#CalabashBrothers
#NezhaConquerstheDragonKing
#BlackCatDetective
#FeelingsofMountainsandWaters
#LegendoftheSealedBook
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Shanghai Animation Film Studio (commonly known as “Shangmei Studio”) produced a large number of classic animated works during the 1980s and 1990s, encompassing various art forms such as ink-wash painting, paper-cutting, and puppet animation, marking the golden age of Chinese animation. Below are categorized recommendations of representative works:
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1. Ink-Wash Animation (Pinnacle of Eastern Aesthetics)
1. 《Feelings of Mountains and Waters》 (1988)
- China’s last ink-wash animation, depicting the friendship between a zither master and a young fisherman. Dialogue-free yet profoundly poetic.
2. 《Deer’s Bell》 (1982)
- A heartwarming story of a girl and a deer, with ink-wash strokes as delicate as poetry.
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2. Paper-Cut Animation (Treasures of Folk Art)
3. 《Calabash Brothers》 (1986)
- A classic tale of seven brothers rescuing their grandfather; the villainous Snake Spirit remains iconic.
【4K Restored Uncut Full Version】
4. 《The Fisherboy》 (Produced in 1959, re-aired in the 1980s)
- An anti-colonial allegory; the line “The fishing bowl is mine!” became a cultural catchphrase.
5. 《Monkeys Fish for the Moon》 (1981)
- Adapted from a folk tale, renowned for its stunning paper-cut lighting effects.
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3. Puppet Animation (Artisan Craftsmanship)
6. 《The Story of Afanti》 (1979-1989 Series)
- A witty西域 (Western Regions) sage who punishes evil and rewards goodness, blending humor and wisdom.
7. 《The Taoist Priest of Laoshan》 (1981)
- Satirizes opportunism; the “wall-penetration trick” became a legendary scene.
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4. Traditional Hand-Drawn Animation
8. 《Nezha Conquers the Dragon King》 (1979)
- The most tragic portrayal of Nezha in Chinese animation history, acclaimed internationally for its art design.
9. 《Legend of the Sealed Book》 (1983)
- Dark fairy-tale style; the villainous fox mother remains a “childhood nightmare.”
10. 《Black Cat Detective》 (1984-1987)
- Sci-fi crime-solving theme; the one-eared villain pioneered domestic antagonist IPs.
【4K Restored】Full 5 Episodes:
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5. Philosophical Shorts
11. 《Three Monks》 (1980)
- A dialogue-free fable highlighting the importance of cooperation.
12. 《Super Soap》 (1986)
- Satirizes blind conformity; a masterpiece by director Xu Jingda (A Da).
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Viewing Tips:
- Platforms: Look for HD-restored versions on Bilibili, CCTV, or Xigua Video.
- Family Viewing: Many classics contain profound metaphors (e.g., bureaucratic satire in Legend of the Sealed Book); parents can guide discussions.
- Art Education: Pair ink-wash/paper-cut animations with children’s Chinese painting or craft classes.
These works are not just childhood memories but living textbooks of traditional Chinese art.
