On August 23, 2026, a post discussing "The Differences Between Japanese Anime and Chinese Anime" on China's SNS, Xiaohongshu (RED), drew a big response from Chinese netizens.

The poster said, "I used to have the impression that Chinese anime was merely an inferior version or imitation of Japanese anime. The differences in style between China and Japan are evident not only in the drawing and animation but also in the sensibility, culture, and aesthetic sense flowing through the works. And that clearly comes across even after reading just a little of the text. Of course, there is no superiority or inferiority among them. However, precisely because they are both Asian countries and are somewhat in competition in terms of cultural soft power, I often find myself wondering, 'What is the decisive criterion that separates the two?'"

They also stated, "China has always had its own 'specialness' that differs from Japan. But how should I define it? And how can I explain it convincingly to someone from a different cultural background, without relying solely on abstract words? I never understood that. However, recently I've increasingly felt that Chinese anime has developed its own 'flavor.' It's neither a compliment nor a criticism. Rather, I've come to vaguely sense, with just one glance, 'This work must have originated from the same cultural sphere.'"

They further emphasized, "It's like suddenly finding traces of a child's younger self in the features of a grown-up. Especially when I recently watched a certain newly released Chinese anime, that vivid 'difference' was something I had never felt in any Japanese anime before. It has nothing to do with popularity or the author's skill. I believe it's not something that can be acquired through effort, but rather something nurtured naturally within that culture. That's precisely why one cannot choose it oneself or compare it in terms of superiority or inferiority."

They also discussed, "I still don't know how to explain that boundary in words. However, if more works with such ambiguous yet distinct individuality emerge in the future, I believe there will eventually be no need to even bother explaining it."

Chinese netizens commented on this post, saying, "Chinese anime is more emotionally moving. When you watch truly good Chinese anime, there's a sense of cultural resonance, or rather, a connection to 'our own memories and culture.'" "That's right. The repeated use of symbolic images imbued with strong emotions, imaginative expressions, naturally relatable plot developments, and a narrative style that deliberately doesn't say too much — that's the romance unique to Chinese anime, isn't it?"

There were also comments naming specific works, such as, "I instantly recognized 'Memory Management Bureau' (lol). I've watched it so much that my mind is completely focused on it. It was like the shock of a country child tasting something from the city for the first time." "'Memory Management Bureau' is packed with a sense of life unique to China. The cramped housing in provincial cities, convenience stores visited by students in uniforms, the mental pressure that follows one throughout life... I think it's very different from anime from other countries because it depicts the unique social fabric of China."