Read Animation (World Classic Animation)

Author: Xu Jing, Wang Yang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: When we were little, we all loved listening to stories. How many times did we drift off to sleep while our grandmother slowly narrated ancient legends? Now, with the advent of animated films, these stories, filtered through time, have become even more vivid and colorful. Back then, we thought our days were endless, and the future was uncertain. We always wondered when we would grow up, be able to speak of joys and sorrows, experience the ups and downs of life, and turn our existence into an animated film—full of twists and turns, hidden wonders, climaxes, and thrilling moments. Years later, we realize that more and more people and things have changed, and we no longer remain the innocent, youthful selves we once were. Animation has become a petal that has fallen in our hearts, though imperfect, it carries a lingering fragrance. Every time we see it, we can’t help but sigh. Perhaps that’s why, when we meet each other, we always feel a deep connection. We reminisce about our shared past, we mourn the good times that have passed, and we hold onto those animations. We almost wish we could carry a sack and block the flow of time, preventing it from drifting into an unknown future.
When we were very, very young, we read Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, one of which was The Flowers of Little Ida, about flowers in pots that come alive at night like people, holding dance parties and showcasing their beauty. From then on, it seemed we understood that all things have a spirit, and Toy Story is the same. Belgian comics are always infused with a kind of gentle humor and strongly reject extreme forms of violence. This is evident in The Smurfs and another globally beloved comic, Tintin’s Adventures, both of which possess a down-to-earth wisdom. This book records stories we are all familiar with, such as The Smurfs, Cinderella, Astro Boy, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, Tom and Jerry, Doraemon, Lion King, Snow White, Spirited Away, Shrek, and The King and the Bird. We condense images into words, bring the stories behind them onto paper, collect quotes from the masters who created these classics, and compile the iconic lines of the protagonists. We hope this Reading Animation can serve as a time tunnel, taking you back to the joys of your youth and helping you reminisce about the past. This should be a nostalgic book for a generation with similar growth experiences, for those who have loved and still love animation, for all friends, and as a for ourselves. It is neither a reference note nor a film essay—it is simply an album, a memorandum, guiding us to explore endless reflections through the thread of animation.