ChaO (2026): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
ChaO is a 2026 animated comedy directed by Yasuhiro Aoki, starring Anna Yamada as ChaO, Kenta Miyake and Anna Tsuchiya. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $136,025 worldwide. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Yasuhiro Aoki
- Original language
-
Japanese
- Studio
- Studio 4°C
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is ChaO About?
The premise of ChaO without spoilers.
In a fantastical future where humans and mermaids coexist uneasily, Stephan—a nervous shipyard employee obsessed with rescuing the ocean—has his routine shattered when the vivacious mermaid princess Chao abruptly proposes marriage. Their whirlwind adventure spirals through lavish shopping sprees, towering robots and spectacular fireworks, forcing the unlikely pair to confront their worlds and the tensions threatening both.
ChaO Cast & Characters
Anna Yamada leads the cast as ChaO, with Kenta Miyake as King Neptunus and Anna Tsuchiya as Editior-in-Chief. Directed by Yasuhiro Aoki; 11 actors are credited in all.
- Director Yasuhiro Aoki
- Anna Yamada as ChaO
- Kenta Miyake as King Neptunus
- Anna Tsuchiya as Editior-in-Chief
- Kavka Shishido as Maibei
Also Starring in ChaO
· 7 more- Oji Suzuka Stefan
- Yu Okano Stephan's Father
- Taro Nikuguso Ambassador Omede
- Hiromi Kawakami Stephan's Mother
- Yûichirô Umehara Roberta
- Ryôta Yamasato President Shi
- Shunsei Ôta Juno
More from Yasuhiro Aoki
One more film directed by Yasuhiro Aoki: Batman: Gotham Knight.
ChaO Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave ChaO 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).
ChaO Echo Score Breakdown
ChaO presents a visually striking experience anchored by an exuberant artistic vision, while its narrative oscillates between whimsical charm and structural unevenness. Critics and audiences alike commend the rich animation and imaginative world‑building, yet many note pacing issues and occasional plot incoherence. The film’s emotional core and romantic thread succeed for most viewers, though the disjointed storytelling limits its universal appeal. Overall, the strengths in art and sensory design outweigh the narrative flaws, delivering a memorable but imperfect fantasy.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of visual craft, ChaO excels with vibrant color palettes, intricate world‑building, and inventive animation techniques. Critics highlight its “visual wonder” and “artful color,” while users repeatedly describe the animation as gorgeous, rich, and breathtaking. Even the few negative remarks focus on narrative rather than visual execution, reinforcing the overall artistic success of the film.
- Character & Emotion 75
When assessing character depth and chemistry, the film offers a wholesome romance that many viewers find endearing and believable. The central couple is praised for sincerity, and the emotional moments are described as heartfelt. Some criticism points to unusual designs and occasional reliance on contrivance, which temper the overall positive perception of character work.
- Story & Flow 65
The story’s pacing and coherence receive mixed feedback. Rapid pacing and a twisted fairy‑tale structure keep the narrative lively, yet several reviewers cite disjointed segments, a nonsense‑laden plot, and a dragging second half. While the ending provides closure and some find the tale earnable, narrative unevenness prevents higher acclaim.
- Sensory Experience 85
Sensory elements, especially the visual style, are consistently lauded. Critics describe the film as a “visual wonder,” and users reference a dazzling, richly detailed animation that blends vibrant and muted tones. Although sound design is less frequently mentioned, the overall sensory experience is deemed immersive and a primary strength of the film.
- Rewatch Factor 70
Rewatch value is moderate to high, driven by the film’s whimsical tone and striking visuals that invite repeat viewings. Many users label the movie as enjoyable and fun, with several expressing a desire to experience it again. However, narrative disjointedness and occasional pacing problems may limit sustained appeal for some audiences.
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IMDb 6.8 /10
432 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 86% Tomatometer
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 67 Metascore
See on Metacritic
ChaO Box Office
ChaO grossed $136,025 worldwide. $112,217 came from the US and Canada and $23,808 (18%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$136K
- US & Canada
- $112.2K
- International
- $23.8K
Seen ChaO?
Articles About ChaO
Our article about ChaO: “ChaO (2026) Review & Critics Opinions – Audience Reception, Performance, Storytelling & Franchise Impact”.
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Opinions
ChaO FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of ChaO, each answered in a sentence.
How long is ChaO?
ChaO runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was ChaO released?
ChaO was released on April 10, 2026.
Who directed ChaO?
ChaO was directed by Yasuhiro Aoki.
More films by Yasuhiro Aoki Who is in the cast of ChaO?
ChaO stars Anna Yamada as ChaO, Kenta Miyake as King Neptunus and Anna Tsuchiya as Editior-in-Chief, among 11 credited actors.
How much did ChaO make at the box office?
ChaO grossed $136,025 worldwide ($112,217 domestic, $23,808 international).
How is ChaO rated?
ChaO has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic.
Does ChaO have a post-credit scene?
No. ChaO has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is ChaO in?
The original language of ChaO is Japanese.
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