Raising Children for the Communist Party: The Shanghai Animation Film Studio's Infantilized Style (1950s–1980s).

This article examines the Shanghai Animation Film Studio's (SAFS) creative intent from the 1950s to the 1980s, focusing on its proclaimed mission to "serve children" within the socio-political context of the Communist Party of China (CPC). It argues that SAFS's animation was shaped primarily by CPC directives, leading to an "infantilized style" that portrayed children as passive, undeveloped recipients of communist ideology rather than recognizing their individuality, cognitive abilities, or diverse needs. The studio's content emphasized collective heroism and moral education aligned with socialist values, often simplifying narratives and characters to fit political goals, which ultimately limited its appeal and commercial viability after economic reforms in the 1980s. The article highlights how this approach influenced both the production and reception of Chinese animation, reflecting broader CPC cultural policies that prioritized ideological indoctrination over authentic engagement with child audiences.