The Japanese animated feature film “ChaO,” from director Yasuhiro Aoki and Studio 4°C, has officially been nominated for Best Animated Film at the upcoming 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA). The nominations were announced on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. This recognition places the film among the top animated works from across the vast Asia Pacific region.
“ChaO” premiered in Japan on August 15, 2025, and is slated for screening in 16 countries and regions globally. GKIDS has acquired the North American distribution rights for the film.
About the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA)
Established in 2007, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards serve as the highest accolade for cinematic excellence in the region, encompassing 78 countries and areas. APSA aims to celebrate films that authentically reflect their cultural origins and the diverse cinematic achievements of the Asia Pacific. The awards also seek to promote outstanding regional films to a global audience, foster collaboration among filmmakers, and deepen understanding of the diverse cultures within the region through cinema.
The 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at The Langham, Gold Coast, Australia. The event will be preceded by the 7th Asia Pacific Screen Forum, running from November 24 to 27, 2025.
“ChaO”: A Unique Animated Tale
“ChaO” is a 2025 Japanese animated film produced by Studio 4°C and distributed by Toei Company. The film is directed by Yasuhiro Aoki, a veteran animator and director known for his work on various anime productions, including episodes of “Batman: Gotham Knight” and “Tweeny Witches.” This film marks Aoki’s feature directorial debut.
The romantic comedy takes place in a near-future Shanghai where humans and merpeople coexist. The story centers on Stephan (voiced by Ōji Suzuka), a mild-mannered engineer, who is unexpectedly proposed to by Chao (voiced by Anna Yamada), a mermaid princess. Their cross-cultural romance explores themes of cultural misunderstandings and the challenges of love between different worlds.
The film has been lauded for its visually spectacular and energetic style, with an impressionistic and sometimes abstract combination of animation techniques used to bring its richly realized fantasy Shanghai to life. The character designs, refined by Hirokazu Kojima, contribute to the film’s distinctive aesthetic. “ChaO” also garnered a Jury Award at the Annecy International Film Festival in June 2025.
Best Animated Film Category at APSA
The Best Animated Film category at APSA highlights the innovation and creativity of animators and directors from the Asia Pacific region, celebrating both traditional hand-drawn artistry and cutting-edge techniques. This year’s nominations in the category include several first-time directors, a testament to the emerging talent in the Asia Pacific.
While the full list of nominees for Best Animated Film in the 18th APSA was not immediately available in the search results, “ChaO” joins a prestigious group of films recognized for their artistic merit and cultural significance. Past winners in this category include critically acclaimed films such as Seoul Station and Miss Hokusai.
