The second promotional video for the TV anime "Chiikawa," based on Nagano's popular manga, has been released on YouTube, and a new character, the used bookstore owner, has appeared. The used bookstore owner has appeared in the TV anime before, but this PV shows him wearing crab ears.
The second promotional video features a full lineup of unique characters, including Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi. In addition to the used bookstore owner, the main characters such as the free-spirited flying squirrel, the sake-loving Kurimanju, the reliable and admirable otter, and the energetic Shisa make appearances one after another. The video also depicts the armored characters, the Pajama Partyz, Dekatsuyo and Anoko, and the differently colored Ode dancing adorably.
Voice actress Momo Harumi, who plays the bookstore owner, reflected on the recording, saying, "Even though I've read the original work, I was still surprised by Momonga's eccentric behavior. After actually performing it, I really understood why the bookstore owner is drawn to Momonga! Also, Iguchi (Yuka)'s performance as Momonga was so cute that I found myself smiling along with the bookstore owner."
Regarding the used bookstore owner, she said, "I think her charm lies in her caring nature and her honest and adorable personality. I tried to portray her brave side and her strong will." She also appealed to her fans, saying, "The used bookstore owner is a truly kind-hearted girl, and I think she's someone everyone will support. I myself have been energized many times by her straightforward smile. I will do my best to convey the charm of the used bookstore owner to the fullest! Thank you for your support!"
"Chiikawa" is a manga series that Nagano has been posting on X since 2020. The contrast between the small, cute characters and the harsh worldview has made it popular, and the series has over 4.66 million followers on X. It won the Grand Prix at the "Japan Character Awards 2025" for the third time, following its wins in 2022 and 2024. The comic book "Chiikawa Nanka Chiisakute Kawaii Yatsu" is available from Kodansha.
It airs every Tuesday and Friday around 7:36 AM within "Mezamashi TV" (Fuji TV, Monday-Friday 5:25 AM). The videos released on "Mezamashi TV"'s official YouTube channel have garnered popularity, with total views exceeding 400 million. The theatrical anime film "The Secret of the Chiikawa Mermaid Island" is also generating buzz as it will be released on July 24th.
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Chiikawa: Haruka Aoki▽Hachiware: Makoto Tanaka▽Rabbit: Ari Ozawa▽Flying Squirrel: Yuka Iguchi▽Kurimanju: Takayuki Asai▽Rakko: Yuma Uchida ▽Shisa: Miyuri Shimabukuro ▽Used Bookstore Owner: Momo Harumi ▽Pochette Armor Man: Tomokazu Sugita ▽Labor Armor Man: Hiroki Touchi▽Ramen Armor Man: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka ▽That Girl: Yoshino Aoyama ▽Ode: Kenta Miyake
