Why Kikoriki is Successful in Russia But Not in China?

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Kikoriki, known in Russia as Smeshariki ( Russian: Смеша́рики ) and in the United States as GoGoRiki is the most famous animated television series in Russia. The idea of this cartoon is to promoting “World Without Violence” which is a funny and meaningful cartoon for the children of 3 to 8 years.
Fews years ago, Russian and Chinese animators had made two agreements regarding cooperation, one of which involves the joint creation of the cartoon entitled ‘Panda and Smeshariki’ ( Панда и Смешарики ). The Chinese side of this project will be represented by the animation division of the Central Television Agency of China. It was a great plan of the talks between Asian civilisations. Since then, there is not too many news about Kikoriki in China. I have some discussion with parents and kids in China and they even don’t know what is Kikoriki. So what make these ‘lovely’ ‘little balls’ not hits in China? Below could be some of the reasons:

Too Many Choices

There are really millions of choices in China. Including TV stations, private, and online channels , there are totally more than 4000 TV channels in China and there are more then 200 channels in each city. Having one-third of them showing TV programs that suitable for children making Kikoriki difficult to be selected. Also there is already many local developed productions, such as famous “Boonie Bears” and “Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf” in China. So it is hard to draw people attention in this over matured market.

Personal Differences

Many children in China is now affected by Japan and Western culture and will prefer Japanese cartoon or Marvel comics that having plenty of promotion and lots of merchandise such as toys, stationeries. Children is can’t help watching them.

Also, Having they know the story well, parents prefer giving their children to watch Chinese traditional stories, such as “Journey to the West”, “The White Snake”. Their first impression is that those programmes are more healthy and meaningful than Kikoriki (but it is not!).

Big Hand of the Country

Some time ago, those major domestic video stations have spent a lot to buy the right to broadcast Japanese animation online, which has led to a series of hot topics that have been fascinated. But there is an opinion that this will make Chinese children only watch Japan animations than other programs. To prevent, the Chinese government had introduced:

“Movies that have not obtained the” Film Release Permit “shall not be distributed, shown or participated in film festivals (exhibitions), and shall not be distributed through the Internet, telecommunications networks, radio and television networks and other information networks, and shall not be produced as audiovisual products.”

The regulation aims to protect the children and also the local animations market. However, it also block the spread of others like Kikoriki.

Kikoriki is such a good animation with colourful pictures, funny characters and is so interesting and instructive. I hope it will continue its promotion and becomes more popular in China and United States in the nearly future.

images sourced from web