GKIDS announced on Tuesday that it will release the anime feature film ChaO — directed by Yasuhiro Aoki and produced by Studio 4°C — on Blu-ray Disc in 1080p on September 22. The film is already available digitally in the United States, with a digital Canadian release planned for the future.
Blu-ray Details
The Blu-ray edition will include storyboards, animatics, teasers, trailers, and ending credits. The disc features Japanese audio with English, English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitle options.
Synopsis
From acclaimed Japanese animation studio Studio 4°C comes a wild romantic comedy and “fish out of water” story. Set in a futuristic world where humans and mermaids coexist, the film follows Stephan, a mild-mannered office worker at a shipbuilding company, whose life is turned upside down when Chao — a princess from the mermaid kingdom — suddenly proposes to him. Before he can make sense of the situation, Stephan finds himself living with the unpredictable, wholehearted Chao. As her sincere love gradually breaks down his emotional barriers, an unexpected and touching romance begins to unfold.
Cast & Staff
- Ōji Suzuka (Kimi ni Todoke, The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes) voices Stefan, a salaryman at a ship-making company.
- Anna Yamada (live-action Golden Kamuy, Saki) voices Chao, the pure princess of the mermaid kingdom.
- Director: Yasuhiro Aoki (Kimagure Robot, Tweeny Witches) — Studio 4°C
- Character Designer & Chief Animation Director: Hirokazu Kojima (Deadman Wonderland, Coyote Ragtime Show)
- Art Director: Hiroshi Takiguchi (Ajin, The Case of Hana & Alice, The Garden of Words)
- Music: Takatsugu Muramatsu (Mary and The Witch’s Flower, Phoenix: Eden17)
- Distributor: Toei
Kumi Kōda performs the opening theme song “ChaO!”, written specifically for the film.
Festival Run
ChaO has had an impressive international festival journey. The film premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France in June 2025, where it also took home the Jury Prize. It then screened as the opening-night film at JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film in New York in July 2025, followed by a screening at the 29th Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal from July to August 2025.
The film competed for the Grand Prize for Feature Animation at the Ottawa International Animation Festival last September, and screened at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in Sitges, Spain last October. It also screened in competition at the Animation is Film Festival in Los Angeles last October, co-presented by GKIDS, Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and Variety. Additionally, the Asia Pacific Screen Academy nominated the film at the 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA).
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