| Chiikawa | |
| Ja Kanji: | ちいかわ |
| Type: | tv series |
| Director: | Takenori Mihara |
| Music: | Shūgo Tokumaru |
| Studio: | Doga Kobo |
| Licensee: | Sentai Filmworks |
| Network: | FNS (Fuji TV) |
| First: | April 4, 2022 |
| Episodes: | 224 |
| Episode List: |
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, also known as, is a Japanese manga series by Nagano. The main contents of the work are the daily lives and interactions of the cuties. It has been serialized online via Twitter since January 2020 and has been collected in seven tankōbon volumes by Kodansha. An anime television series adaptation by Doga Kobo premiered in April 2022.
Chiikawa may give readers a sense of a children targeted manga, depicting the adorable daily lives of cute characters. However, as the plot progresses, readers will discover the dark side of the Chiikawa world and its worldview, where surviving requires considerable effort. Only some characters can speak, while most cannot communicate through language and don't even have detailed facial features. Strange and surreal events occur in the comic's world, such as piles of food appearing by the roadside, food growing out of the ground, or even rice ball rain falling from the sky. These kinds of events happen frequently, with little to no explanation of the underlying reasons or mechanisms in the comic. As a result, beyond the work itself, speculating about the plot and the worldview becomes one of the pleasures of following the series.
The plot seems to be mainly enjoyable, but there is also a realistic backdrop and dangerous settings, such as serialized stories that often involve crusading monsters for rewards or being cursed and turned into monsters for using a cane to conjure up a desired item.
An anime adaptation by Doga Kobo was announced on October 28, 2021.[4] The television series is directed by Takenori Mihara, with Yuma Yamaguchi composing the music. It premiered on April 4, 2022, on Fuji TV's Mezamashi TV morning news and entertainment program.[5] [6] Sentai Filmworks licensed the series outside of Asia.[7]
Chiikawa and Hachiware find dolls called “A Forest Family” that look exactly like them, and they are happy to show dolls to Usagi. However, the dolls were prepared by a witch to steal cuties' face and body. Chiikawa and friends are inexplicably transformed into dolls by the witch.
During the crusade, Hachiware accidentally falls into a large hole, and Chiikawa appears to help it.
Usagi buys a mysterious cane that can conjure the cake it wants to eat and a camera that Hachiware wants. However, the camera that Hachiware brings out is horrible, erasing everything he has photographed. Hachiware and Usagi's bodies change into giant monsters after using it.
Visiting Chiikawa, Hachiware learns that Chiikawa is studying to qualify for a Level 5 Weeding Certification. So Hachiware and Chiikawa start studying together and take the test, but Hachiware is the only one passes.
After work, Chiikawa and Hachiware were looking for a restaurant to have lunch and they found a restaurant with a “three-star” sign. When they enter, three stars are fixed on the wall. The restaurant owner appears and the two are almost eaten by the owner. But they finally saved three stars and escaped.
Chiikawa and friends meet a small beetle in a cave deep in the forest. Chiikawa develops an attachment to the beetle that follows it home and they form a friendship, but the beetle gradually begins to show a fierce side.
Chiikawa and Hachiware are reading horror stories at an internet cafe. On their way home, the increasingly frightened two host a party at Chiikawa's house to forget their fears.
The pajama-wearing quartet “Pajama Party”, whose songs are popular among the residents, will perform at a big event. However, while practicing their dance, three of the members were kidnapped by a giant bird. The only remaining member asks Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi as replacements until the three members return.
The ribbon that Chiikawa gave to Hachiware suddenly disappears. The ribbon, which symbolizes friendship, is a very precious thing to Hachiware. Therefore Chiikawa tries to prepare a new ribbon for the sad Hachiware.
A mysterious wooden sculpture found by Usagi transforms Chiikawa and friends into fairies. They enjoy their fairy forms for a while, but eventually they struggle to return to their original forms.
Chiikawa and friends found Ode, who was eating mushrooms. When they were told that the mushrooms were delicious and ate it together, they were captured by Goblins who appeared out of nowhere and were imprisoned in the basement of a cave with Ode. Using a hole secretly dug by Usagi with a spoon, they escaped.
Lyrics - Nagano
Composer/Arranger - Tokumaru Shiyugo
Song - Hachiware (CV: Makoto Tanaka)
The anime's end theme song for episodes 1 through 10 is an instrumental version with no lyrics, and the version with lyrics, “Orchestra Version” (Japanese: “バンドVer”), is used from the 11th episode. The original song is used as an insert song in the 11th episode.
Lyrics - Nagano
Composer/Arranger - Akiyuki Tateyama
Song - Pajama Party (CV: Sumire Morohoshi, Maria Naganawa, Yū Sasahara, Mari Uchiyama)
The Pajama Party's song is the insert song and limited ending song.
The series has over 2.7 million copies in circulation.
The series has been nominated for the 48th Kodansha Manga Award in 2024 in the General category.[8] The series won the 53rd Japan Cartoonists Association Award in the Manga Division.[9]
Chiikawa merchandise experienced a surge in popularity in China in early 2024.[10]
Collaborated with Ariana Grande on the music video for “Santa Tell Me”.[11]
Popular characters from “Chiikawa” were dressed as Santa Claus and the music video was animated.Since the video's release on December 6, 2023, it has been viewed approximately 1.38 million times in a single day, further increasing the popularity of Chiikawa. By June 2024, the number of video views had increased to over 3.9 million. The collaboration with famous artists has attracted attention overseas.
Chiikawa has given rise to a wide range of merchandise. On the official online store, there is a variety of products designed based on the anime characters, including plush toys, stickers, clothing, and more.[12] Co-branding between Chiikawa and other comics or companies are also well received. The official chiikawa website has collaborated with Sanrio, Hankyu trains, and the Giants baseball team for limited co-branding. A wide range of products are also offered, including Magic Girl series, sushi series, and Lailai Chinese restaurants series.[13]
Jointly launched “Chiikawa” embroidered hats.
Co-branded products include a chiikawa character bag and ankle patches featuring popular characters Chiikawa, Hachiware and Usagi.
In February 2024, handkerchiefs, embroidered bags and other collaborative products went on sale in 15 Filer stores and the official online store.
In March 2024, Chiikawa collaborated with Miniso and opened the first co-branded pop-up store in Queens, New York.[17]
T-shirt with Chiikawa and Sanrio characters.