Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" ascending to the pinnacle of the country's box office is not just a testament to the film's dazzling visuals and compelling storytelling, but also to the collaborative efforts of over 100 animation companies and 4,000 professionals across China.
According to Chinese ticketing platform Beacon, "Ne Zha 2", the sequel to the 2019 hit featuring a mythical boy with magical powers and extraordinary martial arts skills, grossed over 1.152 billion U.S. dollars (including pre-sales) as of Monday, surpassing the box office earnings of "Aquaman".
The movie has made history as the first Asian film and the only non-Hollywood film to enter the top 30 on the global box office chart, according to data from an online platform.
The record-breaking run makes "Ne Zha 2" not just a box office titan but a cultural phenomenon, further underscoring China's ability to produce homegrown blockbusters that strike a chord with domestic audience while showcasing the potential for global appeal.
The production of "Ne Zha 2" involved an immense effort from 138 animation companies, including 13 based in east China's Jiangsu Province. Altogether, the film features 2,427 visually stunning scenes, with breathtaking light effects and intricate designs that have captivated audience.
The film's climax, the Chentang Pass battle scene, is a standout moment that showcases the collaborative effort behind "Ne Zha 2". Wang Xingming, an animator born in the 1990s, and his team based in Jiangsu's Nantong City were responsible for crafting the sequence's special effects, including the movements of shrimp and crab soldiers, and the realistic depiction of fireworks and smoke.
"We encountered many problems during the production process, but we tried to beat them all. It's a great honor to take part in this project," Wang said.
Suzhou Red Whale Film and Television Culture Communication Company, the largest co-production company, was responsible for a quarter of the film's production including character design, scene layout, and lighting effects. The company dedicated 160 animators over 26 months to craft their part of the film.
"(Suzhou) is relatively complete in terms of the entire supply and distribution chain. You can find the corresponding team and partners to participate in each module," said Ge Yi, CEO of the company.
The success of "Ne Zha 2" also highlights the power of integrating traditional Chinese culture with modern storytelling. The film, which is inspired by the mythological figure Ne Zha from the Ming Dynasty novel Fengshen Yanyi (The Investiture of the Gods), reimagines the tale through a contemporary lens.
Much of the film's emotional depth is carried by its music, including a hauntingly beautiful Dong Grand Song performed by 10 Dong ethnic girls from Rongjiang County of southwest China's Guizhou Province. The "Wu Yue Chan Ge" ensemble, led by founder Yang Xiangni, introduced this intangible cultural heritage to a wider audience through the film.
"Apart from the Khoomei, all other vocals are by us. Our lyrics and singing style were used in the opening theme, the background music for the appearance of the Dragon King and the Lotus in full blossom," said Yang.
Nanning Four-leaf Clover Cultural Communication Co., Ltd, an animation company based in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is another participant which contributed to creating 3D digital assets and animated characters.
Its founder expressed pride in the team's role in the project.
"Now that the box office has reached the top, we, as one of the production teams, are excited and proud, and we have a huge sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. This is our mood at this moment," said Zhou Weiwei, founder of Four-leaf Clover, also known as Clover Culture.
Among the team was model artist Wei Chenjing, who worked tirelessly on the film while taking care of her seven-year-old child.
"He was almost the loudest kid in the cinema (due to excitement). Seeing a project I worked on for so long come to life is truly emotional, and I'm so happy to play a part in the project," Wei said.
According to a recent audience satisfaction survey, "Ne Zha 2" scored 87.3 out of 100, the highest rating for a Spring Festival release in the past two years.
Production teams across China proud to witness Ne Zha 2 making history
