When the opening scenes of Gints Zilbalodis' Flow began to play on the screen, a sense of déjà vu washed over me. The image of a small black cat with large, wide eyes frantically navigating a lush green forest during a terrifying disaster seemed familiar. The panicked animals, the feeling of a nightmare closing in, and the contrast between the cat's cartoonish style and its genuine feline reactions to danger all struck a chord. Eventually, I realized the reason - I was recalling the opening scenes of China's 2019 animated fantasy The Legend of Hei.

Introduction to The Legend of Hei

The Legend of Hei begins in a serene place, with Hei the black cat peacefully resting in his forest home, communicating with the little nature spirits. However, once trouble starts, events unfold rapidly. It's easy to get lost if you're not familiar with his world.For viewers who prefer to experience movies without spoilers, this voyage of discovery is a delightful one. But beware, even a basic discussion of the movie can touch on things it doesn't initially reveal. What starts as a cute animal story quickly transforms into an epic adventure filled with intense supernatural battles and a touch of melancholy about the environment, which blends well with Flow's gentle elegiac tone.

Visual Contrast in The Legend of Hei

Although the opening scenes of The Legend of Hei may seem visually simple, it mirrors Flow by placing a visually streamlined, cartoonish character in the midst of more elaborate backdrops. This contrast between his stripped-down look and the vastness of the world around him is a key element.Hei first appeared in a 2011 animated Chinese web series called The Legend of Luo Xiaohei, which expanded into comics in 2015 and eventually became a mobile game. The different translations and confusion online make searching a bit tricky. But the movie itself stands on its own quite well.

Hei's Complexity

Hei is not just a cat; he's a young cat spirit displaced by construction in his forest. Compared to humans his age, he's a capable fighter but lacks discipline and experience. Just like the black cat in Flow, he follows his instincts in danger, vacillating between fighting and fleeing. He's also a belligerent and proud little cat who leans towards fighting. This gets him into trouble time and again.He finds himself trapped between different spirit factions. Some resent humanity's encroachment and want to take back their lands, while others have different agendas. Initially, he sympathizes with those who show him kindness and feed him - a very cat-like trait.

Unpredictable Storytelling

One of the greatest pleasures of The Legend of Hei is its unpredictability. It doesn't tip its hand in terms of which side Hei should choose or which side is truly good. This isn't a simple good-versus-evil story but one about powerful supernatural forces. When they clash, the movie takes on a thrilling and nerve-wracking tone, far different from the opening forest sequences. It echoes the ideas of Studio Ghibli co-founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata.Some themes in The Legend of Hei feel familiar from Takahata's Pom Poko, about displaced forest spirits dealing with humanity's expansion. While Pom Poko is more comedic, both share a sense of righteous anger and unpredictability. By the end, The Legend of Hei resembles Suzume or other anime and donghua movies where great magical powers clash in a city setting.

Different Animation Styles

Flow and The Legend of Hei are radically different in animation style. Flow is wordless, while The Legend of Hei features characters starting battles with manifestos. But the core idea of a world out of balance and a small, vulnerable cat caught in forces beyond his control remains the same.Flow feels like an alternate path for The Legend of Hei, starting in the same place and exploring similar themes but examining them from a different perspective. Both movies are heartfelt and sweet, alternating between frantic action and moments of mournful quiet emotion. They're about unlikely bonds and found families and the difficulty of dealing with others' needs and desires.Flow is currently in limited release in New York and Los Angeles and will expand to wide release on Dec. 6. The Legend of Hei is streaming on Crunchyroll, Tubi, and Plex and is available for digital rental or purchase on various platforms.