“Chiikawa the Movie” Achieves 40.9% Pre-Release Ticket Sales
The Japanese animated film Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island has topped the overall pre-sale rankings with a pre-sale rate of 40.9% ahead of its release in South Korea. According to a report by eDaily, as of 11:00 a.m. on September 29, 2026, the number of people who had made advance bookings was 204,792.
The figures were confirmed based on the Korea Film Promotion Committee’s integrated computer network. 40.9%, when rounded, is 41%, which indicates the high level of interest from domestic audiences in “Chiikawa” even before its release.
“Chiikawa” theatrical film, to be released in South Korea on September 30
The theatrical release “Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island” opened in South Korean theaters on September 30, 2026. According to the reservation information on the Lotte Cinema website, it is a film suitable for all ages, and the running time is 99 minutes.
The work depicts the story of Chiikawa and her friends, who are drawn to an island by an offer of 100 times the usual reward, and embark on a suspicious extermination mission. A key feature is the expansion of the short format and character-driven narrative of the original animation to a theatrical scale.
The emotional depth hidden beneath the cuteness is driving fandom expansion
“Chiikawa” is based on a manga by illustrator Nagano. The official Japanese animation website describes “Chiikawa” as a work featuring small and adorable characters who create stories that are both fun and sometimes heartwarming.
Unlike character content that focuses solely on a cute appearance, the Chiikawa series incorporates emotions surrounding anxiety, friendship, and survival into short episodes. It is assessed that this contrasting emotional depth has increased viewers’ attachment to the characters.
In South Korea, the consumption of merchandise such as dolls and stationery, as well as goods sold at pop-up stores, in addition to watching animation, has been actively expanding the influence of character IPs. The enthusiasm for advance ticket sales for this theatrical release can be seen as a result of this fandom extending to movie theater attendance.
Competing with films like “Assassins” during the Chuseok holiday season
The animated film “Chiikawa” met audiences during the same Chuseok holiday theatrical season as the film “Assassins,” which was released on September 23, 2026. According to the Korea Film Promotion Committee’s integrated computer network, both films were registered as releases for September 30 and September 23, respectively.
“The Assassination” is a work based on the 1974 incident in which First Lady Yook Young-soo was shot. Since its release, the film has been the subject of debate surrounding the recreation and interpretation of historical facts. However, rather than directly attributing the increase in advance ticket sales for “The Assassination” to this controversy, it is more appropriate to consider that the film’s nature, which targets family audiences and fans of the characters, has driven the demand for advance tickets.
Advance ticket sales at 41%, confirming the box office power of character IPs
Pre-release ticket reservation rates are not an absolute indicator that perfectly matches the actual box office performance. However, the fact that the number of advance ticket reservations exceeded 200,000 and the reservation occupancy rate was in the 40% range demonstrates that “Chiikawa” is functioning not only as a simple character merchandise but also as a theatrical content in South Korea.
This is significant because the film achieved high pre-sale rankings based solely on its characters and fanbase, without relying on star actors or major live-action franchises. After its release, the key points to watch will be whether it can attract a wider audience and whether merchandise sales and theater-specific benefits will contribute to its long-term success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When was Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island released?
It was released in domestic theaters on September 30, 2026.
What was the advance ticket sales rate for the Chiikawa movie?
As of 11:00 AM on September 29, 2026, the pre-sale rate was 40.9%, which is approximately 41% when rounded.
What age is appropriate for watching the Chiikawa movie?
According to the theatrical release information, it is classified as suitable for all ages.
What is the running time of the Chiikawa theatrical film?
The film’s running time is 99 minutes.
What is the content of the “Chiikawa the Movie”?
The story follows Chiikawa and its friends as they receive an offer of 100 times the usual reward and head to Mermaid Island, where they become involved in a suspicious extermination mission.
