Decoding MYAKU-MYAKU: The Significance and Inspiration Behind Osaka Expo’s Character
【この記事にはPRを含む場合があります】
For 184 days from April 13 to October 13, 2025, Japan will host the international event EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai under the theme Designing a Future Society that Shines with Life.
The Osaka Expo has an official mascot character named MYAKU-MYAKU.
Currently, posters of MYAKU-MYAKU are posted in major places in Osaka Prefecture, and goods made in collaboration with the Osaka Expo are on sale.
However, there are probably many people who do not know what kind of character he is or where he comes from.
So, in this article, I, a resident of Osaka, will introduce MYAKU-MYAKU, the character of the Osaka Expo, focusing on the origin of his name!
EXPO Osaka’s Character, MYAKU-MYAKU
(Source: EXPO 2025)
MYAKU-MYAKU is the official character of EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai.
When MYAKU-MYAKU was first announced, its mysterious form and design caused a stir, with many people saying that it was a bit scary and that it would be better if it were more approachable.
Today, however, I have the impression that its mysterious existence is widely accepted and many people are attached to it.
MYAKU-MYAKU is a character with prominent red and blue colors, and these colors represent, respectively, red for cells and blue for water.
The red color for cells that divide and multiply, and the blue color for water that changes its shape as if it were flowing.
The red color of the cell represents the activity of life and the cycle of nature, and the blue color represents the strong vitality of the main theme of the Osaka Expo, Designing a Future Society where Life Shines Brightly.
＜About MYAKU-MYAKU＞
A mysterious creature born from the fusion of cells and water. Its true identity remains unknown.
The red part represents “cells,” which divide and multiply. The blue part represents “pure water,” which can flow and change shape.
It appears to be transforming into various forms in search of who it wants to be, and its current form mimics humans. However, it changes its shape so much that it sometimes forgets its original form.
Going outside and basking in the sunlight is the source of its energy. It also loves rainy days and can absorb rain into its body. (Citation:EXPO 2025)
What Does the Name MYAKU-MYAKU Mean?
(Source: EXPO 2025)
The name MYAKU-MYAKU, the official character of the Osaka Expo, comes from the Japanese word for pulse, which represents the pulsation of life and the connection between human civilizations.
In Japanese, the word myaku(pulse) is often used to mean to be passed down from generation to generation, and it also expresses a wish for hope for the history and culture of the world.
The name MYAKU-MYAKU, which represents cells and water, was also chosen because it evokes the sound of life continuing for a long time, which fits the concept of the Expo.
The name “Myakmyak” was chosen out of more than 30,000 entries for the name of the character for the Osaka Expo.
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✨ #サンリオキャラクターズ ✨コラボ決定❗
＼7/12から限定コラボグッズを販売開始💙
どうぞ楽しみにお待ちください💌詳細はこちらから👇https://t.co/OAc8c0Z2R0#EXPO2025 #ミャクミャク @sanrio_news pic.twitter.com/tYoQmIDGp9
— 2025大阪・関西万博公式ライセンス商品【公式】 (@expo2025product) July 3, 2024
The two winners who named MYAKU-MYAKU, were Kawakatsu Miyu and Sakuta Yohku.
Each of them had submitted the character name MYAKU-MYAKU, making it a double winner.
One of the winners, Mr. Sakuta, is a student at Yamato University, a university in Osaka, and he applied for the contest because he was given an assignment in his university class to come up with a character name for the Expo.
It is nice to see a name invented by the younger generation living in Osaka being used!
Who Decided on the Name?
（出典：PR TIMES）
The name MYAKU-MYAKU was chosen by the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 Official Character Nickname Selection Committee.
The selection committee was chaired by copywriter Takashi Nakahata, who has created some of Japan’s most famous advertising phrases, such as Your eyes are sharp, aren’t they?
The selection committee included eight celebrities, including singer-songwriter aiko and linguist Asako Iida.
Who Designed MYAKU-MYAKU?
Kohei Yamashita, a picture book author and designer, designed MYAKU-MYAKU, the official character of the Osaka Expo.
#今日は何の日？📖
本日3/22は、#ミャクミャク のデザインが決まった日🥳1,898点の応募作品の中から、デザイナー・絵本作家の山下 浩平さんの作品が選ばれ、2022年3月22日に万博の公式キャラクターのデザインが決定✨
みなさん、これからもミャクミャクをよろしくお願いします🥰#くるぞ万博 pic.twitter.com/dgaUf8FGPR
— Expo2025 大阪・関西万博 (@expo2025_japan) March 22, 2024
The design was also chosen from among 1,898 entries from the public.
Recently, an animated version of the book has also been decided. The addition of movement to the design has been well-received and makes it more approachable.
🔴🔵ミャクミャクのアニメが放送決定🔴🔵
不思議ないきもの”ミャクミャク”のアニメ化決定！
過去や未来について話したくなったミャクミャク。
そこで出会ったのは、ぐーたらなおっちゃん！？PVも公開！放送をお楽しみに！
初回放送▽
3/3（月）夜11:45https://t.co/5zhLTIzRge pic.twitter.com/IpddcObyKP— NHKアニメ (@nhk_animeworld) February 10, 2025
Who Decided on the Design?
The design of MYAKU-MYAKU was chosen by the Official Character Design Selection Committee for the 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka-Kansai Expo).
The selection committee was chaired by Kenya Hara, a graphic designer and professor at Musashino Art University, who is also known as the art director of MUJI and Tsutaya.
The selection committee includes 10 celebrities, including Dragon Quest game designer Yuji Horii and singer/TV personality Shoko Nakagawa.
What Kind of Character Is MYAKU-MYAKU?
(Source: PR TIMES)
A little more about what kind of character MYAKU-MYAKU, the official character of Expo 2025 Osaka, is.
MYAKU-MYAKU was born in a small spring area in the Kansai region.
He is said to be curious and a little bit screwed up, making him a character loved by everyone.
He has a friendly personality and is good at making friends with anyone.
He also has the mysterious ability to change her appearance at will.
He loves to meet new people and interact with them, and he is also good at finding rainbows in the sky after it rains, which is a characteristic of the adorable MYAKU-MYAKU that is loved by many people.
＞ Click here for the EXPO2025 “About the Official Character” detail page
Let’s Meet MYAKU-MYAKU at the Osaka Expo!
(Source: PR TIMES)
Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai will finally be held.
The Expo will feature the Great Roof Ring, the symbol of the Expo, as well as Signature Pavilions, Pavilions for private sectors, and the Kansai Pavilion, to name a few attractions.
Be sure to meet MYAKU-MYAKU, who is already involved in a variety of activities to promote the Osaka Expo!
＞ Click here to see the popularity ranking of “Myakmyak related goods” available on Rakuten Ichiba.
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