Puppetry

In the realm of popular TV series for the second quarter, "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Moon Red Arc" (hereafter referred to as "Moon Red Arc") undeniably claims a prominent position. Fans of Chinese animation eagerly anticipate the adaptation of a major IP into a drama, while enthusiasts of ancient puppetry rejoice in the arrival of fresh content. Followers of the cast cheer at the prospect of witnessing the "visual ceiling" of Yang Mi and Gong Jun in traditional costumes. Within the industry, there's considerable curiosity surrounding the debut application of virtual production technology in a domestically produced long-form drama. As various perspectives converge, "Moon Red Arc" has garnered significant attention since its premiere, with its collaboration with over 50 brands interpreted by netizens as a "crushing victory" in terms of commercial success. However, amidst the hype, the essence of a series remains its backbone. Many viewers, despite praising the first-class technical craftsmanship that crafts a fantastical world of folklore and integrates exquisite scenic designs with traditional cultural elements, find themselves at a loss when it comes to discussing the mediocre and thin storyline. At one point, sharp critiques of the "ancient puppet vase" began circulating widely. Behind this lies the inherent…

In many ways, "Moon Red Arc" exposes a crisis of stellar gravity within the realm of scriptwriting—an issue that reverberates across genres like ancient puppetry, fantasy, and martial arts. An evident phenomenon emerges: even this year's frontrunner in the genre, "Phoenix Nirvana," has failed to meet expectations in terms of both popularity and critical acclaim. In recent years, series within the ancient puppetry genre seem to be trapped in a vicious cycle, with one leg firmly stuck in the pursuit of grandiosity, meticulous production, and high viewer numbers, while the other is mired in shallow storytelling, recycled character tropes, and lackluster performances. The current state of "Moon Red Arc" epitomizes this dilemma: its script and character development lack careful refinement, instead relying on the assembly of A-list stars and bombastic marketing blitzes to satisfy the demands of fans. However, beneath the veneer of Eastern aesthetics, the series finds itself ensnared in the whirlpool of superficiality. This crisis is emblematic of a broader stagnation within the genre landscape. Despite the immense potential offered by ancient puppetry, fantasy, and martial arts dramas to explore rich cultural tapestries and deliver compelling narratives, many productions have fallen into a formulaic trap, prioritizing style over…