Dahufa
A warrior named Dahufa goes to save his prince from a dystopian village. He finds the dystopian village ruled by a fake god and his guards. In order to save the prince, Dahufa has to defeat the god and his men, and disclose the whole conspiracy.
The film earned $13.0M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Dahufa (2017) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Busifan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dahufa, the warrior protector, travels through a surreal landscape on his mission. We see him as a capable, duty-bound fighter dedicated to finding the missing prince.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Dahufa witnesses the brutal "reaping" process where peanut-people are systematically killed and harvested. This violent revelation disrupts his simple search mission and exposes the dark truth of Peanut Town.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Dahufa discovers the prince has become complicit in the regime—a false victory turns to defeat. The prince is not a prisoner but a participant, complicating Dahufa's mission and raising the stakes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Major casualties occur as the regime launches a brutal crackdown. Xiao Jiang faces mortal danger, and the awakening movement seems crushed. The "whiff of death" is literal as innocents are massacred., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Final confrontation with the Grand Master and the regime. Dahufa fights alongside awakened peanut-people who now understand their own agency. The system of control is dismantled through both combat and enlightenment., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Dahufa's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Dahufa against these established plot points, we can identify how Busifan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Dahufa within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dahufa, the warrior protector, travels through a surreal landscape on his mission. We see him as a capable, duty-bound fighter dedicated to finding the missing prince.
Theme
A character mentions the nature of control and ignorance: those who don't think are easier to control. This establishes the film's exploration of consciousness, free will, and authoritarian control.
Worldbuilding
Dahufa arrives at Peanut Town, a strange village inhabited by peanut-shaped people. The world's rules are established: the inhabitants are kept ignorant, black flowers mark those to be "reaped," and a mysterious regime controls everything.
Disruption
Dahufa witnesses the brutal "reaping" process where peanut-people are systematically killed and harvested. This violent revelation disrupts his simple search mission and exposes the dark truth of Peanut Town.
Resistance
Dahufa debates whether to get involved in the town's affairs while continuing his search. He encounters Xiao Jiang, a young peanut-person who is beginning to question reality, and observes the oppressive system more closely.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Dahufa explores the full conspiracy: the Grand Master's control system, the hidden ant colony harvesting operations, and the true nature of the peanut-people. He fights enforcers while uncovering layers of deception.
Midpoint
Dahufa discovers the prince has become complicit in the regime—a false victory turns to defeat. The prince is not a prisoner but a participant, complicating Dahufa's mission and raising the stakes.
Opposition
The regime intensifies its efforts to eliminate Dahufa and suppress the awakening peanut-people. Hidden assassin attacks increase. The Grand Master tightens control as more peanut-people begin questioning their existence.
Collapse
Major casualties occur as the regime launches a brutal crackdown. Xiao Jiang faces mortal danger, and the awakening movement seems crushed. The "whiff of death" is literal as innocents are massacred.
Crisis
Dahufa confronts the cost of consciousness and rebellion. The surviving peanut-people grapple with despair and whether awakening was worth the price. Dark reflection on the nature of freedom and sacrifice.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Final confrontation with the Grand Master and the regime. Dahufa fights alongside awakened peanut-people who now understand their own agency. The system of control is dismantled through both combat and enlightenment.