ARTS / CULTURE & LEISURE
Chinese animation 100
Chinese animated television series: 'The Adventures of Little Carp'
The Adventures of Little Carp is a Chinese animated television series that first aired on June 1, 2007, on channel CCTV-14. Produced by China Central Television with a budget of 40 million yuan ($5.7 million), the series had 52 30-minute episodes.
Revolving around a carp called Bubbles, the show is loosely based on the Chinese folktale Carp Jumps over the Dragon Gate. As Carp Lake is ruined by Evil Snake, Bubbles goes on adventure to seek the power of a dragon. During his journey, he befriends a timid turtle, a clever seahorse named Aku and a jellyfish with sweet voice named Xiao Meimei.
Together, Bubbles and his friends find the five dragon scales, defeat Evil Snake and successfully restore the beauty and peace of Carp Lake.
The production of The Adventures of Little Carp was especially tough because the story was set under water.
According to the director of the series, Zhang Zuquan, the first sample work felt like the story was taking place in a fish tank and he had a difficult time imagining what the final work would look like, so he demanded everything be redone.
In order to find the right direction, the production crew produced an enormous amount of concept art for the underwater scenes, the characters and the lighting of the setting.
"The process of making The Adventures of Little Carp felt like my own adventure," said the director.
The Adventures of Little Carp was well received by children after its release and it even once became the most watched cartoon program in China.
The series has won several prizes, including Best Animation at the 24th China TV Golden Eagle Awards, one of the most prestigious television awards in China.
After its success in China, the cartoon series was broadcast in many countries and translated into Arabian, Russian and other foreign languages.
Global Times
The Adventures of Little Carp is a Chinese animated television series that first aired on June 1, 2007, on channel CCTV-14. Produced by China Central Television with a budget of 40 million yuan ($5.7 million), the series had 52 30-minute episodes.
Revolving around a carp called Bubbles, the show is loosely based on the Chinese folktale Carp Jumps over the Dragon Gate. As Carp Lake is ruined by Evil Snake, Bubbles goes on adventure to seek the power of a dragon. During his journey, he befriends a timid turtle, a clever seahorse named Aku and a jellyfish with sweet voice named Xiao Meimei.
Together, Bubbles and his friends find the five dragon scales, defeat Evil Snake and successfully restore the beauty and peace of Carp Lake.
The production of The Adventures of Little Carp was especially tough because the story was set under water.
According to the director of the series, Zhang Zuquan, the first sample work felt like the story was taking place in a fish tank and he had a difficult time imagining what the final work would look like, so he demanded everything be redone.
In order to find the right direction, the production crew produced an enormous amount of concept art for the underwater scenes, the characters and the lighting of the setting.
"The process of making The Adventures of Little Carp felt like my own adventure," said the director.
The Adventures of Little Carp was well received by children after its release and it even once became the most watched cartoon program in China.
The series has won several prizes, including Best Animation at the 24th China TV Golden Eagle Awards, one of the most prestigious television awards in China.
After its success in China, the cartoon series was broadcast in many countries and translated into Arabian, Russian and other foreign languages.
Global Times
Promotional material for The Adventures of Little Carp Photo: Courtesy of Douban
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