Core Insights - The film "Three Kingdoms: The Starry Sky Part One" has underperformed at the box office, with total earnings around 75 million and a likelihood of not surpassing 100 million [1][3] - The film's reputation has declined, with its Douban rating dropping from 7.5 to 7.2 [1] - The film represents a bold attempt at a new narrative in the Chinese animation sector, but it has failed to meet audience expectations during the National Day holiday [3][4] Box Office Performance - As of October 9, the film's box office earnings are approximately 75 million, with daily growth falling below 1 million [1] - The film's revenue distribution shows that the production company receives 36.86%, cinemas 52.27%, and others 10.87% [3] - The projected total box office for the film is around 89.88 million [3] Film Content and Reception - The film presents a new perspective on the historical figure Cao Cao, focusing on his conflicts with Yuan Shao and Liu Xie during the late Eastern Han period [6] - Despite its innovative storytelling and impressive visual effects, audience feedback has been disappointing, with criticisms centered on the film's content and character portrayal [9][10] - The portrayal of Cao Cao as a "loyal minister" rather than a "villain" has sparked controversy, leading to accusations of "whitewashing" the character [10][12] Industry Trends - The failure of "Three Kingdoms: The Starry Sky Part One" highlights the challenges faced by domestic animated films in exploring new themes and stories [4][27] - The animation market has seen a trend towards adapting mythological IPs, but there is a growing need for fresh narratives to avoid audience fatigue [16][17] - The success of "Chang'an: Three Ten Thousand Miles" has opened new avenues for animated films based on historical figures and literary works, indicating a shift in industry focus [18][19][24] Future Prospects - The production company is planning a series of films based on the "Three Kingdoms" theme, with the next installment already in development [21] - The industry is encouraged to improve script quality and storytelling to enhance the appeal of animated films based on historical and literary subjects [27][28]