Restoring the Grandeur of the Tang Dynasty: Controversy Surrounding Proportions in 'A Journey of Thirty Thousand Miles'

The animated film 'A Journey of Thirty Thousand Miles' by Zhui Guang Animation has been released nationwide, receiving widespread acclaim for its magnificent depiction of the Tang Dynasty's grandeur and the charm of Tang poetry. However, audiences have expressed bewilderment over the characters' proportions, particularly their short legs.

According to People's Entertainment, in response to modeling controversies, the two directors explained that the production team conducted extensive research to recreate the appearance of the Tang Dynasty accurately. They visited the Shaanxi History Museum to study the characteristics and proportions of Tang paintings and terracotta warriors, discovering that they had long and robust upper bodies, while their lower bodies were short and slender. Therefore, the characters in the film have a 'six to four' body ratio, highlighting their strong and mighty presence. Even the various horses are portrayed with sturdy necks, plump hindquarters, and robust athleticism.

For instance, the character design for Li Bai includes fifteen different appearances. When meeting Gao Shi, he is depicted with flowing long hair, dancing with birds, and galloping on horseback. At Qujiang Wine House, he shines in a red robe, exuding boundless charisma. In the Liang Garden ruins, he wears a simple Taoist robe, presenting a sense of simplicity and vicissitudes. As an elderly Li Bai, he wears plain clothes, boards a solitary leaf boat, bids farewell to the colorful clouds of Baidi City, and returns to his most authentic self.

The supporting characters are also shining stars, each with their unique features. Princess Yuzhen possesses rosy lips, a plump figure reminiscent of a dynamic Tang terracotta warrior, and her accessories and clothing patterns are inspired by unearthed relics.