Mermaid Romance ChaO Set for Theatrical Release in Japan on August 2025

Studio 4°C announced its original anime movie ChaO through Crunchyroll on March 26th of 2025. Japanese audiences will witness the premiere of this movie at theaters across Japan on August 15, 2025. The teaser trailer alongside key visuals debuted to give audience members their first look at this developing initiative.

Through its futuristic cohabitation of humans and mermaids, ChaO creates an unusual foundation for a love story between Stefan and ChaO. The story follows Stefan who was voiced by Ōji Suzuka when the mermaid princess ChaO voiced by Anna Yamada suddenly proposed marriage to him during his uneventful life as a salaryman. Viewers see the establishment of their connection through a 30-second preview as the characters move within vibrant locations that hint at a journey of love between humans and mermaids. The hand-animated style of Studio 4°C stands out through the reported creation of 100,000 drawings because of the extensive handwork involved in making the film.

The director Yasuhiro Aoki who also directed Tweeny Witches has spent seven years on the production of ChaO as his passionate secret project. Through the key visual scene where Stefan and ChaO walk through a crowded urban setting the film demonstrates both its relatable romance and its touching emotional core. Producer Eiko Tanaka suggests the movie starts with a comedic tone but has important serious content aimed at mainstream audiences. Suzuka and Yamada contribute their talent to the voice cast which animates the story of human-mermaid romance.