Chiikawa is taking over the world! The adorable trio—Chiikawa, Hachiware (the blue cat), and Usagi (the bunny)—has stolen the hearts of fans, young and old. From the addictive anime to the must-have merch, this craze shows no signs of slowing down. But how much do you really know about these tiny cuties? Here are 16 lesser-known facts about Chiikawa that might just surprise you!
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1. Chiikawa is a manga created by Japanese artist Nagano that began serializing on X (formerly Twitter) in 2020. The name “Chiikawa” combines the Japanese words 小さい chiisai (small) and かわいい kawaii (cute), literally translating to “small and cute.” In Chinese, it’s often translated as 吉伊卡哇 or 小可愛 (“little cutie”).
2. Is Chiikawa a manga or an anime? Both! The manga came first on X, and the anime premiered in April 2022. Both are still ongoing.
3. If the drawing style feels familiar, Nagano also created the famous “Joke Bear” (自嘲熊) sticker series.
4. While the Chiikawa story is captivating, the main characters—Chiikawa, Usagi, and most side characters—don’t speak in full sentences. They mostly communicate through sounds and facial expressions, with Hachiware doing most of the talking.
5. The mini crossbody bag that Chiikawa often carries was handmade by the “armor craftsman” character (Pochette no Yoroi-san)! Chiikawa originally wanted a pink bear bag, but it had a hole. The craftsman gave Chiikawa a new one and kept the broken one himself, resulting in an unexpected “couple bag” situation.
6. All Chiikawa creatures are technically “unknown species.” While they resemble animals (Chiikawa looks like a bear, Hachiware like a cat), Nagano has never officially defined what they are.
7. Even though they risk their lives in “Extermination Missions,” there’s usually a safety mechanism in place. If they feel overwhelmed, they can call for help and escape.
8. Chiikawa and Hachiware use extermination sticks as weapons—pink for Chiikawa and blue for Hachiware. Usagi, on the other hand, wields a long staff.
9. The ending theme “Hitorigoto” (Self-Talk), sung by Hachiware, is an instant favorite. In episode 11, Hachiware plays an air guitar and sings while Chiikawa listens blissfully.
10. The dashing otter hero (Rakko) might look tough, but deep down, he has a sweet tooth and loves desserts.
11. Flying squirrel Momonga, who always tries to act cute, has secretly swapped bodies with “Dekatsuyo” (the Big Guy)! This was hinted at through their interactions, but the full truth is still unfolding.
12. The mysterious “That Kid” (Ano Ko) is actually a former coworker of Chiikawa’s from the factory who somehow turned into a Chimera. When they reunite, the Chimera doesn’t attack Chiikawa but tries to communicate, pointing at a frog-shaped snack machine from their factory days. Sadly, Chiikawa doesn’t understand, and the moment passes.
13. In 2025, Chiikawa is launching its first mobile game: Chiikawa Pocket. The free game will be available on iOS and Android in Japan, letting players choose characters like Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi, Momonga, Shisa, Kuri-Manjū, and Rakko to complete tasks and collect recipes. It’s Japan-only for now, so Hong Kong fans will have to wait!
14. In a Japanese fan poll, Usagi (the bunny) was voted the most popular, followed by Hachiware. Chiikawa only came in third!
15. Chiikawa has amazing luck! The little cave house it lives in? Chiikawa won it in a lottery. In fact, the little creature often gets free meals and rare prizes, including a hidden plushie variant. Clearly, this cutie is Fortune’s favorite.
16. Despite the cute surface, Chiikawa hides a dark world. The series reflects real-life struggles—poverty, hard work, exams, and emotional resilience. Hachiware lives in a rundown cave, can’t afford much, and dreams of buying a camera by saving up from part-time jobs. Chiikawa repeatedly fails the basic weed-clearing exam but keeps trying to level up and earn better pay. Behind the adorable faces is a brutally realistic world—maybe this manga is for adults after all?
Totally unexpected? Absolutely. But it only makes them more iconic. Get the lowdown on Chiikawa and the gang’s irresistible charm here!
Original article by: THREAD HK
