A Comparative Study of Cultural Archetypes in Hollywood and Chinese Animation: Focusing on the Loong
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Although the Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 achieved major domestic success, surpassing many Hollywood animations and topping global box-office charts, its performance in international markets was comparatively weak.In contrast, Hollywood studios, leveraging advanced 3D modeling and special effects technologies, successfully adapt and reshape cultural symbols to cater to global audiences, consistently performing well internationally.To examine this market difference, this study will compare the cultural archetypes adapted in Hollywood and Chinese animated films to analyze the reasons for this difference and will take the adaptation and representation of the "Loong" (Chinese dragon) as a case study in Hollywood and Chinese animation films.Drawing on Carl Jung's archetype theory, this study compares popular Disney and Chinese animations to examine how the 'Loong' archetype is transformed and represented in cross-cultural contexts.Mulan, Kung Fu Panda, and Nezha are analyzed through an analytical framework that integrates semiotics, content, and narrative structure analysis.The findings reveal that Hollywood animations simplify and adapt the Loong archetype by combining it with Western narrative conventions such as humor and individual heroism.This selective preservation and modification enhance the archetype's global accessibility.Conversely, Chinese animations retain deeper philosophical themes rooted in traditional Chinese cultural contexts, which resonate strongly with domestic audiences but create barriers to international comprehension.
Authors: Hao Wang, Wonho Choi
Institutions: Beijing Film Academy, Dongseo University
Language: English
Topic: Cinema and Media Studies
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4410867782