Studio 4°C's 'ChaO' Anime Unveils Kumi Koda’s Theme Song in Exciting New Trailer
Get a first look at the striking new poster for the highly anticipated film debuting in Japan on August 15.
New Anime Film ChaO Coming This Summer
Poster visual also revealed for film opening in Japan on August 15
Studio 4°C unveiled an exciting new trailer on Friday for its upcoming anime feature, ChaO. The trailer teases the film’s theme song "ChaO!" performed by Kumi Koda, specially created for this project.
Image via ChaO film's X/Twitter account
The staff also released a new poster visual, hinting at the vibrant world of the movie.
Release Date and International Screenings
- Japan Release: August 15, 2025
- North American Rights: Licensed by GKIDS and set to premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France (June 8 - June 14).
- Further Screening: The film will also debut at Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal (July 16 - August 3).
The Story of ChaO
According to GKIDS, the film centers on a futuristic world where humans and mermaids coexist. It follows Stephan, a mild-mannered office worker at a shipbuilding company, whose life changes when he is suddenly proposed to by ChaO, a mermaid princess.
"In a world where the sea and land worlds meet, Stephan’s life takes a surprising turn as he falls in love with the spirited princess ChaO. Their journey explores sincere love and emotional breakthroughs in a heartfelt romance."
Cast and Crew
- Ōji Suzuka as Stephan — Known for Kimi ni Todoke and The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes
- Anna Yamada as ChaO — Star of Golden Kamuy and Saki
Additional Cast:
- Yūichirō Umehara as Roberta
- Ryōta Yamasato (Nankai Candies) as President Shi
- Kavka Shishido as Maibei
- Cookie! as Ambassador Omede
- Kenta Miyake as King Neptunus
- Shunsei Ōta as Juno
- Anna Tsuchiya as Editor-in-Chief
Creative Team:
- Directed by Yasuhiro Aoki (Kimagure Robot, Tweeny Witches)
- Character design and animation direction by Hirokazu Kojima
- Art direction by Hiroshi Takiguchi
- Soundtrack composed by Takatsugu Muramatsu
- Distributed by Toei
Behind the Scenes
According to Oricon, Studio 4°C has been secretly developing ChaO for over seven years. Producer Eiko Tanaka mentioned at a January press conference that the film is meticulously hand-drawn, comprising more than 100,000 drawings.
Why This Film Is Special
Studio 4°C, renowned for its innovative animation, has crafted a unique fish-out-of-water romantic comedy that combines futuristic settings with heartfelt stories. Fans have eagerly anticipated this project, now finally set for release.
Sources
Stay tuned for more updates on ChaO as its release date approaches!