Sanmao () is a manhua character created by Zhang Leping in 1935. He is one of the world's longest running cartoon characters and remains a landmark as one of the most famous and beloved fictional characters in China today.
The name Sanmao means "three hairs" in Chinese or "three mao" (a reference to his poverty). While the character has undergone a number of transitions over time, he has always been drawn with the trademark three strands of hair, which implies malnutrition as a result of poverty.
History
Most Chinese comic books prior to Sanmao featured adults and the Sanmao stories were also unusual in that they lacked dialogue and could therefore be classified as pantomime comics. When Zhang Leping created the manhua comic series, his main goal was to dramatize the confusion brought about to society by the Second Sino-Japanese War. He wanted to express his concern for the young victims of the war, particularly the orphans living on the streets. Most of the changes in the characters would come after World War II during the liberation in 1949.
Sanmao's image has evolved throughout time and in some modern continuation of the comics, he is depicted as a healthy, normal student.China Daily. "China Daily ." "Sanmao Chinas favorite son turns 70." Retrieved on 2007-01-09. The character has also been portrayed as living through some of the most important periods in Chinese history and during futuristic space explorations.
Sanmao was chosen as the mascot of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, which were held in Shanghai.
Adaptations
The character made his first appearance in comics and was later adapted into different formats.Sanmao Official Website. "Sanmao." "Production Listing." Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
Chinese title English title Year Type Location Studio 2006 Online game China Wanderings of Sanmao 2006 Cartoon ChinaThailand Shanghai Animation Film Studio 2005 Stage production China 2005 3D China 2004 Film China 2000 Theatrical Hong Kong 1999 TV series China Adventures of Sanmao 1997 Stage production Hong Kong Adventures of Sanmao 19961998 TV series ChinaThailand Shanghai Film Studio San Mao Joins the Army 1992 Film China Adventures of Sanmao 1990 Drama China Adventures of Sanmao 1984 Cartoon China 1958 Film China Adventures of Sanmao 1958 Animated film China The Adventures of Sanmao the Waif 1949 Live-action film China Kunlun Film Company
Influence and legacy The renowned Taiwanese writer Chen Mao Ping (1943–91) chose "Sanmao" as her pen name in reference to the character. The Hong Kong movie star Sammo Hung Kam-Bo was given the name Sammo because of his supposed resemblance to Sanmao.漫畫 Further reading Farquhar, Mary Ann. "Sanmao: Classic Cartoons and Chinese Popular Culture" In Asian Popular Culture edited by John A. Lent (1995). Cunningham, Maura. "Sanmao Saturday: Introducing Zhang Leping and His Sanmao the Orphan Comics", blog 30 Aug 2014. Cunningham, Maura. "Sanmao Learns from Lei Feng", blog 5 March 2013. References
External links "Sanmao, China's favorite son turns 70" - China Daily Sanmao website Official Sanmao website Sammao comic strips, photos, movie clips and history AsiaObscura.com