Older characters in Chinese animated films: A content analysis of their portrayal

Children’s stereotypes of older adults are shaped by direct interactions and mediated representations in entertainment. As a hybrid of education and entertainment, animated films critically shape children’s perceptions of aging. Grounded in Cultivation Theory, this study conducted a content analysis of 51 popular Chinese animated films released since 2000.The findings reveal that older characters are predominantly depicted in a positive light, frequently associated with traits such as friendliness and wisdom, good physical health, and archetypes like the “Perfect Grandparent” and the “sage”. This contrasts with Disney films, where nearly half of older characters are represented negatively, with a notable trend of casting older individuals, particularly men, as villains. Despite the overall positive tone, the study identifies several enduring issues. Older women remain doubly marginalized, both in terms of numerical underrepresentation and the superficial nature of their characterizations. Moreover, older characters, regardless of gender, generally occupy supporting or background roles, lacking narrative agency or central significance. These patterns highlight structural biases in animated storytelling that may influence how children perceive aging. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on age representation in media and underscores the importance of diverse, multidimensional portrayals of older adults in children’s content.