According to movie data platform Beacon Pro., China’s Ne Zha 2 has set a new record, reaching 12.32 billion yuan, surpassing Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and entering the global box office Top 8 list! It also marks the highest-grossing animated film in the world!
From being a “demon child” to creating box office legend, why has Ne Zha become such a phenomenon?
Professor Fan Min from the School of Animation and Digital Arts at Communication University of China explains that while maintaining the core theme of “destiny lies in my own hands” from its predecessor, this sequel (续集) explores diverse contemporary themes including self-identity, fulfillment of personal values, and family bonds and friendship. “Both major and minor themes closely align with current social concerns,” she notes.
These multi-dimensional portrayals (刻画) are evident in the film’s character development: Shen Gongbao’s hidden warmth emerges when visited by his younger brother Shen Xiaobao; the furious Nezha prioritizes saving his old friend Ao Bing despite mistakenly believing the Dragon Clan destroyed Chentangguan; even minor monster characters demonstrate distinctive personalities. These characters deeply engage viewers.
This narrative complexity is matched by technical ambition. The sequel has three times as many characters as the original. All characters, new and returning, get full visual upgrades with smoother models and lifelike skin. The production team of over 4,000 members created nearly 2,000 special effects shots. A particularly noteworthy 1-minute battle scene at Chentangguan required six months of storyboard preparation. Director Yang Yu (better known as “Jiaozi”) emphasizes their philosophy: “We’d rather go without than settle for less. Audiences granted us this sequel opportunity. Serving them half-baked work contradicts our values. We believe viewers always appreciate sincere creations.”
Oscar judge Sheila Sofian publicly invited Director Yang: “I sincerely hope ‘Ne Zha 2’ will compete for the 2025 Oscars — I’ll be honored to cast my vote for it!” Another Academy member Alan Erasov praised: “Chinese people, especially the film industry, should take great pride in this achievement.”
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