Key Facts

ChaO wins Jury Prize in feature competition at Annecy 2025 (June 14 local time)
First Japanese film to receive this honor in 8 years
Past winners include Miss HOKUSAI (2015) and In This Corner of the World (2017)
Directed by Yasuhiro Aoki, produced by STUDIO4°C
Official U.S. premiere set for Fantasia Film Festival in July 2025

Japanese animation studio STUDIO4°C’s latest original film ChaO has received the Jury Prize in the Feature Film Competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025, held in France on June 14 (local time). This is the first time in eight years that a Japanese film has received this prestigious recognition, considered a runner-up to the Grand Prix.

Past Japanese recipients of the same honor include Miss HOKUSAI (2015, directed by Keiichi Hara) and In This Corner of the World (2017, directed by Sunao Katabuchi), both regarded as iconic works in the global animation landscape.

Director Aoki: “Can’t Believe I’m Standing Here”

During the award ceremony, director Yasuhiro Aoki, producer Eiko Tanaka, character designer Yamato Kojima, and Creative Director Shogo Furuya took the stage.

Aoki expressed his gratitude, saying:

“I can’t believe I’m standing here. Although ChaO is a comedy packed with gags, we deliberately avoided punchlines based on dialogue. I think that’s why the humor resonated so well with international audiences.”

Pointing to the ChaO plush beside him, he added:

“This is ChaO. I hope this balloon-like character will float freely across the world. Thank you so much!”

About ChaO: A Hand-Drawn Tale of Love Across Species

ChaO, opening in Japanese theaters on August 15, 2025, is an original hand-drawn anime film produced by STUDIO4°C, known for Tekkonkinkreet (2006), Children of the Sea (2019), and Poupelle of Chimney Town (2020).

The film tells a magical love story between a human and a mermaid, transcending race and culture. Its breathtaking visuals blend meticulous frame-by-frame hand-drawn animation with bold, avant-garde background art techniques. The result is a vibrant and emotionally resonant fantasy that balances innocence with surrealism.

Next Stop: Fantasia International Film Festival 2025

Following its triumph at Annecy, ChaO has been officially selected for competition at North America's largest genre film festival, the Fantasia International Film Festival, which kicks off on July 17 in Montreal.

FAQ

Q: What is the Annecy International Animation Film Festival?
A: It’s the world’s largest animation film festival, held annually in Annecy, France, and often referred to as the “Cannes of Animation.”

Q: What is the Jury Prize equivalent to?
A: It is considered the second-highest honor in the feature competition, equivalent to a runner-up Grand Prix.

Q: When will ChaO be released in theaters?
A: The film opens nationwide in Japan on August 15, 2025.

Q: Is the film subtitled or dubbed for overseas screenings?
A: International festival versions typically include English subtitles, but official localization details are yet to be announced.

Q: What makes ChaO stand out stylistically?
A: Its commitment to hand-drawn animation, combined with experimental art direction and a universal narrative without relying on dialogue-based humor.

ChaO Trailer

Source : ORICON NEWS