Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Hong Ying Animation

Hong Ying Animation Co., Ltd., also known as Suzhou Hong Ying Animation Corporation Limited (鸿鹰动画), is a Chinese-Taiwanese founded in by Mr. Hsieh, a veteran in the industry with over 40 years of experience. The company, headquartered in , Province, was the first in to fully computerize its animation production processes, enabling efficient creation of both traditional and digital content. Specializing in project planning, animation design and , , and commercial , Hong Ying has contributed to numerous animated works, blending international outsourcing with original Chinese series. Notable domestic productions include the mythological adventure Legend of Nezha, the educational tale , and the classic retelling , which have garnered acclaim for promoting Chinese cultural stories to global audiences. Internationally, the studio has provided animation services for Western projects such as episodes of Disney's Phineas and Ferb, where it handled key animation sequences. In the anime sector, Hong Ying has supported Japanese productions like (key animation and 2nd key animation) and Basquash! (backgrounds), demonstrating its versatility in collaborations. The studio's achievements include two Emmy Award nominations and a Cristal Award from the International Animated Film Festival, highlighting its influence in elevating standards. With subsidiaries and partnerships extending its reach, Hong Ying, as of 2025, continues to focus on innovative , including original IPs like Little Vivi and Chess Master, while maintaining a commitment to high-quality for global markets.

History

Founding and Early Development

Hong Ying Animation was founded in 1986 by Bobby Hsieh in under the initial name Hung Long Animation Company. Hsieh established the company with a small team of employees. From its inception, Hung Long operated as a subcontractor to , taking on overflow work to support the parent company's growing demands in the animation outsourcing sector. In its early years, the studio concentrated on outsourcing for American television series, providing subcontracting services that involved key production stages such as in-betweening and coloring without developing original content. This focus allowed Hung Long to build expertise in meeting international standards for Western cartoons, leveraging Taiwan's emerging position as a hub for cost-effective labor during the mid- to late 1980s. The company's initial financial backing stemmed from these close ties to , which provided a steady stream of subcontracted projects and enabled Hung Long to scale operations rapidly. The late presented operational challenges for the Taiwanese industry, including the need to expand capacity to handle increasing foreign client workloads amid rising labor costs in and intense competition from other Asian studios. U.S. studios' demands, driven by domestic labor disputes, led to extended overtime for artists and pressure to deliver high-volume output, straining resources while the local market offered limited opportunities. These issues were mitigated through parent company support and OEM contracts, but they underscored the vulnerabilities of small-scale operations reliant on subcontracting. By 1990, the studio had transitioned from modest beginnings to managing multiple episodes simultaneously for international clients, marking a shift toward greater production efficiency. In the early , the company underwent a to Hong Ying Animation as part of broader strategic adjustments.

Expansion and Rebranding

In the early , the studio underwent a significant from its original name, Hung Long Animation Company, to Hong Ying Animation Co., Ltd., by 1993, reflecting a strategic pivot toward greater international visibility and independence from its initial role as a subcontractor to larger firms like . This change allowed the company to establish a distinct brand identity while continuing to build on its subcontracting expertise in production. As part of its expansion efforts, Hong Ying Animation established a subsidiary in with the founding of Hong Ying Animation Corporation Limited in 1990, capitalizing on lower labor costs and proximity to a vast market of over 380 million children. This move marked the beginning of geographic diversification beyond , with the facility later rebranded as Suzhou Hong Yang Cartoon Co. Ltd. to align with local operations. By the mid-1990s, annual investments exceeding 100 million in computer hardware and infrastructure further supported this growth, enabling the handling of more complex production tasks. In the and early , Hong Ying Animation experienced substantial expansion, which enhanced its capacity to secure and execute larger-scale foreign contracts. This period saw a diversification beyond pure subcontracting, with the studio increasingly incorporating original elements into projects and investing in R&D while retaining management in . By the early , completion of major TV series subcontracts, including contributions to high-profile animations, had solidified its reputation in the global industry, positioning it as a key player in outsourced animation services.

Operations

Organizational Structure and Locations

Hong Ying Animation operates as a under the parent entity Hong Ying Universe Co., Ltd., with its headquarters located in , , at 98 Minquan Road, 10th Floor, , where (R&D) as well as functions are primarily handled. The organizational setup includes specialized in-house teams dedicated to key animation, background art, in-betweening, and , supporting its core business in animation outsourcing for feature films and television series. The company's primary production division is its Chinese subsidiary, Hong Ying Animation Corporation Limited (also known as Suzhou Hongyang Cartoon Co., Ltd. following a ), based in , Province. Animation production in began in 1992 to facilitate cost-effective 2D production; the current legal entity operates as a established in 2009 with a registered capital of 6 million RMB. This facility focuses on labor-intensive aspects of workflows, contributing to the overall industrial chain from project development to final production. Additional satellite operations have been noted in for creative development and for supplementary production, though the core geographic presence remains centered in and as of 2025. Originally founded in as Hung Long Animation Company Limited, a subcontractor to , the entity evolved into Hong Ying Universe post-2003, incorporating elements of the original structure while integrating digital tools for enhanced production efficiency, such as computer-assisted systems adopted since the late . This setup allows for seamless collaboration across divisions, with overseeing strategic operations and handling volume production to meet demands.

Key Personnel and Leadership

Bobby Hsieh founded Hong Ying Animation in 1986 in , , initially operating as a to established studios like . As the studio's president, he played a pivotal role in its early development, starting with modest capital and focusing on production for international markets. His leadership emphasized cost-effective , leveraging Taiwan's position in the global . Under Hsieh's direction, the company expanded to , , in 1992, establishing a production base to capitalize on lower labor costs while retaining management and research in . This move positioned Hong Ying as a key player in cross-border services, particularly for American and European clients. As of the early , Hsieh served as a central decision-maker, acting as executive producer on various projects and guiding strategic shifts toward sustainable growth. Tammy Hsieh, likely a family member, served as in the early , overseeing operations and highlighting the studio's expertise in international outsourcing amid China's potential. Tom Pong emerged as an influential during this period, contributing to the team by managing production aspects of overseas collaborations. Recent information on current is limited.

Notable Works

Television Animation Contributions

Hong Ying Animation has primarily contributed to television animation as a subcontractor, handling tasks such as key animation, in-betweening, layouts, and backgrounds for international productions. This role positioned the studio as a key player in the global outsourcing model during the and , supporting episodic workloads for Western and Japanese series. The studio began as a subcontractor of and often handled overflow work. The studio extended its expertise to anime, delivering key animation and second key animation for Blue Dragon (2007 TV series), a Studio Pierrot production based on the Mistwalker video game. For Basquash! (2009 TV series), Hong Ying handled backgrounds, supporting Satelight's basketball-themed sci-fi narrative across its 25 episodes. Internationally, the studio provided key animation sequences for episodes of Disney's Phineas and Ferb. Beyond anime genres, Hong Ying collaborated on children's programming, notably providing animation services for the first two seasons of (2000-2002), a and co-production that followed seven sibling monsters in everyday adventures. This included full overseas direction and color styling, marking one of the studio's prominent roles in educational TV aimed at young audiences. Additionally, Hong Ying animated approximately 200 half-hour episodes for series by the mid-1990s. Hong Ying has also produced original Chinese animated series, including the mythological adventure Legend of Nezha, the educational tale Adventures of Little Carp, and the classic retelling Monkey King. More recent original works include Qihuan Long Bao (2020) and 0 Hao Sushe (2021).

Film and Other Projects

Hong Ying Animation has primarily contributed to animated feature films through outsourcing services, focusing on in-betweening, key animation, and production support for international studios during the 1990s and early 2000s. The studio's involvement in these projects often supported direct-to-video releases and independent features, providing cost-effective animation labor from its facilities in Suzhou, China. A significant portion of Hong Ying's film work came from collaborations with Golden Films, a U.S.-based producer of budget animated features. For instance, the studio handled animation production for The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), a direct-to-video adaptation that outsourced much of its cel animation overseas. Similarly, Hong Ying provided animation services for The Secret of Mulan (1998) and Tarzan of the Apes (1998), contributing to the inking, painting, and in-betweening stages for these mockbuster films aimed at the home video market. These projects exemplified Hong Ying's role in enabling low-cost production for American distributors by leveraging its skilled workforce. Beyond U.S. partnerships, Hong Ying extended its expertise to European productions. In Kleines Arschloch (1997), a German adult-oriented animated feature directed by Michael Schaack, the studio served as overseas animation director, overseeing key sequences and integrating with local teams from TFC Trickcompany. This involvement highlighted Hong Ying's adaptability to diverse styles, including more mature and satirical content. Additionally, the studio contributed animation elements to Heavy Metal 2000 (2000), a Canadian sci-fi anthology sequel, supporting its cel-animated action sequences. In the realm of original or co-produced works, Hong Ying has participated in select Chinese animated films post-2010, often in partnership with domestic broadcasters like CCTV Animation. Notable examples include animation support for Mole Manor 3 (2010), a Czech-Chinese co-production feature, and contributions to New Stories of Big Head Son and Little Head Dad (2013), a family-oriented release targeting the local market. These efforts marked a shift toward in-house development while maintaining outsourcing capabilities. For non-film media, Hong Ying's portfolio includes subcontracting on original video animations (OVAs) and shorts, such as pilot episodes for Asian series and promotional content. Though less documented, these projects utilized the studio's background art and in-betweening skills for and Asian clients outside traditional formats.

Reception and Legacy

Critical and Industry Reception

Hong Ying Animation has earned a mixed in the animation industry, valued for its cost-effective outsourcing services during the 1990s that supported the production of numerous Western animated series, including contributions to and : The Animated Series. This efficiency allowed major studios like to scale up television amid growing demand, positioning Hong Ying as a key player in the global shift toward overseas production. However, the studio's early work has faced criticism for inconsistent quality, animation errors, and noticeable flaws in subcontracted episodes, reflecting broader challenges in the low-budget outsourcing model of the era where tight deadlines often compromised visual consistency. Community discussions in animation circles have highlighted these issues, with frequent references to "bad animation" tropes in projects handled by Hong Ying, though the studio's efforts on anime series like have been acknowledged as more competent and fluid. Despite these variances, later collaborations, such as on , received praise for terrific animation and innovative character design that blended styles effectively. Hong Ying Animation's achievements include two Emmy Award nominations—for its animation work on (2009) and (2012)—and a Cristal Award from the International Animated Film Festival, recognizing its contributions to international productions. The studio's perception has evolved positively in the digital era, with significant late investments in computerization enabling higher-quality outputs and reducing earlier criticisms of traditional cel-based inconsistencies.

Influence on Animation Outsourcing

Hong Ying Animation, established in 1986 as a of , contributed significantly to the popularization of Asia-based subcontracting for Western animation studios during the 1980s and 1990s. As one of Wang Film's satellite operations, it supported the of labor-intensive tasks such as in-betweening and coloring for American producers like , helping to establish cost-effective production pipelines that reduced expenses by leveraging lower labor costs in . This model influenced broader industry cost structures, enabling U.S. studios to produce more content affordably while building technical expertise in . In 1992, Hong Ying relocated its primary operations to Suzhou, China, transitioning to independence and exemplifying the emerging Taiwanese-Chinese outsourcing framework. This shift facilitated divided labor practices, with key animation often managed in Taiwan and finishing work like in-betweening conducted in China, a strategy that optimized efficiency and costs through regional specialization. Such approaches impacted global practices, paralleling models adopted by other Asian studios and contributing to the proliferation of offshore production networks. The studio's activities played a key role in exporting animation jobs to , transforming into the world's largest animation production base by the late , where facilities handled substantial volumes of international work—equivalent to thousands of minutes of animated content annually across the sector. For instance, Hong Ying outsourced segments for series from and , underscoring its economic contributions to the regional industry. By 2025, Hong Ying's foundational model persists as a for budget animation in the streaming era, with adaptations incorporating and hybrids to meet demands from platforms seeking efficient, high-volume output. This enduring influence highlights the studio's role in sustaining Asia's position as a hub for global subcontracting amid evolving technologies.

References

  1. [1]
    Hong Ying Animation - Companies - MyAnimeList.net
    Trying to find anime produced by Hong Ying Animation? Discover anime by Hong Ying Animation on MyAnimeList, the largest online anime and manga database in ...
  2. [2]
    co0044264 (Sorted by Popularity Ascending) - IMDb
    This children's animated series follows seven little monsters, apparently not little but big ones, in their adventures in learning about life.
  3. [3]
    Hong Ying Animation - Anime News Network
    Anime with which this company was involved: (Japanese version) Basquash! (TV) : Backgrounds Blue Dragon (TV) : 2nd Key Animation, Key Animation
  4. [4]
    Animation industry looks to its future - Taipei Times
    Apr 13, 2003 · Hsieh of Hong Ying Universe sees the reason in the position that Taiwan still occupies in the production chain. The production process of an ...Missing: founding Bobby 1986
  5. [5]
    Hong Ying (Creator) - TV Tropes
    Hong Ying Animation Co., Ltd. (also known as Hong Ying Universe Co., Ltd.) is a Taiwanese animation studio that since 1992, has operated mostly out of its ...
  6. [6]
    Hong Ying | Future Ideas Wiki - Fandom
    It was founded by Bobby Hsieh in 1986 as Hung Long Animation Company; at the time, it was a subcontractor to Wang Film Productions. After working on a few of ...
  7. [7]
    Suzhou Hong Ying Animation Corporation Limited
    Suzhou Hong Ying Animation Corporation Limited (also known as Hong Ying Animation and later known as Suzhou Hong Yang Cartoon Co. Ltd.), is a Chinese animation ...
  8. [8]
    Hong Ying Animation - Nickelodeon Wiki - Fandom
    Hong Ying Animation was founded in 1986. The studio began as a subcontractor of Wang Film Productions. After completing a few shows with the Wang Film ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  9. [9]
    A Brief History of Animated Film in Taiwan - Academia.edu
    Hong Ying, one of Wang Film Productions' satellite companies in Taiwan, moved to Suzhou, China in 1992 with the intention of being independent from Wang Film ...Missing: Bobby 1986
  10. [10]
    鴻鷹世界股份有限公司 - 台灣服務貿易商情網
    鴻鷹世界股份有限公司 · Company:鴻鷹世界股份有限公司 · Address:新北市新店區民權路98號10樓. 回上一頁.
  11. [11]
    鸿鹰董事长：创意才是最大市场 - 娱乐- 搜狐
    Mar 2, 2004 · 为了转型，鸿鹰建置了完整的生产线，再加上设在上海总公司的创意基地，结合长年累积的代工经验，让鸿鹰在动画制作上不仅拥有一天就可以制作出一部22分钟动画 ...Missing: 組織 結構
  12. [12]
    新华时论| 发展动漫产业要跳出“制造业思维”
    Aug 23, 2019 · 江苏动漫企业雄厚的制作实力，与较早起步关系密切。以苏州为例，早在1991年，鸿鹰动画公司就租下了苏州十八中的三间空教室，开始了苏州动漫产业的第一步。2005 ...Missing: 世界 股份<|control11|><|separator|>
  13. [13]
    苏州鸿鹰动画有限公司 - 启信宝
    启信宝为您提供苏州鸿鹰动画有限公司的相关企业查询服务，包括工商信息、公司地址、公司电话、招聘信息，股权信息等，还提供了苏州鸿鹰动画有限公司的企业信用报告下载 ...
  14. [14]
    [PDF] 玉皇朝宣布计划收购一间内地动画制作公司51%股权为集团长期发展 ...
    资附属公司玉皇朝多媒体有限公司(「玉皇朝多媒体」)与鸿鹰世界股份有限公司(「台. 湾鸿鹰」)及台湾鸿鹰之最大股东谢台春先生签订框架协议，收购苏州鸿扬动画制. 作有限 ...
  15. [15]
    June 1997 News - Animation World Network
    In a move to become the largest digital animation facility in China, Hong Ying Animation Co. ordered 50 SGI workstations and licensed MediaPegs' PEGS ...Missing: profile | Show results with:profile
  16. [16]
    Bobby Hsieh - IMDb
    Bobby Hsieh is known for Attila and the Great Blue Bean (2007), Yvon of the Yukon (1999) and Kleines Arschloch (1997).Missing: founding history Taiwan 1986
  17. [17]
    Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Bobby Hsieh · Bobby Hsieh. producer: Hong Ying Universe Co. Jef Kaminsky · Jef Kaminsky. associate producer. Tom Pong · Tom Pong. producer: Hong Ying Universe ...
  18. [18]
    DIC Shows Get Good Reception in China : Television: The Burbank ...
    May 20, 1995 · And DIC has long subcontracted much of the labor-intensive animation ... So far, about 200 half-hour DIC programs have been animated at Hong Ying, ...
  19. [19]
    X-MEN Episode Thirty-Four - September 21, 1996 - NOT BLOG X
    Jul 10, 2014 · Summary: Distraught over Phoenix's death, Cyclops quits the X-Men and travels to his childhood home, the McNeil Orphanage.
  20. [20]
    Company credits - The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Video 1996) - IMDb
    Production Companies · Golden Films · Suzhou Hong Ying Animation Company. (Animation Services, animation production) · Suzhou Hong Ying Animation Company. (Hong ...
  21. [21]
    The Secret of Mulan (Video 1998) - Company credits - IMDb
    (Hong Ying Animation Co., Ltd., animation). Magno Sound and Video. (Magno Sound & Video, post-production). Suzhou Hong Ying Animation Company.
  22. [22]
    Company credits - Tarzan of the Apes (Video 1998) - IMDb
    Suzhou Hong Ying Animation. (Hong Ying Animation Co., animation production) ... Golden Films watched. created 7 years ago • 36 titles. The Emperor's ...
  23. [23]
    Kleines Arschloch (1997) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Kleines Arschloch (1997) - Cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses ... animation director: Hong Ying / animation director: Morning Sun / key ...
  24. [24]
    Top 100 Most Influential Animation Studios of All-Time
    No readable text found in the HTML.<|control11|><|separator|>
  25. [25]
    [PDF] MAY 1 12007 LIBRARIES - DSpace@MIT
    secondary outsourcing attempts of Taiwan and Hong Kong animation studios. These studios work for US and European animation companies as first tier ...
  26. [26]
    Pelswick - Variety
    Oct 23, 2000 · Animated by Nelvana and Suzhou Hong Ying Animation in association with the CBC. Executive producers, Michael Hirsh, Patrick Loubert, Clive A ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  27. [27]
    The History And Techniques Of Animation Film Studies Essay ...
    ... Hong Ying and Wang Films, and also a few small office branch studios of other firms. Both companies are from Taiwan and operate a network of branch studios ...
  28. [28]
    Taiwan Animation: From Subcontractor to Creator | ACAS
    Sep 1, 2023 · This essay reviews the evolution of Taiwan animation, from the golden age of overseas subcontracting in the 1980s, to the creation of original ...Missing: Hong | Show results with:Hong<|control11|><|separator|>
  29. [29]
    Animation Outsourcing Market 2025, Trends, Outlook 2034
    The animated outsourcing market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $203.78 billion in 2024 to $231.22 billion in 2025 at a compound ...Missing: Hong Ying