Tiny, brave, and a little chaotic—discover why Chiikawa has become Japan’s ultimate comfort obsession.

Aside from Labubu, Chiikawa is the name on everyone’s lips. These three tiny, round, ridiculously cute creatures have taken over Japanese Twitter, becoming an unstoppable kawaii sensation. If you’re curious: one is a small, white-ish hamster-like creature, another is a blue-ish, cat-like friend, and the third is a yellow, rabbit-like character. From anime and manga to merch shelves, these little cuties are everywhere. But what exactly is Chiikawa, and why is it driving us all wild? Let’s dive into the irresistible world of Chiikawa and find out.

What Is Chiikawa?

Chiikawa ちいかわ (short for “Chīsana Kawaisa,” meaning “small and cute”) started as a series of webcomics (ちいかわ -なんか小さくてかわいいやつ-) by illustrator Nagano — and quickly snowballed into a worldwide obsession.

Part of the “Tiny Cute Tribe,” Chiikawa’s main trio — Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi — have captured hearts across the globe. With their irresistible charm, it’s impossible not to fall for these adorable creatures. No matter your age, their cuteness is utterly magnetic.

The Chiikawa manga first appeared on the creator’s X (formerly Twitter) in 2020. By 2021, it was published as a Japanese single-volume edition, with a Chinese version arriving in 2023. In 2022, Chiikawa made the leap to anime, quickly becoming a global sensation. Episodes air twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) and run for about 1 minute and 30 seconds — just enough time to get your cuteness fix. And for those outside Japan, you can catch the episodes on YouTube for a limited time!

What Is Chiikawa’s Storyline About?

The Chiikawa series follows the daily adventures of the main character Chiikawa and its friends Hachiware and Usagi in a whimsical world. This world, filled with forests and grasslands, is home to creatures like the chimera (who hunts the tiny cuties), food springs that spout delicious treats, and the armored people who manage the tiny cute tribe and run shops.

The tiny creatures living here not only work hard to make a living (hunting monsters, weeding, or labelling fruits in factories), but they also face real-life challenges, such as monster hunting (often failing and getting injured), and taking exams to get a weed-whacking license, among other things.

Even though life is filled with stress and setbacks, the tiny cuties remain strong and optimistic. They each have their hobbies and often gather together to explore all kinds of interesting things. This hardworking attitude resonates with many, and their precious friendships leave us with the thought, “Having friends is the greatest happiness.”

Generally, each Chiikawa comic is a standalone short story that can be read independently (the same goes for the anime). However, there are sometimes longer story arcs, such as the “Three-Star Restaurant Arc,” “Pajama Party Arc,” “Prison Arc,” “Soul Swap Arc,” and “Black Meteor Arc,” among others.

Meet the Chiikawa Characters

Let’s talk about the real stars of the show: the characters you’ll want to wrap in a warm blanket and protect forever.

Chiikawa (ちいかわ)

Chiikawa (吉伊) is a tiny white creature that’s basically the embodiment of adorable, but don’t let its cute exterior fool you. Often seen alongside its trusty pals Hachiware and Usagi, Chiikawa might seem fragile and a bit of a crybaby — after all, it can only communicate through simple sounds like “wah” and “ee,” with the occasional “いや” (Japanese for “no”) when it’s feeling particularly flustered.

But here’s the thing: despite being a little clumsy and often losing in the 5th-grade weed-whacking exams, Chiikawa is one brave little soul when it comes to helping its friends. And, while some may label it “useless,” Chiikawa is all heart, constantly proving that kindness and courage go hand-in-hand. Plus, this little cutie is pretty lucky when it comes to raffles—its house was won in a lucky draw, and it’s always scoring free food boxes like sukiyaki hotpot.

Want to hear Chiikawa speak? Well, there’s a moment in the “Soul Swap Arc” where Chiikawa, now in Hachiware’s body, finally gets its chance to talk. Trust us, it’s as adorable as it sounds.

Hachiware (ハチワレ)

Hachiware is a cat-like creature with a distinct middle parting fringe. Much like a cat, it licks its fur and coughs up hairballs, although the creator has clarified that Hachiware is not actually a cat (plot twist!). Hachiware lives in a modest cave with no door, which means it often has monsters barging in.

With a cheerful and outgoing personality, Hachiware loves taking care of its friends, enjoys cooking, and has a passion for photography. It’s often seen cooking meals for Chiikawa and Usagi.

In the trio, Hachiware is the designated talker. All the major lines in the story are spoken by Hachiware, and it even translates and conveys the dialogue for Chiikawa and Usagi. Fun fact: the ending song of Chiikawa, “ひとりごつ 自言自語” (“Talking to Myself”), is sung by Hachiware’s voice actor!

Usagi (うさぎ)

Usagi is the mischievous, energetic bunny of the trio, always stirring up trouble. Chiikawa is its favorite target for teasing. With its trademark quirky sounds like “Ura,” “Eeh~ Yaha,” and “Huh,” Usagi is always popping up out of nowhere—so much so that, to this day, Chiikawa and Hachiware have no idea where Usagi actually lives.

Usagi is the strongest of the three and often leads Chiikawa and Hachiware on adventures. When it comes to fighting or facing danger, Usagi is the one charging ahead, fearlessly taking the lead.

Momonga (モモンガ)

Alias: Flying Squirrel

Momonga loves to act cute and grab attention. There’s a theory that it swapped bodies with one of the “big and strong creatures” (でかつよ). The flying squirrel itself is a monster, and the monster now resides in the true flying squirrel’s soul.

Kuri-Manjū (くりまんじゅう)

Kuri-Manjū is the foodie of the Tiny Cute Tribe, with a personality that’s reminiscent of a Japanese middle-aged man. A true lover of food, Kuri-Manjū goes all out to prepare a variety of delicious dishes for themselves. Holding a drinking license, they let out a satisfying “Ha~” whenever they enjoy a drink.

Rakko (ラッコ)

Alias: Master Hoshinoya, Master

Hoshinoya the Brave is ranked number one on the monster-slaying leaderboard. With incredible combat skills, he’s also a beloved idol among the small cuties. He has a cross-shaped scar on his head and is often seen with a cape and wooden sword. He also has his own car and loves eating sweets.

Shisa（シーサー ）

Shisa’s design is inspired by Okinawa’s mascot, the “Fūshi.” It’s the only known member of the Tiny Cute Tribe with a “Super Worker” qualification, working part-time at the “Lang” ramen shop.

Ramen no Yoroi-san

The Ramen Armored Man runs the “Rou” ramen shop, which is a favorite dining spot for the Tiny Cute Tribe. They have a close mentor-student relationship with Shisa.

Pochette no Yoroi-san

The Handmade Armored Man excels in crafting and often sets up a stall to sell handmade mini crossbody bags, pajamas, and more. Chiikawa’s favorite pink crossbody bag was made by him.

He once gave the trio handmade pajamas as a gift. However, because he’s so close to them, he was even reminded by his superiors to maintain some distance.

Rōdō no Yoroi-san

The Labor Armored Man is responsible for assigning tasks and distributing wages to the little creatures. He also patrols the area regularly, keeping an eye on any newly appearing monsters to determine whether they’re friendly or hostile, ensuring that the little creatures stay safe from harm.

Why Is Chiikawa So Popular?

Since the debut of the Chiikawa anime, it has taken the world by storm, capturing the hearts of fans across all ages. It’s now one of Japan’s most popular IPs over the past two years, with dedicated Chiikawa-themed stores like Chiikawa Land at Tokyo Station, collaborations with Japan’s Hankyu Railway on Chiikawa-themed trains, and even an in-flight snack collaboration with Taiwan’s Wu Tung Tea. Clearly, Chiikawa’s popularity knows no bounds!

But what’s behind Chiikawa’s global success?

Chiikawa’s Adorable Characters

The Chiikawa anime features irresistibly cute and mischievous characters. For instance, the clumsy Chiikawa bounces around, singing joyfully, while Usagi is always full of energy, sometimes darting off and making strange sounds. Their quirky actions are the perfect blend of adorable, capturing everyone’s heart!

Chiikawa’s Relatable Storylines

The anime’s charm extends beyond its cute characters. According to Japanese analysts, the plot’s appeal lies in how it touches on absurdities that mirror real life—chaotic, unpredictable, and undeniably human. The relatability of the story resonates with audiences, making it so much more than just a feel-good show.

The little creatures living in the vast forest aren’t carefree. Much like working adults in real life, they need jobs to earn money for food and necessities. They face fears, frustrations, and setbacks, just like the highs and lows of everyday life. But through teamwork and perseverance, they overcome challenges, proving that even the toughest obstacles can be conquered. The deep connection between the storyline and real life makes fans feel like they’ve found kindred spirits, and the heartfelt friendship between Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi adds a touch of healing. It’s a reminder that no matter how difficult the journey, there’s always a way through. How could you not love such a meaningful and touching story?

Chiikawa Reflects Our True Desires

The characters in Chiikawa are the perfect reflections of our inner selves. Chiikawa and Usagi are polar opposites—Chiikawa is timid and sensitive, often crying in fear when facing monsters, while Usagi embodies courage and strength, charging fearlessly into battle.

Usagi represents the person we wish we could be—brave and capable, never afraid of adversity. Chiikawa, on the other hand, mirrors our true selves—vulnerable and uncertain. But through the series, Chiikawa shows us that “we are stronger than we think.” Just like Chiikawa grows throughout the story, finding the courage to save friends, we, too, are capable of overcoming our own fears and challenges.

In Chiikawa, the characters and storylines offer not only cuteness but also a powerful message of growth, resilience, and the importance of friendship. It’s no wonder this heartwarming series continues to capture the hearts of fans everywhere.

Fun Facts About Chiikawa

1. Chiikawa Gender & Species: What Are They?

One of the biggest questions floating around: Is Chiikawa male or female?
Short answer: It’s left intentionally vague. Chiikawa’s gender (and most of the characters’) isn’t clearly defined — and that’s the beauty of it. You’re free to see them however you like!

As for what kind of animal Chiikawa is? Well, they aren’t exactly any specific species. They’re simply described as a “small, cute thing” — and honestly, that’s all we need.

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2. Spotlight: Usagi and Hachiware – Are They Dating?

Two undeniable scene-stealers, Usagi and Hachiware, bring the chaos and the charm in equal measure. Naturally, fans can’t help but wonder: are Chiikawa and Hachiware dating? Spoiler: they’re not — but their bond is so painfully adorable, no one’s blaming you for a little harmless shipping. (Go ahead. Dream big.)

As for Chiikawa’s ultimate partner-in-crime? That crown goes to Hachiware, no contest. Together, they’re the emotional lifeline of the series — a ride-or-die duo we’d trust with our lives… or at least our lunch money.

Whether you’re diving into the Chiikawa anime, hoarding Chiikawa merch, or simply asking yourself existential questions about Chiikawa’s gender, one thing’s for sure: Chiikawa is here to stay. Small. Cute. Slightly chaotic. Completely unforgettable.

Article inspired by THREAD HK