Ne Zha 2 Surges as a Global Animation Blockbuster
Chinese fans are celebrating the triumph of the animation film Ne Zha 2, hailing it as “China’s response to Hollywood’s dominance in superheroes.”
One top-rated comment on Weibo, a prominent Chinese social platform, stated, “Hollywood spent a century spreading superheroes. Now, we have our Ne Zha.”
Ne Zha 2 clinched the title of the highest-grossing animated film worldwide on Tuesday, accumulating a box office total of 12.3 billion yuan ($2.66 billion). This achievement surpassed Pixar’s Inside Out 2, according to figures from the ticketing platform Maoyan.
Unlike most Hollywood productions, which often adopt a broad international release strategy, Ne Zha 2’s revenue predominantly originates from mainland China, with over 99% of its box office income coming from home.
The film’s success was significantly boosted during the Lunar New Year holiday, attracting large audiences. Some companies even arranged bus trips for their employees to watch the movie, reflecting a strong sense of nationalism.
Videos showing employees boarding buses for screenings have been widely shared on X, with slogans like “Boosting Box Office for Ne Zha 2. Go, go, go! Achieve the Top Selling Global Film.”
Sheng Ruonan, a Melbourne anime fan, celebrates the film’s success. (Supplied: Sheng Ruonan)
Directed by Yang Yu, who is widely known by his nickname “Jiaozi,” Ne Zha 2 continues the narrative of Ne Zha, a mythical figure struggling against his demonic heritage while vowing to safeguard his loved ones.
Online, the film is being heralded as a “historic moment showcasing cultural confidence.” Hashtags like #RiseOfChineseAnimation have accrued an impressive 10 billion views on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok.
Melbourne anime fan, Sheng Ruonan, observes, “The portrayal of mythical creatures, dragons, immortals, and the detailed costumes and landscapes all encapsulate classical Chinese aesthetics.”
She further adds, “This creative approach boosts cultural confidence and identity.”
Criticisms of the Film’s Tone and Humor
Despite the overwhelming praise, some fans voice their reservations. Sheng Ruonan criticizes the movie for its “preachiness” and “patriarchal undertones.”
“It repeatedly endeavors to impart vague, grand lessons in a film intended for all ages,” she remarks.
Other viewers also join the critique, particularly regarding the trailer. It featured a scene that some interpreted as “male-gazing humor,” involving a female character’s skirt accidentally being stepped on.
Film enthusiasts in China argue that the focus should be on character strengths rather than harmful gender roles.
Factors Driving the Film’s Success
Kenny Ng, an associate professor at Hong Kong Baptist University’s School of Film and Television, credits the film’s success to advancements in technology.
“The employment of 5G and new visual technologies has greatly enhanced the animation quality,” Dr Ng explains.
Additionally, he notes, “Effective promotion in the Chinese market and social media platforms played a vital role in its triumph.”
Xingyu Chen, a 25-year-old resident of Jiangsu province, has seen the film twice, highlighting her passion for the movie.
“Though I usually don’t favor animation films, Ne Zha 2’s IP enchanted me, especially since it is a Chinese production,” she shares.
Audiences in China eagerly waited for Ne Zha 2’s screenings during the Lunar New Year holiday. (Supplied: Wang Ning)
Chen has joined the cronies of collectors by purchasing Ne Zha 2 blind box toys, which quickly sold out in various regions of China.
The film’s makers are collaborating with Tencent, China’s largest internet game company, to produce a Ne Zha 2 video game, further integrating the IP into various media.
Timmy Chih-Ting Chen, an assistant professor in cultural studies at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, opines that the film’s influence will extend beyond cinema.
“Ne Zha 2 will disseminate the distinctiveness of Chinese culture globally,” he remarks.
The Evolution of Chinese Animation
During the 1950s to 1970s, animation was utilized in China primarily as an educational and propaganda tool, with masterpieces like Havoc in Heaven (1965) contributing to the cultural milieu.
Following economic reforms in the 1980s, Chinese animation began merging traditional storytelling with modern technology, paving the way for more diverse and technically sophisticated works.
Blind box toys soon sold out, signifying the cultural phenomenon. (Supplied: Weibo)
By 2022, the Chinese animation industry had expanded to include over 6,800 companies across the nation, supporting a robust workforce of approximately 340,000 individuals.
Apart from Ne Zha 2, other Chinese animated films have gained international recognition. Fantastic Tales, another production based on Chinese mythology, and Art College are prime examples.
Liu Jian’s Art College was unexpectedly highlighted when it made its debut in the main competition at the Berlin Film Festival.
Previous works, such as Big Fish & Begonia (2016) and the first Ne Zha film (2019), have already spotlighted China’s growing importance in the global animation landscape.
Promotional poster for the film Big Fish & Begonia (2016). (Supplied: Weibo)
As Ne Zha 2 claims top billing globally, it also propels China closer to achieving parity with Hollywood in the realm of animation. This phenomenon underscores the industry’s consistent growth and cultural significance.
Join the conversation in the comments below, and share this article with friends on social media to contribute to the discussion on the rise of Chinese animation.
