ChaO

Part of the Hanabi Film Festival 2026. Limited festival passes available while supplies last. Doors open at 10:30 AM; film at 11:00 AM. In 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 pair flounder through their new romance and unlock their true feelings. What will become of their romance? Crafted over seven years by the acclaimed STUDIO4°C and veteran animator Yasuhiro Aoki (Mind Game, Neon Genesis Evangelion, The Animatrix, Sailor Moon), his directorial debut is an inventive and genre-defying delight bursting with color and character. Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, it's a singular narrative is an ode to boundless love and a story perfect for all ages. Screened in Japanese with English subtitles. Director: Yasuhiro Aoki Year: 2025 Country: Japan Runtime: 90 minutes