Three years after its groundbreaking debut, Yao-Chinese Folktales is back with nine bold new animated shorts that are setting 2026's cultural agenda on fire! 🔥 The second season premiered January 1 through a powerhouse collaboration between Shanghai Animation Film Studio, Bilibili, and Chen Liaoyu Studio – and it's already breaking viewership records.
This cultural phenomenon builds on its 2023 predecessor that racked up 260 million views, proving traditional stories can slay in the digital age. Twelve visionary directors have cooked up a wild mix of art styles and original characters, serving fresh weekly episodes that reimagine Chinese folklore through modern lenses. 🖌️
Our insider Yang Yan recently sat down with general director Chen Liaoyu and two episode creators at their studio. While keeping spoilers locked, they revealed this season pushes boundaries further with experimental animation techniques and deeper cultural roots. "We're building a multiverse of Chinese imagination," Chen teased.
With Gen Z viewers flooding Bilibili's comment sections analyzing every mythical reference, this series proves ancient tales can trend harder than TikTok challenges. Who knew folklore could be this lit? 💥
