Mythical Sequel Revamps Animation Standards
The Chinese animated fantasy film Ne Zha 2 has become the highest-grossing release of the 2025 Spring Festival holiday, earning widespread acclaim for its revolutionary visual effects. Building on the success of its 2019 predecessor, the sequel reimagines the Ming Dynasty mythological tale from Fengshen Yanyi with intensified action and immersive detail.
Behind the Scenes: Chains, Chaos, and Creativity
Executive producer Chen Changjiang revealed the sequel contains more VFX-heavy shots than the entire first film. A pivotal scene featuring a horde of chained mythical sea creatures sparked creative friction. Director Yang Yu (nicknamed Jiaozi) insisted on retaining the chains for narrative logic, pushing the effects team to innovate. \"We had to develop new techniques from scratch,\" Yang said, noting the sequence required unprecedented R&D to avoid production delays.
Global Collaboration Meets Local Mastery
While the team initially sought overseas VFX partnerships, many results fell short. \"We brought the work back and refined it domestically,\" Yang explained. The effort paid off: Ne Zha 2 showcases China's rapidly advancing animation industry, with Yang acknowledging foreign expertise while highlighting narrowing technological gaps.
Box Office Bonanza
China's 2025 box office surpassed 10 billion yuan ($1.4B) as of Tuesday, fueled by the Spring Festival rush. Holiday earnings alone hit 9 billion yuan by midday Tuesday—a historic record, per the China Film Administration. Ne Zha 2 leads this surge, proving the global appeal of China's animation renaissance.
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'Ne Zha 2' sets box office ablaze with dazzling visual effects
cgtn.com
