Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
Home> Volumes> Volume CHR Vol.13> Article
Research Article

An Analysis of Transmedia Storytelling of Chinese Animated Films — Based on the Perspective of Media Mix

Shuhang LyuNottingham Trent University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

In recent years, China’s animation industry has drawn on the experience of some developed countries in the process of development. For example, Japan has already formed an animation industry and disseminates its works through various media through transmedia storytelling to obtain better communication effects. There are still some problems with transmedia storytelling and media mix in Chinese animation. This study uses a content analysis and ethnographic approach to compare Chinese and Japanese animation movies in terms of the number of transmedia and the effect of transmedia communication. In order to analyze the problems of Chinese animated films in transmedia communication, as a further extension of transmedia theory in animation, this paper summarises the problems of Chinese animated films in transmedia communication based on previous theories of transmedia communication as well as research on Chinese animation, and suggests that Chinese animated films should perhaps learn from Japanese animation films to increase their interaction with other media, and to become part of the media mix of Chinese animation. According to statistics, it was found that the number of Chinese animated films spread transmedia in 2019 was much lower than that of Japanese animation films, which means that if Chinese animated films are seen as part of a media mix , there are still have problems with Chinese animated films. Improving the linkage of animation films with other media to increase the number and effectiveness of their transmedia dissemination may be the solution.

Keywords: animation; transmedia; media mix; Chinese animated films
Published: November 20, 2023
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/13/20230354
Volume: CHR Vol.13
pp. 270-275
Download PDF

References

  1. Li, Changqing & Wei, Benmeng. (2010).An exploration of the Japanese animation industry. Publishing Science (4), 94-98.
  2. Sun Fei & Liu Zhiping. (2010).The current situation of Japanese animation industry and its inspiration and reflection on the development of China’s animation industry. Knowledge Economy (6), 157.
  3. Gong Tao.(2021).Research on the development of China’s animation industry since the reform and opening up. Doctoral Dissertation, Hunan Normal University.
  4. Peng, S. (2018, December).Primary exploration on the differentiation of the Animation Industry models of China, Japan and America in the context of the two-dimensional culture. In 5th International Conference on Education, Language, Art and Inter-cultural Communication (ICELAIC 2018) pp. 655-658.
  5. Fan, K. K., & Feng, T. T. (2021).Sustainable Development Strategy of Chinese Animation industry. Sustainability, 13(13), 7235.
  6. Jenkins, H. (2003).Transmedia storytelling. Moving characters from books to films to video games can make them stronger and more compelling. MIT Technology Review. Kassel: Kassel University Press; 2015, p,151-69.
  7. Mi Gao Feng & Wang Shaoxiong. (2014).Transmedia storytelling methods and strategies in Chinese animated films. Media(10),18-20.
  8. Nakamura, A., & Tosca, S. (2021).The mobile suit gundam franchise: A case study of transmedia storytelling practices and Ludo Mix in Japan. Transactions of the Digital Games Research Association, 5(2),1-32.
  9. Pratten, R. (2011).Getting started with transmedia storytelling. London: CreateSpace.
  10. Denison, R. (2015).Anime: A critical introduction. Bloomsbury Publishing, 1-15.
  11. Lamarre, T. (2009).The anime machine: A media theory of animation. University of Minnesota Press,2-26.
  12. Werning, S. (2014).Manga, anime and video games: Between adaptation, transmedia extension and reverse remediation. MediaScape, UCLA’s Journal of Cinema and Media Studies.
  13. Steinberg, M. (2017).Platform producer meets game master. World Building Transmedia, Fans, Industries, 143.
  14. Shi Tian & Gao Weihua.(2022).Transmedial storytelling worlds: Evolutionary responses to film and television IP in a convergence perspective. Film Literature, (08),89-93.
  15. Cai, Yue & Chen, Haiyan.(2022).The exploration of the “mythical universe” of domestic animation films based on media fusion: The “White Snake” series as an example. Film Literature (2), 81-85.
  16. Yang Aijun. (2019).70 years of transmedia creation and dissemination of children’s films in new China. Film Review, (19), 81-86.
  17. Jokes, T. B. (2020). From media mix to platformization. Transmedia storytelling in east asia. The Age of Digital Media.