The highly anticipated film "Chikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island," released on July 24th, has caused quite a stir with its unexpected horror twists despite its adorable characters. Critic Risaku Kiridoshi, who saw the film on its opening day, offers his perspective on the contemporary context of the "Chikawa" series!

*This video contains spoilers for "Chikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island."

● "Eiga Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island"
(2026 / 99 minutes / Japan)
Director: Kei Oikawa / Original Story & Screenplay: Nagano
Voice Cast: Haruka Aoki, Makoto Tanaka, Ari Ozawa, Yuka Iguchi, Takayuki Asai, Yuma Uchida, Miyuri Shimabukuro, Momoko Harumi, Tsuguo Mogami, Minori Suzuki, Momoka Terazawa, Sayumi Suzushiro, and others
Distributor: Toho
© Nagano / 2026 "Eiga Chiikawa" Production Committee
Released July 24, 2026 (Friday)

● Risaku Kiridoshi
Born in 1964. Critic. Writes film and television drama reviews and interview articles with filmmakers for publications such as "Kinema Junpo," "Eiga Geijutsu," and "Eiga Hiho." Also contributes commentary and columns to newspapers and magazines. His recent book is Ultraman: Proof of the New Generation - 'Ginga,' 'Ginga S,' 'X,' 'Orb,' 'Geed,' & Zero (Hobby Japan, 2024). He currently runs Asagaya Neo Shobo and Jinbocho Book Cafe Nijisseiki.

(Interviewer, photographer, and editor: Atsushi Imai)

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