Bilibili Unveils 40 New Titles at 2025-2026 Guochuang Animation Conference

Bilibili Unveils 40 New Titles at 2025-2026 Guochuang Animation Conference: The Legend of Luo Xiaohei Returns, *Yao-Chinese Folktales 2* Dated for 2026

Bilibili recently hosted its highly anticipated 2025-2026 Guochuan Animation (domestic original animation) Conference under the theme “Finding Answers Together,” unveiling 40 new projects that ignited fervent discussions across the animation community. The event not only confirmed the return of beloved IPs like The Legend of Luo Xiaohei but also announced the official release date for the widely acclaimed anthology series *Yao-Chinese Folktales 2*, setting high expectations for the future of Chinese animation.

Major IPs Make a Grand Comeback
The conference’s biggest highlights included two landmark announcements. The heartwarming series The Legend of Luo Xiaohei is set to return with a new TV season, “Preschool Arc,” continuing the storyline after “The Door of All Beings.” This marks the show’s highly anticipated comeback after a four-year hiatus, delighting longtime fans.

Adding to the excitement, *Yao-Chinese Folktales 2*, celebrated for its distinctive Chinese aesthetic, has been scheduled to premiere on January 1, 2026. The new season will maintain the format of nine standalone animated shorts, directed by 12 creators collaborating to expand the artistic possibilities of the “Yao Universe.”

*Yao-Chinese Folktales 2*: Evolving Aesthetics and Narrative Ambitions
The upcoming season was showcased in greater detail during the conference. The key visual poster draws inspiration from ancient Chinese bronze mirrors, featuring intricate landscape reliefs that depict a flowing tapestry of imagery—blending a mother’s longing, wandering warriors, and mythical figures like Xingtian with contemporary scenes. This visual approach reflects the season’s theme: “Fantasy Meets Reality: The Multifaceted Human Heart.”

The creative team brings together returning directors and fresh talent. Season one directors are pushing their artistic boundaries: Chen Lianhua transitions from paper-cutting animation in Xiaoman to wool-felt stop-motion in Xiaoxue; Hu Rui continues the ink-wash surrealism of Goose Mountain in The Ear Imp; while Yang Mu shifts from 3D animation in Lin Lin to a meticulous 2D style in How to Become Three Dragons. New directors are also joining the lineup, introducing diverse genres such as dark fairy tales, desert sci-fi, and retro mockumentary.

Thematically, *Yao-Chinese Folktales 2* will continue to explore deeply rooted Chinese cultural contexts through tales of the supernatural and everyday life, addressing contemporary issues such as self-identity and intergenerational relationships.

Expanding the Guochuang Lineup: More Popular IPs Animated
Beyond the returning favorites, Bilibili showcased its extensive IP reserves and diverse storytelling ambitions. Scavenging in the Post-Apocalyptic World, a popular Jinjiang novel, will be adapted as China’s first “romantic wasteland” themed animation, drawing attention for its unique artistic style and worldbuilding. Other highly anticipated adaptations, including Chinese Paladin 4 and Hard to Please, also released new trailers, with the latter confirming that it will retain the original voice cast from its audio drama adaptation to ensure continuity.

Building the “Yao Universe”: Long-Term IP Development Strategies
Since its debut in 2023, Yao-Chinese Folktales has gradually built a sustainable and expanding “Yao Universe.” Chief producer Li Zao emphasized that the new season will focus more on reflecting and responding to real-world issues. Through diverse aesthetic experiments and narrative explorations, the series not only provides an open platform for creators but also actively explores a complete ecosystem for Guochuang IPs—from short-form development to long-term operation through licensing, cross-industry collaborations, and more. This offers valuable insights into the inheritance and innovation of the Chinese animation tradition.

With the announcement of 40 new titles, Bilibili’s latest conference demonstrates significant advancements in subject matter, artistic expression, and IP management. As these works gradually make their way to audiences, a more vibrant and diverse era for Chinese animation is steadily unfolding.