters difficulties, describing her as a "docile American Shorthair cat."
Shibuya Rin: Called "Rin Meow Meow" (しぶにゃん). Mirai thinks Rin is "ordinary yet mysterious" and shares similarities with herself, such as being an "elegant Maine Coon cat."
Honda Mio: Nicknamed "Niyan Mio." Mirai is often led around by Mio, such as being pulled by the tail during anniversary events, being used as a microphone for imitations, and being forced into role-playing roles, such as "The Lively Stray Cat."
Cross-group interaction
An Futaba: In the radio drama, she often acts as An's "nanny", but because of her gentle personality (unlike the strong Kirari Moroboshi), she is led by An instead.
Cat Paw Enthusiasts: Teamed up with Chieri Ogata and Nana Abe due to their "cuteness"; and with Rika Jouzaki and Nina Ichihara due to their "pouch-loving" nature.
Natural enemy idols:
Nanami Asari: A "fish lover" from the Nagano region, she tries to promote fish dishes every time she co-stars, which triggers fierce resistance from Mirai. Her fans jokingly call her "Nana Miku" (ななみく) due to their offensive and defensive battles.
Ichinose Shiki: Mirai is worried that she "might steal her presence" and even asks the Nagano region, "Does she have a grudge against Mirai?"
Tsujino Akari (Gunma region Yamagata Apple Idol): The two form "Mirai-nyan" (Miku-nyango), close friends of the same generation. They hit it off immediately in private, and Akari actively relies on her senior, Mirai, for guidance in return.
In the future, the names of other idols will be divided into two categories, reflecting the degree of intimacy:
Conventional name: ○○ sauce (○○ sauce), such as "Mazuki sauce" and "Miyoshi sauce".
Cat-related name: ○○喵喵（○○にゃん）, used to get close to someone:
Japanese nicknames Chinese translation corresponding to idols
Shibuya Rin
Haruna Kamijou Haruna
のあにゃんNozomi Meow Meow Peak Noah
あーにゃんAnn Meow Meow Anastasia
うづにゃん小卯卯岛村寯月
にゃんみおNiaoyang Honda Weiyang
Participating groups
Participating groups
【An Mew and Mirai Mew (あーにゃんみくにゃん)】 – Anastasia, Mirai Maekawa
【＊（Asterisk）】 – Mirai Maekawa, Eina Tada
【＊（Asterisk） with Natsu Nana（＊（Asterisk） with Nana Nana）】 – Mirai Maekawa, Rina Tada, Natsuki Kimura, Nana Abe
[Hunting Comrade (Comrade Hunting)] – Rika Kinosaki, Nina Ichihara, Mirai Maekawa, Honoka Ayase
【鱼鱼美猫(ギョギョっとニャンだふる)】 – Maekawa Mirai, Asari Nanami
Pun: "fish (ギョ)" + "cat (ャン)" - a cat-fish battle
[Shining Laboratory, Housework Robot (きらりんラボ, Household Robot)] – Mirai Maekawa, Nana Abe, Miho Kohinata
[Girls Next Door Gang (Kinsho's Nakaliang Niangniang)] – Ogata Tomoeri, Morohoshi Kirari, Maekawa Mirai
[Beauty under the Moon, Dark Night] – Tomoe Murakami, Takumi Mukai, Fumika Sagizawa, Mirai Maekawa, Shuko Shiomi
【Summer Paradise (サマーパラダイス)】 – Anastasia, Maekawa Mirai, Aiba Yumi
The Melancholy of an Apostle Trainee [Part 1, Devotion of an Apostle Trainee] – Chie Sasaki, Kyoko Igarashi, Mirai Maekawa
Cinderella's Dream – Mirai Maekawa, Rina Tada, Airi Touji
[Cinderella Dream (シンデレラドリーム)] – Mirai Maekawa, Rina Tada, Takumi Mukai, Miho Kohinata, Aiko Takamori
[Cinderella Dream (シンデレラドリーム)] – Mirai Maekawa, Rika Kinosaki, Kanade Hayami, Akane Hino
[Cinderella Dream (シンデレラドリーム)] – Yuki Himekawa, Yuka Nakano, Minami Nitta, Mizuki Kawashima, Mirai Maekawa
Cinderella's Dream – Mirai Maekawa, Chieri Ogata, Ryo Matsunaga, Akane Hino, Shuko Shiomi
[Cinderella Dream (シンデレラドリーム)] – Akane Hino, Mirai Maekawa, Rina Tada, Ryo Matsunaga, Yuki Himekawa
Cinderella's Dream – Mirai Maekawa, Miria Akagi, Nono Morikubo, Jinna Ichihara, Airi Totoki
Note: This series is a different lineup from the event "Cinderella Dream"
[Soul Corruptor (ソウル, デバウアー)] – Hoshikiko, Kanzaki Ranko, Maekawa Mirai
[The timid cat hiding in the cave (Cave 隠れの灌りにゃんこ)] - Miku Maekawa, Ayase Honoka, Saki Yukimi
[The big sister who studies and the wayward kitten (読书お sisterさんと気まぐれ猫チャン)] – Sagizawa Fumika, Maekawa Mirai
【Meatball Animals (にくきゅうアニマルズ)】 – Mirai Maekawa, Rika Kinosaki, Nina Ichihara
[Meow Sisters (にゃんセスタ)] – Mirai Maekawa, Natalia
[Charming Meow Meow (にゃんともラブリー)] – Yukimi Saki, Mirai Maekawa, Haruna Kamijou
【Meow・Meow・Meow（にゃん・にゃん・にゃん）】【Meow, Meow, Meow Night! (にゃん・にゃん・にゃんNight!)】 – Mirai Maekawa, Anastasia, Noah Takamine
[Friends of the Human Realm (Human World のオトモダチ)] [Friends of Humanity (ニンゲンのオトモダチ)] - Mirai Maekawa, Mirin Ohara
【Cat, Lion, Lion】 – Miku Maekawa, Sae Kobayakawa, Nina Ichihara
Nekome Sisters (Catmere Sisters) – Honoka Ayase, Mirai Maekawa, Reiko Takahashi
【Party Cat Night (パーティー☆キャットナイト)】 – Mirai Maekawa, Chie Sasaki, Shinobu Kudo
【Modern Sakura (ハイカラサクラ)】 – Nitta Minami, Futaba An, Maekawa Mirai
Hacker Group CAT-ch – Maekawa Mirai, Wakui Rumi, and Yagami Makino
[Spring Dream Drunk Flower (Spring Dream Drunk Flower)] – Nitta Minami, Maekawa Mirai, Totoki Airi
【Valentine's Day Lover】 – Ninomiya Asuka, Maekawa Mirai, Kinosaki Rika
【Phantom Cat（Fファントムキャッツ）】 – Mirai Maekawa, Risa Toba
[Inhabitants of "Mysterious Forest" ("ふしぎな Forest"に西まうもの)] – Tachibana Alice, Otokura Yuki, Kiba Manami, Maekawa Mirai, Ujie Mumu
【Puffy Dolls（ふわふわのぬいぐるみたち）】 – Haru Yuki, Nina Ichihara, Kanako Mimura, Mirai Maekawa
[Holy Sardines With Mirai (ホリーサーディンwithみく)] – Mirai Maekawa, Nanami Asari, Shino Hiiragi
[The Diamond (Majestic Diamond)] – Saionji Koto, Momoi Airi, Maekawa Mirai
【Demon Cat and Maid (Demon Cat Tome)】 – Mirei Hayasaka, Mirai Maekawa, Honoka Ayase
[Future Cat Fruit (みくにゃんご)] – Tsujino Juri, Maekawa Mirai
【ミミミミ☆ミミーズズミミミミ☆ミミーズ】【ナナ&みくfrom PM】 - Nana Abe, Mirai Maekawa
[Everyone’s Spring Song Story (みんなで春歌故事)] – Maekawa Mirai, Laila, Natalia, Aiba Yumi
[Residents near the forest (Morori no close residents)] - Maekawa Mirai, Shiomi Shuko, Pimyota, Apple Lang
[The beauty under the moon at the hot spring hotel (Yujuku no beauty under the moon)] – Takumi Mukai, Fumika Sagizawa, Mirai Maekawa
[Rival School Chorus Club Scouting Team (Rival School Chorus Club Scouting Team)] – Maekawa Mirai, Yagami Makino
[Rika, Rin, Mirai (on a business trip) (Rika, Rin, Miku (out of Zhangchu))] – Rika Kinosaki, Rin Shibuya, Mirai Maekawa
[Classmates who take care of Apple Lang (リンゴロウさんをcuteがるstudent)] – Maekawa Mirai, Oishi Izumi, Matsubara Sayaya
[Delinquent Girls in the Back Alley (Delinquent Girls in the Road)] – Mirai Maekawa, Yuki Kitami, Shinobu Kudo
Groove☆Whim – Hayasaka Mirei, Sunazuka Akira, Tsujino Juri, Maekawa Mirai, Yume Rim
【Happy 7.27】 – Minami Nitta, Mirai Maekawa, Kirari Morohoshi
Paradise Trippers – Ichinose Shiki, Maekawa Mirai, Nonomura Sora
【SAKURA＊SAKU】【SAKURA＊SAKU～People of Heaven～（SAKURA＊SAKU～People of Heaven～)】 – Rika Kinosaki, Mirai Maekawa, Noriko Shiina, Minami Nitta
397 Cherry (a homophone of Mirai Nana Chieri) – Mirai Maekawa, Chieri Ogata, Nana Abe
【C5】 – Futaba Anzu, Maekawa Mirai, Shimamura Uzuki, Kohinata Miho, Abe Nana
【NEX-US】 – Anastasia, Nao Kamiya, Yuka Nakano, Mirai Maekawa, Teruko Hoshi
【Ember last】- Ryo Matsunaga, Aki Yamato, Yuka Nakano, Yuki Himekawa, Mirai Maekawa
【（Marinba）まりんぱ】 – Nanami Asari, Mirai Maekawa, Nina Ichihara, Ai Munakata, Kaoru Ryuzaki
【はぴのす】 – Nanami Asari, Nana Abe, Mirai Maekawa
【Innocent Hotel】 – Yuka Nakano, Kanako Mimura, Aki Yamato, Mirai Maekawa, Nagi Hisakawa
Secondary creation
The "Future Cat is So Poor" Phenomenon
1. Definition and Origin
"Mirai-nyan is so pitiful" is a secondary creation label for the character Mirai Maekawa (nicknamed Mirai-nyan) in "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls". It is mainly used to mark derivative works in which the character encounters pitiful situations.
Although Mirai has a considerable number of SR and SSR cards in the game, making it a relatively rich character, the fan community's "teasing Mirai" culture and official promotion have gradually led to a unique positioning as a "pitiable character." Please note that such creations may cause discomfort to some audiences, so caution should be exercised when using related memes (especially those related to the "lost future" theme).
II. Development History and Key Events
Poor initial attributes
Initial rare card abilities are not very effective
As the only card that could not be exchanged for rare medals at the time, it was often used by players as a strengthening material (jokingly called "feed").
Character characteristic enhancement
Fish-hating setting: Through the front card of the S rare card "Sexy Kitten" special training, it shows the scene of crying and picking out the bento grilled fish
This setting has become a classic creative routine, often arranging the future cat to encounter difficulties because of fish.
(Note: In reality, cats are not suitable for eating fish and shellfish frequently. Whether this setting is a reference is still unclear.)
Classic social quotes
"I'm extremely disappointed with Mirai-nyan. I'm going to stop being a fan." has become a popular phrase in the mobile version discussion forum.
identity crisis
After the new cat character Gaofeng Noah (nicknamed Noah Meow) appeared, the role positioning overlapped
Although he formed the "Meow Meow Meow" group with Gaofeng Noah and Anastasia, the relevant plot suggests that the future Meow has doubts about this arrangement.
The subsequent card shows a scene where Anastasia is frightened by the sushi she carries.
Card activity controversy
April 2014 release of the S rare card "[Cinderella's Dream] Maekawa Mirai"
Although it has top-level attack power and Fantasy Festival special effects, the official did not hold any Fantasy Festival activities from the time of implementation to the end of the special effects.
After the adjustment, the special effect only actually took effect once, becoming a famous operational error case
3. Summary of the phenomenon
Through various plot arrangements and community creations, Mirai Cat continues to reinforce its image as a "prankster." While this phenomenon differs from the path of "pitiful characters" previously portrayed in other works, it has formed a unique creative ecosystem. This paradox of "being portrayed as pitiful because of being loved" has become a noteworthy example of secondary creative culture.
| Episodes | Corresponding to the original episode |
|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Original Chapter 58 |
| Episode 3 | Original Chapter 53 |
| Episode 18 | Chapter 551 |
| Episode 36 | Chapter 544 |
| Episode 41 | Chapter 490 |
- Ending theme song(4th issue・April ED)
Singing with Ichinose Shiki, Otokura Yuki, Shiina Houko, Munakata Aimi〈Throbbing・Heartbeat・MAX!〉（きゅん・きゅん・まっくす）.
In-game theater "Tuesday Cinderella Theater"(火曜シンデレラシアター)
Chapter 14 (corresponding to Chapter 389)
Animation "Cinderella Girls Theater" Extra Stage》(Limited broadcast in the game in 2020)
Episode 43: The Price of Staying Up Late
Maekawa-san
This is a new manifestation of the cat-like character Mirai Maekawa in "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls", referring to the character's popular "Chairman" image in secondary creations, which was later adopted by the official and incorporated into the setting.
Origin of the Chairman's Image
The original photo was leaked from somewhere. In the photo, Mirai Maekawa is wearing glasses and crossing her arms with a serious expression, which is in stark contrast to her lively and meowing image during her usual idol activities. She shows the aura of a pure and serious chairman.
Female student A: "Maekawa from school? Um..."
Female student B: "It's completely different from the image I saw on TV."
Female student C: "Yeah, I'm really noisy on TV, but I'm pretty quiet at school. So I don't talk much, do I?"
Female Student A: "She uses honorifics with everyone. As expected, her idol-like behavior is just a character setting..."
This contrasting charm was well-received, even leading to the popular saying, "I'm so disappointed with Mirai-nyan, I'm going to stop being a fan and become a fan of Mikawa-san." It's said that many developers were drawn to this image, only to be disappointed to discover that it wasn't included in the game.
Official certification process
On September 30, 2014, a new card, [Serious/Kitten] Mirai Maekawa, was added to the game through the "Shining Youth☆Schoolgirl Gacha" (Shining Youth☆Schoolgirl Gacha). The card depicts her wearing a uniform, glasses, and a dignified demeanor, perfectly resembling her character in the original game. The card also includes the fact that she suppresses her cat language in public (such as at school), perfectly recreating the original game's setting.
This move shocked the creators who were familiar with the redesign, while players who didn't know the background were also surprised by the new image. The related "Cinderella Girls Theater" episode 388 was even directly titled "Maekawa-san."
On September 21, 2016, a self-tribute card "Not Serious/Cat-chan" was released, featuring a contrasting image of a girl in a summer uniform without glasses.
Cross-media development
Cinderella
The line "Mirai is very serious in school... but because she's an idol, she has to keep it a secret!" is included, confirming the character's setting.Concert Events
In the 2015 "LisAni! LIVE-5", the voice actor deliberately did not wear cat ears to maintain the character's atmosphere, and was praised by fans as "the real Maekawa-san."Animated version
In episode 11, the glasses are seen on the train and in school scenes, showcasing the character's fierce competitiveness and serious nature. The show even states, "Cat ears are a business tool," confirming this as the character's true nature. As the story progresses, the character's summer and winter uniforms are revealed.Modeling
At the 2015 "Cinderella Ball" event, the prototype of the summer uniform design was unveiled.Starlight Stage
2016 implementation of the [Serious/Cat Sauce] card
Appeared as the vice president of the student union in the 2018 school drama
The 2019 exclusive plot clearly demonstrates the professional spirit of "maintaining professional distance during school"
He maintained this image in many private scenes, and even attracted the attention of other characters because of his "different atmosphere from usual".
Overall Review
Among the distinctive "Cinderella Girls" characters, Maekawa Mirai stands out with her classic, cute, cat-like personality. Her image as a "pure, serious girl with glasses" has been widely praised both in the official game and in fan fiction. This trait is crucial because it's incredibly rare in the game. If she can capitalize on this unique advantage, her future is limitless.
While the dignity of the original cat characters who insisted on "never changing themselves" is worth cherishing, contemporary idols must be more determined to carve out a niche market. This perfect balance of dual images is precisely what makes Maekawa Mirai so captivating.
The future will change itself!
This is a secondary creation based on the classic line "I will never change myself in the future!" from the character Mirai Maekawa from "The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls". The original line has been used by the official many times.
While Mirai, as a cat character, always displays unwavering perseverance, she occasionally changes her mind due to external factors. This expression is used when Mirai faces the need to "change herself."