Mirai

Mirai is a Japanese word meaning future. It is used in various context as a given name, in entertainment, and in technology, among others, reflecting its broad cultural resonance.

In technology, Mirai refers to a 2016 botnet that compromised Internet of Things devices such as cameras and home routers. The malware exploited default credentials to recruit devices into a network of bots that could be directed to perform distributed denial-of-service attacks. The Mirai botnet gained notoriety for taking down large online services by overwhelming them with traffic, including major DNS providers and other online platforms.

In film and culture, Mirai is the title of a 2018 Japanese animated feature directed by Mamoru Hosoda. The film tells the story of a shy boy who, through interactions with a mysterious girl from the future and his newborn sister, confronts themes of family, loss, and growing up. It received international attention for its storytelling and visual style.

As a given name, Mirai is used in Japan and among people of Japanese heritage. Notable individuals with the given name include Mirai Nagasu, an American figure skater, and Mirai Shida, a Japanese actress, among others. The name appears across various works of fiction and media, often conveying a sense of possibility or renewal.

Overall, Mirai is a versatile term found in language, popular culture, and technology, linked by the common idea of “what is to come.”