GKIDS has secured the North American distribution rights for ChaO, the upcoming animated feature film from Studio 4°C. The film, directed by veteran animator Yasuhiro Aoki, is set to make its world premiere next week at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Its premiere date in Japan is set for August 15.
Besides being directed by Yasuhiro Aoki (Batman: Gotham Knight, Kimagure Robot), the movie also has Hirokazu Kojima (Deadman Wonderland, Coyote Ragtime Show, Shoka) handling character design and serving as chief animation director, and Hiroshi Takiguchi (Weathering With You, Children of the Sea) as the art director. TOEI will distribute the movie in Japan. The voice cast includes:
- Anna Yamada as Chao
- Oji Suzuka as Stephen
- Cookie! as Ambassador Omede
- Anna Tsuchiya as Editor-in-Chief
- Shunsei Ota as Juno
- Kenta Miyake as King Neptune
- Kavka Shishido as Maibei
- Yuichiro Umehara as Robert
- Ryota Yamasato as Sea President
GKIDS describes the movie:
From acclaimed Japanese animation production house Studio 4°C comes a wild romantic comedy and true “fish out of water” story. In a futuristic world where humans and mermaids coexist, ChaO follows Stephan, a mild-mannered office worker at a shipbuilding company, whose life is upended when he is suddenly proposed to by Chao — a princess from the mermaid kingdom. With no time to make sense of what’s happening, Stephan soon finds himself living with the unpredictable, wholehearted Chao. As her sincere love begins to break down his emotional barriers, an unexpected and touching romance begins to unfold.
You can see the teaser visual below, featuring princess Chao and Stephen together.
Studio 4°C was founded in 1986 by producer Eiko Tanaka and director/animator Koji Morimoto. Its name derives from the temperature at which water reaches its maximum density, symbolizing their aim for depth and substance in their work. Some of their notable anime includes Mind Game (2004), Tekkon Kinkreet (2006), The Animatrix (2003), Memories (1995), Children of the Sea (2019), and Phoenix: Eden 17 (2023).
Source: GKIDS Official X
ChaO © 2025 “ChaO” Committee
Participate In Discussions