Promotional material for Ne Zha 2Photo: Courtesy of Douban

After seeing the incredible box office gains and reviews for Ne Zha 2outside of China,MK sports Peter, an Australian filmmaker who lives in Brisbane, became curious about what the animated film is about and decided to judge its quality himself as an industry insider. His curiosity was highly rewarded.

"Ne Zha 2is a standard-setter for animation quality that massively stands out. The West certainly has had films of similar quality before, but not very often," he told the Global Times in a text reply after watching the film. "Everyone [in the cinema] was engaged with the film the whole time. It surprised me to see nobody leave for any reason except one person running to the bathroom at the credits sequence."

Similar scenes are playing out in cinemas across the world, allowing the animated epic to surpass Inside Out 2 and top the global animated film box office chart on Tuesday, grossing more than 12.32 billion yuan ($1.698 billion) in revenues.

As Chinese cinema celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2025, Ne Zha 2reached the historic moment. The timing is not just a coincidence; it is a vivid representation of the leap in the maturity of China's film-making, the amplification of cultural expression, and the development of the commercial film market. The century-long accumulation of Chinese cinema, from silent to sound, from black-and-white to color pictures, and from technology dependence to independent innovation, has collectively led to the explosive release of the blockbuster Ne Zha 2. 

"The success of this film has proven to the world that we have the ability to create works with both deep cultural roots and the ability to resonate with the world, opening up a new path for Chinese animation to the world," Wang Jian, secretary-general of the China Animation Association, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Promotional material for Ne Zha 2Photo: Courtesy of Douban

Firm foundation

Chinese animation has a long and storied history, beginning with early works that were deeply rooted in traditional Chinese culture and artistic styles. 

One of the most iconic examples is The Magic Paintbrushreleased in 1955, a classic produced by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio. The film, along with other works such as Havoc in Heaven, laid the groundwork for a distinctive Chinese animation style that integrates traditional art forms such as ink painting, paper cutting, and opera.

The director of the Ne Zha film franchise Yang Yu, who is also known as Jiaozi, said in an interview with the state broadcaster CCTV that he was deeply influenced by works produced by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio, and the distinctive style and extraordinary artistic quality showcased by these early Chinese animated films have provided him with invaluable inspiration and nourishment.

After experiencing a period of increasing competition from international animation powerhouses like Disney and Studio Ghibli, Chinese animation has been looking for its own road to a breakthrough in the Chinese cultural gene bank. Also driven by technological advancements, films like Monkey King: Hero is Back(2015) and White Snake(2019) demonstrated the potential of combining modern animation techniques with traditional Chinese stories, paving the way for the success ofNe Zha(2019) and its sequel.  

Wang noted that between 2015 and 2025, the Chinese animation film box office grew from 3 billion yuan to as much as 20 billion yuan, with a market share of Chinese-made animations increasing year-on-year, and currently exceeding 60 percent.

"Chinese animation is returning to Eastern aesthetics and Ne Zha is proof. The return is due to the upgrading of our animation technology. Only better production technology can lay a solid foundation for finding our own characteristics," Shi Wenxue, a Beijing-based film critic, told the Global Times, noting that Chinese animators are able to tap into the dramatic factors of traditional Chinese stories and adapt them for today's young audiences.

Shi noted that the path to success in animation requires patience, dedication, and a long-term vision. By drawing upon its rich cultural heritage while embracing modern technology, Chinese animation can achieve sustained growth. 

All-round upgrade

Many special effect shots in Ne Zha 2impressed the Australian filmmaker. "The dragon attack part on the city Chentangguan is comparable to the big battle in Marvel's Endgame, but bigger," Peter recalled.

Director Ryo Takeuchi from Japan, a traditional animation production powerhouse, was amazed by the cutting-edge CGI, touching character designs, and breathtaking action sequences in the film. "This is the best animation work I have ever seen in my life. No shot is useless, and other than production technologies, the storytelling such as the use of some creative settings are all brilliant," the director told the Global Times.

The release of Ne Zha 2marks a complete upgrade of China's animation film industrial system. The film boasts over 2,000 special effects shots, far exceeding the 2019 prequel. For example, the visual effects used to render the sea monster's chains were once considered "impossible," ultimately conquered by a domestic team. The 3D animation technology used in Ne Zha 2is truly cutting-edge, with some highly complex shots even surpassing the quality of top-tier international studios, according to the People's Daily.

This leap forward represents the dedication and ingenuity of countless individuals in the Chinese animation industry. Nearly 140 Chinese animation companies were involved in the production of the film, with over 4,000 professionals collaborating to create a collective effort akin to the "Olympic Games of the animation world." 

The development of Chinese animation has also received special attention from China's top brass. In the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) issued by the China Film Administration in 2021, "support the creation and production of outstanding animated films; support animated films that showcase the spirit of the Chinese nation and the aesthetic style of the East" was included.

"I believe, as long as we insist on 'content is king,' using culture as the core and targeting a global perspective, Chinese animation movies will very likely go further on the international stage, bringing more excellent works to global audiences, and contributing more power to the dissemination of Chinese culture," Wang noted.