July 24, 2026 marked a landmark day for Chiikawa fans as Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu (Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island) — the franchise’s first-ever theatrical film — opened across Japan, including in IMAX. Here is a spoiler-free look at the opening day atmosphere and what the film has to offer.
What Is Chiikawa?
Chiikawa: Nanka Chiisaku te Kawaii Yatsu is a hugely popular webcomic by illustrator Nagano, serialised on X (formerly Twitter). It follows the tiny, adorable protagonist Chiikawa alongside friends Usagi and Hachiware as they eat good food, work, study, and occasionally get swept up in surprisingly intense adventures. The contrast between its cute art style and its often bleak, unsettling storylines is a key part of its charm, earning it a devoted fanbase both in Japan and internationally.
The TV anime adaptation airs within Fuji TV’s morning programme Mezamashi TV, but this theatrical release is the first time the series has made it to the big screen. The film adapts the Siren Arc (セイレーン編), one of the most beloved and talked-about long-form arcs in the original manga, making it a highly anticipated event for fans.
Opening Day: Theatres Packed from Dawn
TOHO Cinemas Ikebukuro rose to the occasion by scheduling a remarkable 41 screenings across all 10 of its screens on opening day. By 7:00 a.m., 32 of those 41 sessions were already full or nearly full, with the remaining slots selling out shortly after. The cinema also ran screenings on every screen simultaneously during the early-morning slot, effectively turning the entire building into a Chiikawa fan gathering. The audience skewed toward men and women in their 20s to 40s, with many families bringing young children as well.
The theatre’s interior was decked out in Chiikawa décor, ramping up excitement before the film even began. Ikebukuro is something of a spiritual home for Chiikawa fans — it hosts Chiikawa Park, the only Chiikawa theme park in Japan, alongside Chiikawa Land, a Chiikawa restaurant, and a dedicated Chiikawa ramen shop, among other permanent installations.
The merchandise corner was equally frenzied: both the Chiikawa popcorn box and the Siren Drink cup holder sold out before noon. The writer attended the 8:30 a.m. screening at HUMAX Cinemas Ikebukuro, held in Screen 1 with a capacity of 453 seats. The first-wave admission bonus was a set of 8 random charm mini-figures; the writer received the “used bookshop owner (古本屋)” character.
Spoiler-Free Review: A Must-See Summer Film — With One Caveat
Story-wise, the film stays faithful to the source manga, with only minor dialogue trims and scene adjustments. The animation and score do an excellent job of amplifying the emotional weight of each moment, making this a thoroughly satisfying manga adaptation. The final battle and its aftermath are particular highlights in terms of direction — action sequences are kinetic and exhilarating, while quieter scenes land with real emotional impact. Crucially, the direction never feels overwrought.
The ending theme is an absolute must-listen, and the identity of the performing artist is a genuine surprise — keep your eyes on the end credits.
One note of caution: true to the source material, the film contains elements that are unsettling upon reflection, and certain plot outcomes may feel arbitrary or distressing. Viewers who prefer not to have their emotions rattled are advised to read the original manga first to know what they are getting into.
That said, no prior knowledge of Chiikawa is required to enjoy the film — it works perfectly well as an entry point to the franchise. For a quick primer, the official account has released a short video titled “2分くらいでわかる予習ムービー～「ちいかわ」の世界～” (A Prep Video That Explains Chiikawa in About 2 Minutes).
Packed into 99 minutes, the film delivers food, dance, song, adventure, battles, friendship, mystery, and psycho-thriller elements — everything you could want from a summer blockbuster. Head to your nearest cinema and experience this wild island adventure for yourself.
Film Details
Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu
- Release Date: July 24, 2026 (IMAX version also from same date)
- Original Story & Screenplay: Nagano
- Director: Kei Oikawa
- Character Design: Tomoko Tsuji
- Concept Art: Maki Hashimoto
- Prop Design: Takumi Kozuma
- Color Design: Ayaka Nagai
- Art Director: Moe Mazaki
- CG Director: Yoshinori Nakano
- Director of Photography: Masaharu Okazaki
- Editor: Ayumu Takahashi
- Sound Director: Masaki Tsuchiya
- Sound Effects: Hiromune Kurahashi (Otonarium)
- Music: Shugo Tokumaru / Chikara Kamimizutaru
- Animation Producer: Kan Mizoguchi
- Animation Studio: Saipiku
- Executive Producer: Yoko Matsuzaki
- Producer: Taro Imafuku, Masataka Komine, Naoto Shoji
- Distributor: Toho
Cast
- Chiikawa: Haruka Aoki
- Hachiware: Masato Tanaka
- Usagi: Ari Ozawa
- Momonga: Yuka Iguchi
- Kurimanju: Takayuki Asai
- Rakko: Yuma Uchida
- Shisa: Miyuri Shimabukuro
- Used Bookshop Owner: Momono Harumi
- Shima Jiro: Tsuguo Mogami
- Siren: Minori Suzuki
- Hitoha: Momoka Terasawa
- Futaba: Sayumi Suzushiro
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