Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island promises deep adventure in theaters in July 2026 By Carolina Costa
2 min read
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The plot is based on one of the best-known and beloved episodes of Chiikawa’s original work, acclaimed by many fans even among those who don’t follow the series regularly.
The decision to turn this narrative into a film generated curiosity about the approach, but it quickly made sense when considering Chiikawa’s essence. The franchise is recognized for captivating audiences, combining adorable visuals with the depth and complexity of its characters and stories.
Chiikawa’s universe is inhabited by diverse figures, such as the protagonist Chiikawa, known for her sensitivity and cuteness. There is also Usagi, with a free spirit and a peculiar innocence, the thoughtful Hachiware, as well as the egocentric Momonga and the enigmatic Sensei, who navigate a world with challenges that go beyond appearances. Other notable characters include the healer Shisa and the eccentric Kaijiro.
Usagi and Momonga’s strong personalities often drive the narrative. Usagi, with her naivety, may inadvertently cause discomfort to others, especially Mobukawa, who is already dealing with emotional wounds. Momonga, due to his unique nature, acts with remarkable selfishness, placing others in situations of increasing risk, although his unpredictability is something that the characters have learned to manage. Only Chiikawa, who values other people’s feelings, sometimes shows difficulty in fully accepting the flying squirrel’s selfish attitudes.
The film explores the cruelty inherent in the mermaid’s revenge, using a dark melody to illustrate its intensity. The threat of Dekatsuyo’s inattentive behavior towards minors is palpable, and the plot deepens Chiikawa’s dilemma when discovering the true author of the problems. The story addresses themes such as the feeling of powerlessness and injustice generated by resentment, the severity of the concept of “eternal life”, and the complex feelings of anger, hatred and the difficulty of coexistence. The plot echoes works such as “Fires on the Plain”, by Shohei Ooka, or the imagery of “luminescent moss”, by confronting the characters with existential dilemmas about accepting marks on the body.
One of the film’s intriguing points is the ambiguity of its outcome, which presents a scenario where both being captured and continuing on the run represent a kind of perpetual hell. This existential conflict, where both sides have their reasons, suggests a reflection on the roots of war and enmity. The narrative questions the immortality of mermaids and the limits of their resistance in the face of such challenges.
The expectation is that the feature film will win over not only admirers of the series, but also new audiences, offering a rich cinematic experience. The film promises to delve into a complex philosophy of karma, powerfully presented within a universe that, at first glance, appears purely gentle and enchanting.
