Mantou Riji

Mantou Riji, or Mantou's Diary, was produced by Haoliners Animation and released as a web-based ONA in 2013. Emerging during a period of rapid expansion for Chinese web animation, the series served as an early example of the studio's attempt to adapt lighthearted, character-driven comic strips into a serialized short-form format. It reflects the aesthetic trends of the early 2010s Chinese internet subculture, characterized by minimalist character designs and a focus on comedic, slice-of-life scenarios.

The series was designed to appeal to a younger demographic familiar with online humor and digital tropes. The animation style is deliberately simple, prioritizing expressive, exaggerated character reactions over complex movement, which was a cost-effective and common stylistic choice for independent Chinese web series at the time. While it garnered attention for its accessibility and humor, it is primarily regarded today as a snapshot of the experimental phase of modern Chinese digital animation before the industry shifted toward higher-budget productions.