One Of The Perks Of Living In China: Disney Is Making Hand-Drawn ‘Zootopia’ Shorts For Chinese Audiences

The Walt Disney Company is producing a series of four Zootopia shorts in China in partnership with Shanghai Animation Film Studio (SAFS), the company announced last Thursday at a press conference in China.

The short-form series A Day in the Life of Zootopia will be released for free across Chinese social media platforms this November to tie in with the Chinese release of Zootopia 2.

The shorts will use different “authentic local artistic techniques,” such as stop motion, 2d, paper cutout, and ink wash. “In this collaboration with Disney Studios China, we will blend Eastern and Western cultures, using diverse traditional Chinese animation techniques to creatively reimagine globally beloved characters,” said Wang Jun, chairwoman of Shanghai Film Group Corporation. “This will provide audiences with a fresh visual experience.”

Zhang Ming, senior vice president and managing director of The Walt Disney Company (China) Co., added, “[T]hese stories transform moments from the everyday lives of today’s youth into animated tales that bring smiles to everyone.”

Animation director Chen Lianhua is general director of the project, and said during the press conference that SAFS is collaborating closely with Disney on each of the 90-second shorts.

The original Zootopia was a big hit in China and grossed $236 million in that country during its 2016 theatrical run. The film inspired the launch of a Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort in 2023.

Here’s a closer look at each of the shorts:

A Fur-Tive Exchange by Wu Wencong, is a stop-motion short starring Mr. Big conducting a business deal in a snowy locale:

Super-Leopard Delicious by Fan Wen is hand-drawn ink-wash animation featuring Officer Clawhauser on a culinary mission:

Concert Paws by Liu Hu stars Duke Weaselton and Finnick attempting to snag concert tickets for pop star Gazelle:

You Ashleep Yet? by Chen Lianhua is a paper cut-out animation following imprisoned assistant mayor Bellwether’s insomnia troubles.