ANA’s Chiikawa jet is unveiled to reporters at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Oct. 18. (Takashi Yoshida)

Photo/Illutration ANA’s “Chiikawa” jet at Haneda Airport is shown in Tokyo on Oct. 18 before beginning service the following day. (Takashi Yoshida)

Chiikawa and their friends from the runaway hit formally known as “Nanka Chiisakute Kawaii Yatsu” (Something small and cute) are now decorating an All Nippon Airways Co. airplane that embarked on its first flight on Oct. 19.

Typically shortened to “Chiikawa,” the manga and anime franchise’s titular character is one of eight characters featured on the themed Boeing 767-300 along with Hachiware and Usagi. 

ANA held a launch ceremony at its storage hangar at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport where it unveiled the Boeing 767-300 to reporters before its debut. 

The theming extends to in-flight drinks being served in paper cups decorated with the characters.

The Chiikawa jet made round-trip flights between Haneda and Nagasaki as well as Hiroshima on its first day. It is scheduled to serve various domestic routes across Japan.

Created by the illustrator Nagano, the characters in the franchise have experienced explosive popularity both in Japan and overseas.

In addition to a manga and animated series, “Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island,” released this summer, ballooned into a major hit and has earned 18 billion yen ($114 million) in box office revenues. 

Related News