The highly anticipated Spring Festival movie season officially kicked off on the first day of the Chinese New Year (Jan. 29). Among the fierce competition, the Chinese animated film Nezha 2 quickly emerged as the box office champion, setting a new record for the highest single-day box office for an animated movie in Chinese cinema history. Even before its release, the film's top-ranked pre-sale ticket rate reflected the industry's high expectations and recognition.

A Bigger and More Ambitious Sequel

Nezha 2 marks a significant upgrade from a production perspective over its predecessor. The sequel features three times the number of characters, over 1,900 visual effects shots (exceeding the total shot count of the first film), and an expanded story that explores the celestial, human, and demon realms. The film presents a richer and more intricate Fengshen universe, offering audiences a grander and more immersive viewing experience.

Like its predecessor, Nezha 2 took five years to complete. During this period, both the technology and the animation industry evolved significantly. The creative team, led by director Yang Yu, dedicated themselves to pushing the boundaries of Chinese animation, achieving new heights in production quality. Some scenes took the entire production cycle to perfect, reflecting their relentless pursuit of excellence.

Director Yang Yu emphasized the importance of breaking new ground: "We wanted to present things that audiences have never seen before. If an idea weren't fresh enough in terms of concept, execution, or visuals, we would pass on it." The team adopted the motto "leave no room for retreat," a philosophy that drove them to outdo themselves constantly. "With the bar set so high in the first film, we had no choice but to surpass it in every way," Yang remarked.

From Survival to Excellence

While the first Nezha film was created under the dual pressures of meeting production goals and ensuring the team's survival, the production of Nezha 2 benefited from a more focused and collaborative environment. According to producer Liu Wenzhang (Steven), who co-founded Jokelate Animation Studio with Yang Yu in 2009, the success of Nezha instilled industry-wide confidence, attracting top talent and resources to Chengdu, where the sequel was produced.

Liu described the production process as both challenging and rewarding: "Unlike the first film, where we had to divide our attention between creative work and external pressures, this time, we could fully concentrate on making the best possible film. The atmosphere among the team was one of relentless commitment to excellence."

The production team for Nezha 2 grew significantly, involving over 4,000 animators compared to the 1,600 who worked on the first film. This expansion and a shared passion for animation transformed the project into a collaborative "Olympic Village," where everyone strove to reach new creative heights. "Things that seemed unimaginable five years ago are now within our grasp," Liu said.

Challenges and Innovations

One of the most challenging aspects of the production was the design and animation of the dragon clan, which played a central role in the sequel. The team worked to create distinct visual and behavioral traits for each of the four dragon kings. For example, Ao Guang (the Dragon King of the East Sea) is associated with water and ice, requiring the creation of intricate water blades and water dragon effects. In contrast, Ao Qin (the Dragon King of the South Sea) is tied to fire, reflected in his fiery combat style.

The film also explored the theme of "breaking the rules," a continuation of the first film's motif of "defying fate." Liu explained that the protagonist's journey in Nezha 2 is shaped by encounters with deceit and injustice, offering a deeper emotional resonance for audiences with life experiences.

Relentless Pursuit of Perfection

Liu shared an example of the team's dedication to perfection: a battle scene in Chentang Pass involving thousands of sea monsters bound by chains. The animation required every chain to move realistically during combat, creating an immense technical challenge. Initially, the team proposed simplifying the design using "magical chains" that only appear in certain situations. However, Yang insisted on a more grounded and realistic approach, arguing that the chains were integral to the film's themes of constraint and freedom. After months of effort, the team successfully solved the problem, creating one of the film's most visually stunning sequences.

Raising the Bar for Chinese Animation

Compared to the first film, Nezha 2 represents a dramatic increase in scale and complexity. The sequel features over 2,400 shots, including over 1,900 visual effects shots, and introduces over 300 fully redesigned characters. The production also expanded its world-building, transitioning from the relatively confined settings of the first film to massive, visually spectacular environments.

This ambitious scale brought new challenges as each department strove to deliver its best work, creating a culture of "friendly competition" within the team. Liu acknowledged that this drive for perfection made the production process more intense: "Our mindset was that there's no 'best'—only 'better.'"

The Future of Chinese Animation

The success of the first Nezha film set a new benchmark for Chinese animation, and Liu hopes the sequel will continue to inspire confidence in the industry. "The first film proved domestic animated films could achieve something unique. We want to show that we can keep pushing the boundaries with the second film," he said.

When asked whether the pressure of topping the first film's record-breaking performance affected the team, Liu said, "We've always focused on creating the best possible work. We'll consider it a success if the experts nod in approval and the audience applauds."

A Growing Industry in Chengdu

Liu highlighted the positive impact of Nezha on the Chinese animation industry, noting that the film's success attracted more talent and resources to Chengdu. This time, many collaborators chose to work on-site, creating a more unified production process. "Some of our partners relocated to Chengdu for one or two years to work closely with us," Liu said.

As the Chinese animation industry continues to evolve, Liu expressed hope that Nezha 2 will inspire more people to join the field: "Our goal is to create works that resonate with audiences and bring more attention to this industry. Everyone involved in this project shares a passion for elevating Chinese animation to new heights."

With Nezha 2, Yang Yu and his team have once again demonstrated the potential of Chinese animation to captivate audiences and set new standards for the industry. As the film continues to dominate the Spring Festival box office, it serves as both a testament to the team's dedication and a beacon of hope for the future of Chinese animation.

Related News:

Mainland's box office pre-sales for Spring Festival season hit RMB 200 mn

China's loan prime rates remain unchanged

No casualties reported after 4.9-magnitude quake jolts China's Sichuan