Core Insights - The 2025 Global Content Popularity List for iQIYI International Edition shows a significant growth in the consumption of Chinese content, with a 114.5% year-on-year increase in content views, driven primarily by diverse Chinese-language offerings [1][3][4] Group 1: Chinese Content Performance - The top Chinese drama of the year is "Love You," which integrates elements of traditional Chinese medicine, resonating with global audiences [1][4] - iQIYI's self-produced content dominates the Chinese drama popularity list, accounting for 90% of the top ten [4] - The success of Chinese dramas is attributed to innovative themes and a deep integration of Eastern aesthetics [4] Group 2: Animation and Film Success - "Lingwu Dalu" and "Nezha: The Devil Child Comes to the World" lead the popularity charts for Chinese animation and film, respectively [9][12] - The Chinese animation genre shows a strong preference for Eastern fantasy themes, with eight out of ten top titles in this category [9] - Classic cultural IP adaptations, particularly those related to "Nezha," demonstrate significant global appeal, with "Nezha: The Devil Child Comes to the World" having nearly three times the viewership of the top non-Chinese film [12] Group 3: Regional Preferences and Localization - iQIYI International's growth is supported by localized operations tailored to regional market preferences, with Southeast Asia showing a strong demand for dubbed Chinese content [16] - In North America, the top ten popular series include six Chinese dramas and four Thai dramas, indicating a diverse content consumption pattern [16] - East Asian audiences exhibit a higher interest in mystery and detective stories, while Middle Eastern and North African viewers prefer military-themed Chinese content [16] Group 4: Future Strategies - In 2026, iQIYI International plans to deepen its strategy of promoting Chinese content while connecting with diverse global markets and supporting creative talent [17]

Core Insights - The 2025 Global Content Hit List by iQIYI International shows a significant growth in the consumption of Chinese content globally, with a year-on-year increase of 114.5% in content viewership, driven primarily by diverse Chinese content [1] - The list highlights the popularity of various genres, including urban romance dramas, anime, and films, with distinct viewing preferences observed across regions such as Southeast Asia, North America, East Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa [1][4] Group 1: Chinese Content Performance - The top Chinese drama on the list is "Love You," which integrates traditional Chinese medicine culture into modern storytelling, resonating with global audiences [2] - iQIYI's self-produced works dominate the top 10 Chinese drama list, accounting for 90% of the entries, showcasing the success of innovative themes and Eastern aesthetics [2] - The anime and film categories also perform well, with "Lingwu Continent" and "Nezha: Birth of the Demon Child" leading their respective categories [2][3] Group 2: Regional Consumption Preferences - Southeast Asia shows a strong preference for localized content, with eight out of ten top dramas being Chinese dramas dubbed in Thai, indicating the importance of local adaptation [4] - In North America, the top 10 popular series include six Chinese dramas and four Thai dramas, reflecting a diverse content consumption landscape [4] - East Asian audiences exhibit a higher interest in mystery and detective stories, while the Middle East and North Africa favor military-themed Chinese content [5]

Core Viewpoint - The animated film "The King's Avatar 2," produced by Chinese Online, will be distributed in North America by GKIDS, marking a significant step for Chinese animation in the global market [1][3]. Group 1: Distribution and Market Strategy - "The King's Avatar 2" will target a broader audience beyond the Chinese community, aiming for both theatrical and home entertainment distribution in North America [3]. - GKIDS, a renowned animation film distributor, has a history of promoting artistic animation and has received 13 Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature [5][6]. - The collaboration with GKIDS signifies international recognition for "The King's Avatar 2," enhancing its visibility in the North American market [6]. Group 2: Film Content and Reception - "The King's Avatar 2" tells the story of a cat demon navigating a world where fairies and humans coexist, emphasizing themes of growth and understanding of human society [9]. - The film has received a high rating of 8.7 on Douban from nearly 160,000 viewers and has achieved a box office of over 350 million RMB (approximately 49 million USD) within 18 days of release [9]. - The first installment of the series achieved over 310 million RMB (approximately 44.5 million USD) in box office revenue, setting records for Chinese animated films in Japan [9]. Group 3: Global Expansion and Partnerships - Chinese Online acquired a 51% stake in Hanmu Chunhua in June 2023, positioning itself as a key partner for the global expansion of the "The King's Avatar" series [11]. - The film has secured distribution agreements in multiple global markets, including Southeast Asia and Japan, with specific release dates set for August 28 and November 7, 2025, respectively [11]. - The success of the overseas distribution is attributed to the strong recognition from audiences and industry professionals, with GKIDS expressing confidence in the film's appeal to a wide audience [11].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese animation industry is experiencing rapid growth, with notable works like "Nezha 2" and "Chang'an 30,000 Li" gaining both domestic and international recognition, although there remains a gap compared to developed countries in terms of industrial standards and production processes [1][2]. Industry Development - The Chinese animation industry has a rich history, initially gaining international attention through unique artistic styles and traditional cultural elements, but faced challenges due to the rise of foreign animation industries [2]. - Recent government support and technological advancements have led to a resurgence, with the industry’s total output value surpassing 300 billion yuan in 2023, projected to exceed 470 billion yuan by 2029 [2][3]. Industry Structure - The animation industry encompasses content creation, production, distribution, and merchandise development, with a growing number of high-quality domestic works driving revenue [3]. - The workforce in the animation production sector has reached 171,000, with 86.04% holding higher education degrees, indicating a trend towards a more educated and innovative workforce [3]. Cultural Identity and Global Reach - The transition from being subcontractors for foreign animation to producing high-quality domestic projects reflects a shift in the industry, with a focus on integrating Chinese cultural elements into global narratives [4]. - Emotional resonance is key for international appeal, as creators are encouraged to address universally relevant themes [5]. Market Challenges - Despite successes, the overall performance of Chinese animation in international markets remains underwhelming, with significant disparities in brand influence and market coverage compared to the US and Japan [5][6]. - The commercial operation model in China is still developing, lacking effective international marketing strategies, which limits the global recognition of many quality works [6]. Future Outlook - The future of Chinese animation is expected to diversify, exploring various genres beyond traditional themes to cater to a broader audience [6]. - There is a growing global demand for Chinese stories, and the rich cultural heritage of China provides ample material for compelling animation content [6].