The second season of "Yao-Chinese Folktales" premiered on January 1, 2026, quickly drawing widespread attention. Produced by Shanghai Animation Film Studio, Bilibili, and Chen Liaoyu Studio, the series builds on the success of the first season in 2023, which became a cultural phenomenon and amassed 260 million views on Bilibili. 

Like Season 1, the new series features nine animated shorts—each done independently by a different director and released every week. Twelve Chinese directors lent their unique styles, delivering diverse stories, visuals, and original characters that have built a fantastical folktale universe rooted in Chinese culture and imagination. Chen Liaoyu is the general director of both seasons. 

Our reporter Yang Yan—who covered the opening season—recently returned to Chen Liaoyu Studio to sit down with the show's general director and two episode directors for an illuminating interview.