MEET

Chiikawa is finally here from Japan to fill your hearts with cuteness, friendship, and joy!

What started as a social media manga created by the illustrator Nagano, and named for the main character, Chiikawa has become one of the most beloved characters in Japan today. Chiikawa, along with best friends Hachiware and Usagi, have touched the hearts of millions with the heartwarming and emotional tales of their daily lives. Set in a cozy yet fantastical world, they work hard and sometimes struggle but together they pull each other through and have fun.

Across Japan, Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi can be found everywhere from books to a TV series, in themed cafes, adorning trains, and they even have their own merchandise store on the famed Tokyo Station Character Street. And now these friends are here for you!

ABOUT

CHIIKAWA Q&A

Am I saying it right?

You can impress your friends by speaking Japanese! Well, sort of. Chiikawa is pronounced the same in English as it is in Japanese: chee-ee-kow-wah.

What kind of creature is Chiikawa?

Chiikawa is something
small and cute!

Does the word “Chiikawa” mean anything?

Chiikawa comes from the Japanese phrase “Nanka Chiisakute Kawaii Yatsu'' meaning “something small and cute”. Chiisai means small, and kawaii means cute. Put them together and you get Chiikawa!

Does Chiikawa have friends?

Yes! Chiikawa’s closest friends are Hachiware and Usagi. Together, Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi have good days and bad days, just like us. They laugh, they cry, they dance. As caring best friends, they lift each other up. And they always try to find the fun in any situation.

Where do they live?

Chiikawa lives in a fantastical world that has some similarities to ours. Inhabitants love food, they exercise, and they go to work and earn money to buy things just like we do.

Does Chiikawa have a job?

Everyone in Chiikawa’s world works for a living. Knights dressed in armor assign duties including the popular job of weeding. When you pass the weeding exam, you can earn more money and buy more things. Another popular job is hunting, because monsters sometimes mysteriously appear and need to be banished before they can wreak havoc.

What’s so special about the world of Chiikawa?

It’s full of surprises. In this world you can catch a ride on a flying sunfish and discover giant sweets just there for the eating. There is also unlimited steamed rice found in the middle of the woods.

How popular is Chiikawa in Japan?

Very popular! If you’re up on your “what’s hot in Japan”, you’ll know that millions of fans follow the manga on social media. Many tune into the TV show twice a week and also collect cute plush and other merchandise. Chiikawa has taken over the Tokyo Sky Tree, the world’s tallest tower, trains & buses, cafes, the local aquarium, and more. Even Japanese baseball and soccer teams have collaborated with Chiikawa!

SOCIAL