{
  "id": 11660532,
  "title": "Japan manga 'Chiikawa' craze hits Shanghai for National Day holiday rush",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/japan-manga-chiikawa-craze-hits-shanghai-for-national-day-holiday-rush",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T10:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261003/p2g/00m/0et/023000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Shanghai, China is witnessing a manga phenomenon - Chiikawa - during the National Day holiday rush. This beloved Japanese comic featuring a small, ginger creature and its friends has captured the hearts of countless Chinese fans, despite strained diplomatic relations between Tokyo and Beijing. The first \"Chiikawa Days\" exhibition in mainland China opened in Shanghai, showcasing classic manga scenes and limited-edition plush toys dressed as Shanghainese delicacies. Exhibition runs from September 12 to November 1. The Chiikawa series, which originated as comic vignettes posted on X during the COVID-19 pandemic, resonates with its audience due to its depiction of hardworking characters overcoming hardships, highlighting their friendships and resilience. Mainland China launched its first official Chiikawa merchandise store in Shanghai last year, with additional stores opening in cities like Nanjing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. A Chiikawa-themed pop-up ramen shop opened for a trial run in Shanghai late September, quickly filling to capacity. While the franchise's animated movie, \"Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island,\" has become a blockbuster in Japan this year, its theatrical release in mainland China has been delayed due to diplomatic tensions following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan. A Shanghai office worker expressed her disappointment, stating she plans to travel to Japan to see the movie.",
  "summary": "SHANGHAI (Kyodo) -- Beloved Japanese manga \"Chiikawa\" featuring a gingerly tiny creature and its friends has warmed hearts and burned holes in the poc",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}