Childhood Returns: "Chinese Tales"

by Iris Liu (translated by ChatGPT)

25 Sep 2023

Story brief:

On February 12, 2023, the animated short film series Chinese Tales—comprising eight unique stories—concluded on the Bilibili platform, amassing over 200 million views. Featuring bizarre yet fantastical characters infused with traditional Eastern aesthetics, the series delivers a visual feast. It also moves audiences through genuine emotions and everyday details, prompting thoughtful reflections on human nature.

Story in detailed description:

According to Bilibili’s official page (https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss39707), Chinese Tales, produced by Shanghai Animation Film Studio, features eight standalone stories rooted in traditional Chinese culture: The Summer of Little Monsters, The Goose, The Goose, The Goose, Linlin, The Country Bus Took Wang Child and the Immortals Away, Xiaoman, Bird and Fish, The Small Shop, and The Jade Rabbit.

Artistically, the series incorporates diverse Chinese elements—ink painting, fine-line brushwork, opera, paper cutting, puppetry, and shadow play—enhanced by traditional instruments such as gongs and bamboo flutes. This synthesis creates a distinctly Chinese visual and auditory experience. The aesthetic evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of watching animated classics like The Monkey King on vintage color televisions.

Thematically, the stories draw inspiration from traditional fables and folklore, cleverly interwoven with biting contemporary realities. This fusion of the past and present sheds light on both human nature and social issues, delivering not only visual beauty but also meaningful resonance.

Implication:

In recent years, China’s animation industry has been heavily influenced by Japanese commercial works, leading to a gradual erosion of its distinctive Eastern aesthetics and exportable cultural identity. Chinese Tales signals a notable resurgence for Shanghai Animation Film Studio, proving that Chinese animation can deliver compelling narratives grounded in deep cultural and philosophical traditions. The series pays tribute to literary classics such as Journey to the West and The Scholar from Yangxian, while maintaining artistic integrity through its unmistakable Eastern aesthetic.

Technically, Chinese Tales breaks away from the dominant 3D animation trend, employing 2D and CG techniques to craft a distinctive visual language. Thematically, it reinvents cultural storytelling by addressing real-world social issues through animation. These innovations offer valuable insights for China’s animation industry, underscoring the critical role of narrative strength, cultural continuity, and technological evolution in producing resonant and enduring works.