Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
When cat spirit Luo Xiaohei's home is deforested by humans, he must find a new one. He runs into a group of other spirit creatures who take him under their wing with dreams of reconquering the land they say is rightfully theirs. However, they run into a human known as Wuxian who separates Luo Xiaohei from the other spirits and the two go on a journey, with the cat spirit learning to control his abilities as well as forming his own thoughts on whether or not he should ally with the spirits or the humans.
The Legend of Hei is a visually stunning Chinese animated film that stands apart with its fluid, expressive animation and deeply atmospheric world-building. The cinematography earns a top mark for its breathtaking action sequences and lush environmental detail that rival top-tier anime studios. Novelty is also high — the film blends traditional Chinese folklore with a distinctly modern, emotionally nuanced sensibility, resulting in a singular voice that feels genuinely fresh in the animated fantasy space. The plot, while engaging and thematically rich in its environmental and moral dilemmas, follows a somewhat familiar journey-and-belonging arc that limits it to above average. Voice acting is competent and emotionally resonant but not exceptional. The ending resolves satisfyingly but not memorably, wrapping up Xiaohei's arc without a truly surprising or resonant final note.