In anticipation of the 21st China International Cartoon and Animation Festival (CICAF), Hangzhou has treated residents and visitors to a stunning anime-themed aerial light show. This light show, which lit up the Qiantang River, featured synchronized drone formations and dazzling special effects. It creatively integrated Hangzhou’s rich cultural heritage with popular IPs from the worlds of animation and video games, including Black Myth: Wukong, and showcased cutting-edge artificial intelligence. The result was a breathtaking spectacle that blurred the lines between the sky and the ground, the virtual and the real.

As the city skyline glows with the light show, the countdown to the 21st CICAF, which is set to take place in Hangzhou from May 29 to June 2, is officially underway.

This year’s CICAF reaffirms its commitment to being a leading international event for animation lovers of all ages. The 2024 edition highlights the fusion of animation with technology, tourism, and daily life. Organizers aim to elevate the festival’s global profile by encouraging cross-industry collaboration, offering a wide range of content, ensuring year-round relevance, and engaging audiences of all ages. Festivalgoers can look forward to a rich lineup of activities at the main venue. This year will also see the introduction of a new event series: 72 Transformations of Wukong. Now that everything’s set, Hangzhou is excited to welcome animation lovers from around the world to join the fun.

The light show begins nightly at 8:00 PM and runs until June 2. Don’t miss the excitement of this year’s CICAF at Hangzhou’s Baima Lake! It’s the perfect way to celebrate both the Dragon Boat Festival and Children’s Day with a touch of Chinese animation magic.