The first theatrical film adaptation of Chiikawa, titled Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island, has surpassed ¥18.66 billion (approximately $120 million) in Japanese box office revenue after 101 days in cinemas. The film has attracted more than 12.77 million viewers, maintaining a box office pace that surpasses ONE PIECE FILM RED during its initial theatrical run.
This movie was released in July 24, 2026, the film has now reached 12th place in Japan’s all-time box office rankings, according to Kogyo Tsushinsha.
The achievement is particularly notable considering that ONE PIECE FILM RED, which eventually earned ¥20.34 billion including its rereleases, recorded approximately ¥18.03 billion during its first 93 days in cinemas. Chiikawa has now moved beyond that milestone with its latest box office update.
Chiikawa Movie Surpasses ¥18.66 Billion at the Japanese Box Office
According to the latest figures, Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island recorded the following results after 101 days of release:
- Total box office revenue: ¥18.66 billion
- Total admissions: 12.77 million
- Days in theatres: 101
- All-time Japanese box office ranking: 12th
The film opened across 447 cinemas throughout Japan, including 382 regular theatres and 65 IMAX screens.
Its opening was already a major success, with screenings selling out at cinemas across the country from early in the morning. TOHO Cinemas Ikebukuro reportedly screened the movie 41 times in a single day, the highest number of screenings at any individual theatre.
The film earned approximately ¥990 million on its opening day, surpassing the ¥960 million opening-day revenue recorded by Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram (2024).
The strong opening helped establish Chiikawa as one of the biggest theatrical releases of the summer.
Chiikawa Is Maintaining a Faster Box Office Pace Than ONE PIECE FILM RED
One of the most interesting aspects of the latest announcement is the comparison with ONE PIECE FILM RED, which became one of Japan’s biggest box office hits following its 2022 release.
During its first 93 days in Japanese cinemas, ONE PIECE FILM RED earned approximately ¥18.035 billion, attracting more than 13 million moviegoers.
By comparison, Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island has accumulated ¥18.66 billion in 101 days.
This means Chiikawa has already surpassed the box office revenue that ONE PIECE FILM RED recorded during its first 93 days, maintaining a pace that is ahead of the popular One Piece film’s initial theatrical performance.
However, ONE PIECE FILM RED eventually reached a final box office revenue of ¥20.34 billion, including rereleases. Chiikawa has not surpassed that lifetime total.
Chiikawa’s Box Office Growth Over 101 Days
The movie’s box office performance has continued to grow steadily since its July 24 premiere, crossing several major milestones along the way.
| Days Since Release | Total Admissions | Box Office Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Opening day | — | ¥990 million |
| 3 days | 1.5 million | ¥2.24 billion |
| 7 days | 2.28 million | ¥3.33 billion |
| 14 days | 3.5 million | ¥5 billion |
| 20 days | 5.63 million | ¥8.07 billion |
| 30 days | — | Over ¥10 billion |
| 45 days | 9.6 million | ¥13.89 billion |
| 52 days | 10 million | ¥14.66 billion |
| 62 days | 11.33 million | ¥16.52 billion |
| 81 days | 12.29 million | ¥17.95 billion |
| 94 days | 12.65 million | ¥18.49 billion |
| 101 days | 12.77 million | ¥18.66 billion |
The film crossed the ¥10 billion milestone within just 30 days and surpassed ¥15 billion before reaching its 60th day in cinemas.
Its continued performance has now secured a place among Japan’s highest-grossing theatrical releases.
What Is Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island About?
Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island is the first theatrical film adaptation of Nagano’s popular Chiikawa franchise.
The movie adapts the long-running Siren Arc, an original story written specifically for the film by Nagano. The storyline follows Chiikawa and his friends after they receive an invitation to visit a mysterious special island for a training camp.
The arc became one of the franchise’s most popular storylines, with individual instalments regularly attracting attention on social media as the story unfolded.
The film brings the adventure to the big screen under Nagano’s full supervision, expanding the original story into a theatrical experience.
Its success demonstrates the considerable popularity of the franchise in Japan, with millions of moviegoers turning out to watch Chiikawa and his friends’ latest adventure. Bookmark Otaku Mantra for more anime news and updates!
About Chiikawa
Chiikawa is a Japanese manga and character franchise created by Nagano. The series follows Chiikawa and its friends, including Hachiware and Usagi, as they experience everyday adventures in a world that combines adorable characters with unexpectedly dark and emotional situations.
The franchise has expanded into television animation, merchandise, games, and now theatrical films. Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island, released on July 24, 2026, is its first feature-length animated movie and adapts the popular Siren Arc.
