Until a few years ago, the science fiction genre in China was considered childish, intended primarily for a very young audience and mostly for educational purposes. Therefore, this kind of film has never found its place in the boundless Chinese filmography, if not very recently, since Chinese production companies began to invest massively in local and foreign productions.
1. Big Fish And Begonia
This epic and mystical Chinese animated film, released in 2016, is my all-time favorite donghua film. It thrives in various aspects of its story, including the cycle of life, death, and what follows after; natural order, unconditional love, yin and yang, acts and effects, and a charming story of family, love, and friendship.
2. The Legend Of Hei
Some of the key themes in this wonderful adventure picture include humanity's hunger for progress and urbanization and the repercussions of these activities. When The Legend of Hei was released in Japan in 2019, it received recognition from Japanese animators as one of the finest Chinese animation films.
3. Nezha: The Devil's Birth
The Devil's Birth is another version of the life of Nezha, a Chinese deity known for his fury and mischief. From beginning to end, the film's animation is a bespectacled scenery. It's a powerful narrative about family and finding one's purpose that demonstrates how individuals may alter their fate. It's full of amusing Chinese comedy, fantastic animated battle sequences, and an intriguing look at Chinese mythology.
4. White Snake: The Origin
This film is stunning and appears to be a fictitious universe brought to life through amazing graphics and animation. The plot revolves around a romantic relationship between a human and the titular Blanca, the White Snake. White Snake: The Origin is a lovely experience filled with fantastic action sequences, romantic tropes, and a well-narrated narrative of love and sorrow. It is infused with aspects of Buddhism and Chinese culture.
5. The King's Avatar: For The Glory
The King's Avatar oriented us to Chinese animation. Many donghua fanatics are acquainted with the sequence, so you should also view The King's Avatar: The Last of the Mohicans. For the Glory is a prequel film to the series that takes place eight years before the narrative begins.
6. Jiang Ziya: The Legend Of Deification
In the Chinese mythology series, Jiang Ziya, or The Legend of Deification, is the sequel to Nezha: The Demon's Rebirth. This time, the narrative revolves around Jiang Ziya, a benevolent god. The film is a visual spectacle for the audience, and even if history seems timid, it provides a satisfying experience.
7. Crystal Sky Of Yesterday
Crystal Sky of Yesterday is the only donghua film that reminds me of Makoto Shinkai's classics, such as Your Name, The Garden of Words, and Weathering With You. The novel's central theme is the widening separation between individuals immediately after high school graduation, a cliche many of us may identify with.
8. Dahufa
Dahufa is a Chinese animated film on politics and other topics. It was launched in 2017 and has caused considerable controversy in China owing to the numerous analogies in its plot, despite its being presented with aesthetic storytelling. It has the standard cliché of enslaved people persecuted by a terrible leader.
9. New Gods: Nezha Reborn
Our mischievous divinity, The Demon's Rebirth, was resurrected as an adventurous and gorgeous young rider in the modern world. The film chronicles his trip as he attempts to perform heroic actions to save the city and its inhabitants from imminent harm.
10. Mr. Miao
You might love Mr. Miao, a Chinese animation film. Coolroom Pictures and Enlight Media collaborated on the film, which seeks to show it to audiences who would enjoy it. The animation and images are anime-style, and it looks great.