Beloved Mascot Chiikawa Announces Feature Film Debut, Reveals Dark Twist in 'Mermaid Island' Movie

The globally beloved Japanese mascot franchise, Chiikawa, is preparing for its first feature-length anime film. Officially titled Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu (Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island), the movie is scheduled to premiere in Japanese theaters during the summer of 2026. This highly anticipated announcement was accompanied by a captivating teaser visual released via the film's dedicated website and social media channels, immediately establishing a tone of whimsical mystery.

The film will adapt the manga’s famous and widely discussed “Siren Arc” or “Island Arc,” which was originally serialized on X (formerly Twitter) between March and November 2023. The storyline follows the adorable central trio—Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi—as they embark on a peculiar expedition to a remote, enigmatic island. While initially drawn by promises of rich rewards and abundant free food, the friends soon find their charming adventure taking an unexpectedly dark turn, thrusting them into the center of a surprising murder mystery. This narrative successfully blends the franchise's signature sweetness with intriguing suspense.

Crucially, series originator Nagano is deeply involved in the film’s creation, personally crafting the original story and overseeing the scriptwriting process. Directing this momentous project is Kei Oikawa, who is celebrated for his work on hit series such as Uma Musume Pretty Derby and My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU. Animation powerhouse Cygames Pictures is handling the visual production, ensuring a stunning aesthetic experience. QTORY inc. will manage the production logistics, with distribution led by TOHO.

The newly released teaser visual perfectly encapsulates the movie’s atmosphere, showing Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi huddled in a small boat, navigating a moonlit cave. The most intriguing detail is the colossal, mysterious face looming just beneath the water’s surface, escalating the sense of fantasy and peril surrounding the plot.

Since its launch as a webcomic on X in January 2020, Chiikawa has exploded into a true cultural phenomenon, solidifying its status by winning the prestigious Grand Prix at the Japanese Character Award three times consecutively (2022, 2024, and 2025). The beloved short-form anime adaptation, animated by Doga Kobo, has already surpassed nearly 300 episodes by late 2025 and is streamed internationally through Sentai Filmworks via HIDIVE. This upcoming film represents a massive leap forward, transforming the episodic charm of the shorts into an epic, full-length cinematic journey. With Nagano’s creative guidance and Cygames Pictures’ animation pedigree, audiences can anticipate an emotionally resonant and visually spectacular adventure that honors the heart of the original source material.