Xin Hulu Xiongdi

Xin Hulu Xiongdi, also known as Calabash Brothers, was produced by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio and released in 1986. The series was born out of a desire to adapt traditional Chinese folklore for a new generation, utilizing a distinctive paper-cut animation technique that had become a signature of the studio’s output. It depicts seven brothers, each endowed with a unique supernatural power, who join forces to defeat two demonic spirits, reflecting themes of heroism, family loyalty, and the triumph of virtue over malevolence.

The character designs and visual aesthetic were spearheaded by artists seeking to bridge the gap between classic ink-wash traditions and modern serialized storytelling. Upon its release, the series became a seminal work of Chinese animation, celebrated for its bold color palette and innovative frame-by-frame animation process. It remains a foundational piece of cultural heritage in China, recognized as a milestone that defined the artistic direction of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio during the mid-1980s.