Chiikawa (ちいかわ), also known as Nanka Chiisakute Kawaii Yatsu (なんか小さくてかわいいやつ, "Something Small and Cute"), is a Japanese manga series by Nagano. The main contents of the work are the daily lives and interactions of the cuties. It has been serialized online via Twitter since January 2020 and has been collected in seven tankōbon volumes by Kodansha. An anime television series adaptation by Doga Kobo premiered in April 2022.
A little critter who lives in a big house. Very small, cute and easily moved to tears, shy and scared of every monster they meet. However, they always try to be stronger, and be a good friend who helps their friends when they're in trouble. Recently, they are studying to obtain a 5th degree weeding certification (having already failed 2-3 times). They don't speak any human language, but rather use their own language. Chiikawa always says "Yada" and "Iyada," both of which are a childish way of saying "no" in Japanese.
A creature that is designed after bicolor cat (also called Hachiware in Japan), but isn't a cat.[2] A chatty creature who likes to talk and sing, they can talk and communicate to others (unlike Chiikawa and Usagi). They are kind-hearted and willing to help their friends. They are sometimes innocent or unaware in dangerous situations. They like to eat chocolate and onions.
Despite their name and looks, Usagi is not a rabbit. A creature who can't talk but tends to shout rather than speak quietly. They are intelligent, positive, and have obtained a level 3 weeding certification.
A creature that is designed after Japanese flying squirrel, and has also appeared with a peach in their mouth, as the Japanese word “Momo” means peach. Momonga's fur is fluffy, and it has a white body and a large blue tail. Momonga is always focusing on “what kind of behavior is cute” and asking for compliments from others.
Kuri-manjuu's character design is based on a honey-badger and Kuri Manju, a Japanese confectionary made with bun with chestnut fillings. . He is always seen drinking alcohol and eats various foods.[4]
A hard-working and currently works at Rou ramen restaurant. Ramen no Yoroi-san is their master. Their character design is based on Ryukyuan cultural artifact of same name.
Ponchette no Yoroi-san (ポシェットの鎧さん, lit. "Body-Armor with Pochette")
One of the humanoid species that wears silver armor and carries a pink pouch. Ponchette no Yoroi-san's pouch was made by himself, and “Chiikawa originally tried to buy it at his market, but it turned out it had a leaking hole, so after Hachiware pointed it out, he gave Chiikawa a new pouch”. He also became friends with cuties such as Yoshi and Hachi as a result. He is good friends with the Labor Yoroi-San and the ramen store owner and the three of them often hang out together, such as going on picnics.
Rōdō no Yoroi-san (労働の鎧さん, lit. "Body-Armor Worker")
A humanoid species wearing yellow armor that works at Roi Ramen.
Pajama Party (パジャマパーティーズ)
A band of cuties in pajamas with no faces painted on. Their songs are so popular that they decide to sing at a large event, but a giant bird takes all others except the green Pajama Cutie, so Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi join the Pajama Party band as replacements On the day of the event, the other members are saved by Chiikawa et al.
Pajama Party member. It has droopy ears and a small tail, and wears pink pajamas. After escaping from the giant bird, it lost its right ear and has a diagonal cross scar on its face.
Pajama Party member. It has a pointed horn on its head and wears white pajamas. After escaping from the giant bird, it has a diagonal left cross scar on its face.
Pajama Party member. It has round ears and wears purple pajamas. After escaping from the giant bird, it loses its left ear.
Worldview
Chiikawa may give readers a sense of a children targeted manga, depicting the adorable daily lives of cute characters. However, as the plot progresses, readers will discover the dark side of the Chiikawa world and its worldview, where surviving requires considerable effort. Only some characters can speak, while most cannot communicate through language and don't even have detailed facial features. Strange and surreal events occur in the comic's world, such as piles of food appearing by the roadside, food growing out of the ground, or even rice ball rain falling from the sky. These kinds of events happen frequently, with little to no explanation of the underlying reasons or mechanisms in the comic. As a result, beyond the work itself, speculating about the plot and the worldview becomes one of the pleasures of following the series.
The plot seems to be mainly enjoyable, but there is also a realistic backdrop and dangerous settings, such as serialized stories that often involve crusading monsters for rewards or being cursed and turned into monsters for using a cane to conjure up a desired item.
An anime adaptation by Doga Kobo was announced on October 28, 2021.[19] The television series is directed by Takenori Mihara, with Yuma Yamaguchi composing the music. It premiered on April 4, 2022, on Fuji TV's Mezamashi TV morning news and entertainment program.[20][1]Sentai Filmworks licensed the series outside of Asia.[21]
Chiikawa and Hachiware find dolls called “A Forest Family” that look exactly like them, and they are happy to show dolls to Usagi. However, the dolls were prepared by a witch to steal cuties' face and body. Chiikawa and friends are inexplicably transformed into dolls by the witch.
The Hole
During the crusade, Hachiware accidentally falls into a large hole, and Chiikawa appears to help it.
The Magical Cane
Usagi buys a mysterious cane that can conjure the cake it wants to eat and a camera that Hachiware wants. However, the camera that Hachiware brings out is horrible, erasing everything he has photographed. Hachiware and Usagi's bodies change into giant monsters after using it.
The Weeding Exam
Visiting Chiikawa, Hachiware learns that Chiikawa is studying to qualify for a Level 5 Weeding Certification. So Hachiware and Chiikawa start studying together and take the test, but Hachiware is the only one passes.
The Three Star restaurant
After work, Chiikawa and Hachiware were looking for a restaurant to have lunch and they found a restaurant with a “three-star” sign. When they enter, three stars are fixed on the wall. The restaurant owner appears and the two are almost eaten by the owner. But they finally saved three stars and escaped.
Switch
Chiikawa and friends meet a small beetle in a cave deep in the forest. Chiikawa develops an attachment to the beetle that follows it home and they form a friendship, but the beetle gradually begins to show a fierce side.
True Horror
Chiikawa and Hachiware are reading horror stories at an internet cafe. On their way home, the increasingly frightened two host a party at Chiikawa's house to forget their fears.
Pajama Party
The pajama-wearing quartet “Pajama Party”, whose songs are popular among the residents, will perform at a big event. However, while practicing their dance, three of the members were kidnapped by a giant bird. The only remaining member asks Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi as replacements until the three members return.
The Blue Ribbon
The ribbon that Chiikawa gave to Hachiware suddenly disappears. The ribbon, which symbolizes friendship, is a very precious thing to Hachiware. Therefore Chiikawa tries to prepare a new ribbon for the sad Hachiware.
Chiikawa's Dream
A mysterious wooden sculpture found by Usagi transforms Chiikawa and friends into fairies. They enjoy their fairy forms for a while, but eventually they struggle to return to their original forms.
The Prison
Chiikawa and friends found Ode, who was eating mushrooms. When they were told that the mushrooms were delicious and ate it together, they were captured by Goblins who appeared out of nowhere and were imprisoned in the basement of a cave with Ode. Using a hole secretly dug by Usagi with a spoon, they escaped.
Ending theme
Self Talk (Japanese: ひとりごつ)
Lyrics - Nagano
Composer/Arranger - Tokumaru Shiyugo
Song - Hachiware (CV: Makoto Tanaka)
The anime's end theme song for episodes 1 through 10 is an instrumental version with no lyrics, and the version with lyrics, “Orchestra Version” (Japanese: “バンドVer”), is used from the 11th episode. The original song is used as an insert song in the 11th episode.
Pajama Party Song (Japanese: パジャマパーティーズのうた) (episodes 144-155)
Chiikawa merchandise experienced a surge in popularity in China in early 2024.[27]
Collaboration with artists
Collaborated with Ariana Grande on the music video for “Santa Tell Me”.[28]
Popular characters from “Chiikawa” were dressed as Santa Claus and the music video was animated.
Since the video's release on December 6, 2023, it has been viewed approximately 1.38 million times in a single day, further increasing the popularity of Chiikawa. By June 2024, the number of video views had increased to over 3.9 million. The collaboration with famous artists has attracted attention overseas.
Merchandise
Chiikawa has given rise to a wide range of merchandise. On the official online store, there is a variety of products designed based on the anime characters, including plush toys, stickers, clothing, and more.[29] Co-branding between Chiikawa and other comics or companies are also well received. The official chiikawa website has collaborated with Sanrio, Hankyu trains, and the Giants baseball team for limited co-branding. A wide range of products are also offered, including Magic Girl series, sushi series, and Lailai Chinese restaurants series.[30]
