Chiikawa film's strong box office drives Toho share surge

The animated film "Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island" opened in Japan on July 24 2026. While marketed as an all‑ages summer‑break movie, reviewers note that its darker, fairy‑tale elements resonate more with adults, creating a dual‑audience experience.

In its first three days the movie earned over ¥22 billion (about US$140 million) across 447 theatres, accounting for 44 % of the opening‑weekend total on day one alone. The robust performance placed the film among the top‑grossing releases of 2026.

The box‑office success spurred a sharp rise in Toho Co., Ltd.'s share price, which jumped more than 6 % on the opening day and continued to climb in the following days. To capitalize on the momentum, Toho executed a 1‑for‑5 stock split on March 1 2026, lowering the purchase threshold for individual investors and tying shareholder benefits to the film’s ticket‑granting program.