ChaO: Japanese Film Festival 2026

In the future, merpeople and humans co-exist but live in largely separate societies. In Shanghai, a rare opportunity for both sides arises when office worker Stephan is rescued by mermaid princess Chao. Chao is clearly smitten with Stephan and wants to get married. There’s one big problem: Chao can only appear in her fish form, as she doesn’t yet trust humanity enough to adopt a human form. As both merpeople and humans pressure Stephan to marry Chao as a step towards unification, Stephan is frustrated and conflicted – until revelations from the past cast Chao in a whole new light.

The new film from Studio 4°C (Mind Game, Tekkonkinkreet) is a madcap yet genuinely sweet fantasy adventure. Boasting a wild and colourful art style, ChaO manages to be funny, satirical, moving and romantic all at the same time.