The Legend of Hei

Luo Xiaohei is a cat spirit who finds his forest home torn down by human developers and must seek a new place to exist. He encounters a band of other spirits who dream of reclaiming the land they believe is theirs and offer guidance. A human named Wuxian then enters the scene, testing the balance between the spirit world and humans. As their paths cross, Xiaohei begins to refine his powers and form his own stance about whether to side with the spirits or the people. The film keeps the focus on identity, loyalty, and choosing a side without clear cut answers, inviting viewers to decide what belonging might truly mean. Its humor and heart keep it approachable for many.

Released in 2019 and directed by MTJJ, the film adapts the popular webcomic The Legend of Hei created by Kexin Peng and Fengxishenlei, delivering a visually rich fantasy with kinetic action and character driven humor that blends action with wit.

The movie grossed around 48,045,728 dollars worldwide, a solid return for a Chinese animation with crossover appeal, and it drew audiences in both China and overseas. Its success helped spark renewed interest in Chinese style fantasy and animated fantasy hybrids.

The film has sparked a dedicated fan community online, with art, clips, and discussions highlighting its lush visuals and the themes of belonging and coexistence. The look and design have inspired cosplayers and fan creators to reimagine key scenes. Its vibrant color palette and fluid animation drew praise from fans.

Critics responded positively to the animation's beauty and world building, while the story probes power, identity, and loyalty as a cat spirit weighs whether to align with spirits or humans. The film avoids easy answers, inviting reflection rather than simple messages and suggesting hopeful coexistence that lingers after credits globally.