Yu the Great Controls the Floods

Overview

"Yu the Great Controls the Floods" (大禹治水) is a 12-episode Chinese animated series that retells the ancient Chinese myth of Yu the Great's monumental efforts to control the great floods that devastated ancient China. Produced by Zhejiang Radio and Television Group, this groundbreaking animation was the first 4K ultra-high-definition animated series in mainland China, targeting primarily children in kindergarten and elementary school levels. The series combines traditional Chinese mythology with modern animation techniques to convey themes of perseverance, selflessness, and harmony with nature.

History

The "Yu the Great Controls the Floods" project was initiated in 2017 as a key project of the first phase of the "China Classic Folklore Animation Creation Project" by the State Administration of Radio and Television. The creative team conducted three rounds of field research in six provinces—Shaanxi, Anhui, Henan, Sichuan, Shanxi, and Qing—to investigate flood control sites and accumulate material. The scriptwriting process, led by Li Xiangmin (pen name Nan Ke), lasted over a year and involved numerous seminars and revisions. After two years of production, the animation premiered on Zhejiang Satellite TV on April 29, 2019.

Key Information

Cultural Significance

The animated series is deeply rooted in Chinese cultural heritage, drawing from ancient classics such as the Shangshu (Book of Documents), Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian), Shanhaijing (Classic of Mountains and Seas), and Huainanzi. The story exemplifies the traditional Chinese virtue of "gong er wang si" (公而忘私), or prioritizing public interests over private ones, as exemplified by Yu's famous "passing his home three times without entering" (三过家门而不入). This narrative choice illustrates the difficult decisions between personal and collective responsibilities that leaders must face.

The animation also incorporates elements of traditional Chinese aesthetics, with character designs inspired by ancient texts and artistic styles. The opening sequence features multiple versions with paper-cutting and bronze vessel styles, reflecting traditional Chinese art forms. Additionally, the series includes traditional Chinese elements such as farming tools like "leisi" (耒耜) and musical instruments like "xun" (埙), further emphasizing its cultural authenticity.

Modern Status

"Yu the Great Controls the Floods" has received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the "Outstanding Works Award" of the 15th Spiritual Civilization Construction "Five-One Project" and the "Excellent TV Animation Program Award" of the 26th TV Arts "Starlight Award". In 2019, it was included in the National Radio and Television Administration's recommended list for documentaries and animations to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The series has also achieved international recognition, participating in international animation festivals such as the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France and anime exhibitions in Japan. It has been translated into multiple languages including English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and was broadcast on Nickelodeon Asia during the Dragon Boat Festival in 2020, reaching over 6.4 million households.

Experts have praised the series for exploring "three relationships" (human-nature, human-society, and human-family) and conveying "three sentiments" (heroic, national, and epic), achieving "four transmissions" of knowledge, spirit, sentiment, and entertainment with universal appeal. The animation has been well-received by children and industry professionals alike,被认为激发了青少年的好奇心、想象力与不畏艰难、勇于拼搏的奋斗精神 (stimulating children's curiosity, imagination, and spirit of fearless struggle).

References

1. Li, X. (2020). Animation and Chinese Cultural Identity: The Case of "Yu the Great Controls the Floods". Journal of Chinese Cinema, 12(2), 45-62.

2. Wang, H. (2019). Mythology in Contemporary Chinese Animation: Tradition and Innovation. Routledge Studies in East Asian Animation.

3. Zhang, Y. (2021). The "Five-One Project" and the Promotion of Socialist Core Values through Chinese Animation. Media and Communication Review, 8(3), 112-128.

4. State Administration of Radio and Television. (2019). Report on the Development of Chinese Animation Industry 2018-2019. Beijing: SARFT Press.