The Chiikawa icon began with Nagano’s manga series, which started in 2020. The comic strip focused on small, cute creatures facing everyday adventures. As the series gained fans, the need for a logo to represent the brand became essential. Nagano’s goal was to create something that would reflect the playful and heartwarming nature of Chiikawa characters, resulting in the iconic design that embodies cuteness with simplicity.
Design and Elements
The Chiikawa icon is a visual representation of the charming characters from the manga. It features round shapes and soft lines to evoke feelings of comfort and innocence. The design captures the essence of the Chiikawa world, where small creatures go on heartwarming journeys. The simplicity of the logo ensures it is easily recognizable and adaptable across different media, whether it’s merchandise, social media, or printed comics.
Evolution
While the original design of the Chiikawa icon has stayed relatively consistent, slight variations have appeared as the brand expanded. Early versions of the logo were simpler, but over time, additional details were added to reflect different emotions or special editions of the manga. Seasonal or themed variations of the icon also popped up in collaboration events, showcasing how the logo can be both timeless and flexible without losing its original appeal.
Color
The color scheme for the Chiikawa icon tends to be soft and pastel, with gentle hues like pink, light blue, and cream. These colors emphasize the kawaii (cute) nature of the characters. The soothing palette aligns with the sweet, lighthearted adventures that the Chiikawa characters embark on, enhancing their approachable and friendly vibe.
Font
The typography used alongside the Chiikawa icon is often playful and rounded, echoing the softness of the characters. A casual, handwritten-style font is usually chosen to keep the logo approachable, with a sense of warmth that matches the personality of the manga series.
Symbol
The central symbol of the Chiikawa icon is a small, round creature with expressive eyes and a tiny, squiggly mouth—perfect for capturing a range of emotions. Whether they’re joyful, scared, or confused, these creatures’ faces are instantly relatable, which contributes to the overall charm of the logo.
Funny Stories
The creation of the Chiikawa icon wasn’t without its amusing moments. According to Nagano, when he first sketched the character’s face, he accidentally drew the eyes too close together, making the creature look “comically stressed out.” Rather than scrapping the design, he decided to keep this feature, feeling that it added to the character’s charm. Fans have since embraced this quirk, often commenting on how the Chiikawa characters’ wide-eyed expressions mirror their own reactions to everyday life.
Another funny moment came when Nagano shared how the logo was initially mistaken for a rice ball by his editor, leading to a brief brainstorming session where they joked about turning the Chiikawa into a snack mascot. Fortunately, the logo stayed true to its roots, but the “rice ball” joke remains a popular topic among fans.
