Round Table China The new era of Chinese animation
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Sep 2, 2025 Yu Shan, a passionate advocate for Chinese animation, joins Niu Honglin, who merges traditional aesthetics with modern storytelling. They discuss the blockbuster success of summer animated films and the competitive landscape of online platforms. The conversation dives into the transition from 2D to 3D animation, exploring unique narratives like 'Journey to the West.' They also highlight the evolving portrayal of female characters and the global reach of franchises like 'Boonie Bear,' illustrating the innovative spirit of modern Chinese animation.
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Sleeper Hit 2D Retelling
- Yu Shan describes watching Nobody, a sleeper-hit 2D retelling of Journey to the West that unexpectedly moved adult audiences to tears.
- The film's small 'nobody' monsters chase dreams while pretending to be heroes, surprising viewers with emotional depth.
Story Beats Format
- Steve and Niu note that Nobody's 2D format lowered expectations because global studios largely moved to 3D.
- They argue strong storytelling can overcome perceived technical disadvantages like 2D animation.
Cat Spirit That Won Hearts
- Niu Honglin recounts The Legend of Hei's premise about a cat spirit called Luo Xiaohei living among humans.
- He praises the franchise's understated, rhythm-driven humor and voice acting that elevates short episodic storytelling.