The authors and creators of donghua
The bridge between Chinese and Japanese animationBorn in 1985, Li Haoling is one of donghua's most influential directors. Founder of the Haoliners studio, he made Heaven Official's Blessing and Link Click, and works hand in hand with Japan.
Career
A 2008 graduate of Shanghai's Donghua University, Li Haoling started out in character design and storyboarding on children's series and international co-productions. In 2011 he developed and directed his first original creation, Happy Town.
He made his web-animation debut in 2013 with Lu Shi Dai (撸时代), then directed Mantou Diary (馒头日记), Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain (从前有座灵剑山), To Be Hero (凸变英雄) and Spiritpact (灵契). In the mid-2010s he founded Haoliners (绘梦动画), where he is CEO.
In 2018 he co-directed the anthology film Flavors of Youth (肆式青春) with Yi Xiaoxing and Japan's Yoshitaka Takeuchi. In 2020 he co-directed The Daily Life of the Immortal King and directed Heaven Official's Blessing, before serving as chief director of Link Click (2021), produced by Studio LAN.
Style and themes
Li Haoling is known for his editing and staging, strongly influenced by Japanese animation. He loves suspense, twists and strong emotions, and pays particular attention to music and pacing. Link Click is the proof.
Their works on Donghua Fan
The donghua adapted from Li Haoling's novels, with their guides, characters and watch orders.
Other works
- To Be Hero (凸变英雄)
- Spiritpact (灵契)
- Flavors of Youth (肆式青春, 2018)
- Heaven Official's Blessing (天官赐福, donghua, 2020)
Trivia
- He founded Haoliners, one of donghua's most prolific studios.
- Flavors of Youth, co-directed with Japan, was released worldwide on Netflix.
- He has directed series based on novels by MXTX and Kuxuan, both featured on Donghua Fan.
Donghua Fan's take
Li Haoling gave donghua part of its modernity. Link Click, with its tension and emotion, is to me one of the best donghua ever made.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan