Chiikawa: selected milestones

Chiikawa begins serialization on its own account

The “small and cute creature” that had appeared on Nagano’s Twitter since around 2017 began regular serialization on a dedicated account opened in January 2020. Short comics have been posted there almost every day.

First official shop, Chiikawa Land, opens in Harajuku and Osaka Umeda

Tokyo and Osaka, Japan

Chiikawa’s first official shop, Chiikawa Land, opened on the same day at two Kiddy Land stores, Harajuku and Osaka Umeda. The shops offered exclusive items, purchase bonuses and photo spots.

The Chiikawa TV anime begins airing

The Chiikawa TV anime started airing as a segment of Fuji TV’s morning show Mezamashi TV. Chiikawa is voiced by Haruka Aoki, Hachiware by Makoto Tanaka and Usagi by Ari Ozawa, with music by Shugo Tokumaru.

Grand Prix at the Japan Character Awards 2022

Chiikawa won the Grand Prix at the Japan Character Awards 2022, organized by the Character Brand Licensing Association. At the ceremony held at Tokyo Big Sight, it also received the Character Licensing Award.

Nagano receives the 6th Noma Publishing Culture Award

Nagano, the creator of Chiikawa, received the 6th Noma Publishing Culture Award, an award for outstanding creative work related to publishing. The presentation ceremony for the four Noma awards took place on December 17.

Chiikawa Park, a permanent attraction, opens in Ikebukuro

Tokyo, Japan

Chiikawa Park, a permanent hands-on attraction, opened on the B1 and 1st floors of Sunshine City Annex in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. It has exhibits based on famous scenes from the series, a game corner and a shop with exclusive goods. Tickets were sold for specific dates and times.

Large-scale exhibition CHIIKAWA DAYS held in Hong Kong

Hong Kong

A large-scale exhibition at K11 MUSEA in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, recreated famous scenes from Chiikawa in 3D under four themes: clothing, food, living and movement. It featured giant balloons and Hong Kong-exclusive goods, and tours from Japan were also organized.

First permanent goods shop outside Japan opens in Shanghai

Shanghai, China

A Chiikawa goods shop opened in the Nanjing East Road shopping area of Shanghai. According to the operating company, it is the first permanent shop outside Japan. Shanghai-exclusive goods were available, and long lines of fans formed on the opening day.

CHIIKAWA SHOP in TAIPEI, the first permanent shop in Taiwan, opens

Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan, which had previously only hosted pop-up stores, got its first permanent official shop in Taipei. Taipei-exclusive items were sold.

South Korea’s first official Chiikawa Shop opens in Seoul

Seoul, South Korea

The first official shop in South Korea opened at IPARK Mall Yongsan in Seoul. Visuals of the characters dressed in hanbok decorate the store.

Fourth Grand Prix at the Japan Character Awards and entry into the Hall of Fame

Chiikawa was named Grand Prix winner at the Japan Character Awards 2026. Following wins in 2022, 2024 and 2025, this was its fourth Grand Prix and the first-ever three consecutive wins, earning it a place in the Hall of Fame.

The first feature film, Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu, is released

The series’ first theatrical film (Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island) opened at 447 theaters across Japan. In its first three days it drew about 1.5 million viewers and earned about 2.24 billion yen, ranking first at the weekend box office.

Chiikawa the Movie passes 10 billion yen at the box office

It was announced that the film reached 10 billion yen in box office revenue 30 days after its release. It was the fourth animated film released in 2026 to pass 10 billion yen.

CHIIKAWA DAYS exhibition in Shanghai

Shanghai, China

The large-scale exhibition CHIIKAWA DAYS came to Jing’an Kerry Centre in Shanghai. Alongside a Shanghai-exclusive area, it introduced goods from the CHIIKAWA LONGTANG EATS series, with the characters dressed as local foods.