Film based on animated series set for release

Poster of Rainbow Sea [Photo provided to China Daily]

Six years after the animated series Rainbow Sea created a sensation online, a feature-length animated movie based on the series is to hit internet in August.

The film, which is a blend of science fiction and fantasy, is about a place filled with diamonds and gold.

The movie will see the return of the teenager protagonists Maidang and Diya alongside Gudong, an alien planet ruler.

The 26-episode animated series, which won the best originality award at the 15th Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival in 2011, has been watched more than 150 million times online.

Director Hu Yibo says the upcoming movie will be released on the video-streaming site iQiyi.com on Aug 11.

Sequels are in pipeline with two scripts ready.