Mina – Gan Jing World's Animated Film Streaming on GJW+

13 September 2025

There's something refreshing about seeing a fairy tale that breaks the mold, and "Mina" (also known as "Rebellious") seems to do just that. The CG animated film debuted yesterday on Gan Jing World's GJW+ streaming platform, and I have to say, the narrative approach captivated me from the very beginning.

The story begins with a classic structure we all know: a princess kidnapped by an evil wizard, a father who promises his daughter's hand and the kingdom to whoever saves her. So far, familiar territory. But here's the twist that makes everything interesting: while the suitors embark on their heroic adventure, Princess Mina decides that waiting is not for her. Together with the other captive princesses, she takes matters into her own hands.

It's a narrative twist that works because it doesn't completely reject fairy tale conventions, but cleverly overturns them. This isn't the usual "warrior princess who fights like a man" we've seen a thousand times. There's something more subtle here: Mina retains her qualities of leadership and compassion, but actively uses them instead of being subjected to events.

Technically, "Mina" comes from Magic Frame Animation and Creation Entertainment Media, and is directed by Alex Tsitsilin, who many will remember from the "The Snow Queen" series. Tsitsilin has proven his ability to handle animated fantasy stories well, and here he seems to have found an interesting balance between visual spectacle and narrative substance.

The screenplay is by Analisa LaBianco and Jeffery Spencer. LaBianco comes from "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" (not exactly a masterpiece, but he knows how to craft effective dialogue), while Spencer worked on "Secret Magic Control Agency," demonstrating a certain familiarity with family animation. The mix could work, although it remains to be seen how they balance comedy and adventure.

What intrigues me most is the multicultural approach to the characters. Too often in animation we see forced diversity or, conversely, completely homogeneous casts. Here, producer Lidia Chirita talks about "characters from different cultural backgrounds" in a way that seems natural and functional to the story, not just a checkbox to tick.

The voice cast includes Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld, known for her work in anime dubbing, Dan Edwards, and Vanessa Johansson. They're not blockbuster names, but in the world of independent animation, the best results often come from lesser-known actors who focus more on character than image.

Distribution on Gan Jing World is interesting from an industry perspective. It's a platform positioning itself as a "family-friendly" alternative to the streaming giants, focusing on content without additive algorithms. It may seem niche, but considering how concerned parents are about what their children watch online, it could be a smart move.

The launch of "Mina" also coincides with the debut of Gan Jing Kids, a section dedicated to children with a "triple-layer security framework." Without going into technical details, the idea is to create a space where content is truly designed for education as well as entertainment.

Sefi Carmel's music shows promise: her compositions tend to be melodically rich without being intrusive, perfect for supporting a narrative without overwhelming it.

What convinces me about "Mina" is that it doesn't seem to overdo it. It doesn't promise to revolutionize animation or be the film of the year. It simply tells a story of princesses who decide to be the protagonists of their own destinies, with different characters who collaborate rather than compete.

In a landscape where family animation oscillates between commercial cynicism and moralistic preaching, “Mina” seems to aim for something more balanced: intelligent entertainment that respects both children and the adults who watch with them.

It may not be the next Disney phenomenon, but it could be exactly what's needed: a good story, well-told, that leaves viewers with something positive to reflect on. And honestly, in contemporary animation, that's already a lot.