It has been announced that the new animated film "ChaO" from STUDIO4℃, known for anime such as "Tekkonkinkreet" and "Children of the Sea", will be released on August 15th. The main cast has also been announced, with actors Suzuka Hisashi and Yamada Anna playing the double lead roles. The anime is set in a future society where humans and mermaids coexist, with Suzuka playing Stefan, an ordinary office worker, and Yamada playing Chao, the princess of the mermaid kingdom.
The film is a story of love and miracles that transcends race and culture. Set in a future society where humans and mermaids coexist, it depicts the love story between Stefan, an ordinary office worker, and Chao, the princess of the mermaid kingdom.
Suzuka commented, "When I received the offer, I didn't think I'd be able to work on an anime movie again, so I was nervous, happy, and excited at the same time." She continued, "When I read the script, I was overwhelmed by the worldview, with its interesting setting and unique visuals. The futuristic town and the character designs were exciting to look at. I think the feel of the pictures and the setting have the power to draw viewers in."
Regarding Stefan, he explained, "He's a somewhat unreliable young man, but he has very strong feelings that come from his childhood memories and what's at his core, which makes him a very appealing character." He recalled, "When I was playing the role of Stefan, the staff often praised me, and I also got into the groove and had a lot of fun recording, which I remember very fondly."
Yamada said of her impression of the work, "I was very nervous because it's difficult to express things with a voice, but I was very happy to be asked to play the role. Each character in this work is charming, and I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the world view and colors." She also revealed about Chao, "She's a straightforward and innocent mermaid, and she's full of love for Stefan. I consulted with her about how I could express her cuteness while playing the role."
"When I was providing the voice for the character Chao, I struggled with how to make him look cute. To make him seem charming, I tried using onomatopoeia to match his movements, and while it was difficult, it was fun," she said.
A teaser visual depicting Stefan and Chao marching through the bustling city was also released, along with the tagline, "This summer, you can meet a new-generation mermaid princess like you've never seen before."
A Teaser trailer was also released, depicting Stefan and Chao's meeting and their hectic days. "I swear to be with you forever! Let's get married!" Chao bravely proposes to Stefan, and although Stefan is confused, they end up spending irreplaceable days together. The trailer also shows Chao's tomboyish side.
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Director: Yasuhiro Aoki▽Character design and chief animation director: Yamato Kojima▽Art director: Hiroshi Takiguchi▽Music: Takatsugu Muramatsu▽Animation production: STUDIO4°C
