You`ve likely heard this strange, lengthy title and definitely seen vibrant images featuring two charming boys – one showcasing a muscular animated physique, the other capturing hearts with a piercing, cool gaze. This is the Chinese animated film `Nezha Defeats the Dragon King,` which went viral primarily due to its staggering box office earnings: a total gross of $2.2 billion. This figure, by the way, even surpasses the global earnings of `Inside Out 2` ($1.649 billion). Given its unique cultural context and country of origin, it`s worth delving deeper into what this film represents and the secret behind its immense success.
Nezha is a hero from the Daoist and Buddhist pantheons, also known as the Third Lotus Prince. He is depicted as an eternal boy – a nervous, mischievous sprite, prone to destruction, whistling, laughter, and other `demonic` amusements at the slightest provocation. According to legend, he is the third son of General Li Jing and his wife Lady Yin, who carried him for a full three years and six months. He was born in an unusual manner – from a mysterious sphere (a dark pearl) – and was immediately relatively grown and talkative. Fortunately for him, the immortal (and extremely patient) Master Taiyi appeared and took Nezha under his tutelage, making things less troublesome for his parents.
This myth is unusual only to the Western viewer. In China, Nezha is an incredibly popular hero. There are numerous manhua, TV series, animated films, and video games featuring Nezha as a main or secondary character. He appears in various roles depending on the era or the author`s perspective, but certain distinguishing features carry over from one portrayal to the next. These are particularly strongly linked to traditional Chinese culture.
However, a huge strength of the film lies in its use of widely understood and universally accepted animation tools for structuring its narrative drama. Despite this, the legend itself remains reasonably complex and distinct; the cultural specifics of Chinese mythology`s lore are very much present.
So, no matter how high the entry barrier to Chinese animation might be for the average viewer, what we ultimately get is a story relatable to many. It tells of an insecure boy who feels like an outsider everywhere. To overcome this, he must undergo a series of trials and understand that being a terrifying, enraged demon isn`t truly his path.
He must learn to control his anger, develop his own values, and embark on a journey of genuine love and friendship. Nezha strongly resembles each of us, making it easy to connect with him. Lost, unfairly rejected, scaring everyone around him with his strangeness.
Yang Yu, director of the `Nezha` series, known by the pseudonym Jiaozi, regards traditional Chinese culture as a treasure trove for producing animated films. After the Monkey King, or Sun Wukong, from `Journey to the West` gained recognition on the big screen, Yang Yu took on Nezha, a character from the same classic novel. In the film, the richness of Chinese culture manifests in almost every detail: from the protagonist`s traditional costumes and his mentor Taiyi`s magical artifacts to the intricate design of the dragon`s underwater palace and the ethereal wonderland of Kunlun.
Despite the significant censorship challenges in China, `Nezha` manages to navigate between a style maximally acceptable for a young audience and content permitted for wide release. All while still remaining an authorial work.
Of course, the director speaks about his creation quite vaguely, actively emphasizing the value of cultural specificities. But the fact remains: he succeeded in promoting a sought-after image of young people to the widest possible community. Frankly, it`s hard to imagine that the overwhelming majority of people went to see `Nezha` solely because it so well and thoroughly reflects a popular Chinese myth and all its components (and framing).
In each era, Nezha has appeared before audiences in a different role, one that best corresponded to viewer demands. For instance, in 1979, immediately after the Cultural Revolution, Nezha was a brave hero and the embodiment of kindness, unfairly labeled a demonic being. In 2019 and [presumably] 2025, he became an angry and insecure guy who, for the sake of appearing cool, hides his sincere love for his parents and plunges headfirst into any dubious adventure. This resonates with audiences, just as it does with the modern cultural code, which is why they are willing to go to the cinema for such stories.
Integrating traditional Chinese culture into animated films is crucial, but even more important is presenting these ancient stories in a fresh, youthful perspective.
One only needs to see the scale of the scenes realized in the film to immediately understand that the Eastern animation industry is ready to give Hollywood, or any other industry, a run for its money. Yes, it took significant time and effort – over 4,000 specialists participated in the film`s creation, and the budget exceeded ¥500 million (nearly ₽5.5 billion) – but the result is outstanding. The latest technologies in image processing and the use of artificial intelligence allowed for the creation of a huge number of shots with special effects. Hundreds of thousands of tiny details and grand battle scenes look impressively on the big screen, so don`t hesitate to go see this film in the cinema – you won`t regret it.
We didn`t need to conquer one or two peaks, but endless mountains.
Ultimately, what we get is a technologically advanced, modern film with a plot and characters that strike at the heart of the audience`s pain points, featuring attractive characters and a rich cultural background. Box office figures are skyrocketing, Western producers are green with envy, and that`s exactly what we need. Bring on healthy competition and good stories!
Finley Holt