The sequel wisely avoids repeating the first film’s arc. Ne Zha is no longer just the rebellious “demon child” seeking acceptance. Now a bit older, he struggles with the weight of his choices—particularly the burden of protecting Chentang Pass while grappling with the fact that his best friend (and rival) Ao Bing now has a broken dragon clan legacy. Their friendship-turned-frenemyship is the emotional core, and it’s handled with surprising maturity.
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
The Four Dragon Kings aren’t one-note monsters. The film gives them genuine grievances against the heavenly court, making their desire to flood the mortal world feel tragically motivated. The voice acting (in Mandarin) is superb, especially for Dragon King Ao Guang, whose quiet rage is more terrifying than any roar. Ne Zha 2
When Ne Zha (2019) became China’s highest-grossing animated film of all time, the pressure on its sequel was immense. Five years later, director Jiaozi (Yang Yu) delivers Ne Zha 2 , a film that not only matches but arguably surpasses the original in scale, ambition, and heart. 1. Breathtaking Animation & Action The leap in visual quality is staggering. The first film was already gorgeous; Ne Zha 2 is a genuine spectacle. The water-based combat (introducing the Four Dragon Kings and the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace) is fluid, chaotic, and beautifully choreographed. One mid-film battle sequence involving Ne Zha and Ao Bing fighting a sea monster feels like a masterclass in 2D-3D hybrid animation, blending traditional Chinese ink-painting aesthetics with modern CGI. The sequel wisely avoids repeating the first film’s arc
The IMAX 3D version is particularly jaw-dropping. The voice acting (in Mandarin) is superb, especially
Ne Zha 2 proves that Chinese animation has fully arrived on the global stage—not as a novelty, but as a powerhouse.
