Who is Chiitan? Meet Everyone's Favourite Turtle-Hatted Hamster Thing from Takeshi's Castle!

If you've watched the new series of Takeshi's Castle on Prime Video, you can't have failed to notice a peculiar character causing chaos amongst the contestants. Say hello to Chiitan! But who — or what — is Chiitan, exactly? And why did this bizarre mascot become such a sensation on the show?

Jump to...

• The 0-Year-Old Fairy Baby Otter
• Chiitan’s Rise to Fame
• Controversies Behind the Fame
• Chiitan on Takeshi’s Castle: A Perfect Match

The 0-Year-Old Fairy Baby Otter

Chiitan (pronounced "Chee-tan") isn't your ordinary mascot; it's an otter (of course..!) who's officially described as a “0-year-old fairy baby”... Yes, you read that right. Chiitan is a creature like no other, dressed in a pink turtle hat, wielding a baseball bat, and brimming with anarchy. As the unofficial "tourist ambassador" of Susaki City, Chiitan quickly became an online sensation thanks to its wild antics.

Unlike a typical mascot, which might promote local culture or events, Chiitan seems to have one mission: to entertain through chaos. Whether that's tumbling off gym equipment or accidentally knocking things over, this clumsy, often verging on psychotic, character is always leaving a trail of destruction and bewilderment in his wake. If Mr Blobby and a giant otter had a baby (do not think about that too much), you'd end up with Chiitan.

Chiitan’s Rise to Fame

Chiitan's road to fame began on social media, where its outrageous videos and unpredictable stunts garnered millions of views. As Tom Davis aptly described Chiitan on Takeshi's Castle, Chiitan is "everyone's favourite turtle-hatted hamster thing"! It's this mix of cuteness and mayhem that has captivated audiences worldwide. Its escapades, from attempting dangerous stunts to simply crashing into stuff, have made Chiitan a viral star.

In Japan, mascots — or "yuru-chara" — are a beloved part of the culture, often created to represent regions or companies. Yet, Chiitan breaks away from the traditional mould. While many mascots stick to safe and scripted appearances, Chiitan's unexpected antics and over-the-top behaviour make him stand out from the crowd, capturing the hearts (and likes) of fans across the globe.

Controversies Behind the Fame

With all his fame, Chiitan hasn’t been without controversy. The otter's unofficial status as a mascot for Susaki City led to a few complications. Chiitan's wild stunts were seen by some city officials as too unruly and even damaging to the city's image. This led to a bit of a fallout, with Susaki distancing itself from Chiitan. But for every detractor, there's a bunch of fans who can’t get enough of this odd fairy baby.

Despite the controversies, Chiitan's popularity has only grown, fuelled by a global fanbase that loves their unpredictable charm. Chiitan's appeal isn’t just in the comedy of its actions, but in the sheer absurdity of a "0-year-old fairy baby otter" dressed in a turtle hat causing mayhem wherever it goes.

Chiitan’s appearance on Takeshi’s Castle seemed like a match made in heaven. Takeshi's Castle, known for its crazy and outlandish challenges, was the perfect stage for Chiitan’s brand of slapstick madness. From bouncing, crashing, falling and failing, Chiitan brought yet another level of absurdity to the show.

Chiitan has already left Chiitan's mark on Takeshi’s Castle, but the otter's story is far from over. What did you think of Chiitan's appearance? A perfect fit for the show, or did it leave you scratching your head? Jump into the conversation over on our forum and share your favourite Chiitan moments or your top Takeshi’s Castle memories with us!