いつまでも 絶えることなく
(Forever, without end)
友達でいよう
(Let's be friends)
The incredibly popular anime "Chiikawa" is making a splash this summer, hitting the big screen with a powerful wave! Watch as these tiny, adorable characters bravely venture to a tropical island, embarking on an incredible fantasy adventure and uncovering a long-buried secret that no one has ever known.
The story begins with a pigeon delivering a letter right to their faces. Tempted by a reward 100 times greater than usual and delicious food, the cute gang eagerly sails to the mysterious Mermaid Island. Donning tropical local attire, they can't wait to join the welcoming festivities hosted by the island residents. The chestnut buns received with the movie ticket also perfectly capture the carefree happiness of indulging in good food and then nursing a hangover – a truly precious kind of bliss.
After a grand fireworks display concludes the night, Hachiware and his two companions, led astray by Usagi's reckless antics, stumble into a forbidden cave by the sea. It's there that the most intimidating giant creature of the film is about to make its appearance... The animation team truly cranked up the horror factor for the Siren, who emerges with an undeniable killing intent every time she appears. Her two-part harmony with the two small mermaids is particularly ear-splitting, a truly demonic sound. Blasted through the theater's powerful sound system, the high-frequency waves of terror crash into your brain, causing discomfort that makes you break out in a cold sweat and even squirm in your seat. The Siren's magic is certainly not to be underestimated!
However, the most "not-for-kids" dark side of this theatrical release lies in a moral dilemma that has long troubled humanity, similar to the "Trolley Problem" explored in justice philosophy. Human nature is inherently selfish, but when this selfishness is nakedly presented to the audience, wrapped in an adorable package, even adults with relatively mature values can experience a significant mental shock due to the jarring contrast. Thankfully, Usagi, the RAP MVP, steps in at just the right moments with his amusing signature "Ya-ha!" and screams, offering a temporary reprieve from the gloomy mood. 
Yet, what remains most heartbreaking is the quiet Chiikawa's actions after finally learning the secret of Mermaid Island. That pure, innocent heart bears an unimaginable weight in life... As the credits roll, before the post-credit scene, quietly listening to Chiikawa's own rendition of "Tsukue Sasuru," you can savor the childlike voice and the cute sentiments Nagano hid within the lyrics: perhaps we will be battered and bruised by the ugliness of this world, but we must never easily forget the promises we made.
