Chao
Overview
Set in a near-future world where humans and merpeople live alongside one another, Chao follows Stephan, a well-mannered employee at a shipbuilding company with an idea for a propulsion system designed to be safer for marine life. However, his life takes an unexpected turn after an accident at sea brings him face-to-face with Chao, the princess of the mermaid kingdom.
Before long, Chao makes a surprising proposal: marriage. Their unlikely relationship soon captures widespread attention, with their union seen as a possible bridge between the human and mermaid worlds. As Stephan and Chao adjust to each other’s vastly different lives, their unexpected marriage slowly unfolds into a heartfelt and unconventional love story.
Cast
Oji Suzuka
Anna Yamada
Fun Facts
Chao isn't your typical anime, it's entirely hand-drawn, made up of over 100,000 individual drawings, and took nearly 7 years to bring to life at Studio 4°C. The dedication paid off: the film had its world premiere at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where it won the Jury Award for Best Feature Film.
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