Demon Slayer level? On July 24th, the whole country... no, the whole island will cry.

I have a mountain of work to do. Piano practice (the recital is finally the day after tomorrow), housework, and getting my life in order. Despite being confronted with the reality that "there is so much to do," I am currently completely distracted.

This is because the teaser trailer for "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island" has been released.

Let me be honest. For me, the July 24th release date is the most important, "biggest and highest priority event of 2026," more than any historical event. Ignoring it is simply out of the question.

The potential of "Chiikawa" that might even surprise Rengoku

Here, let's dare to compare it with the legends of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," which took Japan—no, the world—by storm.

• Kyojuro Rengoku: The man who shouted "Set your heart ablaze" and raked in 40 billion yen at the domestic box office as the "Flame Hashira".

• Akaza: The demon who earned 100 billion yen worldwide with his "Technique Deployment" as the "Upper Rank Three" (and he's even nice to girls).

Against them is our Chiikawa. What he holds in his hand is not a Nichirin sword, but a "sasumata" (and a pochette). As for qualifications, it's not Total Concentration, but the "Grass-Mowing Proficiency Test Level 5" (and he hasn't even passed it yet at the time of the movie's events). This overwhelming difference in combat power... normally, he would be killed in an instant, but this is where the terror of the "Chiikawa level" begins.

Are mermaids scarier than demons!?

The "Mermaid Island" arc being adapted into a movie this time. As fans of the original work know, if you let your guard down because of the cute visuals, you will be tripped up by the "profound and absurd realism" unique to Mr. Nagano.

If Demon Slayer captivates audiences with the royal road of Jump manga—"friendship, effort, and victory"—through "bonds with family and friends" and "burning fighting spirit," Chiikawa also shatters the defensive instincts of adults with his incredibly helpless and pure appearance, saying things like "Waa...!" and "I cried," and on top of that, in this "Mermaid Island" arc, there is no doubt that Chiikawa's growth (on par with Tanjiro's) will be seen throughout and will move your heart.

Box office revenue? I'm sure it will exceed hundreds of millions just from popcorn sales, and a new "Chiikawa level" record will be set where the sound of the audience sniffling exceeds the sound in the theater. (Maybe he'll even surpass Rengoku and Akaza...)

On July 24th, I will overcome all obstacles and head to the island. Even if a deadline is looming behind me. Because the "regret of missing Chiikawa" is far scarier than any demon or mermaid.