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Still from the 1981 animated film “A Deer of Nine Colors.” Still from the 1981 animated film “A Deer of Nine Colors.”

Throwback Animation: 1981’s “A Deer of Nine Colors” By Jiajun Qian & Dai Tielang

Revisit the ethereal 1981 animated classic “A Deer of Nine Colors,” a whimsical, painterly treasure from directors Jiajun Qian and Dai Tielang inspired by ancient folklore.

An ethereal, whimsical treasure from the golden era of Chinese animation.

A colorful, ethereal frame from the 1981 animated classic “A Deer of Nine Colors” — Image: Archive.

Today’s Throwback Animation drifts us into a dreamlike world with “A Deer of Nine Colors,” the 1981 animated gem directed by Jiajun Qian and Dai Tielang. Adapted from ancient Buddhist folklore, the film is a kaleidoscope of color, myth, and painterly motion — the kind of hand‑crafted artistry that feels almost otherworldly today.

INYIM Animation Reverie

A Deer of Nine Colors still glows like a painted legend in motion.

Folklore, spiritual animals, Dunhuang-inspired beauty, and that handmade animation magic that makes every frame feel like it wandered out of a mural.

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The animation style is lush and fluid, blending watercolor textures with traditional Chinese art influences. Every frame feels like a moving scroll painting, alive with spirit, symbolism, and quiet magic. It’s ethereal. It’s whimsical. It’s a reminder of how animation once embraced softness, mysticism, and emotional stillness.

Press play on this colorful, inspiration‑filled subject and theme. Let the nine‑hued deer guide you through a story of compassion, betrayal, and the shimmering beauty of folklore brought to life.

Watch the Whimsical Classic “A Deer of Nine Colors”


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