9. "New Gods: Yang Jian"

Yang Jian, also known as Erlang Shen, is a well-known three-eye mythological figure in Chinese folklore. "New Gods: Yang Jian" therefore pays homage to previous TV and film interpretations of this tale, such as "Lotus Lantern," with director Zhao Ji and his team also giving a new spin on this mythic icon. Namely, recasting him as a handsome bounty hunter and superhero safeguarding the peace in a steampunk fantasy world with stunning, beautiful visuals that reimagine traditional Chinese architecture. The film also tastefully recreates a flying dance by immortals inspired by the famous Dunhuang murals at the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gansu province. The animated feature felt impressive, broke fresh ground for Chinese animation, and innovatively retold a traditional Chinese story – demonstrating how to present China's profound ancient culture to worldwide audiences.