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Japan's phenomenon character 'Chiikawa' has made its big-screen debut with 'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island,' released in Japan on July 24. It immediately demonstrated astonishing box office power. According to estimates from a Japanese box office reporting account, the film earned approximately 930 million yen on its opening day, claiming the top spot for single-day earnings. If final figures match the estimates, it could rank among the top 8 highest opening-day grosses in Japanese film history, prompting speculation about whether it can challenge the 10 billion yen mark. However, these figures remain preliminary estimates based on ticket sales, with official results pending from the distributor.

This wave of excitement was evident even before release. Cinemas across Tokyo scheduled密集 screenings, with TOHO Cinemas Ikebukuro arranging as many as 41 showings on opening day, and some Shinjuku theaters scheduling 20 to 29 screenings per day—a scale described by Japanese media as comparable to major anime films like 'Demon Slayer' and 'Detective Conan,' with popular time slots selling out in advance.

Despite Chiikawa's cute appearance, the film is rated 'protected'—children under 6 are not allowed

While the film's box office performance in Japan has been impressive, its classification in Taiwan has surprised many parents. On the evening of July 24, the Taiwanese distributor announced that 'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island' had been rated 'protected' after review. Children under 6 are prohibited from entering, while those aged 6 to 11 must be accompanied by a parent, teacher, or adult guardian. The same rules apply to the limited advance screenings held on July 25 and 26.

Following the announcement, some parents expressed confusion. Chiikawa appears round and adorable, frequently appearing on children's goods, stationery, and plush toys—why isn't the film rated 'general'? Some netizens compared it to the concurrently released 'Detective Conan: The Fallen Angel of the Highway,' noting that despite featuring car chases, gunfights, explosions, and murder cases, Conan's film received a more lenient rating, sparking debate over the differing standards applied to the two works.

However, fans familiar with the original work are unsurprised. 'Chiikawa' is known for wrapping a cruel worldview in a healing art style, with characters frequently facing failed missions, survival crises, loss of companions, and irreversible choices. The 'Mermaid Island arc,' adapted into the film, is one of the longest and most emotionally heavy storylines in the original series.

'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island'—Free ramen and 100x rewards hide a trap: Chiikawa and friends face terrifying danger on the island

The following contains spoilers for 'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island'

The story begins with a mysterious flyer. One day, Usagi brings a 'Special Island Invitation,' stating that completing a mission on the island will earn 100 times the reward, and island-exclusive ramen and desserts can be enjoyed for free. Tempted, Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi decide to go, despite Kawauso-sensei's suspicion. They board a boat to the island.

Upon arrival, they enjoy delicious food, singing, dancing, and a resort-like atmosphere, seemingly in a dreamlike paradise. However, as the 'legendary mermaid' appears, the seemingly carefree trip gradually turns dark, and the islanders' hidden secrets draw the group into danger. The film retains the humorous interactions between Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi, but the latter half involves intense oppression, cruel choices, and psychological fear—reasons why the film's classification in Taiwan has drawn attention.

Initial reviews emerge on Threads and PTT—Viewers: 'The visuals are warm, but the mood is heavy'

After the advance screenings in Taiwan, viewing impressions began appearing on Threads. Some viewers felt the animation amplified the complex and heavy emotions of the 'Mermaid Island arc' compared to the manga, with Usagi's rap, character interactions, and surprise cameos providing many laughs. Others reminded viewers to stay until the end credits for an unmissable post-credit scene. Overall, reviews praised the film for preserving the original's mix of cuteness, absurdity, and cruelty, avoiding simplification into a purely childish, cheerful adventure.

Reactions on PTT's movie board focused more on the rating. Some viewers who attended advance screenings described the first half as feeling like a 'general' rating film, but the atmosphere quickly turned somber in the second half. Others described the viewing experience as 'cute yet cruel' and 'psychological horror,' finding the 'protected' rating reasonable—even suggesting some content approaches 'parental guidance' level. Another viewer noted that while the visuals remain warm and cute, the emotional weight lingers long after, and those unfamiliar with the original might be shocked by the contrast.

'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island' held limited advance screenings in Taiwan on July 25 and 26. The Japanese-language version will officially premiere on July 31, and the Chinese-dubbed version will be released on August 7.

Watch the trailer for 'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island' online for free