The Parallel World Arc: Hachiware in a slightly different world
Based on our Japanese story page, our anime episode list and our Japanese article on the Parallel World Arc (Kodansha announcement).
Hachiware brings food to Chiikawa, who is sick in bed with a fever after a bug bite, and suddenly ends up in a “parallel world” where everything is a little off. Nagano posted this story on X in early 2024 (15 posts); it aired as an anime in September 2026 and Kodansha has announced it for Volume 9.
- Original posts
- 15 posts on Nagano’s X (Feb 16, 2024 – Mar 8, 2024)
- Anime
- Ep. 375–382 “Parallel World ①–⑧” (Sep 4, 2026 – Sep 29, 2026)
- Book
- Japanese Vol. 9, scheduled for Nov 20, 2026
- Main characters
- Hachiware, Chiikawa, Usagi, the talking tree
Read the Parallel World Arc in order
Chiifan lines up Nagano’s original X posts in order across two pages. The page is in Japanese, but the comic is just the X posts: scroll from the top, then use the next-page button at the bottom.
- Chiikawa’s fever, and a different world
- Posts 1–5 (5 posts, Feb 16, 2024 – Feb 22, 2024)
- The way back home
- Posts 6–15 (10 posts, Feb 27, 2024 – Mar 8, 2024)
- 15 is the number of posts we collected, not an official episode count.
How does it begin? (no spoilers)
Chiikawa is stung by a bug in the forest and falls ill with a high fever. When Hachiware touches Chiikawa’s forehead, everything is wrapped in light, and Hachiware wakes up in a ramen shop.
- Usagi and Chiikawa look and act slightly differently, like a spot-the-difference puzzle.
- Hachiware looks for a way back, while starting to like some things about this world.
- Along the way, Hachiware’s own appearance begins to change. In the anime credits and on goods, this version is called “Strong Hachiware” (強くなったハチワレ).
- Whether Hachiware stays or goes home is left for you to read.
Which anime episodes?
Episodes 375–382 aired on Fuji TV’s “Mezamashi TV” on Tuesdays and Fridays in September 2026.
- Ep. 375 「パラレルワールド①」
- Sep 4, 2026
- Ep. 376 「パラレルワールド②」
- Sep 8, 2026
- Ep. 377 「パラレルワールド③」
- Sep 11, 2026
- Ep. 378 「パラレルワールド④」
- Sep 15, 2026
- Ep. 379 「パラレルワールド⑤」
- Sep 18, 2026
- Ep. 380 「パラレルワールド⑥」
- Sep 22, 2026
- Ep. 381 「パラレルワールド⑦」
- Sep 25, 2026
- Ep. 382 「パラレルワールド⑧／クラッキング」
- Sep 29, 2026
- From Oct 2 to Dec 25, 2026 the anime shows reruns; new episodes are scheduled to return in January 2027.
Volume 9
Kodansha announced on Sept 4, 2026 that Volume 9 (out Nov 20, 2026) includes the Parallel World Arc along with everyday stories.
- Regular edition ¥1,375; special edition ¥3,410 with a postcard book (prices in Japan, tax included).
- Exactly which posts are included has not been announced. We have only checked the Japanese edition.
What hasn’t been explained
Strange things happen, but the “why” is mostly left unsaid.
- Why touching Chiikawa with a fever changes the world.
- What the bug that stung Chiikawa is.
- Why Hachiware’s appearance changes, and whether it is the same thing as other transformations in Chiikawa. Fans call it “chimera-ization”, but that is not an official term.
Related pages
More about Hachiware and the other long stories.
Frequently asked questions
Which anime episodes are the Parallel World Arc?
Episodes 375–382, aired in September 2026.
Which volume has the Parallel World Arc?
Volume 9 (Nov 20, 2026), according to Kodansha.
Where can I read it now?
On Nagano’s X account. Chiifan’s page shows all 15 posts in order.
Does Hachiware become a chimera?
Hachiware’s appearance changes, but the anime credits and goods call this version “Strong Hachiware”, not a chimera.
Sources
Pages marked (Japanese) are only available in Japanese.