China’s Animation Renaissance: “Ne zha 2” and Beyond

Chinese animation is experiencing a significant surge in popularity and critical acclaim, marked by the overwhelming success of films like “Ne Zha 2.” Released in late January during the Spring Festival holiday, “Ne Zha 2” not only dominated the domestic box office but also surpassed Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” globally, grossing over 13 billion yuan ($1.79 billion) after its North American release on Feb. 14,according to Maoyan data.

the Rise of Homegrown Animation

The animation industry in China has been steadily gaining momentum in recent years. In 2023, “Chang An,” an animated film recounting the life of Chinese poet Li Bai, earned approximately $250 million, securing its place as the only animated feature in China’s top 10 movies that year. This success signals a shift towards greater appreciation and demand for domestic animated content.

Light Chaser Animation: A Studio at the Forefront

Light Chaser Animation, the studio behind “Chang An,” exemplifies the growth and ambition within the Chinese animation sector. Based in Beijing, the studio is expanding its operations and production capabilities. “This place is no longer big enough,” says Yu Zhou, president of the studio, highlighting the need for expansion to accommodate their growing team and ambitious production plans.

• The studio plans to hire at least 100 more employees in the next year.
• Light Chaser intends to release two movies annually starting in 2026, doubling their current output.
• AI is currently viewed as a supplementary tool, rather than a replacement for human animators.

The studio’s upcoming film, “Curious Tales of a Temple,” a re-telling of “Chinese ghost stories,” is slated for release this summer, wiht potential theatrical releases in North America and other overseas markets.

A Recent History of Milestones

Chinese animated films have only recently begun making a significant impact. As Variety noted after the 2016 release of “Big Fish and Begonia,” “In the history of Chinese animation, there has never been a film like “Big Fish and Begonia…as far as the Chinese industry goes,this bold and breathtaking fantasy adventure stands alone.”

“Ne Zha 2″‘s Success and Future Prospects

Liu Anxing, a movie theater manager in Chengdu, noted that “Ne Zha 2” appealed to a wide audience, contributing to its blockbuster status. Though, he doesn’t anticipate another similar success until “Ne Zha 3” in 2028. The film’s achievement underscores the potential for Chinese animation to resonate with both domestic and international audiences.

Government Support and Industry Strategy

Government subsidies from regions like Chengdu and Qingdao have played a crucial role in supporting the domestic animation industry. In 2021, Beijing outlined a national plan to build China into a major cinematic player by 2035, aiming to produce 50 films annually with individual box office sales exceeding 100 million yuan.

“Animation consumers are themselves a resource that needs to be carefully managed,” cautions Jonathan Clements, author of “Anime: A History,” highlighting the importance of lasting growth and avoiding over-production.

The Shift in Audience Preferences

Hollywood films are facing increasing competition from domestic productions. While “Godzilla x Kong” was a top performer, other major Hollywood releases like “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” struggled to gain traction with chinese audiences. This shift in audience preference reflects a growing support for local content and storytelling. China’s plan also specified that domestic films should account for “at least 55% of the country’s annual box office” sales.

leveraging Online Content and AI

Many popular Chinese animated television series originate from online stories by relatively unknown authors. China Literature, a major platform for user-generated content, reported that “15 of the top 20 most watched online animated series” in the first half of last year were based on content from its platform.

How does Light Chaser Animation plan to balance the expansion of its studio while maintaining the quality and artistic vision that has characterized its work?