Dates and Times
14 May 2026
12:30 - 13:30
Event for
Location
Organiser
Centre for Cultural and Creative Research (CCCR), Faculty of Art and Design
Speakers
Sharpay Wu
Enquiry
Event about:
Culture and Creativity Seminar – The Construction of Imagined Communities through Bilibili Danmu Commentaries: Case Studies of ‘Year Hare Affair’ (2015-2019) and ‘Yao-Chinese Folktales’ (2023)
Speaker: Sharpay Wu
Date\Time: Thursday 14 May 2026, 12:30-13:30
Location: Building 1 Level A Room 1A21, University of Canberra (NB Room 1a21 is accessed from the foyer joining Building 1 and );
or Zoom:
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.
All are welcome!
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.
The Culture and Creativity Seminar Series is hosted by the Centre for Cultural and Creative Research (CCCR), Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra. To discover upcoming seminars, please follow us on Facebook @uccccr, or Instagram and Twitter @uc_cccr. Alternatively, join our mailing list by emailing cccr@canberra.edu.au.
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ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú acknowledges the Ngunnawal people, traditional custodians of the lands where Bruce campus is situated. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of Canberra and the region. We also acknowledge all other First Nations Peoples on whose lands we gather.