Movie bonus items aren't just freebies for collectors; for hardcore fans, snagging limited-edition merch or popular character goods can be the reason to wake up early and hit the first screening. Recently, a Japanese netizen, fresh off a solo morning viewing of "Chiikawa The Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island," was approached by a young girl, seemingly a grade-schooler, who asked if he'd give her his bonus item. But instead of a simple yes or no, the guy's reply hilariously painted himself as a suspicious character to be wary of!
Japanese X (formerly Twitter) user "Mochitaro (@SQTZ8m3z0JiPOoB)" posted about his experience. After watching the morning showing of "Chiikawa The Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island," as he was leaving the cinema, a young girl who looked like an elementary school student asked if she could have his freebie. Mochitaro didn't directly address giving it away. Instead, he replied, "Guys who come to watch 'Chiikawa' alone first thing in the morning are almost all abnormal (weirdos). Be careful not to get involved with people like that."
The day Mochitaro posted, August 8th, marked the first day Japanese cinemas began distributing the second wave of bonus items. This time, it was a limited-edition "BONBON DROP 3D Sticker" set, featuring characters like Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi, and Momonga, alongside movie-specific elements such as Kazuha, Futaba, the Mermaid, Shimajiro, Siren, bottles, and mermaid scales. According to Japanese cinema announcements, these bonus items are generally limited to one per paying customer, available while supplies last, and reselling these non-sale items is prohibited.
It's worth noting that the second-week bonus items distributed in Japan and Taiwan are different. Japan started giving out the BONBON DROP 3D Stickers from August 8th, while Taiwanese distributors announced an A3 "Teaser Visual Poster" as their second-week bonus. So, Taiwanese audiences won't be getting these Japan-exclusive stickers at their cinemas.
This self-deprecating response quickly went viral on X. Netizens joked that Mochitaro was an "abnormal being who can still communicate" or "luckily, a kind weirdo." Others pointed out the stark contrast: he called himself suspicious, yet his actions served as a safety reminder for the child not to approach strangers casually. One comment even quipped that the guy was like a real-life Chiikawa character – suspicious-looking but proactively issuing warnings.
However, some netizens argued against immediately assuming the girl or her parents had ulterior motives like reselling. The child might have simply had the innocent thought of "maybe they'll give it to me if I ask." If unwilling to part with the item, a direct "I'm keeping it for myself or a friend" would suffice. Others raised safety concerns, reminding that a child actively asking a stranger for items inherently carries risks, and parents should still teach their kids to maintain appropriate distance.
Instead of leveraging the little girl's desire for the bonus item to engage with her, Mochitaro preemptively labeled himself an "abnormal person to avoid," inadvertently delivering a rather unconventional safety lesson. It just goes to show: a guy who rushes to the cinema alone first thing in the morning to snag limited-edition "Chiikawa" merch might just be an incredibly passionate veteran fan. But his self-deprecating yet kind response perfectly captures that subtle, realistic vibe often hidden beneath the cute exterior of the "Chiikawa" world.
via： X @SQTZ8m3z0JiPOoB