Film director still finds inspiration in digital era

What animals are comparatively less featured in animated shows yet still possess facial traits that make them slightly resemble humans?

This question, which might seem strange to most people, was once a central concern for director Yu Shui during the early development of Nobody, an animated blockbuster that grossed over 1.7 billion yuan ($250 million) last summer.

Loosely inspired by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) novel Journey to the West, the movie is a spin-off of one of the most popular standalone episodes of Yao — Chinese Folktales, a series that proved to be a phenomenal hit in 2023. Portraying a little pig monster who dares to dream big despite harsh realities, the tale stirred widespread resonance among urban dwellers. Yu served as director of both the episode and the film.