The fusion of three hot tracks—virtual influencer, AI, and Web3—has created the buzz around MIRAI. In just one week, it exceeded its fundraising target by raising over 76,000 SOL (approximately $12.9 million), setting a new record for Japanese Web3 projects. On May 16, MIRAI was launched on Binance Alpha, further enhancing its exposure. To expand community influence, the MIRAI team has actively engaged with trending meme coin communities, including PNUT, MOODENG, and NEIRO.

MIRAI is jointly launched by Aww Inc. and Holoworld, a Solana ecosystem AI platform. The project is positioned as an attempt at a virtual personality in Web3, proposing an unprecedented concept of virtual humans combined with Web3. In layman's terms, it aims to "put CGI virtual characters on the blockchain." According to the official introduction, the MIRAI project integrates Aww Inc.'s expertise in CG modeling and character design with Holoworld's blockchain infrastructure and AI technology, aiming to create virtual characters with autonomy and intelligent agency capabilities.

Is it a hype or an innovation? How far can MIRAI, loaded with "hot topics," go?

Aww: Creating the Global Virtual Influencer Imma and Partnering with NVIDIA

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Tokyo, Aww Inc. is the first Asian company focused on "virtual human" technology. It is dedicated to combining 3DCG, artificial intelligence, and real-time streaming to create highly realistic digital characters for brand marketing, content creation, and metaverse applications. The company not only provides virtual human technology licenses but also promotes "global IP co-creation based on real-time streaming, content, and AI." Aww claims to be the first in Asia to propose the concept of "virtual humans" and has launched dozens of such virtual avatars.

In terms of commercialization, Aww Inc. has achieved diversified revenue through global licensing and brand collaborations. The most representative example is the virtual model Imma, who first appeared in 2018. By the end of 2024, Imma had over 400,000 followers on Instagram and more than 480,000 followers on TikTok. With her "unique pink short hair and delicate CG modeling," Imma has become a top "virtual influencer" in the fashion and commercial fields, favored by global top brands. She has served as the digital spokesperson for major fashion brands such as Burberry, COACH, BAPE, and Doublet, and was also the global brand ambassador for Lenovo's "Yoga" series of laptops.

Imma's presence is also widespread in sports and cultural fields. At the closing ceremony of the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, Imma participated as a digital avatar, becoming the first virtual human to appear in a Paralympic event. Forbes Poland included Imma in its "Women of the Year" list in 2020, recognizing her influence in "breaking the boundaries between the virtual and the real and empowering digital creativity." On April 12 of this year, at the opening ceremony of the Osaka Kansai Expo, Imma, as a "special support ambassador," served as the host, introducing VIPs and guiding the event's progress.

Decoding MIRAI: The Web3 Virtual Human Ecosystem Endorsed by Top Virtual Influencer Imma

In terms of technology research and development, Aww Inc. has established a strategic partnership with the semiconductor giant NVIDIA. In June 2024, Aww officially disclosed that the collaboration would integrate NVIDIA's AI audio-driven technology (Audio2Face) and GPU acceleration capabilities to enhance real-time emotional interaction and lip-syncing of virtual characters, ushering in the "AI-empowered Virtual Human 2.0 era." In the future, Aww plans to expand its IP portfolio and, in combination with NVIDIA and its own AI tools, provide a complete virtual human solution for various industries, from advertising endorsements to immersive metaverse experiences.

It is evident that with its early market layout, well-known virtual IPs, and technological strength, Aww Inc. has established a certain brand influence in the Web2 world. Meanwhile, IPs like Imma have already gained a wide fan base and commercial value among the younger generation, and these advantages have become important resources for the MIRAI project to make a mark in Web3.

Entering Web3: From Imma to $MIRAI

As early as three years ago, Senya Takayuki, co-founder of Aww Inc., stated: "While I am researching and creating artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and various other platform businesses, I am also focusing on building a community culture formed by blockchain, which will influence people's future. In such a community culture, virtual humans and their related intellectual property rights will become very important."

Now, Senya's vision has come to fruition—MIRAI, jointly created with Holoworld AI from the Solana ecosystem, aims to build the first "virtual idol + Web3 autonomous co-creation" ecosystem. It is worth noting that Imma's name is derived from the Japanese word "ima," meaning "now," while "MIRAI" means "future" in Japanese. The name of the new project perhaps expresses Aww's expectation: entering the Web3 field is equivalent to moving towards the future.

In terms of project empowerment, Aww Inc. provides core support based on its years of IP and community operation advantages in the Web2 world. In the official X account announcement of the presale launch, Aww Inc. clearly stated that this collaboration is based on the appeal and fan base of its virtual idol Imma and other IPs, providing a stable community traffic entry point for the MIRAI presale. Imma has over 1.5 million followers across all platforms and has collaborated deeply with international brands, forming a highly sticky marketing model that integrates online and offline elements and endorses the project with a mature commercialization path.

Decoding MIRAI: The Web3 Virtual Human Ecosystem Endorsed by Top Virtual Influencer Imma

Holoworld AI, on the other hand, injects the power of "intelligent agents + decentralization" into the project through its underlying technology and on-chain infrastructure. Holoworld announced on Twitter that its strategic cooperation with Aww Inc. aims to jointly build the "first consumer-friendly on-chain AI virtual human infrastructure" and will use Hololaunch as the launch platform to help the MIRAI project complete its first-round issuance in a fair and transparent manner. In addition, Holoworld will introduce several core tools and services for MIRAI, including the next-generation Launchpad, Agent Studio V2 (providing video and image APIs and a credit pricing system), Agent Livestreaming, and multi-chain deployment support (Open MCP). These features are planned to be rolled out in the coming quarters, providing full-stack technical support for virtual human content creation, interactive experiences, and ecosystem expansion.

According to the project roadmap, MIRAI will launch Agent Studio V2 in Q3, enabling creators to generate high-quality multimodal content with a single click. In Q4, the first Agent Livestreaming is expected to be realized, allowing MIRAI characters to interact with audiences in real-time and enable voting functions. Finally, in early 2026, a complete DAO governance platform will be launched, allowing community members to propose and decide on major matters such as IP derivatives and ecosystem fund allocation.

Interpreting MIRAI: Hype or Innovation?

Based on high-fidelity CGI and deep learning technology, MIRAI has conceptualized an AI-driven virtual human character bound to a blockchain identity system. This model enables virtual humans to make autonomous decisions, interact with the community, and be incentivized through a token economy, representing a new paradigm of "AI agent + on-chain identity." The project allows the community to act as co-creators and co-governors of the character, jointly deciding on plot development and IP derivative directions. Community members who hold tokens can participate in governance, use the character's image for secondary creation, and share in the profits, breaking the traditional one-way creation model of virtual IPs. This mechanism is similar to "content mining," encouraging users to create economic value through creativity and labor.

However, innovation also comes with many risks. In terms of the token economy, MIRAI has a total supply of 1 billion tokens, with 25% allocated to the team and partners. During the presale phase, the top 100 addresses alone hold over 60% of the tokens, and the number of token-holding addresses is decreasing while the concentration of large holders is increasing. This could lead to highly centralized governance power, making so-called community decision-making a mere formality. Moreover, with 25% of the liquidity pool released in stages, if it floods the market early on, prices may experience significant volatility.

Decoding MIRAI: The Web3 Virtual Human Ecosystem Endorsed by Top Virtual Influencer Imma

In terms of community operations, while decentralized co-creation can stimulate vitality, it also brings management challenges: user-generated content varies in quality. Without effective review and incentive mechanisms, there is a risk of "plot deviation" or copyright disputes. Frequent derivatives and collaborations of the character may also weaken the consistency and recognizability of the core IP. The success of virtual idols like Imma relies on continuous high-quality content and trending topics. If there is a lack of innovative play or a decline in attention, the character may quickly fall into the quagmire of "character collapse" or declining popularity.

What is more alarming is that only after the hype has subsided will we realize whether blockchain has truly added new value to virtual idols or if it is merely using "decentralization" as a business gimmick. If project operations become disconnected and community activity does not meet expectations, the token may face a "valuable but unsold" situation, exposing investors to high risks.

Overall, MIRAI is pioneering in combining AI virtual idols with blockchain, injecting new ideas into Web3 content creation and IP economy. However, whether it can truly achieve its vision depends on the rational design of the token economy, the improvement of community governance mechanisms, and the virtual character's ability to continuously innovate and maintain value. Only when technology and mechanisms mature together can MIRAI truly become a model for the "virtual human + decentralized economy" model.

The fusion of three hot tracks—virtual influencer, AI, and Web3—has created the buzz around MIRAI. In just one week, it exceeded its fundraising target by raising over 76,000 SOL (approximately $12.9 million), setting a new record for Japanese Web3 projects. On May 16, MIRAI was launched on Binance Alpha, further enhancing its exposure. To expand community influence, the MIRAI team has actively engaged with trending meme coin communities, including PNUT, MOODENG, and NEIRO.

MIRAI is jointly launched by Aww Inc. and Holoworld, a Solana ecosystem AI platform. The project is positioned as an attempt at a virtual personality in Web3, proposing an unprecedented concept of virtual humans combined with Web3. In layman's terms, it aims to "put CGI virtual characters on the blockchain." According to the official introduction, the MIRAI project integrates Aww Inc.'s expertise in CG modeling and character design with Holoworld's blockchain infrastructure and AI technology, aiming to create virtual characters with autonomy and intelligent agency capabilities.

Is it a hype or an innovation? How far can MIRAI, loaded with "hot topics," go?

Aww: Creating the Global Virtual Influencer Imma and Partnering with NVIDIA

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Tokyo, Aww Inc. is the first Asian company focused on "virtual human" technology. It is dedicated to combining 3DCG, artificial intelligence, and real-time streaming to create highly realistic digital characters for brand marketing, content creation, and metaverse applications. The company not only provides virtual human technology licenses but also promotes "global IP co-creation based on real-time streaming, content, and AI." Aww claims to be the first in Asia to propose the concept of "virtual humans" and has launched dozens of such virtual avatars.

In terms of commercialization, Aww Inc. has achieved diversified revenue through global licensing and brand collaborations. The most representative example is the virtual model Imma, who first appeared in 2018. By the end of 2024, Imma had over 400,000 followers on Instagram and more than 480,000 followers on TikTok. With her "unique pink short hair and delicate CG modeling," Imma has become a top "virtual influencer" in the fashion and commercial fields, favored by global top brands. She has served as the digital spokesperson for major fashion brands such as Burberry, COACH, BAPE, and Doublet, and was also the global brand ambassador for Lenovo's "Yoga" series of laptops.

Imma's presence is also widespread in sports and cultural fields. At the closing ceremony of the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, Imma participated as a digital avatar, becoming the first virtual human to appear in a Paralympic event. Forbes Poland included Imma in its "Women of the Year" list in 2020, recognizing her influence in "breaking the boundaries between the virtual and the real and empowering digital creativity." On April 12 of this year, at the opening ceremony of the Osaka Kansai Expo, Imma, as a "special support ambassador," served as the host, introducing VIPs and guiding the event's progress.

Decoding MIRAI: The Web3 Virtual Human Ecosystem Endorsed by Top Virtual Influencer Imma

In terms of technology research and development, Aww Inc. has established a strategic partnership with the semiconductor giant NVIDIA. In June 2024, Aww officially disclosed that the collaboration would integrate NVIDIA's AI audio-driven technology (Audio2Face) and GPU acceleration capabilities to enhance real-time emotional interaction and lip-syncing of virtual characters, ushering in the "AI-empowered Virtual Human 2.0 era." In the future, Aww plans to expand its IP portfolio and, in combination with NVIDIA and its own AI tools, provide a complete virtual human solution for various industries, from advertising endorsements to immersive metaverse experiences.

It is evident that with its early market layout, well-known virtual IPs, and technological strength, Aww Inc. has established a certain brand influence in the Web2 world. Meanwhile, IPs like Imma have already gained a wide fan base and commercial value among the younger generation, and these advantages have become important resources for the MIRAI project to make a mark in Web3.

Entering Web3: From Imma to $MIRAI

As early as three years ago, Senya Takayuki, co-founder of Aww Inc., stated: "While I am researching and creating artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and various other platform businesses, I am also focusing on building a community culture formed by blockchain, which will influence people's future. In such a community culture, virtual humans and their related intellectual property rights will become very important."

Now, Senya's vision has come to fruition—MIRAI, jointly created with Holoworld AI from the Solana ecosystem, aims to build the first "virtual idol + Web3 autonomous co-creation" ecosystem. It is worth noting that Imma's name is derived from the Japanese word "ima," meaning "now," while "MIRAI" means "future" in Japanese. The name of the new project perhaps expresses Aww's expectation: entering the Web3 field is equivalent to moving towards the future.

In terms of project empowerment, Aww Inc. provides core support based on its years of IP and community operation advantages in the Web2 world. In the official X account announcement of the presale launch, Aww Inc. clearly stated that this collaboration is based on the appeal and fan base of its virtual idol Imma and other IPs, providing a stable community traffic entry point for the MIRAI presale. Imma has over 1.5 million followers across all platforms and has collaborated deeply with international brands, forming a highly sticky marketing model that integrates online and offline elements and endorses the project with a mature commercialization path.

Decoding MIRAI: The Web3 Virtual Human Ecosystem Endorsed by Top Virtual Influencer Imma

Holoworld AI, on the other hand, injects the power of "intelligent agents + decentralization" into the project through its underlying technology and on-chain infrastructure. Holoworld announced on Twitter that its strategic cooperation with Aww Inc. aims to jointly build the "first consumer-friendly on-chain AI virtual human infrastructure" and will use Hololaunch as the launch platform to help the MIRAI project complete its first-round issuance in a fair and transparent manner. In addition, Holoworld will introduce several core tools and services for MIRAI, including the next-generation Launchpad, Agent Studio V2 (providing video and image APIs and a credit pricing system), Agent Livestreaming, and multi-chain deployment support (Open MCP). These features are planned to be rolled out in the coming quarters, providing full-stack technical support for virtual human content creation, interactive experiences, and ecosystem expansion.

According to the project roadmap, MIRAI will launch Agent Studio V2 in Q3, enabling creators to generate high-quality multimodal content with a single click. In Q4, the first Agent Livestreaming is expected to be realized, allowing MIRAI characters to interact with audiences in real-time and enable voting functions. Finally, in early 2026, a complete DAO governance platform will be launched, allowing community members to propose and decide on major matters such as IP derivatives and ecosystem fund allocation.

Interpreting MIRAI: Hype or Innovation?

Based on high-fidelity CGI and deep learning technology, MIRAI has conceptualized an AI-driven virtual human character bound to a blockchain identity system. This model enables virtual humans to make autonomous decisions, interact with the community, and be incentivized through a token economy, representing a new paradigm of "AI agent + on-chain identity." The project allows the community to act as co-creators and co-governors of the character, jointly deciding on plot development and IP derivative directions. Community members who hold tokens can participate in governance, use the character's image for secondary creation, and share in the profits, breaking the traditional one-way creation model of virtual IPs. This mechanism is similar to "content mining," encouraging users to create economic value through creativity and labor.

However, innovation also comes with many risks. In terms of the token economy, MIRAI has a total supply of 1 billion tokens, with 25% allocated to the team and partners. During the presale phase, the top 100 addresses alone hold over 60% of the tokens, and the number of token-holding addresses is decreasing while the concentration of large holders is increasing. This could lead to highly centralized governance power, making so-called community decision-making a mere formality. Moreover, with 25% of the liquidity pool released in stages, if it floods the market early on, prices may experience significant volatility.

Decoding MIRAI: The Web3 Virtual Human Ecosystem Endorsed by Top Virtual Influencer Imma

In terms of community operations, while decentralized co-creation can stimulate vitality, it also brings management challenges: user-generated content varies in quality. Without effective review and incentive mechanisms, there is a risk of "plot deviation" or copyright disputes. Frequent derivatives and collaborations of the character may also weaken the consistency and recognizability of the core IP. The success of virtual idols like Imma relies on continuous high-quality content and trending topics. If there is a lack of innovative play or a decline in attention, the character may quickly fall into the quagmire of "character collapse" or declining popularity.

What is more alarming is that only after the hype has subsided will we realize whether blockchain has truly added new value to virtual idols or if it is merely using "decentralization" as a business gimmick. If project operations become disconnected and community activity does not meet expectations, the token may face a "valuable but unsold" situation, exposing investors to high risks.

Overall, MIRAI is pioneering in combining AI virtual idols with blockchain, injecting new ideas into Web3 content creation and IP economy. However, whether it can truly achieve its vision depends on the rational design of the token economy, the improvement of community governance mechanisms, and the virtual character's ability to continuously innovate and maintain value. Only when technology and mechanisms mature together can MIRAI truly become a model for the "virtual human + decentralized economy" model.