Two alternate images of the main characters in Pingtan's first original animation Qilin's Adventure.

Alternate images of main characters in Pingtan's first original animated TV show Qilin's Adventure were unveiled at a conference held by the Pingtan culture and sports bureau on May 21.

The animation features Qilin, a kindhearted youngster, and Chen Lan, a 22-year-old graduate student in archaeology carrying out a study project in Pingtan. Another mysterious character named Fan Ni hails from the Netherlands.

In one of the alternative images, Qilin is a trendily dressed handsome man while Chen is a charming lady with a ponytail.

Neither the images nor the storyline have been decided, according to the producers.

"We have created more than 20 alternative images of Qilin. Right now, after three rounds of screening, we still have to pick one out of five or six," said He Linrong, vice-general manager of Shuimu Animation Ltd, producer of the animated project.

Zeng Tao, winner of the Bingxin Prize for Children's Literature, is the head writer of the animation. She and her team have been living in Pingtan for more local experience since last year.

"Besides the glorious history, we hope the animation can also depict a new, modern Pingtan," said Zeng.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Michael Thai