While Chinese animation isn’t nearly as developed and
fruitful as American or Japanese animation, there are a few shows that adopt
the typical cartoon formula that draws in young audiences. The most famous
cartoon in China ix Xi Yang Yang (Pleasant Goat) who co starts with his arch
nemesis Hui Tai Lang (Big Bad Wolf).
The cartoon has received numerous awards over the past 10
years and is widely known by children throughout China. It’s simple cheerful
music and mild violent antics make for great entertainment for those who are
learning Chinese like me. The language is easy to follow and the plot line is predictable.
Hui Tai Lang always tries to capture Xi Yang Yang and his other sheep friends
for dinner only to find that his plans were in vain when Xi Yang Yang discovers
a clever and painful way to defeat him. In many ways Xi Yang Yang is the
Chinese Loony Toons, applying the plot line of a hunted underdog hero who
always overcomes his bumbling hunter antagonist. However, Xi Yang Yang is not
without its Chinese characteristics and when looked at closely, the show
reveals a socialist theme.
Unlike the witty Bugs Bunny who defeats the Odious Elmer
Fudd and erratic Yosemite Sam single handedly, or Road Runner who leads Wile E
Cyote into his own traps, Xi Yang Yang is amongst a community of other sheep.
It is Hui Tai Lang, the antagonist who is outnumbered, which leads the viewer
to support a unified community over that of a single malicious individual who
strays from the pack. Hui Tai Lang is depicted in dirty peasant clothing with a
scar across his face, and it’s not hard to discern that his murderous actions
are self-seeking.
However, Hui Tai Lang is not completely without company. He
has a wife who he always refers to as La Po (my love/ honey-pie). The style of La
Po’s outfit couldn’t be farther from her husband’s. She is dressed in a Queen’s
robe with a crown adorn in jewels and their abode is a dark castle inn the
woods. La Po also is characterized by her hot temper, which frequently leads to
Hui Tai Lang being whacked in the head by a frying pan when his plans fail to
bring positive results, which of course they never do. He also has one son (the
gift most Chinese parents want), who often betrays his farther by siding with
Xi Yang Yang who he views as a friend. To his chagrin, Hui Tai Lang’s failure
to catch Xi Yang Yang reveals the lack of power he has over his own household
as he cowers under the threat of his wife’s frying pan.
Essentially, Hui Tai Lang is the unlucky capitalist; seeking
to destroy the community paradise the sheep live by attempting to eat them for
personal gain. These attributes, according the show, are not virtuous and they
lead to Hui Tai Lang flying off into the distance in Team Rocket fashion due to
some explosion or crash screaming “Xi Yang Yang wo hui lai!!” (Xi Yang Yang I
will be back!). Even Hui Tai Lang’s son is forced to forsake his father for the
stability of the community over individual selfishness.
Xi Yang Yang isn’t the only Chinese cartoon to do this.
Another cartoon involving an overly confident hunter and some bears and other
various forest animals also employs the group protagonist vs. individual
antagonist dynamic. What’s even more amusing about this cartoon is the hunter
is dressed like a typical American redneck in full camou attire, toting
ridiculously large guns and a superfluous supply of bullets. This may be a jab at the lack of American gun
control provisions. Private gun ownership is illegal in China.
Given Xi Yang Yang’s success in advancing socialist ideals
to children, one would think that the Chinese government would support its
broadcast. However, due to a recent incident in Jiangsu Province involving the
burning of a child by another child who was imitating the show, the government
has had the show censored until it can produce episodes devoid of violence,
meaning devoid of typical cartoon antics, which is the whole point of
animation. Still, if the show continues to run, you can expect the community
protagonist structure to continue to be in play.
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