History of Chinese Animation (Donghua) | WooKong

Summary

Chinese animation has had a tumultuous history, marked by both groundbreaking achievements and significant setbacks. From the Wan brothers' pioneering works like 'Princess Iron Fan' to the rise of the golden age in the 1950s, China's animation scene flourished and then faced destruction during the Cultural Revolution. Afterward, creativity rebounded with films like 'Nezha Conquers the Dragon King.' However, by the 1990s, Chinese animation struggled to compete with Western and Japanese studios. Today, the industry is seeing renewed growth, with government support and online platforms offering new opportunities for young artists, yet challenges like government restrictions and competition remain.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chinese animation has a rich and tumultuous history, marked by both creative breakthroughs and political obstacles.
• 😀 The Wan brothers, pioneers of Chinese animation, produced Asia's first animated feature, *Princess Iron Fan*, in 1941, which influenced both Chinese and Japanese animation.
• 😀 The film *Princess Iron Fan* used rotoscoping, an innovative animation technique at the time, and became a cultural milestone despite its subtle anti-Japanese sentiment.
• 😀 After the Chinese Civil War, the animation industry in China initially struggled to establish a unique national identity, with films like *Why the Crow is Black* being mistaken for Russian productions.
• 😀 The *100 Flowers Campaign* (1956) temporarily allowed Chinese artists to embrace cultural criticism, leading to the creation of culturally distinct animated works like *Pigsy Eats a Watermelon* and *Where is Mama?*.
• 😀 The Cultural Revolution (1966) drastically disrupted the animation industry, as many films were banned, destroyed, and animators were sent to reeducation camps, halting progress for a decade.
• 😀 Despite severe setbacks during the Cultural Revolution, the return of animators in the late 1970s led to a revival of high-quality films such as *Nezha Conquers the Dragon King* and *The Feeling from Mountain and Water*.
• 😀 The 1990s saw Chinese animators shift to outsourcing work for Western studios, as domestic animation faced stagnation due to government restrictions and a lack of resources.
• 😀 Television cartoons such as *Black Cat Detective* and *Boonie Bears* have enjoyed popularity in China, though Chinese animated content struggles to gain international recognition.
• 😀 Since 2004, the Chinese government has recognized the importance of animation as a cultural export, investing in technology and fostering collaborations with international studios, positioning Chinese animation for future growth.

Q & A

What was the first animated feature produced by the Wan Brothers?

The first animated feature produced by the Wan Brothers was *Princess Iron Fan*, released in 1941. It was the first animated feature in Asia and adapted chapters from the Chinese classic *Journey to the West*.

How did the Wan Brothers' *Princess Iron Fan* influence Japanese animation?

Despite its anti-Japanese undertones, *Princess Iron Fan* became a hit in Japan and is believed to have influenced Japanese animators, including Osamu Tezuka, the creator of *Astroboy*. Tezuka himself acknowledged the impact of the Wan Brothers' work on his own animation career.

What was the impact of the 1955 short *Why the Crow is Black*?

*Why the Crow is Black*, a short film produced in 1955, won several international awards but was mistakenly identified as a Russian film during one ceremony. This confusion pointed to the challenge of distinguishing Chinese animation as uniquely Chinese at the time.

What was the Hundred Flowers Campaign, and how did it affect Chinese animation?

The Hundred Flowers Campaign, launched by Mao Zedong, encouraged artists to express criticisms and celebrate Chinese culture. It led to the development of China's distinctive animation styles, such as the incorporation of Chinese traditional arts, including paper cutting and ink wash painting. However, the campaign ended in failure, with subsequent repression of artistic freedom.

What is significant about *Havoc in Heaven* in the history of Chinese animation?

*Havoc in Heaven*, released in two parts in 1961, is considered a landmark in Chinese animation. The film was praised for its artistry and revolutionary attitude, drawing inspiration from Beijing Opera and telling the story of Sun Wukong's encounters with the Jade Emperor.

What happened to Chinese animation during the Cultural Revolution?

During the Cultural Revolution, almost all forms of animation were banned, including *Havoc in Heaven*. Many animators, including Te Wei, were persecuted, and the industry stagnated with only crude propaganda films being produced for over a decade.

How did Chinese animation recover after the Cultural Revolution?

After the Cultural Revolution, Chinese animation experienced a resurgence with films like *Nezha Conquers the Dragon King* (1979) and *A Deer of Nine Colors* (1981), which won international acclaim and helped redefine Chinese animation. These films incorporated subtle critiques of the past while showcasing China's growing artistic freedom.

What were some challenges faced by Chinese animation in the late 20th century?

In the late 20th century, Chinese animation faced the challenge of becoming outdated due to the influx of Western and Japanese animation after China opened up under Deng Xiaoping. Many Chinese animators found it more profitable to work for Western studios rather than creating original content in China.

Why have Chinese cartoons struggled to find an audience outside of China?

Chinese cartoons, such as *Black Cat Detective* and *Boonie Bears*, have gained popularity domestically but struggle internationally due to cultural differences, content restrictions, and the dominance of Western and Japanese animation in global markets.

What is the future outlook for Chinese animation?

The future of Chinese animation looks promising, as the government has started investing in animation technologies and fostering international collaborations. While challenges like government restrictions and a focus on quantity over quality remain, there is growing recognition, and the industry seems to be heading in the right direction.