The
official Toei Movie YouTube channel has published an animated
video clip with the song "ChaO!", performed
by the renowned Japanese singer Kumi Koda. This piece of music will
be the theme song for the original STUDIO4°C film,
titled ChaO.
The video
clip offers an exclusive look at key scenes from the film,
showing the main characters in moments charged with emotion and visual beauty,
characteristic of the studio behind works such as Poupelle of Chimney
Town and Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko.
New
poster and release date confirmed
Along with
the video clip, a new promotional poster has also been
revealed that highlights the protagonists of this unique story that mixes
fantasy and drama in an alternate future.
ChaO will hit theaters in Japan
on August 15, 2025, under distribution by Toei. The
direction is in charge of Yasuhiro Aoki, while Hirokazu
Kojima signs the character design and serves as animation director.
The artistic direction is by Hiroshi Takiguchi.
Awards
and international recognition
Prior to
its commercial release, ChaO has already been internationally
recognized by receiving the Jury Prize at the 2025
Annecy International Animated Film Festival, one of the most important
events in the sector worldwide.
In case
you don't know her: What is ChaO about?
The story
is set in the near future where humans and merfolk
coexist. Stephen, a naval engineer in Shanghai, develops a
propeller called the Air Jet, designed not to harm marine life, in
hopes of fostering peace between the two species.
Everything
changes when ChaO, a mermaid princess, demands Stephen
marry her. From that moment on, their worlds are forced to coexist. However,
their cultural differences and a tragic accident will test the
bond between them.
A
promise of emotion and depth
With a premise that mixes themes of coexistence, intercultural love and ecology, and the visual support of one of the most prominent studios in contemporary Japanese animation, ChaO is shaping up to be one of the most emotional and visually striking bets of the year.
