Chiikawa Takes to the Skies with New ANA Collaboration Jet

ANA has announced a new collaboration with Chiikawa that will send a specially decorated “Chiikawa Jet” into service across selected domestic routes in Japan later this year.

Created by illustrator Nagano, Chiikawa follows the everyday adventures of Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi and their friends as they balance cute and comforting moments with work, unexpected dangers and the occasional darker turn.

The series has become one of Japan’s biggest modern character franchises, inspiring anime episodes, themed cafés, pop-up stores and a constant stream of merchandise featuring its instantly recognizable cast.

Recently, Chiikawa has also topped the Japanese box office, with the first feature film based on the series “Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island” earning over ¥2.24 billion during its opening weekend.

The newly released collaboration artwork shows Chiikawa, Hachiware and Usagi wearing ANA uniforms, with each character taking on a different airport or cabin service role.

Chiikawa appears pulling a suitcase, while the wider artwork also shows the characters helping with drinks and other parts of the travel experience.

ANA explained that the collaboration reflects the connection between Chiikawa and friends overcoming challenges together and the many people who work as a team to keep an aircraft flying safely.

The specially decorated aircraft will use a Boeing 767-300 with the registration number JA609A, transforming one of ANA’s domestic aircraft with large-scale Chiikawa artwork.

The left and right sides of the Chiikawa Jet will feature different designs, meaning fans will need to see both sides of the aircraft to appreciate the complete collection of characters and illustrations.

Seasonal motifs associated with different parts of Japan have also been incorporated into the exterior artwork, creating a design that reflects the destinations served by ANA throughout the year.

A four-leaf clover has been hidden somewhere within the artwork, giving fans an additional detail to search for when viewing the aircraft from an airport observation deck.

The collaboration will continue inside the cabin through exclusive headrest covers decorated with Chiikawa and several other characters from the series.

The headrest covers include a message inviting passengers to fly alongside Chiikawa and friends, although they will remain the property of ANA and cannot be taken home after the flight.

Drinks served aboard the aircraft will also use a specially designed paper cup featuring Chiikawa, Hachiware and Usagi together in a single illustration.

ANA has confirmed that exclusive collaboration merchandise is also planned, although the available products, prices and purchasing details have not yet been revealed.

The Chiikawa Jet may operate on routes connecting Tokyo Haneda with Sapporo New Chitose, Osaka Itami, Matsuyama, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Okinawa Naha.

Potential services from Osaka Itami include flights to Sapporo New Chitose, while the aircraft may also appear on routes connecting Nagoya with Sapporo New Chitose and Okinawa Naha.

The assigned route will not be finalized until the day of operation and may change because of scheduling requirements, weather or other operational circumstances.

Unexpected aircraft changes could also see the Chiikawa Jet used on routes outside the initial list, meaning passengers may occasionally encounter it in other parts of ANA’s domestic network.

The special collaboration website opened on August 3, 2026, giving fans their first complete look at the aircraft, headrest covers and paper cup designs.

The Chiikawa Jet is currently scheduled to begin operating on ANA domestic routes from late October 2026, with updated flight information set to be shared through the dedicated collaboration website.