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Animated drama

Mirai (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Mirai (2018) movie poster

Mirai is a 2018 animated drama starring Jaden Waldman as Kun, Crispin Freeman and Haru Kuroki. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $28.8 million worldwide. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
worldwide gross
$28.8M
award nominations
4
Echo Score
84
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Mirai (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Original language
Japanese
Studio
GKIDS
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mirai About?

The premise of Mirai without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young boy named Kun struggles to adjust to the arrival of his baby sister, Mirai. He retreats into a fantastical family tree that transports him through time, allowing him to meet his relatives at various stages of their lives. He encounters his mother as a young girl and his sister as a teenager, gaining a new perspective on their experiences and the importance of family connections. Through these adventures, Kun learns valuable lessons about empathy, patience, and his own place within his family's history.

Mirai Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • time travel
  • anime
  • dog
  • baby
  • horse
  • train
  • tree
  • pet
  • jealousy
  • snow adventure
  • the future
  • one word title
+38 more
  • three word title
  • family relationships
  • 4 year old
  • boy
  • girl
  • garden
  • backyard
  • magic
  • brother sister relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • great grandfather great grandson relationship
  • grandfather granddaughter relationship
  • child
  • older person
  • love
  • spoiled child
  • sibling jealousy
  • traditional animation
  • little boy
  • pet dog
  • electric toy train
  • playing fetch with a dog
  • snowing
  • snowflake
  • feeding a baby
  • hitting a baby
  • crying
  • crying child
  • crying baby
  • doll
  • photograph
  • learning to ride a bicycle
  • motorcycle
  • bathtub
  • hiding in a closet
  • train station
  • tokyo japan
  • shinkansen
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Cast & crew

Mirai Cast & Characters

Jaden Waldman leads the cast as Kun, with Crispin Freeman as Yukko and Haru Kuroki as Mirai-chan.

Also Starring in Mirai

· 11 more
Ratings

Mirai Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mirai 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (78).

84 /100

Mirai Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Mirai excels in its visual artistry while balancing emotional depth with occasional narrative unevenness. The hand-drawn animation and production design receive consistent praise for their sumptuous color palette and imaginative sequences. At the same time, the pacing of the story draws some criticism for capricious swings that mimic youthful temperament. The film’s sensory and emotional strengths largely compensate for these moments, resulting in a heartfelt family experience that resonates despite minor structural flaws.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of direction and cinematography, Mirai’s art and craft stand out for their hand-drawn detail and inventive integration of 2D and 3D animation. Critics and audiences alike note the film’s sumptuous color choices and seamless production design across domestic and fantasy scenes. Overall, its visual coherence elevates the narrative with striking consistency.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, Mirai presents a blend of genuine warmth and capricious temperament in its young protagonist. While some view Kun's tantrums as distracting, many appreciate the authentic depiction of sibling rivalry and parental bonds. The film consistently delivers nuanced emotional beats that underline growth and human connection.

  • Story & Flow 80

    In terms of story and flow, Mirai offers a relatable family narrative enriched by inventive fantasy interludes. Viewers praise its emotional resonance and thematic coherence, while some find the pacing uneven and moments repetitive. The interplay of daily life vignettes with time-travel episodes provides originality, sustaining engagement despite occasional structural irregularities.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    When it comes to sensory experience, Mirai excels in its audio-visual harmony and soundtrack design. The piano-driven score underlines emotional shifts, and sound design enhances transitions between reality and fantasy. Visually, the film’s lucid color palette and fluid animation style create immersive sequences that consistently captivate both children and adults.

  • Rewatch Factor 78

    When it comes to rewatch factor, Mirai offers moments of lasting appeal through vivid fantasy sequences and emotional nuance. The imaginative use of time travel and symbolic encounters encourages viewers to revisit early scenes with fresh insight. However, some narrative unevenness and temperamental shifts may temper its replay value for certain audiences.

Plot

Mirai Plot Summary

What happens in Mirai from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Kun, a spirited 4-year-old boy, is the cherished son of an executive mother and an architect father. They reside in a unique stepped house located in Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, designed by Kun’s father around a grand tree. Kun enjoys delightful days filled with play alongside his pet dog, Yukko, and immersing himself in his colorful toy train sets. However, the arrival of his baby sister, Mirai, whose name translates to “future,” brings about a shift in dynamics. Initially, Kun welcomes her, but as time progresses, jealousy takes root as all the parental attention shifts to the newborn, leaving him to act out, particularly as his father, now working remotely, becomes preoccupied with his job.

Full summary

The whole story of Mirai, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Mirai Box Office

Mirai grossed $28.8 million worldwide. $812,794 came from the US and Canada and $27.9 million (97%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$28.8M

US & Canada
$812.8K
International
$27.9M
US & Canada 3% Rest of the world 97%
Awards

Mirai Awards & Nominations

Mirai was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 4 nominations come from 4 ceremonies.

4 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

Mirai Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 3 trailers, 2 clips and 1 featurette.

All 6 videos
Mamoru Hosoda's 'MIRAI' - Official Trailer
  • Trailer Mirai [Official US Trailer, GKIDS - Special Premiere Event Nov 29th, In Select Theaters Nov 30th]
  • Trailer Mirai [Official English Trailer, GKIDS - Out on Blu-Ray, DVD & Digital on April 9!]
  • Clip Mirai - Clip #1 "Making Messes"
  • Clip Maternal Memories
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mirai?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of Kun's baby sister?

Cars

Cars in Mirai

10 cars on screen, including the 1984 Volvo 240 and the BMW Custom Bobber.

All 10 cars
  • 1984 Volvo 240 in Mirai 1984 Volvo 240 Important role
  • BMW Custom Bobber in Mirai BMW Custom Bobber Minor role
  • 2013 Daihatsu Tanto in Mirai 2013 Daihatsu Tanto Background role
  • Honda Acty Van in Mirai Honda Acty Van Background role
Details

Mirai Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Mirai no Mirai” and “Mirai of the Future”.

Also known as
  • Mirai no Mirai
  • Mirai of the Future
  • 未来のミライ:2018
  • Mirai, mi hermana pequeña
  • 未来的未来
  • Мірай з майбутнього
  • Miraï, ma petite sœur
  • 未來的未來
  • Мирай из будущего
  • 미래의 미라이
  • Miraï, min lillasyster
  • Мирай от бъдещето
+15 more
  • מיראי
  • Mirai, dívka z budoucnosti
  • Mirai - Das Mädchen aus der Zukunft
  • Mirai - Lány a jövőből
  • ميراي المستقبلية
  • میرای
  • Mirai, la meva germana petita
  • Miraï: mi pequeña hermana
  • มิไร มหัศจรรย์วันสองวัย
  • Miraï, ma petite soeur
  • Mirai: Em Gái Đến Từ Tương Lai
  • Mano mažoji sesutė Mirai
  • Mirai, dievča z budúcnosti
  • Μιράϊ
  • Η Μικρή μου Αδελφή

Seen Mirai?

FAQ

Mirai FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards, post-credit scenes and language of Mirai, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mirai?

Mirai runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was Mirai released?

Mirai was released on November 30, 2018.

Who is in the cast of Mirai?

Mirai stars Jaden Waldman as Kun, Crispin Freeman as Yukko and Haru Kuroki as Mirai-chan, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Mirai make at the box office?

Mirai grossed $28.8 million worldwide ($812,794 domestic, $27.9 million international).

How is Mirai rated?

Mirai has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 81 on Metacritic, 72% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Mirai nominated for any awards?

Mirai received 4 nominations across 4 ceremonies.

Does Mirai have a post-credit scene?

No. Mirai has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Mirai in?

The original language of Mirai is Japanese.

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