Have you been fascinated by amazing powers such as magic, mystical martial arts, and abilities enabled by advanced technology in scifi and fantasy? In contemporary Chinese SFF, supernatural and superhuman powers transcend genre boundaries, as they can be found for example in fantasy, wuxia (stories about heroic martial artists), and even science fiction.
This panel discussion will feature PhD students focusing on Chinese SFF who will talk about how various Chinese novels, films and games depict different kinds of powers, from fantastical martial arts and qi cultivation to abilities that combine supernatural elements with futuristic technology, and how these are related to the interaction between different genres. In addition, we will also talk about the relationship between fictional supernatural powers and real-life Chinese culture, such as kung fu, tai chi, and qigong.