The Insouls (因索族) are Animula Nook’s newest Minie race — mechanical residents built from clockwork, gears and technology, finished with a distinctive metallic gleam. They were revealed at the Tencent SPARK 2026 showcase in May 2026 as new arrivals to Minietopia.
They are the fourth-largest known group in the game’s cast and, so far, the least documented: two characters have been named, and no gameplay details have been published.
What is confirmed about the Insouls
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Race announced | ✅ Confirmed — Tencent SPARK 2026 |
| Design theme (clockwork, gears, metal) | ✅ Confirmed |
| Named characters | ✅ Mikan, Little Guardian |
| Retro Minies (复古粒) sub-type | ✅ Confirmed |
| Arrival in Minietopia | ⏳ Confirmed for the next test — dated 22 September 2026 on Chinese channels |
| Abilities, stats, gameplay roles | ❌ Not announced |
| Insoul-exclusive quests or mechanics | ❌ Not announced |
← Back to all Animula Nook characters
When will the Insouls be playable?
The SPARK 2026 announcement was specific about when the Insouls arrive, even though it gave no date: Tencent’s press release said the new race will move into Minietopia in the next test (“因索族将在下次测试入住摇粒乡”). It did not say when that test would happen.
That second half arrived later. On 2 July 2026, the official forum for 《粒粒的小人国》 — the Chinese release of Animula Nook — first said the second test would open in autumn 2026; on 24 August, Tencent’s official Chinese channels named it the “定格” (“Ding Ge”) test and dated it 22 September 2026.
So the Insouls are tied to a test window rather than to launch. Two caveats before you plan around it:
- Both statements came through Chinese channels. No English-language source has announced a second test or confirmed that overseas players are included in it.
- A test is not a release. Animula Nook still has no confirmed release date — the release date tracker has the full breakdown of what is and is not confirmed here.
Mikan (蜜柑)
A soft orange Minie who is never seen without her trusty paper bag — she wears it like armour, the same way a fruit is wrapped for protection. Cautious on the outside, warm on the inside.
Her official tagline describes it directly: “蜜柑像保护果实一样，为自己套上了纸袋子” — Mikan wraps herself in a paper bag the way you’d protect a piece of fruit.
Little Guardian (小神兵)
A retro wind-up robot Minie with big round eyes and a gear-covered chest. Famously slow to react, but full of charm — always a beat behind, never short on heart.
The official description leans into the joke: a delightfully delayed wind-up robot who is, in Minie terms, genuinely ancient.
Retro Minies (复古粒): the Insoul sub-type
Within the Insoul race there are sub-types with their own design identity. One confirmed sub-type is the Retro Minies (复古粒) — vintage-styled mechanical Minies with an old-world charm. Little Guardian is the clearest example shown so far.
No other Insoul sub-types have been named, and the developers have not said how many Insouls will exist at launch.
More races are still coming
The Insouls are not the end of the roster. In the Dev Diary published after the March 2026 alpha test, the team confirmed that new Minie races and upgraded character interactions are part of the post-alpha development plan, alongside a visual overhaul and a rebuilt character/controls/camera system.
That work sits alongside the Weirca, the fourth announced race, which still has no revealed characters.
What we are deliberately not publishing
Because the Insouls have never been playable, there is no confirmed information on their abilities, stats, gift preferences, story quests, or how they slot into the friendship system. Any site listing those right now is guessing. We will publish each section only once LilliLandia Games confirms it.
FAQ
What are the Insouls in Animula Nook?
Insouls (因索族) are a mechanical Minie race built from clockwork, gears and technology, with a distinctive metallic gleam. They were revealed at the Tencent SPARK 2026 showcase in May 2026 as new residents coming to Minietopia.
Which Insoul characters have been revealed?
Two so far: Mikan (蜜柑), a soft orange Minie who wears a paper bag like armour, and Little Guardian (小神兵), a retro wind-up robot with a gear-covered chest. No others have been officially named.
What are the Retro Minies in Animula Nook?
Retro Minies (复古粒) are a confirmed sub-type within the Insoul race — vintage-styled mechanical Minies with an old-world look. Little Guardian is the clearest example shown so far.
Are the Insouls playable yet?
No. Animula Nook has not released, and the Insouls were not part of the March 2026 PC alpha test. Tencent confirmed at SPARK 2026 that they arrive in the next test, which Chinese channels have dated 22 September 2026. No Insoul abilities, stats or gameplay roles have been published.
Meet the other races: Starmates · Boobos · Weirca
Read the full reveal in our SPARK 2026 recap, or head back to the Animula Nook character hub.
Last updated: August 25, 2026 — more Insouls will be added as they are officially revealed.