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Year Hare Affair

Year Hare Affair [1] is a Chinese webcomic and media franchise by Lin Chao, initially under the pen name "逆光飞行" (Pinyin: Nìguāng Fēixíng, lit. "flight against the light"). The comic uses anthropomorphic animals as an allegory for nations and sovereign states to represent 20th and 21st century political, military, and diplomatic events.

An animated adaptation of the series started airing in Douban in March 2015 and a free-to-play strategy video game based on it was released on iOS and Android in July 2015.

Overview

The series uses anthropomorphic figures to depict China's history during and after the Cold War period.[1] China is represented by a white rabbit, which the series portrays as peaceful and intelligent.[1]

Year Hare Affair was inspired by a lengthy post on a military web forum.[1]

Characters

Factions and characters

Others

Included events (in order by year)

  • Chinese Communist Revolution
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Hundred Regiments Offensive
  • Cold War
  • Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts
  • Korean War
  • Vietnam War
  • 30 September Movement
  • Sino-Soviet Split
  • Sino-Soviet border conflict
  • Cultural Revolution
  • Chinese economic reform
  • Senkaku Islands dispute
  • United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758
  • 1972 Nixon visit to China
  • The Signing of Joint Communiqué of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China
  • Battle of the Paracel Islands
  • Uganda–Tanzania War
  • Sino-Vietnamese War
  • Soviet–Afghan War
  • Iran–Iraq War
  • Gulf War
  • Dissolution of the Soviet Union
  • U.S. bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade
  • Yinhe incident
  • Third Taiwan Strait Crisis
  • Kosovo War
  • Hainan Island incident
  • War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
  • September 11 attacks
  • Chen Shui-bian corruption charges
  • The Commission of Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning
  • Scarborough Shoal standoff

Video game

A free-to-play strategy role-playing video game based on the webcomic, was released on iOS and Android on 15 July 2015. The player controls one of three factions: Hare, Bald Eagle and Bear.[18] Another game called “Year Hare Affair: Burning Snow” was also released sometime later, and can currently be played on itch.io.[19] An educational game about Chinese history was also released and unlike the first two, this one can be played in its original format.[20]

Reception

Hare is now used as Internet slang referring to China.[21]

Criticisms

The historical vision, provided in the first two seasons of Year Hare Affair, came under heavy criticism in an overview on the Russian website South China Insight, especially Sino-Soviet relations. Though it is admitted that relations with Russia "occupy a leading place" in reflecting of Chinese history, but with a "complete disregard for historical facts", such as Soviet involvement in the Chinese Communist Party's foundation and the Red Army's liberation of Manchuria from Japanese forces. It was also noted that the Sino-Vietnamese War has been completely left out.[22]

Oiwan Lam of Global Voices Online finds racism in portraying African nations as hippopotamuses, which she considers "a lazy and stupid animal". In that regard, "China's aid for Africa has also been simplified as a last resort because 'the first world refused to play with us'".[23]

Some commentators argue that the webcomic and its animated adaptation oversimplify complex historical events, potentially promoting nationalist sentiment or stereotypes, especially in its depiction of countries such as Japan, South Korea, and the United States.[24] Critics have also pointed out instances where the series' satirical elements may reinforce negative stereotypes or historical grievances rather than fostering understanding.[25] Conversely, defenders of the series highlight its satirical and entertainment-focused intent, suggesting that it should not be interpreted as a historical documentary or a precise representation of historical facts, but rather as a creative work aimed at humor and satire.[26]

Ratings

The second and third season received 8.6 and 8.4 points out of 10 on Douban.[27]

Further reading

External links

References

  1. Chenyang Song. Nationalist and Popular Culture Practices on Social Media: A Digital Ethnography of Chinese Online Fandom Nationalists Transcript, 2025^
  2. Lawrence, E.A. (1990). "Symbol of a Nation: The Bald Eagle in American Culture". The Journal of American Culture 13 (1): 63–69^
  3. Beaver www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca, retrieved 2025-03-19^
  4. Ancient deity, pet and endangered species. Why is axolotl Mexico's most beloved amphibian? AP News, 2025-02-20, retrieved 2025-08-03^
  5. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4 0 International Thai National Parks. Lophura leucomelanos, Kalij pheasant Thai National Parks, retrieved 2025-07-15^
  6. Markhor: the national animal of Pakistan retrieved 27 March 2016^
  7. Bullfighting www.britannica.com, 2025-03-18, retrieved 2025-03-20^
  8. Why Do Bulls Charge When they See Red? livescience.com, 2012-02-06, retrieved 2025-03-20^
  9. The Legend of the Cockerel of Barcelos www.visitportugal.com, retrieved 2025-03-20^
  10. Jentz, Thomas; Doyle, Hilary (1993). Kingtiger Heavy Tank 1942–45. Osprey Publishing. p. 23. ISBN 185532282X.^
  11. Italia!. Leaders of the Pack: symbolism of the wolf in Italy Italy Travel and Life, 2023-12-20, retrieved 2025-03-19^
  12. Wolf Mythology: Rome & Italy. Divine wolves among the Etruscans, Romans and across ancient Italy (Hirpi Sorani, Suri, Aita, Calu, Aplu, Juno, lupa romana, lupercalia Homepage Ralph Häussler, retrieved 2025-03-19^
  13. Nick. GreekMythologyTours - Aphrodite Symbol: Unveiling the Power and Meaning Behind It greekmythologytours.com, retrieved 2025-03-20^
  14. Annie Krug. Why Doves are the Symbol of Peace and Other Dove Facts Chirp Nature Center, 2022-12-06, retrieved 2025-03-20^
  15. Hippopotamus awf.org^
  16. Israel's National Bird www.palyam.org, retrieved 2025-03-19^
  17. Kangaroos Bush Heritage Australia, retrieved 2025-03-19^
  18. http://xw.qq.com/games/20150606003325/GAM2015060600332500 xw.qq.com, 6 June 2015, retrieved 5 August 2017^
  19. Year Hare Affair: Burning Snow by Honvedguy itch.io, retrieved 2025-07-22^
  20. 那兔之知识大会 Latest Version for Android/iOS APK TapTap, retrieved 2025-07-22^
  21. 网民为什么会把中国称为"兔子" The Paper, 1 August 2015, retrieved 8 October 2021^
  22. https://www.south-insight.com/node/218192 South-insight.com, May 7, 2016, retrieved August 7, 2017^
  23. Oiwan Lam. Why Some Chinese Fail to See Racism in Qiaobi's Viral Detergent Commercial Global Voices Online, June 1, 2016, retrieved August 7, 2017^
  24. https://thediplomat.com/2018/03/the-danger-of-chinas-war-of-words/^
  25. https://globalvoices.org/2017/04/09/controversial-chinese-cartoon-year-hare-affair-enters-its-fourth-season/^
  26. Greenpeace: Climate Change Accelerating China's Glacial Retreat 20 November 2018^
  27. Hongrui Li. Five popular new Chinese animation series China Daily, 16 March 2017, retrieved 3 August 2017^