Our Shining Days (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Chen Jing and her fellow students defend the Chinese Orchestra through performance, protest, and collaboration, earning recognition and a future for the program.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Rival Orchestras and a New Band

The Chinese and Classical Orchestra students look down on one another. Chen Jing falls for Wang Wen and forms an ensemble, recruiting students who join after she promises them expensive action figures.

Key Events

• Orchestras Clash — Students in the Chinese and Classical orchestras trade insults and display mutual prejudice. Location: Music school
• Chen Jing Falls for Wang Wen — Chen Jing develops feelings for the piano prodigy Wang Wen. Characters: Chen Jing, Wang Wen Location: Music school
• A New Ensemble Takes Shape — Chen Jing forms an ensemble to prove the value of Chinese instruments to Wang Wen. Characters: Chen Jing, Li You Location: Music school
• The Figurine Promise — Four Otaku students agree to join after Chen Jing promises to buy them expensive figures. Characters: Chen Jing, Li You Location: Music school
• Naming 2.5 Dimension — The ensemble takes a name combining the Otaku members' second-dimensional identity with the three-dimensional world. Characters: Chen Jing, Li You Location: Music school

A Performance and a Rejection

The ensemble wins over a convention crowd after an initially cold response. Wang Wen then publicly rejects Chen Jing and traditional Chinese music, leaving her ready to disband the band.

Key Events

• Convention Performance — After an initially rejecting response, the convention crowd cheers for the ensemble. Characters: Chen Jing, Li You Location: Animation, Comics, and Games convention
• Wang Wen Rejects the Music — Wang Wen publicly rejects Chen Jing and traditional Chinese music after she performs for him. Characters: Chen Jing, Wang Wen Location: Music school
• The Band Faces Disbandment — Crushed by Wang Wen's rejection, Chen Jing decides to disband the ensemble; the Otaku members refuse her parting gift. Characters: Chen Jing, Li You Location: Music school

The Fight to Preserve the Orchestra

The band's members refuse Chen Jing's attempt to part ways, and her mother reminds her of her bond with the yangqin. When the school announces plans to phase out the Chinese Orchestra, students protest and arrange a competition.

Key Events

• A Mother's Reminder — Mrs. Chen reminds Chen Jing that the yangqin is part of her identity and encourages her not to abandon it. Characters: Chen Jing, Mrs. Chen Location: Chen Jing's home
• The Program Is Threatened — The school head announces plans to admit no new students and phase out the Chinese Orchestra program. Characters: Chen Jing Location: Music school
• Students Protest — The original ensemble members and other students protest the planned phaseout of the Chinese Orchestra. Characters: Chen Jing, Li You Location: Music school
• A Musical Competition Is Set — After the school head refuses the protest, the students arrange a competition with the Classical Orchestra. Characters: Chen Jing, Wang Wen Location: Music school

Recognition and Renewal

The orchestras perform for an inspector, and their competition ends in a tie that earns mutual respect. They later perform together at a live youth concert to high praise, and incoming freshmen show interest in the Chinese Orchestra.

Key Events

• Orchestras Play for an Inspector — Both orchestras perform for an inspector, and the Chinese Orchestra matches well with the Classical students. Characters: Chen Jing, Wang Wen Location: Music school
• A Tie Earns Respect — The competition is declared a tie, and the two orchestras gain mutual respect. Characters: Chen Jing, Wang Wen Location: Outside the music school
• A Live Concert Surprise — With help from the Classical Orchestra, the Chinese Orchestra sneaks in to perform after the scheduled performers during a live broadcast and earns high praise. Characters: Chen Jing, Li You, Wang Wen Location: Public youth concert
• New Students Arrive — The ending shows incoming freshmen, including students eager to learn in the reprieved Chinese Orchestra. Characters: Chen Jing Location: Music school

Story Breakdown

• Orchestra Rivalry — The Chinese and Classical Orchestra students begin from mutual prejudice.
  • Mutual Insults — Students call the other orchestra tacky or pretentious.
  • Wang Wen's Prejudice — Wang Wen initially looks down on Chinese instruments.
• Chen Jing's Ambition — Chen Jing's feelings for Wang Wen spur her to prove herself musically.
  • A New Ensemble — Chen Jing sets out to form her own ensemble.
  • Li You's Support — Her best friend Li You joins, though he secretly loves her.
• The Otaku Band — Four Otaku students join the ensemble and help shape its identity.
  • Figurine Promise — The students initially agree to join in exchange for expensive action figures.
  • 2.5 Dimension — The band name reflects a blend of the second and third dimensions.
• Public Performance — The ensemble faces audiences and Wang Wen, with sharply different responses.
  • Convention Applause — After initial rejection, the convention crowd cheers for the band.
  • Wang Wen Rejects Them — Wang Wen publicly rejects Chen Jing and traditional Chinese music.
• The Orchestra's Future — Chen Jing regains resolve as students confront the threat to their program.
  • A Mother's Reminder — Mrs. Chen tells her daughter that the yangqin is part of her.
  • Student Protest — Students protest the plan to phase out the Chinese Orchestra.
• Musical Recognition — The orchestras demonstrate their abilities and develop mutual respect.
  • Competition with Classical Orchestra — Students arrange a musical competition after the school head refuses their appeal.
  • Inspector's Visit — Both orchestras play for an inspector, and the contest ends in a tie.
• A Future for the Music — A joint effort brings public praise and renewed interest in the Chinese Orchestra.
  • Live Youth Concert — The Chinese Orchestra performs after the other acts during a live broadcast and receives high praise.
  • Incoming Freshmen — New students arrive, including some eager to learn in the reprieved orchestra.

Directed by

Wang Ran

Key Cast

• Xu Lu — Chen Jing
• Peng Yuchang — Li You
• Liu Yongxi — Xiao Haze
• Li Nuo — Sakura
• Lu Zhaohua — Beibei