STUDIO4°C’s Latest “ChaO”: Yamazaki Ryouta & Miyake Kenta are Perfect Fits! Unique Character PVs Revealed.

STUDIO4°C’s Latest Film 『ChaO』 Reveals Character PVs for Its Star-Studded Cast

STUDIO4°C, the creative force behind acclaimed works such as 『Tekkon Kinkreet』, 『Kaiju no Kodomo』, and 『Eiga Entotsu-machi no Poupelle』, is set to release their latest anime film, 『ChaO』, on August 15, 2025. Ahead of its premiere, the film has unveiled a collection of four character PVs, showcasing the personalities of its diverse cast including Yamasato Ryota, Miyake Kenta, Ota Shunsei, Tsuchiya Anna, Cookie!, and more.

Helmed by Tanaka Eiko, who served as line producer for Studio Ghibli classics like 『Tonari no Totoro』 and 『Majo no Takkyuubin』, STUDIO4°C is a collective known globally for its high-quality visuals and unique, captivating worlds. Their newest original anime, 『ChaO』, promises a tale of love and miracles that transcends species and cultures. The film is a testament to the studio’s commitment to hand-drawn animation, featuring an astounding amount of detailed artwork and beautiful background art to depict a fresh and charming romance between a human and a mermaid.

Set in a future society where humans and merfolk coexist, the story follows Stefan, a salaryman working at a shipbuilding company. One day, his life is turned upside down when Chao, a princess from the mermaid kingdom, suddenly proposes to him. Without understanding why, Stefan begins living with Chao. As he experiences Chao’s pure and straightforward affection, Stefan gradually finds himself drawn to her. The film asks: what fate awaits their love?

『ChaO』 has already garnered international attention, receiving nominations in the Feature Film Competition section of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025, the world’s oldest animation film festival, as well as a nomination in the competition section of the Fantasia International Film Festival, North America’s largest genre film festival.

A Perfect Fit for Every Role! Meet the Intriguing Characters

The newly released PVs offer a closer look at some of the film’s key players, titled “Shee Shachou-hen,” “Juno & Henshuuchou-hen,” “Neptunus Kokou-hen,” and “Omede Taishi-hen.”

The “Shee Shachou-hen” PV humorously portrays the cunning side of President Shee, who schemes to exploit Stefan and Chao’s marriage for business gain and employs various tactics to assist their dates.

Stepping into the role of the shrewd President Shee is Yamasato Ryota of the comedy duo Nankai Candies. Upon the announcement of his casting, he expressed his overwhelming joy, stating, “I was so happy from the bottom of my heart that I could appear in a STUDIO4°C production!!!” He also shared his affection for the character, commenting that President Shee is “a character I love who has many similarities to myself.” The video certainly suggests he brings a charming, albeit sneaky, portrayal to the character, whose ulterior motives are thinly veiled.

In the “Juno & Henshuuchou-hen” PV, we see Juno, a rookie reporter diligently trying to uncover the history between humans and merfolk by interviewing Stefan, alongside his guiding editor-in-chief.

Juno is voiced by Ota Shunsei (OCTPATH), and the editor-in-chief is voiced by Tsuchiya Anna. Ota described his character as “a character who is devoted to what he loves, works hard, and is endearing.” Tsuchiya commented, “I’m also a strong-willed person, so I was completely smitten with this character.” Ota added, “While keeping an eye on Juno’s movements, constantly getting scolded by the editor-in-chief, I hope people will also love Juno’s earnestness.” Their interplay is highly anticipated.

The “Neptunus Kokou-hen” PV showcases King Neptunus, Chao’s doting “oyabaka” (overprotective parent) father, who explodes in anger at Stefan for seemingly trying to “use” his beloved daughter, revealing his underlying dislike for humans.

Miyake Kenta, who voices King Neptunus, described the role as “a character who has dignity but is always thinking of his daughter, something any parent can relate to.” The video conveys that he has elevated the character beyond just a kingly figure, making him relatable and charming.

The “Omede Taishi-hen” PV presents a surreal scene where Ambassador Omede congratulates Stefan and Chao while continuously picking his nose. The bizarre nature of the footage highlights the unique personalities brought to life by the diverse cast, showcasing their undeniable “perfect fit” for their roles.

Comedian Cookie! takes on the role of Ambassador Omede, and he also voices two other characters in the film. His performance, infused with his distinctive comedic sense, portrays a quirky, strongly unique character (“kuse tsuyo kyara”) whose powerful presence is captivating.

STUDIO4°C’s latest anime film, 『ChaO』, is set to open on August 15, 2025. Be sure to experience the film in theaters and witness the unique characters brought to life with charm by the incredible cast!

By Nakase Koutarou

Related Link

• Official Website for Eiga 『ChaO』