The team
behind ChaO, the new film directed by Yasuhiro Aoki and
produced by Studio 4°C, has shared a 54-second preview that is
already making headlines. The clip, released last Sunday, shows the
characters Roberta and Maibei in a sudden and
intense "combat", making it clear that the film will not skimp on
unexpected moments.
Release
date and international license
The film
will hit theaters in Japan on August 15 (local time) and is
already internationally licensed by GKIDS. The distributor
describes the story as a futuristic romantic comedy with a
"fish out of water" twist. In this world, humans and mermaids
coexist, and the plot follows Stephan, a quiet office worker in a
shipping company whose life changes radically when ChaO, princess
of the mermaid kingdom, suddenly proposes to him. With no time to assimilate
it, Stephan ends up sharing his life with the unpredictable and passionate
ChaO, starting a relationship as chaotic as it is touching.
Luxury
voice cast
The cast
includes Ōji Suzuka as Stephan and Anna Yamada as
ChaO. Also participating are Yūichirō Umehara (Roberta), Ryōta
Yamasato (President Shi), Kavka Shishido (Maibei), Cookie! (Ambassador
Omede), Kenta Miyake (King Neptunus), Shunsei Ōta (Juno)
and Anna Tsuchiya (Editor-in-Chief).
Creative
team and music
The
direction is in charge of Yasuhiro Aoki (Kimagure Robot, Tweeny
Witches) with Hirokazu Kojima as character designer and
animation director. Hiroshi Takiguchi is in charge of the art
direction and Takatsugu Muramatsu of the soundtrack. The
opening song, titled "ChaO!", is performed by Kumi
Kōda and composed especially for the film.
Tour of
international festivals
ChaO had
its world premiere at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival (France),
held from June 8 to 14, where it won the Jury Prize. Subsequently,
he opened the JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film in New
York on July 10 and participated in the Fantasia International Film
Festival in Montreal from July 16 to August 3. In addition, it will
compete for the Grand Prize for Best Animated Feature Film at
the Ottawa International Animation Festival, which will take place
from September 24 to 28 (local time).
