“Did You See It?” is a review column where we watch trending movies firsthand and share honest impressions and key takeaways. <Editor’s Note>
[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Cute characters sing and run around on a colorful island. There are almost no gruesome scenes or overtly scary moments. Yet, after watching the movie, even braised fish, batteries, and the cheerful songs somehow feel eerie. The Japanese animated film “Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island” (Chiikawa) is gaining unique word-of-mouth as a “cute yet scary movie without any scary scenes.”

Released on the 30th of last month, “Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island” drew 122,392 viewers on its opening day, surpassing the hit film “The Assassin(s)” to top the box office. This marks the highest opening-day attendance among animated films released this year. While the power of the character—who has secured a solid fanbase in Korea under the nickname “Munjakgwi”—was evident even before the release, once the film hit theaters, the focus of the buzz shifted to a “chill” atmosphere that stands in stark contrast to its cuteness.
The film follows Chikakawa, Hachiware (the parted-hair character), and Usagi (the rabbit) as they head to a mysterious island after receiving an offer of 100 times their usual pay. While it appears on the surface to be an adventure featuring cute characters, secrets surrounding the island’s residents, sirens, and mermaids gradually come to light as the story unfolds. Original creator Nagano participated in the screenplay and oversaw the entire production, successfully translating the original work’s signature “sinister undertones beneath an adorable exterior” into the theatrical release.

In particular, the insert song “Song of the Island” sparks viewers’ curiosity to spot foreshadowing. At first listen, it sounds like an upbeat festival song listing foods such as watame, beer, buttered potatoes, and takoyaki. However, an interpretation has spread among Japanese fans suggesting that if you read the first syllables of certain lyrics consecutively, they form the Japanese phrase “Owabiza dasukete”—meaning “I’ll apologize, please save me.” While this interpretation hasn’t been officially confirmed, it is cited as a prime example of a hidden message within the local fandom and on lyric analysis sites.
What’s even more intriguing is that the same song can sound completely different depending on who sings it and in what context. The film’s music team explained that they designed “Song of the Island” so that it could sound cheerful, beautiful, or even scary—all using the same melody and lyrics. By varying the chords and rhythm, they created a song where cheerfulness and unease are felt simultaneously.
Even the familiar song “Goodbye for Today” evokes a completely different emotion toward the end of the film. At first, it sounds like a warm farewell song sung among friends, but after learning the characters’ backstories, the lyrics “until we meet again” actually leave a chilling aftertaste. In Japan, too, this scene has been interpreted as a device that condenses the film’s complex emotions.

The film’s eerie themes extended beyond the theater. Japan’s 7-Eleven released “Braised Red Fish” as an actual product, inspired by a dish featured in the film. At first glance, it appears to be an ordinary convenience store side dish, but for viewers who have seen the movie, it takes on a completely different meaning. In fact, fans in Japan have been seeking out the product or posting photos of it after watching the film.
The same goes for batteries. To commemorate the film’s release, Panasonic Energy recreated the D-size batteries featured in the movie as actual products. When they were first unveiled, some reacted with confusion, asking, “Why batteries, of all things?” but after watching the film, audience reactions spread, with people saying they now understood the reason. It means that even the most ordinary objects in the movie take on a different meaning after viewing.
In this way, the horror of “Chiikawa” doesn’t stem from monsters suddenly leaping out or gruesome scenes. Instead, it retroactively imbues everyday objects—such as a line of a song, a piece of food, or a battery—with a different meaning. It makes viewers revisit scenes they initially laughed at because they were cute, and for those who have already seen the film, it sparks a desire to reexamine the foreshadowing hidden throughout. On top of that, the post-credits scene delivers one final twist.

In Japan as well, interpretations have poured in since its release, revolving around questions like “Who was at fault?” and “What meaning is hidden in the songs?” The fact that it isn’t just a character-driven movie you watch and forget, but one that continues to provide talking points long after the credits roll, has been the driving force behind its long-term box office success.
In Japan, the film surpassed 10 million cumulative viewers and 14.66 billion yen (approximately 126.3 billion won) in box office revenue just 52 days after its July release. A similar trend is emerging in South Korea as well. After drawing over 120,000 viewers on its opening day to debut at No. 1 at the box office, the film has maintained its lead in advance ticket sales, with over 210,000 tickets sold as of 10:00 a.m. on the 1st. Directed by Kei Oikawa. Runtime: 99 minutes. Includes a post-credits scene.