Ants Animation Studio

Founded in Shenzhen as a preparatory animation team in 2005 and formally incorporated in 2006, Shenzhen Xiaolongyan Animation Design Co., Ltd. was a Chinese CG animation studio previously known internationally as Ants Animation Studios. It developed original character IP and animated entertainment while also delivering outsourced CG work for games, advertising and architectural visualisation.

Its production capabilities covered the 3D animation pipeline, including concept and character design, storyboarding, modelling and texturing, rigging, lighting, rendering, stereoscopic CGI and game cinematics. The studio also worked on commercial video production, digital visualisation and explainer content for entertainment, games, advertising, property and e-learning markets.

Original animation and production work

The studio created original 3D comedy series Eat, Sleep, Hit Bean, including Bean Agent and Crazy Dinosaur, alongside its character brand Doudou. It later produced the stereoscopic CG feature Tofu, directed by founder Zou Yi and released in Chinese cinemas in 2017.

• Original 3D/CGI animated features and web series
• Character-IP development and design
• CG game outsourcing and promotional cinematics
• Architectural, real-estate and commercial visualisation

In 2014, Kingkey Group acquired the business and it subsequently operated under the Kingkey Animation brand. The legal entity was renamed Shenzhen Kingkey Animation Design Co., Ltd. in 2017, then transferred to Shenzhen Xiaolongyan Culture Co., Ltd. and renamed Shenzhen Xiaolongyan Animation Design Co., Ltd. in 2021.

The company ceased commercial production after this restructuring, filed for liquidation in November 2024 and was formally deregistered in April 2025. Its historical official website is no longer operating.