Volume up but quality poor in Chinese animation

Shenzhen (CNS) -- "The Chinese animation sector is growing rapidly but is of poor quality, and only a few domestic animation characters are well-known." Industry professional Wang Dan made this criticism at the Eighth Session of the China (Shenzhen) International Culture Industry Fair on May 21.

In the context of governmental support, a number of animation industrial zones are gradually taking shape in the Yangtze River Delta, South China, North China, the Northeast and other regions. China produced 16 cartoons in 2010 and 24 in 2011, surpassing the US and Japan in sheer volume.

The releases had some problems, likely the result of rapid growth, such as copycat elements and uninspired storylines, said Wang.

"Domestic animation makers often work the same old themes and use preachy tones," complained Li Xiaohong, who heads up a Shenzhen digital animation company. To get beyond such limits, Li's company invited foreign talent onto their teams and put effort into scripts and technology.