Utopai studios and Huace film & TV have partnered to create “Journey to the West: The Lost Five Hundred Years,” a fully AI-generated animated series based on the famous chinese classic ‘Journey to the West’.

According to an Utopai studios press release, the series will tell the untold story of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, and explore what happened before he became the protector of the monk Tang Sanzang. It will focus on the origins of the legendary characters and their journey before the events of the original story.

Huace will produce the series using PAI, Utopai Studios’ AI-powered storytelling system. Utopai will handle the distribution of the series outside China.

The first season is being developed for television, streaming platforms, and digital release. the companies also plan to expand the project into a larger franchise, including future animated films.

The story follows Jin Chanzi, a celestial monk who is forced to live through multiple lifetimes to complete an important mission. during his journey, he must find and unite the companions who are destined to help him, including the powerful Monkey King.

According to the makers, the series will offer a fresh take on one of China’s most famous legends while keeping its themes of friendship, destiny, sacrifice, redemption, and self-discovery.

The project is the first major series to come from the partnership between Utopai Studios and Huace, which aims to use AI technology to create large-scale animated stories for audiences around the world.