Recently, the Chinese, English, and French version trailers for the first Sino-French co-produced AI football animation series, "Underdog," were officially released. This groundbreaking project is a collaboration between Hangzhou Dangdang Animation Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Dangdang Animation") from China and France's "ANNIM Motion Studio." Focusing on the story of a football genius's comeback from adversity, the series uses AI technology as its creative engine. It blends Eastern values with international storytelling techniques, aiming to convey the Eastern cultural values of "resilience and keeping promises" to a global audience through the universal language of sportsmanship. This project also represents a new exploration for Chinese animation "going global."

Rooted in Universal Emotions, Eastern Values Flow Naturally

"Underdog" breaks away from the singular focus on competitive scenes typical of football-themed stories. Instead, it anchors its narrative on the universally relatable themes of "betrayal and redemption." In the trailer, football prodigy Lin Feng is ensnared in scandal due to the betrayal of his closest friend. Overnight, he falls from being a celebrated star to a disgraced outcast burdened with massive debt. This very experience, however, ignites a purer love for football and a relentless pursuit of victory within him. With the help of his once-strict coach, Lin Feng ultimately transforms from a scarred genius into a qualified professional team leader, fighting his way to the final stage of an international tournament.

“This story is ultimately about human strength,” said the project lead at Dangdang Animation. The series skillfully weaves traditional Eastern values of resilience and trustworthiness into its storyline. Through Lin Feng’s personal growth and transformation, it depicts the journey of a Chinese youth from self-redemption to carrying the weight of dreams. This, according to Dangdang Animation, is the core message they hope to share with global audiences: an unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, and a sense of responsibility that comes with success.

AI Enhances Sports Storytelling, Capturing On- and Off-Field Emotional Tension with Precision

As an animation project that merges AI technology with cross-cultural storytelling, "Underdog" showcases Dangdang Animation’s deep expertise in AI throughout its production. The creative team leveraged AI to finely capture and generate dynamic football movements, the stadium atmosphere, and subtle facial expressions of characters. This was especially impactful in depicting the explosive intensity of pivotal match moments and the emotional complexity of despair and hope—achieving an expressive power beyond traditional animation techniques.

To address AI’s limitations in motion continuity, the production team innovated a workflow based on “real-world reference – action decomposition – prompt optimization.” Complex football movements were broken down into fundamental rigging units and translated into precise AI commands, effectively reducing visual distortion. A highlight of the series—the slow-motion overhead volley—demonstrates this breakthrough. AI calculated the real-time trajectory of the ball and the player's muscle tension, combining this with micro-expression generation to render Lin Feng’s determined expression. The result is an emotionally resonant visual spectacle, where technology and storytelling are fully synchronized.

“Traditionally, producing one minute of animation takes about 30 days. With our AI workflow, we reduced this to just 3 days, including editing and sound design,” shared the production team at Dangdang Animation. “More importantly, AI allows us not only to replicate the speed and excitement of football but also to explore the psychological depth of characters under extreme pressure.”

Sino-French Collaboration: Refined Narrative Rhythm, Tailored for Global Audiences

As the first Sino-French co-produced AI football animation series, The Underdog King leverages the respective strengths of both production teams. The French partner in this deep collaboration, ANNIM Motion Studio, shares a solid foundation of cooperation and mutual trust with Dangdang Animation. The two have previously collaborated successfully on projects such as the Cannes International Film Festival promotion for the Chinese film Only the River Flows, cultural exchange delegations to France organized by Hangzhou's cultural authorities, and projects related to the well-known IP Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir. Building on this foundation, the French team played a significant role in refining the narrative pacing and integrating artistic styles for The Underdog King. They skillfully blended the profound exploration of humanity and emotional depth characteristic of French storytelling with the aesthetic sensibilities of Eastern artistic conception, ensuring the work is both rooted in local cultural spirit and offers a viewing experience that resonates with international audiences.

The content lead at Dangdang Animation further noted: "Football knows no borders, and neither do emotions. Lin Feng's rebirth showcases an indomitable spirit that perseveres and moves forward courageously in the face of adversity.

The creation of ”Underdog” is a vivid example of AI technology driving innovation in the animation industry. It is also a powerful exploration of Chinese cultural content reaching a global audience through technological innovation and international collaboration. The innovative application of AI technology in animation production opens new possibilities for the sustainable development of the industry. This series is more than just a sports-themed animation; it is a 'book of belief' written in a universal language. We hope it resonates with global viewers, striking a chord about adversity, growth, and glory."

(All content and AI technologies mentioned in this release are covered by appropriate intellectual property rights. For reproduction or commercial use, please contact Dangdang Animation for written permission.)

Welcome to the global premiere of the PV: https://youtu.be/dDAAvpww5rw

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