Japan can’t get enough of Chiikawa — and honestly, neither can we.
THE MOVIE CHIIKAWA: THE SECRET OF THE MERMAID ISLAND has officially crossed ¥8.07 billion (roughly S$73 million) at the Japanese box office as of August 14, cementing its place as the top-grossing film in Japan for 2026. That’s a massive number for a movie that only opened on July 18 — just under four weeks of theatrical run.
If you missed our earlier coverage, this is Chiikawa’s very first full-length theatrical film — check out our original post for the full Singapore release details and what the movie is all about. The short version: creator Nagano’s beloved tiny creature and its pals Hachiware and Usagi head to a mysterious mermaid island, and things get surprisingly emotional along the way.
The ¥8 billion milestone follows an enormous opening weekend and relentless word of mouth that has kept audiences coming back week after week. With the film now hitting Southeast Asia from August 20, those international numbers are only going to climb.
The production team also dropped the full non-credit OP this week, and it’s a stunning piece of animation. The sequence leans fully into the cosy, watercolour-tinged world Nagano built — and if you weren’t already emotionally compromised by this franchise, this clip will do the job. It’s been making the rounds online and it’s easy to see why.
The movie also introduces a set of armoured antagonists who look wildly out of place in the usually soft and gentle Chiikawa universe — which is precisely what makes them so unsettling. Promotional materials have leaned into the contrast between the cute and the ominous, and fans have clearly responded to it.
Fans Screening at GV Suntec — August 22
For Singapore fans, here’s the news you actually came for: Golden Village is running a special Chiikawa Fans Screening at GV Suntec on August 22, and tickets go on sale today (August 14) at 3PM. Prices are $30 for standard seats and $28 for GV members. The wider theatrical release in Singapore begins August 20, but if you want the full fans-screening energy with fellow Chiikawa devotees, August 22 is your date.
With Japan’s box office firmly in its pocket and a dedicated fan community here in Singapore, THE MOVIE CHIIKAWA: THE SECRET OF THE MERMAID ISLAND is shaping up to be one of the anime events of the year locally. Tickets for the fans screening won’t last — set a reminder for 3PM today.