SummaryIn a fantastical future, humans and mermaids share a troubled coexistence. Stephan, an anxious employee at a shipbuilding company, has big ideas to save the sea. But his life explodes into ecstatic chaos when bubbly mermaid princess Chao proposes marriage out of the blue. Between shopping sprees, giant robots, and actual fireworks, the unlikely p... Read More
Directed By:Yasuhiro Aoki
Written By:Hanasaki Kino
ChaO
Metascore
Generally Favorable
67
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Available after 4 ratings
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
67
80% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
20% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Apr 10, 2026
88
The most enchanting thing about “ChaO” isn’t necessarily its hyperpoptimism, but the many little ways in which its breezy and arresting style reflects its creators’ lightly held Utopianism.
Apr 10, 2026
79
Whether the love story completely works or not, ChaO is such a visual wonder that it hardly matters.
Apr 10, 2026
63
The film moves so fast that you don’t have to dwell on its missteps for long. For every moment that feels a bit too weird, there’s a scene that’s absolutely hilarious or heartbreakingly sincere. This fairy tale is particularly twisted, but that just makes its happily-ever-after ending feel all the more earned.
Apr 7, 2026
63
The narrative is nonsense, but it’s at least an arch and sweet kind of nonsense as it jumps through its fairy-tale hoops on the way to the next splash of artful color and manically doodled creativity.
Apr 10, 2026
50
A talented animation team does its best to bail water from this sinking ship, but an overreliance on contrivances and slapstick leaves too many holes to plug.
User Reviews
User score
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50% Positive
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50% Mixed
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Production Company:
- Studio 4°C
Release Date:Apr 10, 2026
Duration:1 h 30 m
Tagline:He's on the hook. (US release poster)
Website:
Awards
Annecy International Animated Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Festival Européen du Film Fantastique de Strasbourg (FEFFS)
• 1 Nomination
Asia Pacific Screen Awards
• 1 Nomination






























