You`ve likely heard the slightly unusual long title and certainly seen vibrant images featuring two appealing young boys – one showcasing a muscular animated physique, the other captivating hearts with a piercing, cool gaze. This is the Chinese animated film “Nezha Conquers the Dragon King,” which achieved virality primarily due to its astonishing box office performance: a total gross of $2.2 billion, notably surpassing even the global earnings of *Inside Out 2* ($1.649 billion). Given its distinct cultural context and country of origin, it`s worthwhile to examine closer what this film actually is and the underlying secret to its immense success.
Nezha is a figure from the Taoist and Buddhist pantheons, also known as the Third Lotus Prince. He is typically portrayed as an eternal boy – a restless, troublesome imp prone to destruction, mischief, laughter, and other chaotic activities. According to legend, he is the third son of General Li Jing and his wife Lady Yin, who carried the child for an extraordinary three years and six months. His birth was peculiar – emerging from a mysterious sphere (a dark pearl) – and he was immediately relatively developed and articulate. Fortunately for the parents, the immortal (and remarkably patient) Master Taiyi appeared and took Nezha under his wing, alleviating some of the burden.
The myth is unusual only for a Western audience. In China, Nezha is an incredibly popular hero. He is a central or secondary character in a vast number of manhua comics, TV series, animated films, and video games. He appears in various incarnations depending on the historical context or the author`s perspective, yet certain distinguishing features consistently carry through. These are strongly tied to traditional Chinese culture.
However, a significant strength of this film is its utilization of universally understandable and widely accepted animation tools for dramatic storytelling. Despite this accessibility, the underlying legend itself remains appropriately complex and unique, and the cultural intricacies of Chinese mythology are certainly still woven throughout the narrative.
Thus, regardless of how high the perceived barrier to entry into Chinese animation might be for the average viewer, the outcome is a story that resonates deeply with many. It follows an insecure boy who feels like an outcast everywhere he goes. To overcome these feelings, he must face a series of challenges and ultimately realize that being a terrifying, enraged demon is not his true path.
He must learn to control his anger, develop his own principles, and embark on a journey towards genuine love and friendship. Nezha mirrors many of us, making it easy to connect with him – lost, unfairly rejected, and inadvertently terrifying others with his peculiarity.
Yang Yu, the director of the `Nezha` films, known under the pseudonym Jiaozi, considers traditional Chinese culture a treasure house for animation production. 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 this film, the richness of Chinese culture is manifested in virtually 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 complexities of censorship in China, “Nezha” manages to navigate between a style maximally acceptable for a young audience and content permitted for wide release, while still retaining its identity as an author`s work.
Certainly, the director speaks rather cautiously about his creation, actively emphasizing the value of cultural specificities, but the fact remains: he successfully promoted a relatable image of young people to the broadest possible community. Frankly, it`s hard to believe that the overwhelming majority of people went to see “Nezha” solely because of its detailed and thorough reflection of a popular Chinese myth and all its nuances.
In each era, Nezha has appeared before audiences in a different light, one that best suited viewer demands at the time. 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 the 2019 and (anticipated) 2025 interpretations, he became an angry and insecure young man who, for the sake of a cool persona, conceals his sincere affection for his parents and plunges headfirst into any questionable adventure. This resonates with contemporary audiences and the modern cultural code, which is precisely why they are eager to see such stories in cinemas.
Integrating traditional Chinese culture into animated films is crucial, but it is even more important to present these ancient stories from a fresh, youthful perspective.
One look at the ambitious scale of the scenes realized in the film immediately makes it clear that the Eastern animation industry is prepared to challenge Hollywood and any other competitor. Yes, it required considerable time and effort – over 4,000 specialists were involved in the film`s creation, and the budget exceeded ¥500 million (nearly ₽5.5 billion) – but the result is outstanding. The latest image processing technologies and the use of artificial intelligence enabled the creation of a vast number of shots with special effects. Hundreds of thousands of tiny details and grand battle sequences are visually stunning on the big screen, so don`t hesitate to go see this film in the cinema – you won`t regret it.
It was necessary to conquer not just one or two peaks, but endless mountains.
Ultimately, the result is a technologically advanced, modern film with a plot and characters that tap into the audience`s deepest vulnerabilities, featuring appealing characters and a rich cultural backdrop. Box office numbers are through the roof, Western producers are watching enviously, and that`s precisely what we need. Bring on healthy competition and great stories!