Yasuhiro Aoki’s ChaO, produced by Studio 4°C, has been awarded the Jury Prize at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The film, a wild and unpredictable sci-fi fantasy, captivated audiences and critics alike, marking a significant achievement for Aoki and the renowned animation studio. The Annecy International Animation Film Festival, held from June 8 to June 14, 2025, in Annecy, France, is one of the world’s leading events for animated films.
A “Fish Out of Water” Story Reels in Acclaim
ChaO tells the story of Stephan, a mild-mannered office worker at a shipbuilding company in a futuristic world where humans and mermaids coexist. His life takes an unexpected turn when he’s proposed to by ChaO, a princess from the mermaid kingdom. The film follows their unlikely romance as Stephan navigates life with the unpredictable and wholehearted ChaO. GKIDS has licensed the film for North American distribution, with a theatrical release planned later this year. The film is scheduled to be released in Japan this summer, August 15.
Described as a “wild romantic comedy,” ChaO has been lauded for its unique premise and visual style. Yasuhiro Aoki’s direction is praised for embracing the “grotesque and absurd elements of human-merperson relations,” resulting in a “bracingly anarchic piece of storytelling.” The film is a visually spectacular and energetic work.
Studio 4°C: A Maverick of Animation
Studio 4°C, the animation studio behind ChaO, is known for its innovative and visually striking productions. The studio’s works include Tekkonkinkreet, a similarly twisted take on a fairytale premise, showcasing their maverick approach to feature films. Other notable works by Studio 4°C include Mind Game and Children of the Sea, further cementing their reputation for pushing the boundaries of animation.
Yasuhiro Aoki: A Rising Star in Anime
Yasuhiro Aoki is a veteran animator who has worked on various notable projects, including Neon Genesis Evangelion, Digimon: The Movie, and The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. Aoki’s directing debut with ChaO has been met with critical acclaim, establishing him as a distinctive new voice in Japanese anime.
Aoki’s previous works include Kimagure Robot and Tweeny Witches. He also directed a short film for Batman: Gotham Knight.
The Creative Team Behind ChaO
- Director: Yasuhiro Aoki (Kimagure Robot, Tweeny Witches)
- Character Designer & Chief Animation Director: Hirokazu Kojima (Deadman Wonderland, Coyote Ragtime Show)
- Art Director: Hiroshi Takiguchi (Weathering With You, Children of the Sea)
- Music Composer: Takatsugu Muramatsu (Mary and The Witch’s Flower, Phoenix: Eden17)
- Producer: Eiko Tanaka
- Production Studio: Studio 4°C
- Distribution (Japan): TOEI
- Distribution (North America): GKIDS
The Cast of ChaO
- ChaO: Anna Yamada (Golden Kamuy, Saki)
- Stephan: Ōji Suzuka (Kimi ni Todoke, The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes)
- Ambassador Omede: Cookie!
- Editor-in-Chief: Anna Tsuchiya
- Juno: Shunsei Ota
- King Neptune: Kenta Miyake
- Maibei: Kavka Shishido
- Robert: Yuichiro Umehara
- Sea President: Ryota Yamasato
Story and Themes
ChaO presents a unique take on the mermaid myth, setting it in a futuristic Shanghai where humans and merpeople coexist, showcasing a world-building effort with a vivid, impressionistic, and almost abstract combination of animation techniques. The film explores themes of love, cultural understanding, and overcoming emotional barriers.
The official synopsis describes the film as:
“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.”
Other Winners at Annecy 2025
While ChaO took home the Jury Prize, other notable winners at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 include:
- Cristal for a Feature Film: Arco (Ugo Bienvenu, France), produced by Natalie Portman.
- Jury Special Mention (Paul Grimault Award): Dandelion’s Odyssey (Momoko Seto, France/Belgium)
- Audience Award: Little Amelie or the Character of Rain (Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han, France)
- Cristal for a Short Film: The Night Boots (Pierre-Luc Granjon, France)
- Jury Award for a Short Film: Les Bêtes (Michael Granberry, USA)
- Contrechamp Grand Prix: Endless Cookie (Seth Scriver, Pete Scriver, Canada)
- Contrechamp Jury Award: The Square (Bo-Sol Kim, South Korea)
Reception and Anticipation
ChaO‘s win at Annecy has generated considerable buzz and anticipation for its upcoming releases. The film is set to screen at the JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film in New York in July and the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal in July and August.
A Must-See Anime
With its unique story, stunning visuals, and acclaimed direction, ChaO is poised to become a standout anime film of 2025. The Jury Prize at Annecy is a testament to the film’s quality and its potential to resonate with audiences worldwide. Keep an eye out for ChaO‘s theatrical releases in Japan and North America.
