Abstract
Bilibili isa popular Chinese video-streaming platform known for its synchronised Danmu commentary system which is particularly popular with younger audiences. A growing body of literature has explored digital nationalism in the context of Chinese social media participation, with Bilibili offering some important examples. Applying a digital ethnographic lens, I investigate how these Danmu commentary responses reflect both user-generated digital nationalist sentiment and practice, as well as state-led forms of nationalism. Drawing on one episode of the Year Hare Affair (2015-2019) and a trailer for Yao-Chinese Folktales Season 1 (2023), this article argues the responses shared in Danmu comments not only constitute a form of digital nationalism, shaped partly by the values and interests of the Chinese state government, but are also grassroots expressions of ‘imagined communities’, cultural identity, and a sense of belonging.
Bio
Sharpay Qiong Wu is a PhD Candidate at the University of Canberra. After studying commerce and cultural studies at the University of Canberra and the Australian National University, she is now researching Chinese domestic animation production through the lens of cultural and creative industries studies. Her research aims to provide further understanding of how popular cultural and creative practices in China have been shaped by central policies as well as through other cultural, social and economic factors. Her research addresses recent heated discussions surrounding creative industries, digital cultures, soft power and cultural nationalism in China.
This presentation was accompanied by slides. To view the slides head to SharpayWu_Presentation.pptx