‘Ne Zha 2’ review: A spectacular, dazzling feat of animation

In 2019, the animated fantasy adventure Ne Zha captivated China – and the world. Jiaozi’s debut feature was one of China’s biggest hits and one of the world’s most successful non-English productions. The second part, released in China on January 29, has already surpassed its predecessor at the box office.

Ne Zha 2 is out in India in its original Mandarin with English subtitles. The sequel is a thrilling, propulsive epic saga of filial duty, sacrifice and collaboration against a common enemy, presented through some of the most gobsmacking visuals ever seen in animated films.

The franchise is loosely based on the 16th-century novel Investiture of the Gods. Ne Zha has already inspired a slew of Chinese productions, including the animated Nezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979).

The first movie was the origin story of Ne Zha, who is the result of a divine boon. A celestial pearl is split into two elements, the Spirit Pearl and the Demon Orb, to contain its energies. According to a prophecy, the Spirit Pearl will be born as the child of the warrior Li Jing and his wife Yin.

The Spirit Pearl’s bumbling guardian Taiyi is tricked by the wizard Shen into a swap. The Spirit Pearl is born as the underwater Dragon King’s son Ao Bing, while Li...

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