ANIMATION IS HAVING A PUNK ROCK MOMENT – AND IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT HOW PEOPLE VIEW AI

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Niu Lai, a nearly zero-budget animated film made largely by a Chinese mother and son on second-hand computers, has become an unexpected box office hit. Made by former interior designer Xin Yumeng over five years, the crude, low-quality animation grossed over ¥25.67 million despite starting with almost no publicity or earnings. Its success is framed as a reaction against polished, AI-generated visuals, echoing how punk rock once rebelled against overproduced music.