Cultural Capital Reconstruction in the Film and Television Transformation of ACG IPs amid the Mainstreaming of Youth Subculture: A Case Study of Bilibili' s "Jishi Yidao"

Abstract

The mainstreaming of youth subculture, particularly the rapidly expanding cultural and economic influence of Animation, Comic, and Game (ACG) communities, has fundamentally reshaped China's contemporary media landscape. This profound transformation is especially evident in the cross-media adaptation of ACG Intellectual Properties (IPs) into mainstream film and television productions, a complex process that entails a significant reconstruction of cultural capital. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's foundational theoretical framework of capital and field, this study systematically investigates how cultural capital is redefined, reallocated, and re-legitimized when ACG IPs transition from marginalized subcultural niches to the highly competitive mainstream media market. Employing a rigorous case study methodology, this research analyzes Bilibili's widely discussed short film "Jishi Yidao" as a paradigmatic case, meticulously examining its grassroots origins within cosplay communities and its subsequent trajectory into mainstream visibility. The comprehensive findings reveal three interconnected mechanisms of cultural capital reconstruction: the seamless conversion of subcultural symbolic capital into mainstream economic capital through digital platform mediation; the institutional legitimation of previously marginalized subcultural knowledge and aesthetic practices; and the strategic repositioning of dedicated fan communities as active co-producers of cultural value rather than mere passive consumers. Ultimately, this study contributes to broader theoretical understandings of cultural capital dynamics in the context of digital platformization. Furthermore, it offers valuable practical insights for media practitioners, IP managers, and cultural policymakers who are actively navigating the continuously evolving relationship between subcultural creativity and mainstream cultural production.