Anime

ChaO Anime Film Earns Asia Pacific Screen Awards Nomination

The Asia Pacific Screen Academy made an exciting announcement on Wednesday: Yasuhiro Aoki and Studio 4°C’s anime feature film, ChaO, has been nominated for Best Animated Film in this year’s 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (ASPA). The film, which opened in Japan on August 15, is set to screen in 16 countries and regions worldwide.

GKIDS has secured the North American rights to ChaO and provides a captivating description of the story:

From the renowned Japanese animation studio Studio 4°C comes a whimsical romantic comedy and a classic “fish out of water” tale. In a futuristic world where humans and mermaids coexist, ChaO follows Stephan, a mild-mannered office worker at a shipbuilding company. His life takes an unexpected turn when he is suddenly proposed to by ChaO, a princess from the mermaid kingdom. With no time to process the sudden change, Stephan finds himself living with the unpredictable yet sincere ChaO. As her love begins to break down his emotional barriers, an unexpected and heartwarming romance blossoms.

Ōji Suzuka, known for his roles in Kimi ni Todoke and The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes, voices Stephan, the salaryman at a ship-making company. Anna Yamada, recognized for her work in Golden Kamuy and Saki, brings to life ChaO, the pure-hearted princess of the mermaid kingdom.

The film boasts an impressive cast and crew. Yasuhiro Aoki, director of Kimagure Robot and Tweeny Witches, helmed the project at Studio 4°C. Hirokazu Kojima, known for his work on Deadman Wonderland and Coyote Ragtime Show, served as the character designer and chief animation director. Hiroshi Takiguchi, the art director behind Ajin and The Case of Hana & Alice, ensured the film’s visual splendor. Takatsugu Muramatsu, composer for Mary and The Witch’s Flower and Phoenix: Eden17, created the enchanting soundtrack. Toei is handling the film’s distribution.

Kumi Kōda performs the opening theme song “ChaO!”, written exclusively for the film. The movie premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France from June 8-14 and won the Jury Prize. It also screened on opening night at the JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film in New York on July 10. The film was featured at the 29th annual Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal from July 16 through August 3. Additionally, it competed for the Grand Prize for Feature Animation at this year’s Ottawa International Animation Festival, which took place from September 24-28. The Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in Sitges, Spain, from October 9-19, is also showcasing the film. GKIDS, Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and Variety’s Animation is Film festival in Los Angeles from October 17-19 will screen the film in competition.