
Danny Choo, founder of Culture Japan and inexhaustible ambassador for all things moe, announced the collaboration between his mascot Mirai Suenaga and the Thai airline Asian Air on his website this week. Read on to find out just how far their plans for anime-themed air domination go.
Mirai Suenaga is Culture Japan’s cute and perky mascot, who is also an official mascot for Japanese tourism. Created in 2007, she now travels the world promoting Japanese culture and, as you might expect, has a dedicated fan following. She’s already appeared in collaborations with Japanese brands such as Kadokawa and Nitroplus, but now it looks like she’s branching out even further – and bigger!
On April 1 both Asian Air and Culture Japan officially announced that they’d be collaborating to bring about the ultimate (and perhaps only?) anime flight experience. Their vision is a fully-decorated plane reminiscent of the Pokemon x ANA collaboration, but the Mirai madness won’t stop with the exterior.
▼ The images branding the hull and body of the plane are of super-deformed ‘chibi‘ versions of the cast of CJ characters which includes Mirai and a bunch of her other nubile friends.
▼ Here’s Mirai as you’ll usually see her, with her signature two braids and skimpy white and orange uniform.
The in-flight videos and entertainment system will feature Mirai and her friends, and there will be exclusive merchandise for sale on board too. CJ will also be contributing to further branding and content such as new uniforms for the attendants. We think Mirai’s usual uniform would be a pretty good place to start! Basically, it will be a complete and inescapable Mirai experience.
▼ Here’s Mirai-chan adorably modeling the current Asian Air uniforms.
Flights will start this June between Bangkok, Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo, with more international routes to come later. Danny and the rest of the team want to make this the best experience possible for both Mirai’s legion of current fans, and those who will no doubt be indoctrinated as new converts once they stumble off the six-hour flight.
Okay, so this was actually posted on April 1, which made us highly suspicious at first, but Danny has since posted that, just like how some of his past pranks have had a habit of becoming reality, this is the real deal. OK, Danny, we love you and we WANT to believe you, but we’ll wait until we see the planes on the tarmac if that’s OK?
Source: Hachima Kikou, Culture Japan, Asian Air







Japan Airlines concludes cabin attendant drank bottle of champagne during flight
Free in-flight KitKats discontinued by Japanese airline, sad day for sweets and Pokémon fans
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
G-cha & Ba-cha serves Japanese green tea with a heartwarming backstory in Tokyo
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
Happy 40th birthday, Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A!
Burger King offers every fast food franchisee in Japan 40M yen to jump ship and join them
Ninja-themed sneakers are the perfect footwear for the contemporary shadow assassin
Tokyo day-trip hot springs: Beautiful Mt. Fuji-view bath is just one highway bus stop from Shibuya
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says