A dystopian prospect

In recent years, Ling Cage has stood out as one of the most substantial standalone animated series within the domestic animation landscape. Every facet, from script and storyboarding to modeling, animation, rendering and editing, has undergone meticulous refinement.

Du Yangyang, the producer of the series, says that the animation was made in 2017, a time when domestically produced sci-fi-themed animated works were scarce. "We positioned this work as an original 3D animated series with a Chinese-themed sci-fi apocalyptic genre," Du explains.

The collaborative effort of the nearly 100-member creative team behind Ling Cage, encompassing scriptwriters, concept designers, animators and CG (computer graphics) artists, has persisted since the project was announced in 2017, collectively bringing the envisioned narrative to fruition.

The allure of Ling Cage transcends its narrative setting, finding its essence in intricately depicted characters and a compelling narrative that deeply resonates with the audience. In terms of character portrayal, each figure in the animation boasts a vivid personality.

Take Bai, for instance — a combat powerhouse, a prodigious neuroscientist, and the epitome of a cool motorcycle aficionado. When Marc finds himself in peril, Bai's concise yet impactful and signature plea of "Save" (meaning saving Marc) injects a touch of warmth into her otherwise stoic and formidable persona.

"The core message of this animated series is how we should face adversity when it strikes," Du explains.

"In our work, we also hope that, through the characters' reflections and courage in the face of difficulties, we can provide some strength to those encountering challenges in real life. We want to convey the message that even in challenging circumstances, one should approach life with hope."