Philippine anime fans and pop culture enthusiasts are set for a major big-screen theatrical event as Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island (Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo-jima no Himitsu) officially lands in local theaters, premiering exclusively at SM Cinema branches nationwide on September 30, 2026.
Distributed locally as an SM Cinema exclusive feature, the film brings illustrator Nagano’s viral web manga and anime franchise to Philippine silver screens following a record-shattering box office run across Japan and East Asia.
Opening on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the movie will be available exclusively through SM Cinema in standard and select premium viewing formats across the country.
The theatrical debut follows months of high fan anticipation and strong local engagement in the Philippines, fueled by recent merchandise collaborations, pop-up promotions, and community gatherings held across Metro Manila.
Adapted from one of the original web manga’s most acclaimed storylines—the “Siren Arc”—the story follows fan-favorite trio Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi after winning a contest that grants them an all-expenses-paid trip to a picturesque tropical paradise.
However, their relaxing getaway quickly turns into an adventurous mystery when they encounter the legendary sea monster Siren and become entangled in the ancient secrets hidden beneath the island’s scenic facade.
The theatrical premiere arrives on the heels of phenomenal box office success in its home market. The Secret of the Mermaid Island made history in Japan by becoming the highest-grossing film of 2026 so far, generating over ¥13.9 billion (approximately $90.16 million USD) from more than 9.6 million ticket sales.
Demonstrating remarkable box office longevity, the animated feature even reclaimed the #1 spot at the Japanese box office during its seventh weekend of release, outperforming major seasonal blockbusters.