Sanmao (comics)
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". 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. 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.| Chinese title | English title | Year | Type | Location | Studio |
| 三毛欢乐派 | 2006 | Online game | China | - | |
| 三毛流浪记 | Wanderings of Sanmao | 2006 | Cartoon | China Thailand | Shanghai Animation Film Studio |
| 三毛从军记 | 2005 | Stage production | China | - | |
| 虚拟导游三毛 | 2005 | 3D | China | - | |
| 三毛救孤记 | 2004 | Film | China | - | |
| 三毛太空漫游 | 2000 | Theatrical | Hong Kong | - | |
| 三毛新传 | 1999 | TV series | China | - | |
| 三毛流浪记 | Adventures of Sanmao | 1997 | Stage production | Hong Kong | - |
| 三毛流浪记 | Adventures of Sanmao | 1996 1998 | TV series | China Thailand | Shanghai Film Studio |
| 三毛从军记 | San Mao Joins the Army | 1992 | Film | China | - |
| 三毛流浪记 | Adventures of Sanmao | 1990 | Drama | China | - |
| 三毛流浪记 | Adventures of Sanmao | 1984 | Cartoon | China | - |
| 三毛学生意 | 1958 | Film | China | - | |
| 三毛流浪记 | Adventures of Sanmao | 1958 | Animated film | China | - |
| 三毛流浪记 | The Adventures of Sanmao the Waif | 1949 | Live-action film | China | Kunlun Film Company |
Influence and legacy
- The renowned Taiwanese writer Chen Mao Ping 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.