ChaO directed by Yasuhiro Aoki will open the Japan Cuts which will take place from July 10 – 20, 2025 at the Japan Society (New York, USA).

Opening Night
July 10, 2025 | Thursday | Japan Society | 6:00 pm (SOLD OUT!)

ChaO by Yasuhiro Aoki – Japan | 2025 – 90 minutes

Ordinary salaryman Stephan is catapulted to instant fame when he is suddenly proposed to by Chao, the mermaid princess. Entrusted with the future of human-mermen relations, Stephan is rushed into the pairing, amid a flurry of politicking and diplomacy, and reluctantly agrees to marry the fish princess, but despite the makings of a political marriage, the effervescent Chao’s ardent affection sparks genuine connection. With its off-kilter brand of humor, unique kineticism and superb hand-drawn art style—purportedly utilizing over 100,000 hand-drawn frames—Aoki’s Chao is a fantastical spectacle with a deluge of heartfelt passion, produced over the course of seven years. (JapanCuts 2025)

Teaser:

For more information, please visit: https://japansociety.org/film/japancuts/