My very first Chiikawa turned out to be the movie. I kept seeing rumours online that it was “like something by Kanae Minato” (a Japanese author famous for dark, twisty thrillers), and I had to find out what that could possibly mean. So off I went to a late show at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya. Long story short: Chiikawa is genuinely scary.
What Kind of Film Is The Secret of the Mermaid Island?
Chiikawa, the series by illustrator Nagano serialised on X (formerly Twitter), has finally made it to the big screen for the first time. The film brings to life a feature-length story written especially for the cinema, known among fans as the “Siren arc.”
One day, Chiikawa and Hachiware receive an invitation to “a special island.” Lured by sweet promises like “easy monster-hunting for 100x the reward” and “limited-edition sweets, practically free,” they sign up for an island training camp… Which already sounds thoroughly dodgy (laughs).
The film ambles along in that adorable art style at first, but toward the second half, things take a turn that will make even adults shiver. It was one “wait, what?!” after another.
Screen 12 Is in the Basement
I arrived at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya and headed straight up to the 4th floor. …Wrong. Screen 12, the auditorium for Chiikawa, is not inside Tokyo Midtown Hibiya at all. It is in the basement of the Tokyo Takarazuka Building next door. Only Screens 12 and 13 are in a separate building… I had no idea. If it is your first visit, do take note!
A Premium Box Seat, and Nearly a Whole Row to Myself
This time I treated myself to a Premium Box Seat (an extra 1,100 yen). There is a luggage space right beside the seat, and it is wonderfully roomy. The sense of privacy is amazing. No reclining function, but still brilliant. Though I did think a recliner would be nice (greedy, I know).
Being a late show, there were no children. Instead, the air carried the sound and smell of popcorn. A cheerful multiplex atmosphere, quite different from a quiet arthouse cinema. And this time, not only were the seats on both sides of me empty, so were the ones beyond them. I had nearly the whole row to myself. Pure luxury…
From “Wait, Chiikawa Talks?” to Full-Body Chills
I have been busily collecting regional Chiikawa souvenir socks, but I had actually never watched the anime. So when Chiikawa first spoke, my honest reaction was “oh, Chiikawa talks (laughs).” For a while it was the sort of gentle, cosy story children would love, and the cuteness carried me along. Then that leisurely, could-go-on-forever softness started to turn: a shiver… then more shivers… then full-on chills down the spine, and the finale was a torrent of suspense. Brilliant. Incredible. Chiikawa.
By the way, having now seen the film, my favourite character is Momonga. Apparently utterly selfish, anytime, anywhere. Honestly, I like that in a person. The sheer desperation to look as cute as possible had me laughing.
An Almost-Free Ticket with FOD Points
Here is the thing: this screening was nearly free. The FOD F1 Plan Pro course I subscribe to for watching Formula 1 gives me 300 points every month, and 1,700 points can be exchanged for a TOHO Cinemas ticket. That is exactly what I did, so all I actually paid was the 1,100 yen Premium Box Seat fee. Result!
Postscript: Welcoming Momonga Home from Chiikawa Land
A little while later, I stopped by Chiikawa Land Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi (on the 3rd floor of Kiddy Land). My target: the film's trading scene-photo bookmarkers (10 designs in all). I opened mine to find… the "Welcome to the Island!!" scene. After seeing the film, that warm welcome feels just a little chilling (laughs). A win, in its own way.
My purchase also came with a bonus sticker and a random card. And the cards, too, are quietly terrifying. Cute, yet scary. Being able to take that "cute yet scary" feeling home with you — perhaps that's the real genius of this film's merchandise.
And my beloved Momonga came home with me as a plush. Clear bookmarkers like this one are great fun to photograph against a view, by the way — a trick I first learnt with clear castle stamps, now proving useful in unexpected places.
Final Thoughts
My first Chiikawa, and it was the Siren arc, of all things. Let the cuteness lull you, and the shivers will find you. A strange and wonderful cinema experience.
I am thinking of dipping into the anime next to explore the Chiikawa world a little more. Extra Momonga, please. I need to know more about Momonga.
