Nezha in Four Chinese Animation:Representations of a Mythological Character in the Context of Popular Media Culture
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This qualitative study examines the changing representation of the Chinese mythological character "Nezha" in various animated works. The data come from surveys and interviews with animation viewers, creators, and researchers, as well as literature reviews. The findings show that Nezha is represented through the audiovisual language of animation. As social and cultural contexts evolve, both producers and audiences reshape this character, breaking away from its original portrayal and continuously gaining new meanings and connotations. Nezha reflects the power dynamics and public demands of different times, maintaining its cultural appeal. However, the evolution of popular media has made Nezha's character more diverse and ambiguous, challenging the formation of a cultural consensus. This paper discusses the representation issues of mythological characters, focusing on Nezha in four animated productions.This paper is part of the doctoral thesis.
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