This is a bit difficult to recommend. In recent years, animated films in mainland China have been very limited and there are very few high-quality films. It can even be said that there was a gap. But the better thing is that from the year before last, "Journey to the West: The Return of the Great Sage" to "Big Fish and Begonia", they have been loved by many audiences, which has also given domestic animated films a greater mass base and good development momentum.
However, of these two works, I was actually a little disappointed with "Big Fish and Begonia". Maybe it was because I had high expectations, or maybe I waited too long in the early stage, and the finished product didn't bring much surprise. Personally, I still recommend "Journey to the West: The Return of the Great Sage". This film not only created a miracle for domestic animated films in terms of performance, but the finished product is also very durable.
Although the story is based on the IP "Journey to the West", it is a bold adaptation that does not stick to the previous work. The wasted Sun Wukong and the child version of the optimistic Tang Monk Jiang Liu'er in his previous life are more like a prequel to Journey to the West. The overall plot is relatively stable, and the most exciting part is the high-energy episode where the Monkey King returns at the end. However, for high-quality animation works, The Return of the Great Sage still has a lot of room for growth, and I look forward to the next one being more moving.
Except for this film, there have been relatively few outstanding domestic animations in recent years. Let me recommend a few old-school classics to you. Although the pictures are a bit old according to current requirements, they are also three films that are of great significance to domestic animation and are also childhood memories of many people.
"Havoc in Heaven"
The Journey to the West IP work produced in the 1960s and 1970s is an eternal classic and has won numerous awards. A brilliant moment in the history of domestic animation.
"Snow Child"
The touching story of a little fat boy made of snow, a little rabbit, a mother rabbit, and birds. The plot is actually very simple but refreshing. In 1980, the film won the Ministry of Culture's Outstanding Film Award and became a domestic classic animation.
"Nine-Colored Deer"
After the Nine-Colored Deer helped the snake charmer, the snake charmer reported to the king that the Nine-Colored Deer was betrayed. The story of a snake man getting his comeuppance. A classic work released in 1981, this work and "Snow Child" had a profound impact on the post-80s and 90s generation at that time.
I hope that domestic animation will get better and better, and there will be more classics to recommend to everyone.