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Red fox pounces toward the big screen

By Deng Zhangyu | China Daily Europe | Updated: 2016-05-06 06:57

Red fox pounces toward the big screen
Ali the red fox is a cartoon character created by Xu Han. Photos Provided to China Daily


Ali the red fox has won hearts across China, either for his emojis on social media or the four picture books published by his creator, Xu Han. He's even set to appear in his own movie next year.

"It's a great challenge and a real turning point in my career," says the artist, who is now writing the script and hopes to direct.

Xu is a good model for any modern Chinese illustrator: first came the character, then picture books and emojis, and then online shops selling merchandise. A movie is a natural next step.

Ali originally appeared online and in magazines in 2006, but only after making his debut on instant-messaging app WeChat last year did the character gain mass appeal. During the Chinese New Year holiday in February, he topped the emoji charts as users rushed to send friends and relatives seasonal greetings.

"I guess it's because he's a red fox. Red is a lucky color that suggests everything will flourish in the coming year," Xu says, although he adds, "The emojis on WeChat have been great exposure for Ali, but it's more important to write stories that attract audiences."

He created Ali at high school as a way to win over a girl in his class. After that, he just kept on drawing short stories of the fox's adventures. He published his first picture book, Ali's Dream Castle, in 2009.

The fourth installment, Carrousel Garden, published in March, sees Ali encounter characters from Western fairy tales, such as the Little Prince, Pinocchio and the Ugly Duckling.

Xu has hopes of building Ali into an international brand. However, he says China's animation industry lags behind those in the West and Japan, which have worldwide appeal.

Even if Chinese artists can gain exposure through the internet and social media, he says building a brand is not easy.

"I won't continue to publish picture books of Ali," he adds. "Perhaps I will draw books for children, but right now I'm 100 percent devoted to making this movie."

 

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