Alright, so here’s the thing. I didn’t go into Ne Zha 2 expecting to be blown away. I’d seen the first one — it was solid, and made a splash in China, but nothing that changed the world. It had a cool lead character and some decent action, but it didn’t really go international in a big way.
But this? This one’s different. Ne Zha 2 is on a whole other level. It’s now the highest-grossing animated film globally, and honestly, it kind of deserves that title. I didn’t think I’d say that, but yeah — it earns it.
Not Your Average Animated Hero
Ne Zha is not the usual happy-go-lucky hero. He’s kind of a mess. Angry, reckless, clearly fighting his own demons. But that’s what makes him so damn watchable. This time around, the story really leans into that — his inner conflict, the pain he’s carrying, all that unresolved stuff from the first movie.
He’s not trying to save the world. He’s trying to figure himself out, and that feels more real than most animated plots I’ve seen lately.
Looks That Could Knock You Out
I’ve got to mention the visuals. They’re nuts. There were scenes where I had to just stop and admire the detail. Floating temples, fire beasts, thunder gods — it’s all there. The style mixes old-school Chinese art with this polished, modern animation that doesn’t look like anything from Disney or Pixar. It feels… different. In a good way.
Villain? Yeah, That’s Complicated
What I liked the most was how they handled the villain. You don’t just hate him — you kind of get him. His story is just as tragic as Ne Zha’s, maybe more. He’s not just evil for the sake of it; he’s got reasons. And that makes everything hit harder when things go down between them.
The First Film Walked, So This One Could Fly
Here’s the truth: the original Ne Zha was a big deal in China, but outside of Asia, most people didn’t care. It made money, sure, but it didn’t go global. Ne Zha 2 changes that completely. It’s not just big in China — it’s making history everywhere. It’s rare to see a Chinese animated movie break out like this, and it’s even rarer for it to connect with audiences across so many cultures. But it did.
Why This One Hits Different
You can tell this film wasn’t made just for kids. It’s not trying to be cute. It’s messy, emotional, and honest. It talks about trauma, redemption, family — heavy stuff. But somehow, it still keeps the magic alive. You leave feeling something, and that’s rare in blockbuster animation.
Just go watch it. Whether you’re into mythology or action or just want something that doesn’t feel like the same old animated formula, Ne Zha 2 delivers. And now that it’s the biggest animated film in the world, you honestly have no excuse not to.
Written by: Subham Choudhary
