For Chinese fans, long-awaited Chinese version of the cartoon is finally being published. So why did it take half a century? And can the tiny blue creatures stage a comeback, or has the Smurfs' career gone "code blue in China?"

No matter how well they sing, they share the same feeling. They are getting back the sense of childhood.

The Smurfs were popular in China, about 20 years ago.(Photo: CCTV.com)

The Smurfs were popular in China, about 20 years ago. The animated television series first aired on China Central Television in 1986. The 45-episode cartoon series soon became a favourite among children here in China.