Chiikawa’s “Little Friend” Arc (Chiikabu): the tiny beetle from the cave
Based on our Japanese story page and article on this arc; anime episodes checked on the official anime site (2026-10-01).
A switch pops out of an apple, a cave opens, and a tiny beetle drops onto Chiikawa’s head. The little friend follows Chiikawa home, and they start living together. Nagano posted this short story on X in March 2021. Fans call the beetle “Chiikabu” (Chiikawa + kabutomushi, “beetle”), but that name never appears in the story itself. Here is where to read it in order, plus the volume and anime episodes, without spoilers.
- Original posts
- 18 posts on Nagano’s X, Mar 9, 2021 – Mar 31, 2021
- Book
- Vol. 3 (Japanese), released Mar 23, 2022 · Korean edition 먼작귀 (Daewon C.I.) Vol. 3
- Anime
- Episodes 85–93 (“Switch” and “New Friend 1–8”), aired Jul 25, 2023 – Aug 22, 2023
- Other names
- Chiikabu Arc, Beetle Arc (fan names); “New Friend” in the anime titles
Read the “Little Friend” Arc in order
Our Japanese page lines up all 18 of Nagano’s posts for this arc as X embeds, in posting order. The reading page is in Japanese, but you only need to scroll: Nagano’s X posts are lined up from top to bottom in order, and on longer arcs the 「次のページ」 (Next page) button at the bottom takes you on.
- Page 1: The switch and the meeting in the cave(Japanese)
- Posts 1–12
- Page 2: Back to that cave(Japanese)
- Posts 13–18
- 18 is the number of Nagano’s posts we collected, not an official episode count. It’s a short arc you can read in one sitting.
- New to Chiikawa? If you saw the movie, start with the Siren Arc; for a quick taste, try the Muchauman Arc (10 posts).
What is the “Little Friend” Arc about? (no spoilers)
While Chiikawa, Hachiware and Usagi are eating an apple, a switch comes out of it. Hachiware presses it, and a cave that was closed off with bars opens up. Exploring inside, Chiikawa has a tiny beetle drop onto its head.
- The beetle follows Chiikawa home and they start living together. Little by little it warms up to Hachiware and Usagi too, sharing meals and going out together.
- Then one of the Yoroi-san (the big armored people of Chiikawa’s world) appears, sees the little friend, and says something worrying. Chiikawa picks up the little friend and starts running.
- We stop there. What happens next is best found in the comic or the anime.
Who is “Chiikabu”? What is known and what isn’t
“Chiikabu” is a fan nickname. Kodansha’s description of Volume 3 calls it “a small beetle” and the story “the Little Friend” arc, and the anime titles call it “New Friend” (新しいともだち).
- It has a horn-like shape on its head, a white face and a brown body.
- As of October 2026, the story has not revealed its name, where it came from, whether there are others like it in the cave, why a switch was inside an apple, or why the cave was barred.
- Some fans wonder whether someone planted the switch to get the cave opened, or whether the beetle chose Chiikawa on purpose. These are only readings; the story gives no clear answer.
Which volume and which anime episodes?
The “Little Friend” Arc is collected in Volume 3 of the Japanese books (Kodansha). In the anime it is 9 episodes: episode 85 “Switch” (スイッチ), then episodes 86 to 93, “New Friend 1” to “New Friend 8” (新しいともだち).
- Volume 3 was released on Mar 23, 2022.
- The episodes aired in Japan from Jul 25, 2023 to Aug 22, 2023, on Fuji TV’s “Mezamashi TV”.
- We have only checked the Japanese books and the broadcast in Japan.
Characters and more to read
Chiikawa, usually the one being protected, is the one who protects in this story, with Hachiware and Usagi at its side. Our character pages explain who they are.
Frequently asked questions
What is “Chiikabu” in Chiikawa?
It is the fan nickname for the tiny beetle Chiikawa meets in a cave and lives with in the “Little Friend” Arc. The books call it “a small beetle,” and the anime titles call it “New Friend.”
Which anime episodes is Chiikabu in?
Episodes 85 to 93: “Switch” and “New Friend 1–8”, aired in Japan in July and August 2023.
Which volume has the Chiikabu story?
Volume 3 of the Japanese books (Kodansha), as the “Little Friend” arc.
Where did Chiikabu come from?
It has not been revealed. Its name and where it came from are not explained in the story.
Sources
Pages marked (Japanese) are only available in Japanese.