Recently, the AI-generated short film Huo Qubing became a viral sensation across the Internet, as it was claimed to be “made by 3 people in 48 hours, cost 3,000 yuan, and attracted over 500 million views,” sparking widespread attention. Subsequently, director Yang Hanhan clarified that the 3,000 yuan only covered computing power costs and did not include labor expenses. The actual production team had nearly 20 members, the short film was only 4 to 6 minutes long with no 80-episode series planned, and the “500 million views” figure could not be independently verified.
The short film was produced using the “Nano Animation Assembly Line” launched by 360 Group. Behind it, AI video generation models such as Seedance 2.0 are driving cost reduction and efficiency gains in film and television production. Currently, AI-generated animation series have become an industry trend. Major companies including Tencent and ByteDance, as well as several listed firms, have entered the field. In 2026, the proportion of AI-generated human-like dramas has risen significantly. However, the industry still faces challenges such as content homogenization, computing power shortages, and a talent gap. High-quality content and original creativity remain core competitive advantages.