readsfreenovel Chapter 152, "Those Years, Those Rabbits, Those Things," is now showing.
Chapter 152, "Those Years, Those Rabbits, Those Things," is now showing.
Xingyao Entertainment's Weibo post did not cause much of a stir.
On the one hand, Xingyao did not do any prior publicity, and the audience had no knowledge of Xingyao's works.
On the other hand, viewers might have a preconceived notion that this anime is not very good just from its title.
If it's really that great, why not publicize it more widely?
"Those Years, Those Rabbits, Those Things? What kind of name is that? It sounds like a children's cartoon."
"Xingyao is finally making a move? I thought their project had fallen through."
"Don't get your hopes up. Xinghua has already lost, what can Xingyao possibly have to offer? They'll probably just be cannon fodder too."
"Perhaps? Xingyao always brings miracles, and besides, I heard that the person in charge this time seems to be that person named Lu Ran."
The ridicule and sarcasm were almost unanimous.
After the struggles of "Dragon Soars Across the Seas" and the stark contrast with "The Light of the Times," audience sentiment has plummeted, and they instinctively harbor suspicion and disdain for any new domestic animation project.
The Starry Sky Animation Department, in particular, has been completely silent recently, and the first thing it came up with was such an ordinary-looking name, making it the perfect target for everyone to vent their disappointment.
Some netizens who witnessed the exquisite animation of Japanese comics even felt a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of Li Hongzhang's early days in America.
That's incredible, the opponent is too strong. So strong that I don't even know what anime to use to win.
After posting the Weibo post, Lu Ran casually browsed the online comments, his expression calm.
He didn't have the public relations department intervene to guide public opinion; he simply told the head of the animation department, "Make sure everyone goes home on time tonight. If you have time, you can watch the first episode with your family."
……
It was exactly 8 p.m.
Countless netizens, whether out of curiosity or with a desire to see a joke, clicked on the first episode of "Those Years, Those Rabbits, Those Things".
While many netizens clicked on this out of a last glimmer of hope, most were simply there to see Xingyao make a fool of himself.
Some irrational netizens, in particular, felt upset that Chinese comics had lost to Japanese comics and desperately needed an outlet for their frustration.
The release of Xingyao Animation's product was exactly what they wanted.
As the animation began, there was no grand opening sequence, nor any rousing music.
What comes into view are several rabbits with simple lines and adorable appearances.
The art style is simple, even somewhat crude, a stark contrast to the lavish visuals of the neighboring "Kusanagi no Ama" (The Cloud of Heaven).
"That's it? Seriously? This is a Flash animation, isn't it?"
"I think I could do it too."
"Didn't Xingyao Animation not pay salaries? Has Lu Ran really messed up this time?"
The live stream chat was filled with question marks and sarcastic remarks.
However, as a melodious yet slightly humorous tune begins to play in the background music, the plot slowly unfolds.
The rabbits have names and can interact in simple ways.
They live in the "flower-growing country" and wear clothes from different eras, some neat and some patched.
The dialogue is simple, direct, and even a bit childish, but strangely... it feels very down-to-earth.
When the scene shifted to a snowy landscape, where several rabbits braved the cold wind, wielding ridiculously crude weapons, facing the heavily armed and imposing "American" (US), their eyes showed no fear. Instead, they blurted out in an accented voice, "Dear friends, for the sake of the new China, we can't back down!" the rapidly scrolling comments suddenly froze for a moment.
At this moment, many viewers who previously thought the animation quality was definitely not good suddenly had confidence in "Those Years, Those Rabbits, Those Things".
As the story unfolds, when the rabbits are seen on the desolate Gobi Desert, munching on dry rations and huddled around rudimentary instruments, cheering with joy at calculating a single statistic, and the familiar yet unfamiliar melody of "Chasing Dreams with a Pure Heart" plays in the background, sporadic images begin to appear on the screen:
"Wait... this setting... it's also a historical anime..."
"You know what, this anime is actually quite interesting. I even felt my eyes welling up with tears?"
"The music is so catchy and incredibly energetic."
The plot of "Those Years, Those Rabbits, Those Things" tells some familiar stories that only exist in textbooks in a seemingly lighthearted way.
Those rabbits, though made of simple lines and blocks of color, have eyes that carry a pure and unwavering light—the light of hope.
The first episode ends with a still image of a young rabbit sitting on a hillside, gazing at the starry night sky.
His profile appeared somewhat thin in the moonlight, but his back was very straight.
A gentle yet firm voice-over rang out, like a narration transcending time and space:
"We once had nothing."
"But we believe that one day..."
"We'll have everything we need."
The intro to the ending theme song, "Proud Youth," suddenly cuts in, and the passionate melody instantly sweeps over the ears.
At that moment, the entire video website's bullet comments went wild.
"Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!"
"I'm a grown man, and I'm crying like an idiot."
"I'm sorry, I apologize for my previous sarcasm! Xingyao is awesome! Lu Ran is awesome!"
"This is the true light of Chinese animation! Forget 'Ama-no-Kurakumo,' get lost!"
"I understand now, this isn't about skill, it's about attacking their spirit!"
"Eagle, Bear, Japan... Hahaha, this metaphor is brilliant! It's both hilarious and pathetic!"
If "The Cloud of Ama" conquered the audience's eyes with top-notch technology and visuals, then "Those Years, Those Rabbits, Those Things" directly broke through the defenses of all Chinese viewers with the most sincere emotions.
Instead of engaging in a head-to-head competition in production, it took a different approach, using a different, more impactful method to ignite everyone's sense of national pride and patriotism.
In particular, the most difficult period of the country's history has been depicted so vividly through comics.
That evening, topics related to "Those Years, Those Rabbits, Those Things" completely dominated the Weibo hot search list.
#ThoseYearsThoseRabbitsThoseStories#
#No regrets being born Chinese in this life, and I'll be a Chinese again in the next#
#We'll have everything#
#The Light of Chinese Animation: That Rabbit#
One by one, the terms surged to the top of the list with lightning speed, pushing the previously invincible #Amazuru# out of the spotlight.
...
Xingyao Entertainment, Animation Division.
Li Mo called almost immediately, and his voice was visibly trembling.
"Lu Ran...you...you've created another miracle! 'That Rabbit' is truly a success!"
At this moment, Lu Ran was standing in the kitchen, looking at the chicken stewing in the pot. A smile appeared on his lips as he replied:
"Mr. Li, I already said that."
"My anime is specifically designed to slay Japanese anime."
...