How a ‘rough’ and ‘crude’ Chinese cartoon ox went from box office zero to hero
A raw, handcrafted Chinese animation has become an unlikely box-office sensation despite being widely panned by critics and social media users. Niu Lai, or The Arrival of the Ox, has been criticised for its “rough” and “broken” style and a plot that many viewers found hard to follow. But the film has generated some of the loudest online discussion in recent days, despite the competition from two…
An unpolished, low-budget Chinese animated film, Niu Lai, has become an unlikely box-office sensation, despite receiving harsh criticism from critics and social media users. The film, titled The Arrival of the Ox, was met with negative reviews due to its rough and crude animation style, a confusing plot, and lackluster voice acting.
Despite these criticisms, Niu Lai garnered significant online discussion amidst two major Hollywood blockbusters, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The hype surrounding the film likely stems from its analogue nature, contrasting with the common usage of AI-generated imagery in modern animation. China's rapid advancement in artificial intelligence has also impacted the entertainment industry by enabling studios to produce series at a reduced cost, but Niu Lai was created by just two individuals, director Xin Yumeng and scriptwriter Sun Lifang, who handled all aspects of the film.
The buzz surrounding Niu Lai has even caught the attention of some investors, who liken it to a bull market - a term used to describe a buying frenzy that drives up share prices.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
