Revitalising the Art of Animation: Exploring the Industrial Evolution and Aesthetic Reconstruction of Chinese Cinema (2015–2025)
List of Authors
Baihui Zhao, Hafizah Rosli, Mohd Erman Maharam
Keyword
Revitalising the Art of Animation: Exploring the Industrial Evolution and Aesthetic Reconstruction of Chinese Cinema (2015–2025)
Abstract
Since 2015, animation films from China have entered a pivotal phase of dual transformation, both industrially and aesthetically. National policies, ongoing technological advancements, and collective efforts from capital platforms have bolstered this evolution. This article takes a macro perspective to systematically review the evolutionary trajectory of industrial mechanisms, the transformation of aesthetic styles, and the logic of cultural expression in Chinese animation films from 2015 to 2025. The study emphasises how policy direction, industrial frameworks, intellectual property (IP) development, and visual style interact synergistically to foster the revival and enhancement of China’s animation industry. This paper posits that animation films from China transitioned from infantilisation and marginalisation to becoming a central component of the mainstream cultural ecosystem. This transformation encompasses a multidimensional shift from project-driven initiatives to industrial production, from traditional mythological narratives to a nationally stylised visual language, and from linear storytelling structures to emotion-driven narratives. Chinese animation is actively reshaping cultural identity through its global reach while gradually revealing the practical potential of establishing an independent aesthetic system. This paper aims to offer theoretical insights and practical guidance for the sustainable development of Chinese animations and the self-evolution of their aesthetic framework.