A bird's eye view of one of the two outdoor zones of the Chiikawa Days exhibition in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. - Photo: Elizabeth Chow
HONG KONG: Step aside, Labubu – there’s a new sensation in town. Meet Chiikawa, a small and cute hamster-like character from a popular Japanese manga series whose creations and merchandise have now taken Hong Kong by storm.
Chiikawa, the titular character, has a big round face and beady eyes. It is gentle, timid, and prone to tears. Its name is derived from a Japanese phrase that means “something small and cute”. It does not talk, but can sing “u uwawa uwa”.
