by The countdown has officially begun for one of the most anticipated anime films of the summer. Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island is set to premiere in Japanese theaters on July 24, 2026, marking the franchise’s first-ever feature-length film.
With the release month finally here, excitement is reaching new heights. Fans can look forward to a special appearance by Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi on Fuji TV’s FNS Music Festival, where the trio will perform the movie’s theme song for the first time on television. In addition, the production committee has announced “Chiikawa Movie Summer Is Coming DAY” on July 3, a full day dedicated to revealing six major updates about the upcoming film.
To further build anticipation, brand-new still images from the movie have also been released, offering another glimpse into the colorful adventure awaiting audiences later this month.
The First-Ever Chiikawa Movie Arrives This July
Originally created by illustrator Nagano, Chiikawa began as a web manga posted on X (formerly Twitter) in 2020. Its adorable artwork, lovable characters, emotional storytelling, and surprisingly heartfelt themes quickly transformed it into one of Japan’s biggest multimedia franchises.
The series follows the everyday adventures of Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi, and their friends as they experience moments of friendship, comedy, courage, and personal growth in a whimsical fantasy world.
Since its anime adaptation debuted in 2022, the franchise has continued to grow rapidly both in Japan and internationally.
Some of its biggest achievements include:
- More than 400 million YouTube streaming views
- Induction into the Japan Character Awards Hall of Fame
- A massive collection of merchandise, collaborations, and themed events
- A rapidly expanding global fanbase
Now, fans will finally experience Chiikawa’s biggest adventure yet on the big screen.
Adapting the Fan-Favorite “Mermaid Island” Arc
The movie adapts one of the manga’s most beloved long-running storylines, commonly known by fans as the “Mermaid Island Arc.”
Unlike the anime’s shorter episodic adventures, the film tells a larger, emotionally rich story filled with mystery, friendship, danger, and beautiful fantasy settings.
The adventure follows Chiikawa and friends as they journey to a mysterious island connected to legends of mermaids. Along the way, they encounter unforgettable new characters while uncovering secrets hidden beneath the island’s sparkling waters.
Under the complete supervision of original creator Nagano, the film promises to remain faithful to the charm, humor, and emotional warmth that have made the series so popular.
FNS Music Festival Features a Special Chiikawa Performance
To celebrate the movie’s release month, Chiikawa and friends will make a special appearance during Fuji TV’s FNS Music Festival on July 1.
During the broadcast, Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi will perform the film’s opening theme song:
“Kutsuzure”
The performance will feature a collaboration with the Suginami Children’s Choir, creating a unique musical presentation specially prepared for the event.
This marks the first television performance of the movie’s theme song and is expected to become one of the highlights of this year’s FNS Music Festival.
Fan-Favorite Characters Join the Performance
The musical performance will feature not only the main trio but also many beloved characters from both the television series and the upcoming movie.
Characters appearing include:
- Chiikawa
- Hachiware
- Usagi
- Shimajiro
- Siren
- Momonga
- Kurimanju
- Rakko
- Shisa
- Furuhonya
Bringing together so many fan favorites in one performance makes this a special event created exclusively for the FNS Music Festival.
July 3 Becomes “Chiikawa Movie Summer Is Coming DAY”
The excitement continues on July 3, when the production team will hold a full-day promotional event titled:
“Chiikawa Movie Summer Is Coming DAY”
Throughout the day, six major announcements related to the movie will be revealed.
The announcements will begin alongside the TV anime broadcast and continue throughout the day before concluding with a special online premiere.
Although the exact announcements remain secret, fans are expecting updates such as:
- New promotional videos
- Additional cast information
- Merchandise announcements
- Special collaborations
- Event information
- Exclusive movie content
The production committee has encouraged fans to follow the official channels throughout the day to catch every announcement as it happens.
Brand-New Special Movie Video Premieres on YouTube
To conclude the July 3 celebration, a brand-new promotional movie will premiere at 8:00 PM (JST) on the TOHO MOVIE YouTube Channel.
According to the staff, this exclusive video has been specially created as the perfect finale to the day’s celebrations.
Fans around the world will be able to watch the new footage simultaneously when it debuts online.
New Movie Stills Reveal Beautiful Fantasy World
The production team has also released several new still images from the film.
The images are taken from the previously released 90-second trailer, which generated considerable excitement after its debut on June 1.
The newly released visuals showcase:
- Vibrant ocean scenery
- The mysterious Mermaid Island
- Chiikawa and friends on their latest adventure
- Emotional character moments
- Stunning fantasy environments
The colorful animation highlights the film’s higher production values compared to the television series while maintaining the franchise’s signature charm.
High-Quality Animation by CyPix
Animation production is handled by CyPix, the studio known for its impressive animation work on:
Uma Musume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a New Era
The studio’s experience with theatrical animation has raised expectations for dynamic action scenes, expressive character animation, and breathtaking fantasy backgrounds.
With creator Nagano directly supervising the project, the movie aims to faithfully recreate the beloved world of Chiikawa while expanding it with cinematic-scale visuals.
Featured in Major Japanese Magazines
Fans looking for even more behind-the-scenes content won’t have to wait long.
The movie will receive special coverage in two major Japanese magazines:
- Nikkei Entertainment! (July 3 issue)
- Da Vinci Magazine (July 6 issue)
Both publications are expected to include interviews, production insights, artwork, and additional information about the film.
Story Synopsis
One peaceful day, Chiikawa and friends receive an invitation that leads them to the mysterious Mermaid Island.
Curious about the island and its beautiful scenery, the group sets off on what they expect to be a relaxing adventure.
However, after arriving, they discover that the island hides ancient mysteries, dangerous secrets, and unexpected challenges.
As the adventure unfolds, Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi, and their companions must work together to uncover the truth while protecting the friendships that have always been at the heart of the series.
Filled with humor, touching moments, fantasy, and exciting discoveries, the film expands the world of Chiikawa like never before.
Main Staff
Original Story & Screenplay: Nagano
Director: Kei Oikawa
Animation Studio: CyPix
Music: Shugo Tokumaru & Chikara Kamimizutaru
Distributor: Toho
Main Voice Cast
- Haruka Aoki as Chiikawa
- Makoto Tanaka as Hachiware
- Ari Ozawa as Usagi
- Yuka Iguchi as Momonga
- Takayuki Asai as Kurimanju
- Yuma Uchida as Rakko
- Miyuri Shimabukuro as Shisa
Additional cast members from the movie will also appear throughout the story.
Why Fans Are Excited
The movie represents a major milestone for the Chiikawa franchise.
For the first time, fans will experience:
- A full-length theatrical adventure
- A fan-favorite manga storyline
- Gorgeous cinematic animation
- New music and performances
- Exclusive promotional events
- Expanded world-building
- Emotional storytelling supervised by original creator Nagano
Combined with the FNS Music Festival performance, July 3 announcement event, new promotional videos, and magazine features, the excitement surrounding the movie continues to grow.
Final Thoughts
Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island is shaping up to be one of the biggest family-friendly anime films of Summer 2026.
With its beloved characters, beautiful animation, emotional storytelling, and extensive promotional campaign, the movie is generating tremendous anticipation among longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Before the film arrives in theaters on July 24, 2026, fans can enjoy special performances, exclusive announcements, brand-new trailers, and behind-the-scenes content throughout July—making this an exciting month for everyone in the Chiikawa community.
