Studio 4°C, the acclaimed animation studio known for its innovative and visually stunning works, has released a new video revealing additional cast members for its upcoming anime film, “ChaO.” This original film, slated to premiere in Japan on August 15, 2025, promises a unique blend of science fiction and romance, set in a future where humans and mermaids coexist.
A Synopsis of “ChaO”: A Tale of Two Worlds
“ChaO” presents a heartwarming and whimsical story:
- Setting: A near-future world where humans and merfolk share the planet.
- Premise: Stephen, a diligent shipping engineer based in Shanghai, is dedicated to promoting harmony between the two races. He develops the “Air Jet,” a propeller designed to be harmless to marine life.
- Conflict: Stephen’s life takes an unexpected turn when Chao, a mermaid princess, asks him to marry her, setting off a collision of their vastly different worlds.
- Genre: Described as a “100% pure love story,” the film explores the budding romance between a human and a mermaid princess.
New Cast Members Announced
The latest video unveils seven new voice actors who will bring life to the supporting characters in “ChaO”:
- Yūichirō Umehara as Roberta: An inventor and a close friend of Stephen.
- Ryōta Yamasato (from Nankai Candies) as President Shi: The head of the shipbuilding company where Stephen is employed.
- Kavka Shishido as Maibei: A kind woman who guides Chao as she adjusts to life on land.
- Cookie! (from Yasei Bakudan) as Ambassador Omede: A merfolk political representative focused on maintaining the delicate balance between humans and merfolk.
- Kenta Miyake as King Neptunus: Chao’s regal father and the ruler of the merfolk kingdom.
- Shunsei Ota (from Octpath) as Juno: An enthusiastic rookie journalist who frequently interviews Stephen, seeking to uncover the history shared by humans and merfolk.
- Anna Tsuchiya as the Editor-in-Chief: Juno’s demanding superior at the newspaper.
These additions to the cast promise to enrich the world of “ChaO,” adding depth and humor to the central love story.
Previously Announced Cast and Staff
The main cast for “ChaO” includes:
- Ōji Suzuka as Stephen: The human protagonist, a salaryman working at a ship-making company. Suzuka is known for his roles in live-action series such as “Kimi ni Todoke” and “silent,” and previously voiced the lead character in the anime film “The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes.”
- Anna Yamada as ChaO: The mermaid princess who captures Stephen’s heart. Yamada has starred in the live-action series “Golden Kamuy” and “Saki.”
The key creative team behind “ChaO” features:
- Director: Yasuhiro Aoki: Known for his work as a character designer on “Psycho-Pass: The Movie” and “Tweeny Witches.”
- Character Designer and Chief Animation Director: Hirokazu Kojima: Best known for his work on “Deadman Wonderland” and “Coyote Ragtime Show.”
- Art Director: Hiroshi Takiguchi: Whose impressive credits include “Ajin,” “The Case of Hana & Alice,” and “The Garden of Words.”
- Music Composer: Takatsugu Muramatsu: Renowned for composing the soundtracks for “Mary and The Witch’s Flower” and “Phoenix: Eden17.”
- Distributor: Toei: A major film distribution company in Japan.
Studio 4°C: A Legacy of Innovation
Founded in 1986 by Eiko Tanaka and Kōji Morimoto, Studio 4°C has consistently pushed the boundaries of animation, earning international acclaim for its unique visual style and diverse range of projects. The studio’s name reflects its commitment to quality, drawing inspiration from the temperature at which water is most dense.
Some of Studio 4°C’s most notable works include:
- Feature Films: “Memories” (1995), “Spriggan” (1998), “Princess Arete” (2001), “Mind Game” (2004), “Tekkonkinkreet” (2006), “Children of the Sea” (2019), and “Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko” (2021).
- OVAs: “The Animatrix” (2003), “Batman: Gotham Knight” (2008), and “Detroit Metal City” (2008).
- TV Series: “Tweeny Witches” (2004) and “Phoenix: Eden17” (2023).
Studio 4°C’s films have received numerous awards and nominations, including the Japan Media Arts Festival Animation Category Award for “Mind Game” and the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year for “Tekkonkinkreet.” “Tekkonkinkreet” was also submitted for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
Hand-Drawn Animation and CGI
Producer Eiko Tanaka revealed that “ChaO” has been in development for seven years and features over 100,000 hand-drawn images. The film combines traditional animation with CGI.
Story Themes
The Annecy Film Festival’s official website describes the film as follows:
“In a near-future world where humans and mermen coexist, Stephen, a shipping engineer in Shanghai, develops a propeller called Air Jet that is harmless for marine life to promote peace between the two races. When Chao, a mermaid princess, pushes Stephen to marry her, their two worlds collide.”
Annecy International Animated Film Festival Nomination
“ChaO” has been nominated for the prestigious Feature Film Competition at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2025, which will be held in France in June.
Director Yasuhiro Aoki expressed his excitement and gratitude on the film’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “I am amazed and thrilled at the same time! I am really happy because the staff poured a lot of passion into this film. A miracle story about Stephen and Chao. Sending this film to Annecy may also be the result of a series of miracles.”
Release Date and Further Information
“ChaO” is scheduled to be released in Japanese theaters on August 15, 2025. Further details about the film will be revealed in the coming months.
With its captivating story, talented cast and crew, and Studio 4°C’s renowned animation style, “ChaO” promises to be a heartwarming and visually stunning cinematic experience.
