China's first aigc long series 'post journey to the west' launched with ai-driven production

On September 2, 2026, the first AIGC long series in China, 'Post Journey to the West,' premiered on Mango TV and aired on Hunan Satellite TV's prime time slot. The series, which features no real actors, was developed by Mango TV's AIGC Innovation Content Center and produced by Bojing Culture. According to Mango Super Media Chairman Cai Huaijun, the total cost of the series is a fraction of that of top-tier live-action dramas. The production time was reduced by 70% compared to traditional 3D animation. Cai noted that the creative process involves AI teams transitioning from text-to-image to image-to-video, with directors, writers, and artists still playing key roles in creative control and collaboration. The series, based on a 17th-century anonymous novel, blends the original 40 chapters with narrative elements from the original 'Journey to the West' to form a cohesive sequel. It is the first 'AIGC' series under the '21 Measures' policy, released through a 'review-as-you-produce' model, allowing for real-time adjustments based on feedback. Cai highlighted the series' success in attracting male users, exceeding expectations and showcasing AI's potential to expand audience demographics.