Core Viewpoint - The film "Assassination Novelist 2" has underperformed at the box office, earning only 2.95 billion yuan in its first eight days, significantly lower than its predecessor and other films released during the same period [1][4][18] Summary by Sections Box Office Performance - "Assassination Novelist 2" has generated a box office of 2.95 billion yuan in its first eight days, which is less than the earnings of "The Volunteer Army: Blood and Peace" and "731" during the same period, and far below the 10.35 billion yuan of the first film [1][18] Audience Reception - The film has received a low rating of 6.1 on Douban, with audience reviews indicating a split reaction, praising the visual effects while criticizing the fragmented narrative [1][4] Narrative Structure - The film presents a dual narrative involving a real-world novelist and a fictional protagonist, but fails to weave a compelling story, leading to a perception of it being a disjointed collection of tasks rather than a cohesive narrative [6][9][10] Thematic Exploration - The film attempts to explore themes of "creator and creation," but the execution lacks depth, resulting in a narrative that feels superficial and fails to engage the audience emotionally [7][19] Industry Trends - The challenges faced by "Assassination Novelist 2" reflect broader issues in the Chinese fantasy film industry, where technical prowess often overshadows narrative quality, leading to a pattern of high box office but low critical acclaim [14][16][19] Creative Shortcomings - The film exemplifies a common pitfall in Chinese fantasy cinema, where reliance on visual spectacle and humor detracts from meaningful storytelling, resulting in a lack of emotional resonance with the audience [12][21][32] Comparison with Successful Films - Successful films like "Guardians of the Galaxy 3" demonstrate the importance of strong narrative and emotional depth, contrasting with the approach taken in "Assassination Novelist 2," which lacks a similar emotional core [25][28] Future Directions - The industry needs a narrative revolution that prioritizes storytelling over visual effects, focusing on creating relatable characters and meaningful plots to resonate with contemporary audiences [32]

Core Insights - The recent summer releases of animated films "Liao Zhai: Lan Ruo Si" and "Wang Wang Shan Xiao Yao Guai" have sparked a resurgence of interest in Chinese fantasy storytelling, resonating with audiences through familiar narratives and innovative aesthetics [1][2] Group 1: Animation Industry Trends - Chinese animation is increasingly seeking to express a unique cultural identity through technological and artistic innovation, blending traditional aesthetics with modern techniques [1] - The thematic evolution of Chinese animation reflects a shift from divine narratives to a focus on individual human experiences and values, as seen in films that address contemporary issues such as personal choice and workplace challenges [2][3] Group 2: Audience Engagement - The characters in "Wang Wang Shan Xiao Yao Guai" resonate with young audiences by embodying relatable traits and addressing themes relevant to modern life, such as self-actualization and career dilemmas [2] - "Liao Zhai: Lan Ruo Si" employs a narrative structure that connects classic stories with contemporary settings, prompting viewers to reflect on deeper existential themes [2][3] Group 3: Cultural Reflection - The current generation of Chinese animated films is moving towards exploring internal emotional connections and cultural resonance, rather than merely creating external cultural symbols [3]

Core Viewpoint - The release of the domestic 3A game "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" by Lingze Technology has garnered significant attention and is expected to enhance the global influence of Chinese games, following the success of "Black Myth: Wukong" [12]. Group 1: Game Release and Performance - "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" was officially launched on July 24 and has topped the global and regional sales charts on Steam, as well as in Hong Kong and Taiwan [2]. - The game is priced at 248 yuan for the standard version and 298 yuan for the deluxe version, with pre-order numbers continuing to rise [2]. - The game has received positive reviews from renowned gaming review site IGN, highlighting its unique artistic style and story setting [2]. Group 2: Cultural Integration and Development - The game integrates elements of ancient Shu civilization, traditional folklore, and Tianfu culture, creating a distinct "Chinese fantasy" experience [4]. - The development team spent six years creating the game, drawing inspiration from ancient texts and scanning historical sites to incorporate digital reconstructions of cultural artifacts [6]. - Traditional Chinese cultural elements, such as Sichuan opera and shadow puppetry, are embedded in the gameplay and story, enhancing the cultural experience for players [7]. Group 3: Industry Context and Support - Chengdu's cultural and creative industry has seen significant growth, with the number of regulated enterprises increasing from 1,552 in 2018 to over 3,000 in 2024, and a 10.3% year-on-year increase in industry value added in Q1 of this year [8]. - Lingze Technology benefits from a "hundred-meter industrial chain" model, with numerous local companies contributing to the game's production, particularly in art and modeling [8]. - The company has received substantial support from the Chengdu High-tech Zone in terms of industry services, policy support, talent recruitment, and promotional resources [8].