ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Media & Entertainment

Chinese online anime pioneer finds new audience in Japan

Co-founder of U17 platform blazes path for China's animated films

Facewhite founder Dong Zhiling stands with posters for "The Legend of Hei" and "White Snake." (Photo by Shuhei Yamada)

TOKYO -- A key figure in the rise of China's online animation industry is making a name for himself in Japan as well, with a movie distribution company bringing content from his home country to meet growing demand in the homeland of anime.

Japan "is the world's third-largest film market, so I thought it was a fitting place for a new challenge," Dong Zhiling said of his decision to set up Facewhite in Tokyo in 2019. The company's name is a literal translation of the characters in its Japanese name, which together mean "interesting" or "funny."

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Discover the all new Nikkei Asia app

  • Take your reading anywhere with offline reading functions
  • Never miss a story with breaking news alerts
  • Customize your reading experience

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more