Ne Zha 2 — Ne Zha (2019), the first film
At a glance110 minutes
Ne Zha 2 is the sequel to Ne Zha (哪吒之魔童降世), Jiaozi's (饺子) first feature film, released in China on 26 July 2019. The film tells the birth of Nezha, incarnation of the Demon Pearl after a swap, rejected by the people of Chentang and doomed to die by heavenly lightning. His line "My fate is mine to decide, not heaven's" (我命由我不由天) became iconic in China.
Production and behind the scenes
Jiaozi, whose real name is Yang Yu, first studied pharmacy before teaching himself animation. He spent around five years on Ne Zha, rewriting the script dozens of times. The film, produced by Chengdu Coco Cartoon and Enlight Pictures, called on dozens of visual effects studios across China for more than 1,300 effects shots. It was a risky bet for a director whose only previous film was an acclaimed short, See Through.
How it differs from the donghua
The 2019 film freely reinvents the legend. Nezha is a demonic child, cheeky and lonely, who must prove he is not a monster. His friendship with Ao Bing, his parents' tenderness and the humour of his master Taiyi Zhenren, a lazy immortal with a strong Sichuan accent, are inventions that give the film its unique tone. Ne Zha 2 brings back all these characters and continues their story.
Reception and success
With around 5 billion yuan at the box office, Ne Zha became the highest-grossing Chinese animated film in history in 2019, and one of the biggest hits at the Chinese box office across all genres. It paved the way for Ne Zha 2, released in 2025, which passed 15 billion yuan and became the highest-grossing animated film in world cinema history.
Trivia
- Jiaozi has a degree in pharmacy. He taught himself animation before making short films.
- Taiyi Zhenren speaks with a Sichuan accent in the original version, a nod to Chengdu, the studio's home city.
- The line "我命由我不由天" ("my fate is mine to decide, not heaven's") became a popular slogan among young Chinese.
- The film was hailed as a fresh start for Chinese animation, years after Monkey King: Hero Is Back (2015).
My take
Ne Zha is one of the films that made me love modern Chinese animation. It is funny, well paced and moving, and its final act is impressively generous visually. Some gags are a bit heavy-handed and the opening is uneven. But it is essential viewing, a must before Ne Zha 2.
Who is it for?Anyone who wants to discover Chinese animation, and of course anyone who wants to watch Ne Zha 2 in order.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan