ANALYSIS OF CHINESE MYTHOLOGICAL ANIMATED FILMS OF CHINA IN 2015-2024

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the narrative techniques of award-winning Chinese mythological animated films from 2015 to 2024, the evolution of their value representations, and audience attitudes toward narrative and aesthetic values, in order to provide both theoretical and empirical support for the creation and development of Chinese mythological animation. Ten representative and award-winning feature-length animated films were selected as samples, covering diverse mythological themes and artistic styles. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining textual analysis based on the "six-element narrative framework," interviews with creators and scholars, and a questionnaire survey with 204 valid responses from audiences. The findings reveal a shift from traditional three-act structures to more psychological and symbolic narratives, as well as a modern transformation of value representation—from collective-oriented expressions to an emphasis on individual growth, social justice, and multicultural identity. Audiences widely recognized the films’ "Guofeng" (traditional Chinese style) aesthetics and emotional expression mechanisms, acknowledging their positive role in conveying core values and reconstructing cultural identity. The study concludes that Chinese mythological animated films have become important cultural media that integrate value transmission with aesthetic identity, offering valuable theoretical and practical insights for future animation production, policy formulation, and cross-cultural communication.

-