Wish Dragon
Determined teen Din is longing to reconnect with his childhood best friend when he meets a wish-granting dragon who shows him the magic of possibilities.
The film earned $25.9M 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%)
Wish Dragon (2021) exhibits strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Chris Appelhans'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 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Din works as a delivery driver in modern Shanghai, living in a cramped apartment, separated from his childhood friend Li Na who now lives in the wealthy part of the city. He dreams of reconnecting with her but is trapped by class divide.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Din discovers a magical teapot containing Long, a wish-granting dragon. Long reveals that Din has three wishes. This mystical disruption gives Din the potential power to transcend his social status and reconnect with Li Na.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Din makes his first wish to become wealthy so he can attend Li Na's birthday party and fit into her world. He actively chooses to use magic to cross the class divide, transforming into a rich young man and entering the world of the elite., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Pockets and his crew corner Din and discover the teapot. A false defeat: the stakes raise dramatically as the antagonist now has the power, and Din realizes his deception is becoming harder to maintain as Li Na expects authenticity from him., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Li Na discovers Din's true identity and that he's been lying to her all along. She feels betrayed and walks away. Din loses both the girl and his integrity. Long is recaptured by Pockets. The death of the friendship and Din's dreams., demonstrates 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. Din realizes he must be his authentic self and save Long not with wishes, but with courage and friendship. He synthesizes the lesson: true connection comes from being genuine. He chooses to rescue Long without magic, as his true self., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Wish Dragon'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 Wish Dragon against these established plot points, we can identify how Chris Appelhans utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Wish Dragon within the animation genre.
Chris Appelhans's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Chris Appelhans films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Wish Dragon exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Chris Appelhans filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Chris Appelhans analyses, see KPop Demon Hunters.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Din works as a delivery driver in modern Shanghai, living in a cramped apartment, separated from his childhood friend Li Na who now lives in the wealthy part of the city. He dreams of reconnecting with her but is trapped by class divide.
Theme
Din's father (in flashback) tells young Din that true friendship transcends wealth and status, and that what matters is who you are inside, not what you have. This establishes the film's central theme about authenticity vs. material wishes.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Din's humble life as a delivery driver, his friendship with Mr. Wang, flashbacks to his childhood bond with Li Na, and the contrast between his working-class world and her new elite lifestyle. We see Li Na preparing for her birthday party in her wealthy environment.
Disruption
Din discovers a magical teapot containing Long, a wish-granting dragon. Long reveals that Din has three wishes. This mystical disruption gives Din the potential power to transcend his social status and reconnect with Li Na.
Resistance
Din debates what to wish for while Long explains the rules of wish-granting. Long pushes Din to make wishes while Din resists, unsure if he should use magic to solve his problems. Introduces the antagonist Pockets and his crew who are searching for the teapot.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Din makes his first wish to become wealthy so he can attend Li Na's birthday party and fit into her world. He actively chooses to use magic to cross the class divide, transforming into a rich young man and entering the world of the elite.
Mirror World
Din (disguised as a wealthy suitor) reconnects with Li Na at her party. Their renewed friendship/romance subplot begins, which will teach Din that Li Na values authenticity over wealth. Long observes and begins to care about Din beyond just granting wishes.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Din pretending to be wealthy, going on adventures with Li Na around Shanghai, evading Pockets and his crew, and bonding with Long. Din enjoys the high life while Long experiences human connection. The promise of a magical wish-granting comedy delivers.
Midpoint
Pockets and his crew corner Din and discover the teapot. A false defeat: the stakes raise dramatically as the antagonist now has the power, and Din realizes his deception is becoming harder to maintain as Li Na expects authenticity from him.
Opposition
Din must retrieve the teapot from Pockets while maintaining his disguise with Li Na. The criminals use wishes selfishly, creating chaos. Din's lies compound as Li Na pushes for deeper connection. Long faces his own crisis about his eternal servitude and growing attachment to Din.
Collapse
Li Na discovers Din's true identity and that he's been lying to her all along. She feels betrayed and walks away. Din loses both the girl and his integrity. Long is recaptured by Pockets. The death of the friendship and Din's dreams.
Crisis
Din processes his failure, realizing he betrayed the very values his father taught him and that Li Na always valued. He sits in darkness, having lost everything by trying to be someone he's not. Long also reflects on his own existence in the teapot.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Din realizes he must be his authentic self and save Long not with wishes, but with courage and friendship. He synthesizes the lesson: true connection comes from being genuine. He chooses to rescue Long without magic, as his true self.
Synthesis
Din (as himself) confronts Pockets and his crew to save Long. Action-packed finale where Din uses his street smarts and authentic self rather than wishes. Li Na joins him, seeing his true character. Din uses his final wish to free Long from eternal servitude rather than for personal gain.
Transformation
Din and Li Na reunite as equals, with Din comfortable in his own identity as a delivery driver. Long is free and chooses to remain friends with Din. The closing image mirrors the opening but shows Din transformed: confident in who he is, no longer needing wealth to feel worthy.