Remember those lovable blue Smurfs from your childhood-- Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Baby Smurf, Gargamel the sorcerer…? They were three apples tall, always wore white pants and white hats, and loved partying? These blue vegetarians, akin to the Shanghai Expo mascot, the ‘Haibao’, have returned to China after “a long nap”. Contesting the Haibao’s “cute blue figure”, the cuddly blue Smurfs have taken the spotlight as the Belgium Pavilion’s mascot. Along with that, International Merchanidising, Promotion & Services, or I.M.P.S. want to rekindle a love for Smurfs in China by promoting the Smurfs through a new 3D Smurfs movie, comics, and cartoons. They have planned a Smurfs park to be built in Sichuan, a Smurf-themed airplane to be launched, and Smurf-themed hot air balloons to be released soon. To go along with the 3D Smurfs movie, IMPS has also designed a line of Smurfs clothing and accessories. With their plans and the success Smurfs have seen in Europe, these cute blue people are ready to take over the hearts and imaginations of the Chinese.

The Smurfs have spread their influence over China before, but haven’t garnered much attention until now because the cartoons haven’t been widespread on Chinese television. But now, ‘Lan Jing Ling’, or the Smurfs, have come out with a new Chinese song about the Smurfs that has been a number one hit on Baidu, as well as cartoons and comic books due soon. They will be especially appealing in China because of the similarity of the Smurfs and the ‘Haibao’, as well as the universal themes conveyed by the Smurfs. Kids are already humming the theme song and begging their parents for more Smurfs.

The highly anticipated new 3D Smurfs movie, due in cinemas in 2011 features celebrities like ‘I Kissed a Girl’ singer Katy Perry, who will be voicing Smurfette, How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris as Yohan, Homer Simpsons’ voice actor Hank Azaria as Gargamel, and Glee’s Jayma Mays as Grace. Whether you’re familiar with the Smurfs or not, they’re sure to smurf their way into your heart.