Dragonkeeper
The fate of ancient China rests on the shoulders of one young girl, who must find the last remaining dragon egg and fulfill her destiny.
The film commercial failure against its mid-range budget of $25.6M, earning $6.2M globally (-76% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the animation genre.
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%)
Dragonkeeper (2024) showcases precise story structure, characteristic of Jian-Ping Li's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Ping
Danzi
Diao
Master Lan
Main Cast & Characters
Ping
Played by Mayalinee Griffiths
A young slave girl who discovers her destiny as a dragonkeeper and must protect the last imperial dragon.
Danzi
Played by Bill Nighy
An ancient imperial dragon who becomes Ping's mentor and companion on her journey.
Diao
Played by Anthony Howell
A mischievous rat who accompanies Ping and provides comic relief throughout her quest.
Master Lan
Played by Don Hany
The elderly dragonkeeper who initially oversees the dragons before Ping takes his place.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ping works as a slave girl at Huangling Palace, trapped in a life of servitude, tending to the Emperor's dying dragons with no hope of freedom.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Ping discovers that the last dragon, Danzi, is being mistreated and is dying. She finds a dragon stone that must be protected, and realizes the dragons are being intentionally killed.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Ping makes the active choice to help Danzi escape from the palace, stealing away in the night with the ancient dragon and the precious dragon stone, leaving her slave life behind forever., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The Emperor's dragon hunter Diao closes in on them, and Ping learns that Danzi is dying. The dragon stone must reach a safe haven or dragons will vanish forever. The stakes are raised and the journey becomes desperate., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Diao captures Danzi and the dragon stone. Ping is separated from her dragon companion and left alone. Danzi appears to be dying, and Ping believes she has failed in her duty as dragon keeper., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ping realizes that she IS a true dragon keeper, not because of her status but because of her compassion and connection with Danzi. She synthesizes everything she's learned and finds the courage to face the Emperor's forces., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Dragonkeeper's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Dragonkeeper against these established plot points, we can identify how Jian-Ping Li utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Dragonkeeper within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ping works as a slave girl at Huangling Palace, trapped in a life of servitude, tending to the Emperor's dying dragons with no hope of freedom.
Theme
Master Lan tells Ping that true strength comes from within and that even the smallest person can change the world, establishing the film's theme of self-worth and destiny.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the world of ancient China where dragons are dying out, the Emperor's palace hierarchy, Ping's harsh life as a slave, and the deteriorating state of the dragon care under corrupt Master Lan.
Disruption
Ping discovers that the last dragon, Danzi, is being mistreated and is dying. She finds a dragon stone that must be protected, and realizes the dragons are being intentionally killed.
Resistance
Ping debates whether to help Danzi escape despite the danger. Danzi mentors her about dragon lore and the importance of the dragon stone. Ping struggles with fear of punishment versus doing what's right.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ping makes the active choice to help Danzi escape from the palace, stealing away in the night with the ancient dragon and the precious dragon stone, leaving her slave life behind forever.
Mirror World
Ping and Danzi form a genuine bond on their journey. Their relationship becomes the heart of the story, with Danzi teaching Ping about courage, destiny, and believing in herself.
Premise
The adventure of dragon and girl traveling together across ancient China. Ping learns dragon keeper skills, they evade pursuers, encounter magical elements, and Ping discovers her natural gift for understanding dragons.
Midpoint
The Emperor's dragon hunter Diao closes in on them, and Ping learns that Danzi is dying. The dragon stone must reach a safe haven or dragons will vanish forever. The stakes are raised and the journey becomes desperate.
Opposition
Diao and the Emperor's forces close in relentlessly. Danzi grows weaker. Ping's inexperience causes problems. Her self-doubt returns as she questions whether she's truly capable of being a dragon keeper.
Collapse
Diao captures Danzi and the dragon stone. Ping is separated from her dragon companion and left alone. Danzi appears to be dying, and Ping believes she has failed in her duty as dragon keeper.
Crisis
Ping faces her dark night of the soul, believing she is just a worthless slave girl who was foolish to think she could save dragons. She must process her grief and failure.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ping realizes that she IS a true dragon keeper, not because of her status but because of her compassion and connection with Danzi. She synthesizes everything she's learned and finds the courage to face the Emperor's forces.
Synthesis
Ping executes a daring rescue of Danzi, confronts Diao and the corrupt system, protects the dragon stone, and ensures the future of dragons. She uses both her learned skills and her innate compassion.
Transformation
Ping stands as a confident dragon keeper, having transformed from a powerless slave into someone who saved the last dragon and secured the future of dragonkind. She has found her true purpose and self-worth.