Drama pushes Chinese sci-fi frontiers

When Dong Xiangbo was in primary school, his father once caught him skipping homework to watch Dinosaur Corps Koseidon, a popular Japanese sci-fi series. The punishment was swift: a spanking that left the boy in tears. Yet, even as his father scolded him, Dong kept sneaking glances at the TV, where a superhero battled aliens.

Decades later, that childhood moment feels almost prophetic. Today, the 38-year-old director is at the helm of Ling Cage, one of China's most ambitious sci-fi animated series.

The latest, its second season, marks a return to the futuristic world after a six-year hiatus. Since its release, it has racked up over 320 million online views and earned a stellar 8.9 out of 10 on the popular review site Douban.

Set in a postapocalyptic world, Ling Cage envisions humanity on the brink of extinction after a catastrophic geological disaster. The survivors take refuge in a floating fortress governed by draconian laws: emotional bonds are banned, reproduction is strictly controlled to ensure genetic superiority, and the weak are exiled.