Top 5 Most Popular 'Chiikawa' Characters Revealed! Protagonist Ranks 3rd, Champion Is Eccentric Yet Reliable in Crisis

With its round, adorable character designs, heartwarming daily life, and occasional spine-chilling plot twists, 'Chiikawa' has risen from a webcomic to an animated series, merchandise phenomenon, and big-screen feature. A recent survey by Japan's LINE Research of men and women aged 15 to 69 found that overall awareness of the 'Chiikawa' manga and anime reached 93%, with female awareness as high as 97%. Among general respondents, the protagonist Chiikawa ranked first in popularity. However, when focusing on core fans who are 'very familiar with the work,' the rankings shifted, with Usagi (Rabbit) and Hachiware (Octcat) surpassing Chiikawa to claim the top two spots.

How High Is 'Chiikawa' Awareness? Female Recognition Reaches 97%

The survey revealed that 18% of respondents said they 'understand the series very well,' 32% answered 'somewhat familiar,' and another 44% knew the name but were not very familiar with the content. Combined, this gives an overall awareness rate of 93%. Male awareness stood at 90%, while female awareness reached 97%. When cross-referenced by gender and age, 37% of teenage females answered 'very familiar,' with overall awareness among this group nearly reaching 100%.

As for how people first encountered the series, 'family, friends, or acquaintances' led at 22%, followed by 'TV programs, news' and 'TV anime' at 11% each, 'merchandise and goods' at 8%, general social media platforms at 7%, LINE stickers and emojis at 6%, official social media accounts at 6%, online articles and news websites at 5%, and collaboration products, events, and promotional campaigns at 4%. Another 14% said they could no longer remember how they first heard of it, indicating that word-of-mouth, TV exposure, and widespread lifestyle merchandise have collectively driven the series' popularity.

5th Most Loved Character Among Core Fans: Flying Squirrel / 19.8%

The Flying Squirrel has a soft, white-and-light-blue appearance and often seeks attention and praise for being cute. When things don't go his way, he throws tantrums. His behavior can seem selfish and domineering, often leaving other characters in disarray—creating a strong contrast with his cute exterior. Since the introduction of Furuhon'ya (Old Bookstore), new facets of the Flying Squirrel have emerged, and his still-unclear relationship with 'Daikyou' adds a layer of mystery to his character.

Fan comments often focus on his 'infuriating yet impossible to hate' nature. Some describe him as free-spirited, bossy, and fun to watch over time. Others appreciate the 'fluffy cuteness paired with a superior attitude,' seeing this contrast as his charm. Some fans believe he doesn't act out of malice but simply lacks awareness of how his actions cause trouble, so they watch him with the mindset of 'seeing a child gradually grow,' hoping Furuhon'ya will bring about change.

4th Most Loved Character Among Core Fans: Chestnut Bun / 20.3%

Chestnut Bun has a cute appearance but lives like a worldly-wise middle-aged man. He holds a drinking license and is often seen enjoying alcohol with various snacks, followed by a satisfying 'Haaah—,' a classic scene in the series. He's usually quiet but silently shares food with Chiikawa and others. When Shisa seeks to obtain a drinking license, Chestnut Bun willingly shares knowledge, showing a calm, mentor-like side.

Many fans say Chestnut Bun 'feels like a real salaryman yet remains adorable,' and they resonate with scenes of him drinking and experimenting with snacks. Some note that while his actions revolve around food and drink, he's kind to everyone and acts like a dependable senior with Shisa. Others enjoy his green-faced hangover look, finding it deeply human. Some fans even call him their 'ideal type,' praising his gourmet taste, thoughtfulness, and quiet care for others.

3rd Most Loved Character Among Core Fans: Chiikawa / 47.5%

The protagonist Chiikawa is somewhat timid and easily brought to tears. He often freezes up when facing unfamiliar environments or needing to speak. Yet he strives to live, working odd jobs like weeding and monster slaying to get by, and diligently preparing for the weeding certification exam. When Hachiware or Usagi are in danger, Chiikawa, despite fear, gathers courage to help. His sensitive, kind, and slightly clumsy nature makes viewers feel like they're growing alongside him.

Online comments frequently highlight 'effort,' 'kindness,' and 'valuing friendship' when describing Chiikawa. Some fans call him the 'origin of the entire series,' saying they feel like they've 'watched him grow up' over the years. Others say that even though Chiikawa is scared himself, he rushes to help friends in crisis—a precious quality. Some describe him as tearful and not great at expressing himself, yet clear about what he dislikes and willing to summon great courage for friends, saying, 'Watching him gives me strength.'

2nd Most Loved Character Among Core Fans: Hachiware (Octcat) / 49.5%

Hachiware is cheerful and talkative, often explaining situations to Chiikawa and serving as the most socially adept of the three main characters. He enjoys photography, playing guitar, and cooking, and actively finds joy even with limited resources. Hachiware can be careless, and his choices aren't always practical, but his concern for friends is genuine. When Chiikawa fails an exam, Hachiware worries so much he can't sleep and continues supporting him through exam prep.

Fans love Hachiware for his optimism, warmth, and occasional airheadedness. Some say he always believes 'things will work out,' and eventually does find solutions. Others admire his choice to spend money on a camera and pursue life's pleasures, feeling Hachiware knows exactly how he wants to live. Some praise his 'endless kindness,' saying he supports friends, values possessions, and finds courage when it matters most, even lamenting, 'I wish I could be like Hachiware.'

1st Most Loved Character Among Core Fans: Usagi (Rabbit) / 49.8%

Usagi expresses emotions with unique cries like 'Yahaa!' and 'Uryaa!' and often acts unpredictably—suddenly singing, dancing, or playing pranks—yet shows remarkable judgment when others face danger. Though he seems to act on impulse, he actually holds a Level 2 Weeding Certification, can play guitar, and has outstanding combat ability and observational skills. Usagi rarely explains his thoughts but often senses friends' emotions and takes action before danger strikes, making him the top favorite among core fans.

Fan comments highlight the 'coexistence of madness and reliability' as Usagi's greatest charm. Some initially thought he only caused chaos with weird noises but later realized he's smart, skillful, and great in crises, even saying, 'It's reassuring to have Usagi around.' Others call him a genius—cute-looking, clever, unexpectedly caring, yet not clingy. Another group loves that he's usually a troublemaker but becomes the most dependable in key moments, with his odd cries and mysterious actions forming an irreplaceable personality.

General Audience Loves Chiikawa, Core Fans Prefer Usagi and Hachiware

Among all 2,952 respondents who knew 'Chiikawa' at least by name, Chiikawa ranked first overall with 32.5% support, followed by Hachiware at 27.4%, Usagi at 22.2%, Flying Squirrel at 9.5%, and Chestnut Bun at 9.1%. However, 38.8% answered 'no favorite character' or 'none in particular.'

Among the 589 respondents who were 'very familiar with the work,' the 'no particular favorite' response dropped to 4.2%, and support for Usagi, Hachiware, and Chiikawa all approached 50%. Beyond fifth place, the hardworking and thoughtful Shisa received 15%, the strong and reliable Sea Otter got 10%, and the gentle, caring Furuhon'ya received 8%. This shows that the deeper the audience's understanding, the more their attention expands from the three main characters to the richly developed supporting cast.

Fans Love More Than Just Cuteness—Absurd Worldview and Catchphrases Also Rank High

When asked about the series' appeal, among all respondents who knew the work, 'characters are cute' ranked first at 27.7%, followed by 'has a healing quality' at 15.3%, 'surreal worldview is interesting' at 13.9%, 'merchandise designs are cute' at 10.5%, and 'characters have interesting personalities' at 8.9%. Another 39.6% said they didn't particularly feel any appeal.

Among core fans, responses were more varied. 'Characters are cute' still led at 40.9%, but 'surreal worldview is interesting' rose to 26.3%, followed by 'healing quality' at 20.4%, 'interesting personalities' at 20.1%, and 'dialogue and phrasing are interesting' at 15.4%. The series features soft, adorable characters living through tough jobs like weeding and monster slaying, suddenly facing danger or harsh choices. Catchphrases like 'Wait...!?' and 'It'll work out somehow!' have become familiar 'Chiikawa-isms' among fans. Among those very familiar with the work, only 4.6% said they didn't feel any particular appeal.

71% of Core Fans Want a Movie, Far Above General 26%

At the time of the survey, the movie 'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island' had not yet been released. Among all respondents,