The Shimano 26 Miravel goes on sale in September 2026, with a list price of JPY 16,000–19,800 (excl. tax). The C3000 is 200g, 20g lighter than the Ultegra C3000 and JPY 2,700 cheaper. Among Shimano reels under JPY 20,000 chosen by weight, it is a buy.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The 26 Miravel is not a lower rung of the Ultegra but a separate tool that leans toward lightness. Shimano explains that the lighter the rotor, the less force it takes to start and stop winding. That is why I pick this one as the first reel for fishing where you move the lure with the rod.
Key points
- Released September 2026. The 1000, C2000S and C2000SHG are due in October
- Four new mechanisms on the 26 model
- Shaving 1g with the Vanquish costs JPY 870
When is the 26 Miravel out, and what does it cost?
The Shimano 26 Miravel is released in September 2026. Only the 1000, C2000S and C2000SHG are written on the official page as due in October.
| Item | Official listing |
|---|---|
| Release date | September 2026 (the 1000, C2000S and C2000SHG due in October 2026) |
| List price | JPY 16,000–19,800 (excl. tax) |
| Sizes | 11 models, from the 1000 to the C5000XG |
| New mechanisms | Infinity Drive, Anti-Twist Fin, one-piece bail, X-Protect |
How is it different from the 22 Miravel?
Four things are new. Infinity Drive makes winding lighter, Anti-Twist Fin holds down slack in the line, the one-piece bail has no seam and X-Protect adds waterproofing.
Shimano explains that weight is also lighter than before.
How I judged it
The first thing I looked at was the C3000's weight. 200g. The Ultegra C3000, one price step up, was 220g. The cheaper one is lighter.
What I weighed was what the JPY 2,700 difference buys. The bearings were the same on both, 5 ball and 1 roller. The difference is in how the series are conceived, which I write about next. As reel No. 1 for fishing where you work the lure with the rod, it is a buy.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano Miravel
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 12,258 (as of Oct 14). Some stores go up to JPY 15,246. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanWhat are the weight and price of each size?
Swipe the table sideways →
| Sizes | Weight | Gear ratio / per crank | Drag (practical / max) | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 170g | 5 / 66cm | 2kg / 3kg | JPY 16,000 |
| C2000SHG | 175g | 6 / 79cm | 2kg / 3kg | JPY 16,000 |
| 2500S | 200g | 5 / 73cm | 2.5kg / 4kg | JPY 17,300 |
| C3000 | 200g | 5 / 73cm | 3.5kg / 9kg | JPY 17,300 |
| C3000HG | 200g | 6.2 / 91cm | 3.5kg / 9kg | JPY 17,300 |
| 4000XG | 245g | 6.2 / 99cm | 6kg / 11kg | JPY 18,800 |
| C5000XG | 270g | 6.2 / 105cm | 6kg / 11kg | JPY 19,800 |
For ajing, take the 170g 1000 or the 175g C2000SHG. Those three small sizes are due in October. How to think about a size that suits light jig heads is written in how to choose a reel size.
The 2500S and C3000 have the same weight and the same 46.5mm spool diameter. What differs is the groove depth and the drag. The official line capacity was PE #0.6 for 200m on the 2500S and PE #1 for 400m on the C3000.
What does lightness change? Shimano's two series
Shimano explains that Core Solid aims for smooth winding with a heavy rotor, and Magnum Light aims for response at starting and stopping with a light rotor. The Miravel is on the Magnum Light side, the Ultegra on the Core Solid side.
In other words, the two are not high and low but pointed in different directions. For winding a high-resistance lure at a steady pace, the Ultegra; for jerking and shaking, the Miravel. That split is the core of my judgment.
How many cranks to retrieve 100m?
100m is 10,000cm. The C3000 is 10,000 ÷ 73 for about 137 turns, and the C3000HG is 10,000 ÷ 91 for about 110 turns. The gap is 27 turns. Weight and list price are the same.
For eging where you want to take up slack quickly, the C3000HG; if slow winding is your main fishing, the C3000.
How does it compare with the Ultegra, Vanquish and Legalis?
Ultegra C3000: 220g, JPY 20,000 (excl. tax). 20g heavier than the Miravel and JPY 2,700 more. Per 1 turn it takes up 2cm more, at 75cm.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano Ultegra C3000
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 13,800 (as of Oct 14). Some stores go up to JPY 20,071. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanVanquish C3000HG: a higher model in the same Magnum Light line, 180g, JPY 34,700 (excl. tax). 20g lighter than the Miravel C3000HG and JPY 17,400 more. The cost of shaving 1g is 17,400 ÷ 20 = JPY 870.
It has 2 more bearings, 7/1, and the drag carries wear-resistant Dura Cross. That is JPY 870 per 1g. Expensive for me.
Daiwa Legalis LT2500D: 190g, JPY 13,600 (excl. tax), max drag 10kg. 10g lighter than the Miravel C3000 and JPY 3,700 cheaper. On weight and price alone, the Miravel loses. This part is so-so.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Regalis LT2500D
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 9,946 (as of Oct 14). Some stores go up to JPY 14,242. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on NaturumSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanThings to watch
The Infinity Cross in the Vanquish description (a tooth design that raises gear durability) does not appear on the Miravel's official page. The drag material is felt as well.
The three small sizes are due in October. I track the dates in the release calendar.
Who is it for?
- Anglers who do a lot of fishing where the rod moves the lure, such as eging, bass and ajing
- Anglers who want a Shimano reel of about 200g for under JPY 20,000
For fishing where the rod moves the lure, the light new Miravel fits well. For winding a heavy lure continuously, the Ultegra; for just cheap and light, the Legalis LT2500D is another way to choose.
Rankings in the same price band are in our ranking of size 2500 and C3000 spinning reels, and the metal-body higher model is compared in the Stradic review. The box matters too. If you take the train to the breakwater, see the Sea Cool Carry III review for a box to carry.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano Miravel
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 12,258 (as of Oct 14). Some stores go up to JPY 15,246. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanFAQ
When is the 26 Miravel released?
September 2026. The official page says the 1000, C2000S and C2000SHG are due in October 2026.
How much is the 26 Miravel?
List price is JPY 16,000–19,800 (excl. tax). The C3000 series is JPY 17,300, and the C5000XG, the most expensive, was JPY 19,800.
How does it differ from the 22 Miravel?
Four things are new: Infinity Drive, Anti-Twist Fin, one-piece bail and X-Protect. Shimano also says the weight is lighter than before.
Can the 26 Miravel be used for ajing?
Yes. The sizes are the 1000 (170g, 66cm per turn) or the C2000SHG (175g, 79cm). Rods to pair with it are compared, six in all, in our ranking of ajing rods.
