TW: Spoilers Ahead!
A recent movie has claimed its place as one of the most influential movies in pop culture, taking over social media platforms, showing in theaters all over the world and leaving audiences in awe, earning its title as the highest grossing animated movie of all time.
I’m obviously talking about the phenomenal Nezha 2, directed by Yu Yang, a feat that took more than five years with a team consisting of nearly 4,000 people from 138 animation companies.
Within just two weeks, the movie already destroyed box offices world-wide and was already going for the spot as the greatest animated movie which, at the time, was Inside Out 2.
It has now done that and more.
As of right now, it has already grossed over two billion dollars worldwide, which puts it in the same elite group of movies including the two Avatars, two Avengers movies, a Star Wars installment, and Titanic.
Nezha 2 was released during the 2025 lunar new year, nearly five years after the first movie, simply titled Nezha.
Although it is not the first adaption of the demon child; with animations at least as early as 1927, the most traditional version airing in 1979 where Nezha gets his iconic third lotus prince look; a double bun hairstyle, famed wind fire wheels, flame tipped spear, and his red armillary sash, this version is the most modern and puts its own creative twist based off of the sixteenth century novel by Xu Zhonglin.
In the first movie, the demon child Nezha is born to General Li Ying and his wife, and equal in battle, Lady Yin. He takes the form of a six year old child while he can also be portrayed in his three-faced and six-armed form.
The general Li Ying was a favorite of the gods and was promised that his third son would be blessed with the Spirit Pearl, the other half of the fiery Demon Pill.
However, that was not the case, as the jealous leopard spirit, Shen Gongbao, steals the promised pearl and Nezha was born a monster with the fate of being struck dead from a lightning bolt on his third birthday.
He trains hard with his master Taiyi Zhenren to fight his destiny, swearing to dedicate himself to protecting people rather than wrecking havoc as was expected of him.
Despite it all, nobody sees Nezha as anything but the demon child.
Nezha befriends Ao Bing, the third son of the dragon king, who, unbeknownst to Nezha, is the reincarnation of the Spirit Pearl and is fated to be his worst enemy.
While in the original story Nezha is meant to kill Ao Bing, the new movie gives the story an interesting twist by giving both of them respectable motives which made them far better characters.
Fate brings the two together in a terrible battle that threatens to reduce Chentang Pass to nothing but a pile of rubble.
Despite it all, the two rebel against destiny and manage to save the kingdom at the cost of their own lives.
The first movie was a success and grossed $742.7 million with brilliant storytelling, stunning modern animation styles and a unique twist on the traditional story, while also sneaking in small jokes that catch the audience by surprise.
The two main characters, Nezha and Ao Bing were portrayed in a realistic way with motives that aligned with their actions. Their stories sympathized with the audience because who hasn’t felt like an outcast at least once in their life?
The sequel comes five years later with nearly double the amount of people working on the movie and grossing two billion U.S. dollars.
While Nezha and Ao Bing’s bodies were destroyed, Nezha’s master Taiyi Zhenren managed to save their souls and make them new bodies out of lotus roots.
Now, evil forces are coming to destroy Chentang pass, mortally wounding Ao Bing in the process.
The two friends have to share a body as they set out to save Ao Bing by gaining immortality and help in the battle against demons to save Nezha’s home.
Nezha 2 promises to be even better than the first movie with better visuals, better stories, better everything.
Although I was ready to be disappointed, since most sequels I’ve watched have always turned out worse than their predecessors, I have never been happier to be wrong in my life.
They certainly did not disappoint when introducing new characters in the movies, such as Ao Bing’s dragon family and the heavenly court, while still expanding on the characters the audience already knew from the last movie.
Their designs were incredibly appealing especially with Ao Guang, the dragon king and Ao Bing’s father, as a fan favorite. He immediately won their hearts simply with his gorgeous design; flowing white hair, regally sculpted features, and beautifully designed armour.
Not only is the film visually appealing with characters serving as eye candy, the characters are complex with understandable motives.
Characters who were considered villains in the last movie, such as Shen Gongbao, are suddenly understandable with normal emotions and with motives that stem from their hearts, although their morals are questionable.
They are all doing this to protect their loved ones and are willing to do anything to keep them safe.
The heroes in the story aren’t made out to be golden angels who have never had a rainy day in their lives. They have flaws that are played off as humor and are unapologetically human.
Relationships between characters are written perfectly, with easy and humorous bantering as well as delivering heartbreaking scenes straight to the heart.
Nezha 2 is perfect for everybody, told simply enough for children to understand with designs and animations to appeal to older audiences while also keeping traditional elements to be enjoyed by the older generation.