Chiikawa Secures Major Opening-Day Screening Record
Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island is making waves in the Japanese box office, securing 41 opening day screening times at Toho Cinemas' Ikebukuro location, a record that surpasses the 40 screenings achieved by Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle. This unusually high number has become a hot topic on Japanese social media, with fans expressing their excitement and anticipation for the film's success.
Per Oricon, Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island is scheduled to begin its domestic theatrical run on July 24, 2026. The film's plot, written by Nagano, follows Chiikawa and his friends as they travel to Mermaid Island for a special training camp. With its unique blend of slice-of-life and dark fantasy elements, the story has captured the hearts of many fans in Japan and beyond.
Background and Production
Chiikawa, which translates to "small and cute," originated as a popular web manga series by Nagano. The titular character is a cute, rodent-like creature who inhabits a society filled with similar beings. Studio Doga Kobo, known for their work on Oshi no Ko, produces the Chiikawa anime adaptation, which was initially released in April 2022. As of July 2026, over 360 episodes have been released, making it a beloved and long-running series.
The Chiikawa anime series is available on Netflix in select countries, including Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, and Spain, among others. Ufotable's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime series is also currently streaming on Netflix and Crunchyroll. Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer manga is available in English from VIZ Media.
While Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island is gearing up for a massive cinematic takeover this summer, it still hasn't reached the record set by Japan's ultimate one-day screening champion, Detective Conan: Fallen Angel on the Highway, which was screened a staggering 59 times at T-Joy Yokohama. Nonetheless, the success of Chiikawa is a testament to the power of anime and its ability to captivate audiences worldwide.
For more news and updates on Chiikawa and other anime series, visit our website at myanimethoughts.com. Stay tuned for the latest developments in the world of anime and manga!
// Comments