The Chiikawa franchise is in the midst of a coordinated multimedia push ahead of the July 24 release of its first theatrical film, with merchandise, retail, and promotional campaigns running across Japan.
Chiikawa, the manga by Nagano that began serialization on X in 2020, is releasing its first theatrical film, "Movie Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island," on July 24. The film adapts the manga's "Siren Arc" and "Island Arc." Kei Oikawa directs, with animation production by CygamesPictures and distribution by Toho. The cast includes Haruka Aoki as Chiikawa, Makoto Tanaka as Hachiware, and Ari Ozawa as Usagi, with additional roles voiced by Yuka Iguchi, Takayuki Asai, Yuma Uchida, Miyuri Shimabukuro, Momono Harumi, Tsuguo Mogami, and Minori Suzuki. Makoto Tanaka performs the opening theme "Kutsuzure," with lyrics by Nagano. The film will also screen in IMAX from its opening day.
In the weeks before the film's release, the franchise has launched a dense schedule of collaborations and merchandise. Uniqlo will release a UT Collection on July 17. A collaboration cafe runs at PARCO locations from July 10. Pop-up stores open at Aeon Malls nationwide and in Taiwan from July 10. JR Tokai runs a Tokaido Shinkansen campaign from July 8 to October 31. CoCo Ichibanya offers an island-themed curry from July 16 to August 31. PARCO runs a summer campaign from July 17 to August 2. MatsukiyoCocokara runs a summer campaign from July 16 to September 15. Bandai releases a Donjara NEO board game on July 25. A paid DLC collaboration pack for Taiko no Tatsujin: Don Don Festival was released on June 25.
Physical retail expansion includes the grand opening of Chiikawa Bakery OSAKA on June 26, the first permanent location outside Tokyo. Accessories brand Q-pot. released a sweet-themed jewelry collection on June 26. BEENOS released a Lovisia Chiikawa Multi-Balm on June 19. Don Quijote released 16 collaboration items on June 6. Talking Co. added Kurimanju designs to its ODM service on June 17 and released new apparel on June 19. A baby-themed no-loser lottery, "Chiikawa Baby," is available for order, shipping from late October 2026. Characters appeared on Fuji TV's FNS Kayousai Summer on July 1, performing the opening theme for the first time on television.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/chiikawa.
CC BY 4.0.
When a claim about Chiikawa was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
Parade will release the second series of Chiikawa Mochiru Face Super BIG Plushies as prizes at amusement facilities across Japan from mid-July. The lineup includes Rabbit and Flying Squirrel designs, each about 40 cm tall and made from soft, mochi-like fabric.
MatsukiyoCocokara is launching a Chiikawa-themed summer campaign from July 16 to September 15, 2026. Customers can enter lotteries to win original goods like cooler bags and folding chairs, or answer quizzes for first-aid kits and cosmetics boxes. Limited-edition cosmetics and medicine notebook cases will also be sold in stores. The promotion includes app icon changes, store wrapping, and a collaborative fireworks display.
The IMAX version of 'Movie Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island' will screen simultaneously from the film's July 24 release date. A MAX visual featuring Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi in extreme close-up has been released. The film is the first theatrical adaptation of Nagano's manga, adapting the 'Siren Arc'. Animation production is by CygamesPictures, with a cast including Haruka Aoki, Makoto Tanaka, and Ari Ozawa.
Anime News Network published a five-part roundup of Tanabata greetings from across the anime, manga, and video game industries on July 7, 2026. The collection includes wishes and illustrations from official accounts for series such as Bungo Stray Dogs, Detective Conan, My Hero Academia, Sakamoto Days, Doraemon, Chibi Maruko-chan, Hell's Paradise, and Dragon Quest. Video game franchises like Final Fantasy, Monster Hunter, and Like a Dragon also participated, alongside creators including Hideo Kojima, Yuki Kaji, and Shoko Nakagawa. Several series tied their posts to new releases: the second season of Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers premiered on July 7, My Happy Marriage released a special Tanabata illustration and announced a three-episode special for 2026, and My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren't Wicked began airing on July 8. The roundup also features greetings from manga titles like Chiikawa, MARRIAGETOXIN, and Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, as well as from studios Tatsunoko Production and Square Enix.
The "Chiikawa, PARCO, Summer." campaign runs July 17 to August 2 at 15 PARCO stores nationwide and one additional location. It includes a clear pouch giveaway for the first 70,000 customers, photo booths, an X repost campaign, a hidden-keyword wallpaper hunt, and a collaboration cafe with themed menu items. The campaign promotes the film "Movie Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island," which opens July 24.
The first theatrical film adaptation of Nagano's Chiikawa franchise, "Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island," enters its release month with a series of promotional events. On July 1, characters from the film appeared on Fuji TV's music special "2026 FNS Kayousai Summer," where Hachiware performed the opening theme "Kutsuzure" alongside the Suginami Children's Choir. The performance marked the first television broadcast of the song. The film's cast includes Haruka Aoki as Chiikawa, Masato Tanaka as Hachiware, and Ari Ozawa as Usagi, with additional characters voiced by Yuka Iguchi, Takayuki Asai, Yuma Uchida, Miyuri Shimabukuro, Momono Harumi, Tsuguo Mogami, and Minori Suzuki. The film adapts the "Siren Arc" and "Island Arc" from the original manga, which began serialization on X in 2020. Kei Oikawa directs, with animation production by CygamesPictures and distribution by Toho. On July 3, a day-long event called "The Summer of Movie Chiikawa is Coming DAY" will deliver six major announcements, culminating at 20:00 with a premiere of a new video on YouTube's Toho MOVIE CHANNEL. The film opens nationwide in Japan on July 24.
Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island and Curry House CoCo Ichibanya will hold a collaboration campaign titled 'Cocoichi x Chiikawa the Movie: Great Curry Operation' at nationwide locations from July 16 to August 31, 2026. The menu includes an Original Island Curry with island-shaped rice and a Collaboration Drink Set that comes with one of eight collectible figures. A receipt lottery, wallpaper downloads, and a social media giveaway for a spoon are also part of the campaign.
Bandai will release Donjara NEO Chiikawa, a renewed board game set featuring an anime design, at toy stores from July 25. The set includes 10 games for 2 to 4 players, such as a weed-pulling game and a subjugation game. The frame splits for portability and outdoor play. Price is 5,280 yen.
Chiikawa Bakery OSAKA, the first Osaka location of the bread shop based on Nagano's Chiikawa series, will grand open on June 26, 2026, on the third floor of KITTE Osaka in Umeda. The shop offers an Osaka-exclusive Chiikawa Takoyaki Burger for 670 yen, alongside face-shaped breads (Chiikawa with custard cream, Hachiware with chocolate cream, Usagi with caramel cream), loaf breads, savory buns referencing series elements like the "Ro" ramen and subjugation sticks, and baked goods such as financiers and rusks. Bread is crafted under the guidance of owner-chef Junichi Sawada, who represented Japan in the decorative bread category at the 2026 Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie. Osaka-exclusive merchandise includes jam, a flat tote, and a T-shirt. Purchase bonuses offer an Osaka-exclusive shopper tag for purchases of 2,200 yen or more, and drink order bonuses give an original coaster per takeout drink, while supplies last. Advance reservations are required via the web and include a 1,000 yen shopping voucher. A no-reservation pop-up shop will also run for a limited time.
Bandai Namco Entertainment released a paid downloadable content collaboration pack for Taiko no Tatsujin: Don Don Festival on June 25, themed around the anime adaptation of Nagano's manga Chiikawa. The pack makes the song "Hitorigotsu ~Band Ver.~" playable and includes limited in-game items such as Chiikawa characters' puchi characters, collaboration name plates, and titles. The game is available on Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Alongside the DLC, a free update added the new song "Shanimuni Hanabi" as the second installment of the Taiko no Tatsujin 25th anniversary commemorative song project, a four-part plan to release new songs fulfilling Don-chan's dream of becoming a music producer. The song is described as conveying passion for immersing oneself in activities like Taiko no Tatsujin to overcome real-world hardships.
Uniqlo will release a UT Collection tied to the film Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island, with T-shirts for women and kids on July 17 and sweatshirts on July 24. Gift cards featuring a Chiikawa pattern will also go on sale from July 17.
Chiikawa and accessory brand Q-pot. are releasing a jewelry collection featuring Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi, and Momonga as cookie, macaron, and pâte de fruits accessories. Sales begin June 26, 2026, at Q-pot. stores, online, Chiikawa Market, and select Chiikawaland locations. Items are handmade in Japan and priced from ¥8,800 to ¥26,400.
A collaboration cafe for 'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island' will run sequentially at Shibuya, Shinsaibashi, and Nagoya PARCO from July 10, 2026. The cafe offers 16 themed menu items, including Shiisa Island Ramen and a boiled mermaid dish, plus original merchandise and visit bonuses.
BEENOS will release the Lovisia Chiikawa Multi-Balm on June 19 at the Lovisia online shop, Chiikawa Land, Chiikawa Market, variety shops nationwide, and other locations. The multi-balm is a collaboration between the gift cosmetics brand Lovisia Cosme Series and the manga Chiikawa. Each balm costs 990 yen. The case features a puffy, three-dimensional design of the Chiikawa characters. Inside is a balm that can be used for moisturizing lips, hair, and nails. Four varieties will be available: Chiikawa (white tea scent), Hachiware (osmanthus scent), Usagi (citrus mint scent), and Momonga (cherry blossom scent). Separately, Talking will release new Chiikawa apparel items on June 19 at 12:00 PM. The Vintage Design lineup includes T-shirts, large-capacity tote bags, denim knapsacks, and beach sandals. Additional items include Food Motif Eco Bags and Tie-Dye T-Shirts & Socks. Prices range from 1,870 yen for shower sandals to 5,500 yen for T-shirts.
Talking Co., Ltd. adds seven Chiikawa Kurimanju designs to its Talking ODM service, launching June 17 at noon. The lineup includes squished and flattened Kurimanju expressions as well as themed designs like Sake License and Can't Drink. Goods range from raglan T-shirts and pouches to mugs, coasters, and mini towels.
A pop-up store for 'Movie Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island' will open sequentially at Aeon Malls across Japan, Spa Resort Hawaiians, and Huashan 1914 Creative Park in Taiwan starting July 10, 2026. The store sells exclusive movie-themed goods including plush toys, mascots, trading acrylic stands, and summer-themed accessories. The key visual shows Chiikawa characters in flower hair accessories on a southern beach.
A collaboration between Chiikawa and accessory brand Q-pot. will release sweet-themed accessories on June 26, 2026. The lineup includes cookie necklaces, macaron bag charms, and pâte de fruits rings featuring Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi, and Momonga. Items range from 8,800 yen to 26,400 yen and will be sold at Q-pot. stores, its online shop, and Chiikawa Market.
Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi will appear on the July 1 broadcast of 2026 FNS Kayousai Summer on Fuji TV. They will perform the opening theme "Kutsuzure" from Movie Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island with the Suginami Children's Choir for the first time on television.
JR Tokai announced a collaboration campaign with the movie "Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island" running from July 8 to October 31, 2026. Passengers on the Tokaido Shinkansen can access AR photo frames, receive limited novelties like die-cut stickers and a mini tote bag, and visit themed events at stations along the line.
The first permanent Chiikawa Bakery in Osaka will open on June 26 on the third floor of KITTE Osaka. Alongside regular items like character-shaped buns and sliced bread, the store will sell Osaka-exclusive food and merchandise, including a takoyaki senbei burger and a mixed fruit jam.
Chiikawa and Don Quijote will release 16 limited collaboration items at Don Quijote stores starting June 6, 2026. The lineup includes large plushies of Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi in Donpen costumes, leopard-print pajama mascots, pouches, hair accessories, and cosmetics such as eyeshadow palettes, nail oil, and sheet masks.
The first anime film adaptation of Nagano's Chiikawa manga, Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu, has a new trailer that reveals additional cast members and the opening theme song. Makoto Tanaka, who voices Hachiware, performs the opening theme 'Kutsuzure,' with lyrics by series creator Nagano. The film opens in Japan on July 24.
Chiikawa Market is selling a new no-loser lottery themed "Chiikawa Baby," featuring baby versions of the characters. Prizes include a big cushion of a rabbit wrapped in stars, a magnet-attached plush of a bear friend, a crying Momonga plush, Hachiware riding a potty, Kurimanju drinking milk, and eight types of swaddling cloth mascots. Orders placed by June 1 ship from late October 2026.