The Japanese animated film 'Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island' has become the highest-grossing film released in Japan this year. As of September 21, the film has accumulated a box office revenue of 15.84 billion yen (approximately $137 million), according to its official X account.
Released in Japan on July 24, the film surpassed 10 billion yen in revenue within just 30 days. By the 52nd day of its release, on September 13, it had attracted over 10 million viewers and grossed 14.6 billion yen. This makes it the top-grossing film in Japan this year, outpacing the latest 'Detective Conan' film released on April 10 and 'Toy Story 5,' which debuted on July 3.
The all-time highest-grossing film in Japan is 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train,' which earned 40.7 billion yen (approximately $351 million) in 2020. Only ten films have surpassed the 20 billion yen mark in Japan's box office history.
'Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island' is based on a long episode titled 'Siren Arc' written by illustrator Nagano, which was serialized from March to November 2023. The series features small, cute characters who engage in part-time jobs, prepare for certifications, and sometimes undertake dangerous missions, resonating with adult audiences through its contrast of adorable art and realistic narratives about labor and survival.
The film is set to be released in South Korea on September 30. According to distributor Daewon Media, both subtitled and Korean-dubbed versions will be screened simultaneously, with a stage greeting event at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall on the opening day.
In South Korea, the character 'Chiikawa' is more commonly referred to as 'Meongjakwi' (meaning 'small and cute creature'). The term 'Chiikawa' itself is a portmanteau of the Japanese words for 'small' (ちいさい) and 'cute' (かわいい), while 'Meongjakwi' is a Korean interpretation of this concept.
The popularity of the franchise extends beyond comics and emoticons into the offline realm. Last April, a pop-up store for Nagano's official merchandise brand 'Nagano Market' opened in Hongdae, Seoul, and in June, a 'Magical Chiikawa' pop-up store was launched at Yongsan I-Park Mall. Last month, a 'Chiikawa Sushi' pop-up store, themed around the characters as sushi, operated for two weeks in Seongsu, Seoul.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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