The exaggeration and imagination of animation have inherent advantages in telling stories. Compared with animation, history often gives people a more serious and realistic feeling. When animation collides with history, there are not many representative works in history of animation, China. Animators tend to start with China’s fairy tales, because its fantastic and fantastic characteristics coincide with animation, and it is easier to adapt them. However, there are also some creators who bravely climb the peak, looking for strange things from China’s long history, or aesthetic features and times features that inspire them. The Beijing News has made a special inventory of some representative works in the past decade. Let’s take a look at the different possibilities of "history+animation".

Warring States to Qin dynasty

Nine Songs of Heaven (in 2016, Douban scored 9.0)

In the face of the pressure of the strong neighbor Qin, South Korea, which is at stake, is still full of darkness. Han Fei, a son of the royal family who returned from studying in Qi State, joined hands with Wei Zhaung, a descendant of Ghost Valley, to form a "quicksand" organization that embodies the spirit of legalism, and led Zhang Liang, Zi Nv and others to have a thrilling confrontation with the dark forces in Ji Wuye.

Poster of "Hundred Steps Flying Sword of the Bright Moon in Qin Dynasty".

Qin Shi Ming Yue Series (2007-present)

This series is inspired by Wen Shiren’s original novels. The background of the story is taken from the historical period from Qin Shihuang’s destruction of the Six Kingdoms to Xiang Yu’s destruction of the Qin Dynasty, which spans about 30 years. The protagonist, Tianming, stubbornly lives in troubled times like a weed, bravely resists the chivalrous men in the face of violent regimes and sinister enemies.

The Eastern Han Dynasty

Romance of the Three Kingdoms (in 2017, Douban scored 8.2 points)

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the world was in chaos and disputes among heroes, and Wei, Shu and Wu countries rose one after another, which became a decisive trend, and a long historical drama was performed.

The scene of "Three Boundaries in Taoyuan" in the animation "Three Kingdoms Speech".

Fire phoenix starts a prairie fire (in 2023, Douban scored 8.5 points)

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Dong Zhuo was in chaos in Beijing, holding the emperor as a vassal and taking his relatives hostage. Then, under the planning of Lu Bu, he prepared to use Luoyang as bait to trick the allied forces into the urn and burn Luoyang. In order to save the hostages, the allied forces have their own unique tricks, and the stage of the hegemons and heroes has officially kicked off.

Sui dynasty

Dart man (in 2023, Douban scored 8.4 points)

Adapted from the comic book of the same name by Xu Xianzhe, it tells the story that in 607 AD, the emperor was cruel and heartless, and the people were in poverty. The escort was walking in the desert of the western regions with a knife and a horse. On the way to avoid the imperial court, he took an escort mission with Chang ‘an as his destination, which was full of dangers and dangers.

Stills of "The Dart Man", the picture shows Emperor Yangdi holding his ministers.

the Tang Dynasty

Painting the Bad People Series in Jianghu (from 2014 to now, Douban scored 8.4 points)

At the end of the Tang Dynasty, the situation was turbulent. The mysterious organization "bad people" belonging to the government all lost their trace, as did the priceless treasury treasure. According to legend, all the secrets are hidden in the Longquan sword, and those who get the Longquan sword have the ability to control the world. Li Xingyun was orphaned at an early age, adopted by a kind hermit, Uncle Yang, and followed him to practice martial arts. After many years, he went down the mountain with his school sister Lu Linxuan to improve his martial arts, and met Ji Ruxue and Zhang Zifan. By coincidence, Li Xingyun actually got the Longquan sword, and the news spread like wildfire, which aroused the vigilance of major sects. They sent killers to track Li Xingyun and his party in an attempt to snatch the Longquan sword …

Journal of Dali Temple (in 2020, Douban scored 8.2 points)

During the reign of Wu Mingkong in the Tang Dynasty, Dali Temple, which was in charge of major national cases, was used as the stage to tell the story that all the people in Dali Temple, led by white cat Shao Qing Li Bing, launched all kinds of thrilling adventures to solve crimes, rebelled against fate and adhered to their inner justice.

Stills of Dali Temple Journal.

Tianbao Fu Yao Record (in 2020, Douban scored 7.5 points)

It tells the story of five teenagers, Li Jinglong, Kong Hongjun, Artest, Mo Rigen and Qiu Yongsi, who met Chang ‘an, Tang Dou by chance, and fought for justice in the world.

The movie Chang ‘an Three Wan Li (in 2023, Douban scored 8.3 points).

A few years after the An Shi Rebellion broke out, the Tubo army attacked the southwest. Our time in the Tang Dynasty made Gao Shi’s engagement unfavorable, and Chang ‘an was in jeopardy. Gao Shi, who was trapped in a lonely city, recalled his past with Li Bai to the eunuch of the prison army.

Gao Shi meets Li Bai in Three Wan Li in Chang ‘an.

Song dynasty

Strange Talk in Kaifeng-This Bao Gong is not very good (in 2017, Douban scored 7.2 points)

Strange Tales in Kaifeng redefines the roles of Bao Gong, Gongsun Ce and Zhan Zhao. They changed their previous serious images, and they were cute and funny on weekdays, but they were serious, handsome and wise when exploring cases.

tomorrow

Qi Jiguang (in 2014, Douban scored 7.8 points).

It tells the heroic story of Qi Jiajun led by Qi Jiguang in Jiajing period of Ming Dynasty, who risked his life to fight in Zhejiang, Fujian and other places to wipe out the enemy.

Animated Qi Jiguang poster.

Junior Royal Guards Season 1 (in 2017, Douban scored 8.0)

At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, set up a Royal Guards’ pro-army commander, and later set up a North-South Town Fu Department to inspect officials and was powerful. The Royal Guards have been in existence for a hundred years. The towns in the north and the south are at odds with each other. Foreign bandits are eyeing the Central Plains, rivers and lakes are full of smoke, and bandits are rampant. The most famous among thieves is the "Three Thieves". Young Yuan Xiaotang, as the only son of Yuan Xiaozhi, the commander of Beizhen Fushi Company, saw the sudden change of the imperial city and was bent on proving himself and making great contributions …

Four Seas Whale Riding Season 1 (in 2018, Douban scored 6.4 points)

On the occasion of the emperor’s sea patrol, Prince Jianwen witnessed the sudden regicide of Zheng, who was also a teacher and friend. He was framed by the court as killing his father and seized the position, and fled back to Quanzhou in a panic. Zheng, the prefect, accepted the order of the prince, returned to Quanzhou to arrest Jianwen, and after seeing through it, Prince Jianwen started his escape journey to the south from Quanzhou … At this time, all parties inside and outside the court were ready to move.

Wanguozhi (in 2019, Douban scored 8.4 points)

It tells the story that Qian Zonglu Changfeng, a navy master of Daming, came to the "Wan Guo" of Luzon Island after the fleet was completely annihilated, joined Song Xianxing’s organization "Tiangong", and fought against the colonists and the invading forces at sea with the strange people of all countries.

Stills of the annals of the nations.

Pillow knife song (in 2021, Douban scored 8.2 points)

The ancient overhead worldview, based on the background of "the building will collapse" in the late Ming Dynasty, focuses on personal choice in the big era. One of the important roles-the scholar-born "general" Ding Wuhou, was partly modeled by Yuan Chonghuan, a historical figure.

Involving multiple dynasties

China Ancient Poetry Animation (in 2015, Douban scored 9.1 points)

It is an animated short film collection with classic ancient poetry as the theme of the story and historical allusions of Jiading Hongru giants as the outline.

If history is a group of meows (in 2018, Douban scored 8.2 points)

Adapted from the comic book of the same name, it is a historical animation based on Chinese history and other documents and materials.

Editor Wu Longzhen

Proofread Zhai Yongjun

China automobile market has always been concerned, and consumers pay more and more attention to many factors such as performance, appearance and configuration. Among many models, several models with the best reputation have attracted much attention. They are Cadillac CT5, Toyota Highlander and Volvo S60. These three models have outstanding performance in appearance design, configuration technology and safety performance, and become the best representative of China automobile market.

Cadillac CT5: the representative of fashion and luxury

Cadillac CT5 has always attracted much attention for its luxurious and fashionable appearance. The body lines are smooth, and the design incorporates many fashion elements, making the overall shape highly recognizable. The luxurious design makes it unique in the minds of consumers.

In terms of configuration, the CT5 is a car with a sense of technology. Advanced driver assistance system, advanced entertainment system and humanized comfortable configuration all provide drivers with first-class driving experience. Cadillac CT5 is not only a car, but also a perfect combination of luxury and technology.

Toyota Highlander: practicality and luxury coexist

Toyota Highlander has always been known for its sedate and luxurious design.

As a medium and large SUV, it not only shows a sense of advanced appearance, but also has a solid texture in the interior materials. Highlander’s interior space design is spacious and practical, with rich storage space and flexible seat layout, so that drivers and passengers can be satisfied in comfort and practicality. In terms of configuration, advanced intelligent driver assistance system and efficient fuel economy make Toyota Highlander the first choice for family cars.

It achieves a perfect balance between practicality and luxury.

Volvo S60: Unique and Exquisite Nordic Style

As a luxury car from northern Europe, Volvo S60 is highly praised for its unique and exquisite appearance and high-level safety performance.

The design of S60 is full of Nordic simplicity and exquisiteness, and every detail has been carefully carved. The car is luxurious and comfortable, and the use of advanced materials shows the manufacturer’s ultimate pursuit of quality. In terms of configuration, Volvo has always been synonymous with safety performance, and S60 has performed well in active safety and pass ivo safety.

Choosing Volvo S60 is not only a kind of driving, but also a symbol of taste.

Diversified development of China automobile market

It is no accident that these three models have the best reputation. They have outstanding performances in different aspects and represent the diversified development trend of China automobile market. With the increasing diversification of consumer demand, car companies are no longer just pursuing a single feature, but comprehensively improving their sense of luxury, practicality and safety performance.

Diversified trend of consumer choice

The factors that consumers consider when buying a car are gradually diversified. No longer just pursue the brand or appearance, but pay more attention to the actual performance of the vehicle in daily use. This also makes car companies pay more attention to details in R&D and design to meet the needs of different consumers.

The models with the best reputation can often be balanced in many aspects, which is in line with the diversified choice trend of contemporary consumers.

The integration of technology and luxury

Among these three models, the upgrade of technology configuration has become a highlight to attract consumers. With the continuous improvement of technology configuration such as intelligent driving assistance system and advanced entertainment system, driving becomes more convenient and safe.

Luxury models no longer just stay in the design, but also make great efforts to create a sense of technology in the car to meet the pursuit of modern consumers for a sense of technology.

Prospect of future development trend

With the continuous development of new energy and intelligent technology, the future automobile market will usher in more innovations and changes.

The application of new materials and technologies will further improve the overall performance of automobiles and meet consumers’ demands for environmental protection and intelligence. Cars are no longer just means of transportation, but also the integration of technology and luxury, representing the development trend of the times.

summary

Among the three cars with the best reputation in China automobile market, Cadillac CT5, Toyota Highlander and Volvo S60 have won the favor of consumers with their unique design and excellent performance respectively.

These three models not only have outstanding performance in appearance, but also have outstanding performance in configuration, practicality and safety performance. In the future, with the continuous development of science and technology and the changing needs of consumers, the automobile market will usher in more diversified choices and provide consumers with a richer car buying experience.

The emergence and disappearance of tidal current is usually described as the result of cultural change, but cultural change is slow because it is based on stable social norms. The trend, on the other hand, is changing faster and faster, so that people can only run after it in the past 20 years. This new phenomenon-the production and promotion of a large number of cheap disposable clothes is called "fast fashion". The change of fashion is neither cultural nor unforeseeable, and it is not an organic phenomenon, but an act carefully designed to stimulate sales.

Traditionally, the fashion industry has been replaced according to the cycle of "eight seasons": spring, summer I, summer II, autumn, autumn and winter, winter I, winter II and holidays. But now, customers who are at the forefront of the trend can pay attention to 24 different new seasons, such as back-to-school season, dance season and even wedding season. Among them, there are not only basic items that are regarded as necessities, but also luxury items that show superior social status. Although these new seasons are of different types, the existence time of each trend is getting shorter and shorter, and the gap between necessities and luxury goods is getting smaller and smaller. Historically, price, brand and quality have distinguished low-end products for the mass market from high-end products. Today, the difference in quality between products priced at 10 euros and 200 euros may be imperceptible. The key to high sales is price: if you want to sell more, you must sell it cheaply. This is why cheap goods and disposable goods have replaced durable products.

In order to get a lower price, it is necessary to reduce the production cost. This will bring many consequences: industrial pollution, social problems, damage to human health … The exploitation of labor by industrial production will aggravate global poverty, promote the production of a large number of industrial wastes, and hinder the improvement of wages in developing countries. Because the purpose of industrial production is to promote people’s excessive consumption of cheap, disposable clothes. Price is a core factor, which determines whether customers are willing to continue to consume.

European companies such as ZARA and H&M dominate this fast fashion industry. They are famous for producing goods that are affordable but look expensive. The success of this business model has prompted all retailers to join the Nuggets. Even some traditional luxury brands, such as Versace, now rely on this sales strategy. Low prices expand the customer base and make them feel that they have a luxury. This pursuit has completely changed the clothing industry. The strategy of price positioning must first determine whether consumers will spend 10 euros, 200 euros or something in between for a piece of clothing. The ability of the manufacturer to create and promote the brand image, value and prestige is the driving force of this game. Innovation and brand reputation enable them to set higher prices, but when the trend fades, the prices will fall, and these clothes will be replaced by other styles … Therefore, consumers who are most sensitive to fashion will pay high prices to gain the advantage of leading the trend, while others are waiting for affordable prices.

In view of technological innovation and industrial innovation, retailers can meet the needs of fashion hipsters at very low prices, which has given birth to a new competition and reclassified the market. In fact, when the variable price is removed from the equation to distinguish market segments, retailers will readjust their strategies and seek the lowest price for the highest-end products. Historically, consumers have two markets to choose from when buying goods, namely mass market and luxury market. But now they have more intermediate options. The "first-line big-name" market-the sales price of clothing, accessories and cosmetics is second only to luxury brands, and the "light luxury" market-is slightly more expensive than the popular brands, but it is close to the products of luxury brands in terms of taste, style and even quality. The development of fashion industry has also promoted the transformation of clothing function, which was once the symbol of social status, taste, general cultural awareness and unique personality. With the emergence of these new categories, the original logo has gradually disappeared.

The real success of fast fashion lies neither in advanced technology nor in the proximity of factories, but in unprecedented sales. The reason why prices can keep falling is that consumers will buy new clothes as soon as they are introduced. On average, customers go to the store 17 times a year. In ZARA, the unsold inventory is less than 10%, while in other brands, the proportion is 17% to 20%. The production cycle no longer follows the law of seasonal purchase, but must satisfy people’s continuous consumption.

Fast fashion stores have their own marketing strategies to make customers buy more clothes, even if their closets are already filled with similar styles of clothes. Fast-selling brands rarely replenish the most popular goods in order to attract consumers into the store with "new products" that are constantly on the shelves. What customers buy is scarcity. In fact, there is nothing innovative about a pair of blue jeans. The combination of low price and treasure hunting in shops is only to persuade and "create desire". There is no limit to how many clothes a person can buy, especially cheap clothes.

(This article is excerpted from The Evil of Fashion: Creation, Production and Manipulation, by Audrey Mier, translated by Qu Xiaorui, and published by Peking University Publishing House.)

Author: [France] Audrey Mier

Editor: Yuan Yilu