The Legend of Hei
When cat spirit Luo Xiaohei's home is deforested by humans, he must find a new one. He runs into a group of other spirit creatures who take him under their wing with dreams of reconquering the land they say is rightfully theirs. However, they run into a human known as Wuxian who separates Luo Xiaohei from the other spirits and the two go on a journey, with the cat spirit learning to control his abilities as well as forming his own thoughts on whether or not he should ally with the spirits or the humans.
The film earned $48.0M 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%)
The Legend of Hei (2019) exemplifies precise narrative design, characteristic of MTJJ's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 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 Xiaohei lives peacefully in his forest home with other spirits, a small black cat enjoying his natural world before human encroachment destroys it.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Xiaohei's forest is destroyed by human construction, forcing him to flee his home and lose his community of spirits, becoming a refugee in the human world.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Xiaohei chooses to trust Wuxian and travel with him, actively deciding to learn about the human world rather than flee or fight against it., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Xiaohei discovers that Wuxian has been ordered to capture Fengxi and potentially other spirits, creating doubt about whether Wuxian truly cares for him or is just using him. False victory becomes false defeat., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Xiaohei sides with Fengxi against Wuxian, betraying his mentor. The bond between them appears broken, and Xiaohei fully embraces the anti-human path, losing his innocence and trust., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Xiaohei realizes that Wuxian's lesson about coexistence was right - that the path forward requires understanding, not hatred. He chooses to stand against Fengxi to protect both spirits and humans., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Legend of Hei's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Legend of Hei against these established plot points, we can identify how MTJJ utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Legend of Hei 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
Xiaohei lives peacefully in his forest home with other spirits, a small black cat enjoying his natural world before human encroachment destroys it.
Theme
Wuxian tells Xiaohei that not all humans are bad, and that understanding between spirits and humans is possible - the central question of coexistence the film explores.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the world of spirits and humans, the Spirit Guild that regulates their interactions, Xiaohei's powers and innocence, and the conflict between nature spirits and human development.
Disruption
Xiaohei's forest is destroyed by human construction, forcing him to flee his home and lose his community of spirits, becoming a refugee in the human world.
Resistance
Xiaohei resists trusting humans and debates whether to join Wuxian or stay independent. Wuxian mentors him, showing him that the world is more complex than spirits versus humans.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Xiaohei chooses to trust Wuxian and travel with him, actively deciding to learn about the human world rather than flee or fight against it.
Mirror World
Xiaohei meets Fengxi, a powerful spirit who represents the alternative path - one of conflict and rejection of humans. This relationship will challenge Xiaohei's growing trust.
Premise
Xiaohei trains with Wuxian, learns about his powers, experiences the fun of adventure and friendship, and explores both the spirit and human worlds, growing closer to his mentor.
Midpoint
Xiaohei discovers that Wuxian has been ordered to capture Fengxi and potentially other spirits, creating doubt about whether Wuxian truly cares for him or is just using him. False victory becomes false defeat.
Opposition
Fengxi's influence grows stronger on Xiaohei. The Spirit Guild intensifies their hunt. Xiaohei is torn between two father figures - Wuxian and Fengxi - while the conflict between spirits and humans escalates.
Collapse
Xiaohei sides with Fengxi against Wuxian, betraying his mentor. The bond between them appears broken, and Xiaohei fully embraces the anti-human path, losing his innocence and trust.
Crisis
Xiaohei witnesses Fengxi's true destructive nature and realizes the cost of hatred. He processes the consequences of his choice and the pain of betraying Wuxian who truly cared for him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Xiaohei realizes that Wuxian's lesson about coexistence was right - that the path forward requires understanding, not hatred. He chooses to stand against Fengxi to protect both spirits and humans.
Synthesis
Xiaohei confronts Fengxi in final battle, using both his spirit powers and the wisdom Wuxian taught him. He fights not from hatred but from understanding, working with humans to stop destruction.
Transformation
Xiaohei is reunited with Wuxian, having grown from a naive cat spirit into someone who understands that coexistence requires bridge-builders, not warriors. He has found his place between two worlds.