Chiikawa’s Pitfall Arc: Hachiware in the hole, and how to read it
Based on our Japanese story page and our article on this arc; anime episodes checked on the official anime site (2026-10-01).
In the middle of a tobatsu (a job hunting dangerous creatures), Hachiware falls into a deep hole. No one answers its calls for help, and then it starts to rain. Nagano posted this short 7-post story on X in summer 2020, and the anime adapted it as “Ana ni Ochita” (Fell into a Hole). This page shows where to read it, without spoilers.
- Original posts
- 7 posts on Nagano’s X, Jul 31, 2020 – Aug 7, 2020
- Anime
- Episodes 31–33 (“Ana ni Ochita 1–3”); ep. 31 aired Oct 28, 2022
- Main characters
- Hachiware and Chiikawa, almost the only two in the story
- Other names
- Hole Arc, “Fell into a Hole”
Read the Pitfall Arc in one go
Our Japanese page shows all 7 of Nagano’s posts for this arc as X embeds on a single page, 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, all on one page. Google Lens can translate the Japanese in the images.
- Page 1: At the bottom of the hole(Japanese)
- Posts 1–7
- 7 is the number of Nagano’s posts we collected, not an official episode count.
- It’s one of the shortest arcs, so it works well as a first read.
What is the Pitfall Arc about? (no spoilers)
Hachiware is in the woods, close to finishing a tobatsu against a winged creature, when it falls into a deep hole. Nobody comes when it calls, so Hachiware decides to handle it alone and starts climbing the wall.
- Rain begins to fall. Hachiware crouches at the bottom in tears, but resolves to climb again once the rain stops.
- Then a friend turns up at the edge of the hole.
- How the two try to get back up is the heart of the story. We leave that, and the last scene, to you.
Why was the hole there?
The story never explains it. Whether someone dug the hole, whether it was always there, and whether it was meant as a trap are not shown, even though the story is sometimes called the “pitfall” arc.
- It is also not explained whether the creature Hachiware was hunting has anything to do with the hole, or why Hachiware was on a tobatsu alone and no one came.
- Fans often say this story shows Hachiware’s positive side at its clearest: putting on a brave face alone, then worrying about Chiikawa first.
Which anime episodes?
Episodes 31 to 33, titled “Ana ni Ochita 1” to “Ana ni Ochita 3” (“Fell into a Hole”). The 3 episodes in a row cover only this story.
- Episode 31 aired in Japan on Oct 28, 2022, followed by one episode a week into November.
- We have only checked the broadcast in Japan.
Characters and more to read
The Weeding Exam Arc starts right after this one, from late August 2020; the Big Tobatsu Arc shows more of the hunting work.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chiikawa episode does Hachiware fall into a hole?
Anime episodes 31 to 33, “Ana ni Ochita” (Fell into a Hole). The original is 7 posts on Nagano’s X from Jul 31, 2020 to Aug 7, 2020.
Why did Hachiware fall into the hole?
It fell in while on a tobatsu in the woods, just as the hunt was nearly done. Why the hole was there is not explained.
Where can I read it?
The original posts are on Nagano’s X account. Chiifan’s Pitfall Arc page shows all 7 posts in order on one page.
Sources
Pages marked (Japanese) are only available in Japanese.