Core Insights - The article provides a comprehensive overview of over 100 animation companies in China, categorized by geographic location and animation type, focusing on the production of domestic non-children's animated series [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The Chinese animation industry has developed rich production capacity clusters, primarily in five core regions: Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai, Guangdong-Shenzhen, Sichuan-Chongqing, and Central provinces [5]. - Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou lead in the number of animation companies, with significant production capabilities extending to surrounding areas and smaller cities [5]. - Each city exhibits unique creative styles influenced by local talent cultivation systems and entrepreneurial habits, leading to similarities in artistic expression among different companies [5]. Group 2: Company Statistics - The article lists 103 animation companies across more than 20 cities, detailing their main office locations, types of animation produced (2D, 3D, or hybrid), and representative works [1][2]. - Companies are categorized based on their production capabilities, focusing on those with complete and mature works, while excluding smaller outsourcing firms [6]. Group 3: Recruitment and Talent Flow - Recruitment practices vary, with some companies hiring for different animation styles (e.g., 3D hiring 2D positions) as they adapt and expand their business [5]. - Many animation companies have multiple office locations across the country, indicating a trend of talent mobility starting from regional industry clusters [5]. Group 4: Creative Styles and Production Quality - The article emphasizes that while promotional materials like posters can showcase artistic styles, the actual quality of animation should be assessed through completed works or industry consultations [5]. - The production quality and management styles of different companies may vary due to the ongoing industrialization of the animation sector, which is still maturing [5].

Core Insights - The success of the animated film "Nezha: The Devil's Child" has significantly enhanced the reputation of Keke Dou Animation and has expanded its influence from Chengdu to the entire country and even overseas [1] - Keke Dou Animation has attracted talent from prestigious institutions like Peking University, indicating its growth potential and appeal in the cultural industry [1][10] - The company has been recognized as one of the "Top 30 Growth Cultural Enterprises" in China, marking a significant achievement for Chengdu's cultural industry [1][11] Company Development - Keke Dou Animation, originally a small studio with only three members, has evolved into a prominent player in the animation industry, thanks to support from incubation programs and capital investment [5][6] - The studio's transformation was facilitated by the Chengdu Digital New Media Innovation Incubation Base, which provided comprehensive support including policy consultation and business connections [5] - The collaborative environment in Chengdu's Tianfu Changdao Digital Cultural Park has allowed Keke Dou Animation to work closely with other animation companies, enhancing the production quality of "Nezha: The Devil's Child" [8][9] Industry Growth - Chengdu's cultural industry has shown remarkable growth, with over 6,000 digital cultural enterprises in the high-tech zone and a reported revenue of 114.1 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 25.2% [9] - The cultural industry in Chengdu achieved an added value of over 280 billion yuan in 2024, ranking first in the new cultural vitality index nationwide [11] - The city has produced several successful intellectual properties (IPs) such as "Nezha" and "Honor of Kings," contributing to its reputation as a hub for cultural innovation [11]

Group 1 - The second season of the domestic sci-fi animation "Ling Cage" was launched on Bilibili, achieving over 80 million views within just four days of releasing two episodes, with over 1 million series followers and an average of 130,000 viewers per episode, surpassing the first season's performance, making it one of the most popular domestic creations on Bilibili [2] - The first season of "Ling Cage" accumulated a total of 670 million views on Bilibili, with a rating of 9.6 on the platform and 8.3 on Douban, gaining a strong reputation due to its original story, wasteland art style, and hardcore battle scenes, winning over ten industry awards including the "Golden Dragon Award" and "Golden Monkey Award" [2] - The animation series is produced by Bilibili and Wuhan Yihua Kaitian Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. (Yihua Kaitian), which has attracted significant attention in the domestic animation market following the success of "Nezha: Birth of the Demon Child" [3] Group 2 - Major video platforms such as iQIYI, Youku, Tencent Video, and Bilibili have been actively investing in the animation sector, leading to a competitive landscape for top animation production companies, which are now considered valuable resources in the industry [3] - Yihua Kaitian is notably one of the few animation companies that have received investments from two major long-video platforms, with Tencent investing 3 million yuan in the A round of financing in 2017, followed by several hundred million yuan from Bilibili and Tencent in 2018, and billions in the B round in 2022 [3] - Industry insiders believe that the 15.4 billion yuan box office of "Nezha 2" reflects the progress in China's animation industrialization, indicating that future competition among animation companies will focus on technological advancements [3]

Core Insights - The domestic animated film "Nezha: The Devil's Child" has topped the global animated box office, showcasing the rising prominence of Chinese animation in the global market [1] - The original Chinese animation "To Be Hero X," co-produced by Bilibili and Aniplex, has gained significant attention and viewership, with nearly 50 million views on Bilibili after just three episodes [3][21] - "To Be Hero X" has received high ratings on platforms like MyAnimeList, achieving a score of 8.49, making it the highest-rated original Chinese animation in the past two years [3][5] Industry Developments - The collaboration between Bilibili and Aniplex represents a new trend in the animation industry, potentially paving the way for more joint projects in the future [11] - "To Be Hero X" distinguishes itself from other popular domestic IP adaptations by presenting an original superhero narrative that explores complex themes such as human nature and self-worth [21][23] - The production quality of "To Be Hero X" is noted to be on par with global standards, utilizing a unique blend of 2D and 3D animation techniques, marking a significant milestone for domestic animation [23] Audience Reception - International fans have expressed surprise at the quality of "To Be Hero X," leading to a surge of fan-created content and discussions on social media platforms [20] - The animation's storytelling and character complexity have resonated with audiences, indicating that it is not merely a visual spectacle but a work with contemporary relevance and depth [23]