Studio 4°C is set to release ChaO in 2026, offering a fresh take on the classic mermaid-human love story. Unlike previous animated films such as Ponyo and The Little Mermaid, ChaO stands out with its surreal fantasy world and unconventional narrative.

The story follows a mermaid princess named ChaO who unexpectedly insists on marrying a human named Stephan. The reasons behind her decision remain unclear until the film’s conclusion, adding a layer of intrigue. The film is set in a unique version of Shanghai, blending land and sea elements to create original architecture, transportation, and wildlife.

Yasuhiro Aoki, who has over 30 years of experience in the Japanese animation industry, directs the film. His previous work includes titles like Mind Game, Neon Genesis Evangelion, The Animatrix, and Sailor Moon. Aoki credits his early interest in animation to the 1970s series Gutsy Frog, which inspired him to pursue a career in the field.

Aoki’s time at Studio Live in the 1990s helped him develop key skills, particularly in layout design. This expertise plays a significant role in ChaO, where characters vary greatly in size, requiring creative approaches to composition and depth. The film’s character designs highlight the contrast between humans and large sea creatures, emphasizing the clash between land and sea.

The concept for ChaO traces back 19 years to a segment Aoki directed for Studio 4°C‘s Amazing Nuts! anthology, specifically the episode “Even If You Become The Enemy of the World” (also known as “Kung-Fu Love”). Building on this foundation, Aoki developed ChaO with a focus on themes of coexistence and cultural acceptance, using the hybrid city of Shanghai as a symbol of unity between humans and merpeople. The city features water pipes as roads for merpeople, visually tying together the film’s central theme.

The film’s backgrounds, crafted under art director Hiroshi Takiguchi, are designed to complement the manga-inspired, cartoonish characters with more realistic and detailed environments. This contrast enhances the film’s visual impact.

Designing the main character, ChaO, presented its own challenges. For much of the film, she appears as a large fish with small legs, moving awkwardly on land. Character designer Hirokazu Kojima aimed to make her both cute and clumsy, which is reflected in her distinctive walk and appearance.

Since its premiere at the 2025 Annecy Festival, ChaO has received mixed feedback regarding its main character. Some critics and viewers find ChaO one-dimensional, focused mainly on pleasing the male lead. Aoki attributes this perception to her design, explaining that the intention was for audiences to grow more attached to her as the story unfolds.

Despite some criticism, ChaO has been praised for its visual creativity and technical achievements. As the film prepares for its wider release in 2026, audiences will have the opportunity to experience and discuss its unique approach to the mermaid genre.

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