Chiikawa, the beloved creation of illustrator and manga artist NAGANO, has taken the world by storm since its debut in 2020. Its unique charm has captivated audiences, especially after its animated TV series launched, making it a household name.
But beyond the anime, are you keeping up with the Chiikawa web manga? In the latest chapter released on March 8, fans spotted a donut box and treats that looked uncannily like those from "Mister Donut." The internet immediately exploded with speculation: "Is this a hint at a collaboration?!" Not only did it spark excited discussions, but many fans couldn't resist the urge to go out and buy Mister Donut treats themselves!
In the recent chapter, Chiikawa is preparing for the "Weeding Test Level 5." To pray for Chiikawa's success, Hachiware decides to offer donuts resembling an angel's halo at the "Angel Shrine." Usagi, ever eager, volunteers to buy them, happily humming a tune as they carry back a box of donuts.
However, when Hachiware opens the box, they discover there isn't a single "ring-shaped" donut inside! Hachiware panics, exclaiming, "There aren't any ring-shaped ones at all!!!" Usagi, with a sheepish grin, simply replies, "Iyahaya..."
The desserts featured in this episode—from the "Angel Cream Donut" (エンゼルクリーム) and "Custard Cream Donut" to the "Hot Savory Pie BBQ Frankfurter" and "Shrimp Gratin Pie"—all strongly evoke Mister Donut's offerings. What's more, the design on the donut box is almost identical to Mister Donut's current packaging in Japan!
▼ Recent Mister Donut packaging in Japan.
On X (formerly Twitter), fans quickly shared their reactions: "After reading Chiikawa, I suddenly craved donuts and went straight to buy some!", "This is my dinner tonight", "I was influenced and decided to get some!" Some even noticed a trend: "Is everyone thinking the same thing, or is it just a coincidence? Almost everyone in line was buying 'Angel Cream Donuts'!" and "Angel Cream Donuts are selling out so fast!" Many netizens are wondering if this is a subtle hint at an upcoming collaboration, suggesting we might see an official partnership soon.
Even without an official collaboration, Chiikawa has already sent Mister Donut sales soaring. It's clear that the influence of Chiikawa is truly undeniable!