Summary
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Studio 4°C is filming a new anime movie called ChaO, which will premiere in the summer of 2025 in Japan.
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The film is seven years in the making, drawn by hand with over 100,000 drawings.
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Directed by Yasuhiro Aoki, the plot involves a mermaid princess asking a clerk to marry her.
Quick links
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Directed by Naruto: The Last Assistant Director of Animation
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The plot of ChaO looks like some funny little mermaid story
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Studio 4°C is working on a new original anime film! The project was announced during Toei's 2025-2026 press conference as Toei (Dragon Ball, One piece) will distribute the film at least in Japan.
Founded in 1986, 4°C has been increasingly involved in anime production since the 2000s — they animated series before 2000, but their involvement in this type of production was less frequent. They made several Animatrix (2003) episodes and also animated Berserk: Golden Age Arc trilogy.
New the movie is called Chaoand is set to debut in summer 2025 in Japan. Since Toei is involved in this production, there's a chance they want to release it internationally, either in theaters or directly on streaming services.
No information on international releases has been released yet, but Studio 4°C has posted about the film in English, which also gives the impression that they want the film to reach foreign audiences:
According to OriconStudio 4°C has been working on this film for seven years and the production is hand-drawn, with over 100,000 drawings.
Directed by Naruto: The Last Assistant Director of Animation
Yasuhiro Aoki is in charge of directing. He is credited as assistant animation director on Last: The Naruto moviethe film leading up to Naruto and Hinata's wedding and considered canon by many fans. He also worked, this time as a director, on Senjutsu Choukoukaku Orion, Honey Tokyo and episode 4 Batman: Gotham City.
Hirokazu Kojima (Deadman Wonderland) is the character designer and chief animation director, while Hiroshi Takiguchi (Ain, Weathering with you) is the art director. The head writer (or writers) has not been revealed, but there is a chance that Aoki is also writing the screenplay.
The plot of ChaO looks like some funny little mermaid story
The story takes place in the future, but a future where mermaids and humans live together. In this scenario, Chao, a princess from the Mermaid Kingdom, suddenly asks an official named Stephen to marry her.
No information about an international release has been officially announced.
Source: MyAnimeList, ANN
