ChaO Live Talk & Drawing with Animation Director Hirokazu Kojima

Experience the magic of anime live! From Japan’s acclaimed Studio 4°C (Mind Game, Children of the Sea) comes , a bold new hand-drawn romantic comedy where humans and mermaids collide in a futuristic love story. With over 100,000 frame-by-frame drawings, this breathtaking film follows Stephan, a mild-mannered office worker, whose life turns upside down when Chao — a spirited mermaid princess — proposes to him, sparking a hilarious and heartfelt romance.

At the heart of this visual masterpiece is Hirokazu Kojima, the supervising animation director and character designer behind ChaO. Known for his bold break from traditional anime styles, Kojima brings a unique energy and expressive flair to every scene. In this exclusive Talk & Live Drawing event, audiences will enjoy a rare behind-the-scenes look at his creative process, hear stories from the making of ChaO, and watch him sketch characters live on stage.

Whether you’re an anime fan, art lover, or culture seeker, this is your chance to see how world-class Japanese animation is created — right before your eyes.

Seating is subject to availability and will be claimed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that admission isn’t guaranteed with a RSVP.

About Hirokazu Kojima | Character Designer / Supervising Animation Director

Since the 2000s, he has drawn attention as a rising animator with works such as Futakoi Alternative (2005) and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (2007). In recent years, under the name kojipero, he worked as Animation Director on Gridman Universe (2023), and under the name kojikoji, he handled sub-character design and served as Animation Director on Lazarus (2025).

For STUDIO4℃ productions, he contributed as a key animator to Yasuhiro Aoki’s short film Honey Tokyo (2010), the animated parts of the game Asura’s Wrath (2012), and the feature film Children of the Sea (2019). ChaO marks his first time serving concurrently as both Character Designer and Supervising Animation Director.

In Partnership with

Image Credit: Courtesy of Animation Is Film and GKIDS

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

JAPAN HOUSE Salon, Level 5, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, United States