A European Research Council (ERC) grant to study SINOFANTASY has been awarded to a University of Freiberg (Germany) researcher. (I’ve seen Chinese science fiction discussed but not Chinese fantasy. Glad to see this as there’s often crossover between the genres.) Here’s more from a September 9, 2025 University of Freiberg press release (also on EurekAlert but published September 10, 2025), Note: Links have been removed,
Sinologist and junior professor Dr. Jessica Imbach from the University of Freiburg has been awarded a Starting Grant by the European Research Council (ERC). With her funded project SINOFANTASY – Studying Imaginative Otherworlds: Chinese Fantasy Fiction, Literary Politics, and Media Creativity, Imbach is investigating the development and significance of Chinese fantasy and science fiction literature since the 1990s. The grant covers five years and amounts to approximately 1.4 million euros.
Fantasy literature as a mirror of social transformation
The project aims to develop a well-founded theory of Chinese fantasy as a mirror and medium of social transformation. “I am investigating, for example, how cultural identity, historical images and visions of the future are negotiated in Chinese fantasy literature. This genre has become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in China,” says Imbach. “Some texts are formally innovative and experimental, creating alternative views of history or speculative forms of society, while others follow conservative narrative patterns. My project therefore asks: What themes, conflicts and worldviews are negotiated in these texts? And what social negotiation processes are reflected in this literary form?”
Digital encyclopaedia on fantasy literature planned
In addition to literary texts, the project explores how speculative storytelling affects concepts such as authorship and digital participation in an authoritarian media system. “The ERC Starting Grant now gives me the opportunity to systematically explore the diverse media, social and political dimensions of Chinese fantasy with a larger team and a long-term perspective,” Imbach emphasises. In addition, a digital encyclopaedia of contemporary Chinese fantasy is to be developed. The project thus not only contributes to literary and Chinese studies, but also makes complex cultural processes accessible to a broad public.
The ERC Starting Grant
The European Research Council (ERC) supports outstanding scientists in carrying out groundbreaking research projects by providing highly competitive funding.ERC Starting Grants are aimed at innovative scientists in the early stages of their scientific careers who have already gained two to seven years of experience after completing their doctorates and would like to establish their own research group. Applications can be submitted from all research areas. Scientists can receive funding of up to 1.5 million euros over a period of five years for their projects.For more information
- Jessica Imbach’s website https://uni-freiburg.de/sinologie/einrichtung-und-personen/junprof-dr-jessica-imbach/
- Dr. Jessica Imbach received the Margarete von Wrangell funding https://uni-freiburg.de/en/margarete-von-wrangell-fellowship-for-research-on-new-media-in-china/
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You can find the project description for “Studying Imaginative Otherworlds: Chinese Fantasy Fiction, Literary Politics, and Media Creativity” here.
As to the popularity of SINOFANTASY, there’s this about Ne Zha 2 from its Wikipedia entry, Note: Links have been removed,
Ne Zha 2 (Chinese: 哪吒之魔童闹海; pinyin: Nézhā zhī Mótóng nào hǎi; also known as 哪吒2; Nézhā èr)[5] is a 2025 Chinese adult animated adventure fantasy action film written and directed by Jiaozi. The direct sequel to Ne Zha (2019),[6] it is based on the Chinese mythological character and Xu Zhonglin’s 16th-century novel Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Yanyi).[6] The film takes up the story of Chinese mythological character Ne Zha and his friend Ao Bing. After a sacrifice, only Ne Zha’s body can be recreated, although he carries Ao Bing’s spirit within. Ne Zha calls on this spirit in his fight against Master Shen.
Ne Zha 2 was released in theaters across China on 29 January 2025, coinciding with the first day of the Chinese New Year.[7] Like its predecessor, the film received highly positive reviews from critics, and achieved even greater commercial success at a gross of $2.2 billion[8] worldwide against a production budget of US$80 million. Ne Zha 2 broke numerous box office records inside and outside China, including becoming the highest-grossing film in a single box office territory, the highest-grossing animated film, being the first adult animated film in this position, the highest-grossing non-English language film and the first animated film in history to cross the $2 billion mark, as well as being the highest-selling animated film based on ticket sales. It also ranks as the highest-grossing film of 2025 and the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time.[9] [emphasis mine] A sequel is in development.
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The highest grossing film of 2025, worldwide! H/t to Lainey Gossip’s March 14, 2025 blog posting by Sarah.
Now,I’ve stumbled across what seems to be an increasing interest in SINOFANTASY (more specifically, science fiction),
- Chen Qiufan, garbage, and Chinese science fiction stories (May 31, 2019 posting)
- Telling stories about artificial intelligence (AI) and Chinese science fiction; a Nov. 17, 2020 virtual event (November 16, 2020 posting)
- The science in science fiction television (scroll down to “3 Body Problem (television series)” (June 27, 2024 posting)