ChaO

ChaO (2025) is set in the near future, in an alternative Shanghai where humans and merpeople share a tense and uneasy existence. An engineer, Stephan is trying to develop a water propulsion system that is safe for fish and merpeople. When an accident causes him to meet ChaO, the princess of the merpeople, she immediately proposes to him. Although he recognizes that this union would ease tensions between the two groups, Stephan uncomfortable dating a human-sized fish—even if she does transform into a more human shape, depending on her mood. Thus begins STUDIO 4°C’s sweet and goofy romantic comedy, as the two lead characters try to overcome their species differences and learn that love is more than skin- (or scale-) deep.

Watch the trailer here.

Welcome to Anime Fest at the Modern 2026! Presented on September 18–20, this film festival celebrates the Japanese anime genre with films that are visually stunning, richly imaginative, and poetic in their storytelling. View the full schedule, buy tickets, and learn more here.