Chickip Dancers 5th Anniversary! "Hone Chicken" Appears at 17th Karaage Grand Prix® Award Ceremony as Official Ambassador for Second Consecutive Year

San-X Co., Ltd., headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, announced the appearance of "Hone Chicken," a character from the anime "Chickip Dancers" produced by "Chickip Dancers Odorun-kai," at the 17th Karaage Grand Prix® Award Ceremony. Hone Chicken serves as the Official Ambassador for the Japan Karaage Association. Hone Chicken was appointed to this role on February 9, 2025, and this is its second appearance at the award ceremony. The Chickip Dancers franchise celebrates its 5th anniversary in 2026. The 17th Karaage Grand Prix® Award Ceremony was held on April 10, 2026, at Viral Luce in Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture, organized by the Japan Karaage Association, headquartered in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. A 5th-anniversary celebration video was screened. A new "Chickip Dancers Award" has been established this year as a supplementary prize for the highest gold award. Winners received Hone Chicken plush toys and other merchandise. The anime "Chickip Dancers" Season 3 began broadcasting on NHK E-tele from March 30, 2026, airing every Monday at 8:45 AM. San-X Co., Ltd. is known for creating over 1,000 original characters, including Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi.