China Buzz: US Mouse want’s to eat Chinese Goat

China Buzz: covers the hot topics buzzing around the internet in China


Ever heard of a Chinese domestic made cartoon called The Pleasant Goat and the Big Big Wolf (喜羊羊與灰太郎)? It’s a children’s cartoon series created by a local Chinese company and has over 590 episodes, broadcasted by 65 TV stations since its first appearance in 2005.  To many Chinese, this cartoon represents a kind of Chinese nationalism and culture as it was developed purely by a domestic company... and it’s the only domestic cartoon brand that is sizable enough to compete against Walt Disney cartoon products in China.  Now there is a rumor that Walt Disney wants to buy “The Pleasant Goat and the Big Big Wolf”.

This rumor is flying around the Chinese internet and many locals believe Walt Disney is interested in acquire this cartoon is to either hide it away, or to penetrate the Chinese kids market with western artistic style.

Remember the movie animation Mulan released by Disney back in 1998? The animation was quite a hit but the story line and approach was not really appreciated by the Chinese. The Chinese criticized the animation for its ironic Western plus Eastern styled storyline and the American tone of voice. That many of the future Chinese generations will remember the Disney (Western) version of Mulan, and not know the Chinese perspective of what she actually represents for Chinese culture is of course distressing for many locals and fear the same thing would happen again if Walt Disney were to buy out “The Pleasant Goat and the Big Big Wolf.”

Ever since Disney decided to enter the China market and open up a Disneyland in Shanghai, conspiracy theories of western culture overtaking the eastern culture have been discussed repeatedly.  While most Westerners think of a cute little mouse when they think of Disney many Chinese see a ravenous corporate beast that would like to eat their little sheep.

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Articles - China Buzz