As Asia rings in the Lunar New Year, China's beloved animated franchise Boonie Bears has unveiled its most ambitious project yet – a dazzling fantasy metropolis inspired by Chongqing's iconic mountain-city architecture. Celebrating its 12th anniversary this February 2026, the series continues to captivate generations through its unique blend of environmental themes and heartfelt storytelling.
The new special, released ahead of Spring Festival celebrations, transports viewers through the megacity's signature stairway alleys and suspended monorails reimagined as whimsical animal habitats. Production designers tell KhabarAsia this 'urban forest' concept required 18 months of digital modeling using real Chongqing topography data.
"What began as environmental fables has grown into a mirror of China's development," said lead writer Zhang Wei during a recent press event. "Each year, we incorporate new technologies and social themes while keeping the bears' mischievous spirit intact."
Analysts credit the series' longevity to its evolving relevance – recent storylines have addressed renewable energy adoption and cross-generational family dynamics. The 2026 installment reportedly features augmented reality tie-ins allowing viewers to explore virtual Chongqing landmarks through mobile devices.
With merchandise sales surpassing $2 billion USD last year and theme park expansions planned across the Chinese mainland, Boonie Bears continues demonstrating Chinese animation's global potential. As families gather for reunion dinners this week, millions will watch as Bramble and Briar's antics bridge tradition and innovation once more.
