Ne Zha 2 (2025) Review: Myth at Maximum Volume

Is Ne Zha 2 worth watching?

Yes. Ne Zha 2 is a breathtaking animated epic that surpasses its already excellent predecessor in scale, invention and feeling, and it earns its place among the most spectacular films of recent years. Director Jiaozi combines battle sequences of astonishing size with irreverent comedy and a genuine emotional core: the friendship between two boys the world has cast as monsters. The only caveats are practical. It runs close to two and a half hours, its mythology is dense, and it works best if you have seen the first film.

What is Ne Zha 2 about?

Ne Zha 2 picks up immediately after Ne Zha (2019). The heavenly lightning that ended the first film has nearly destroyed both Ne Zha, the rebellious boy born from a demon pearl, and his friend Ao Bing, son of the Dragon King. Their souls survive, and the Taoist master Taiyi Zhenren sets out to rebuild their bodies using the Seven-colored Precious Lotus. The process does not go smoothly, and for a time the two boys must find a way to coexist in unexpected circumstances.

Meanwhile, tension between the dragon clans and the celestial powers is building toward war, and the fate of the mortal town of Chentang Pass hangs in the balance. Ne Zha, never one for rules, finds himself drawn into a conflict far larger than his own survival.

Jiaozi wrote and directed the film, which draws on the classic Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods. It is a Chinese production in Mandarin, runs 144 minutes, and became the highest-grossing animated film in history. Lü Yanting returns as the voice of Ne Zha.

Spectacle with a sense of purpose

The scale of Ne Zha 2 is hard to overstate. Armies of dragons and celestial soldiers fill the screen, oceans rise and seas of fire roll across landscapes, and the action sequences are staged with a clarity that keeps even the most crowded battles readable. The animation of water, fire and light is exceptional, and the character designs, from grotesque demons to elegant immortals, show a remarkable range of styles within one coherent world.

What elevates the spectacle is that it is tied to character. Each major fight reveals something about the people involved, their loyalties, grievances and fears, so the action carries emotional stakes rather than simply escalating.

Irreverence and heart in the same breath

Like its predecessor, the film is often very funny. Ne Zha remains a foul-mouthed, impulsive brat, and his defiance of authority fuels both the comedy and the story’s themes. The humour is broad, occasionally crude, and sometimes lands awkwardly beside serious moments, but it gives the film an anarchic energy that distinguishes it from more solemn fantasy epics.

The heart of the film is again the relationship between Ne Zha and Ao Bing, and the sequel deepens it. Both are defined by prejudice, one branded a demon and the other the son of a feared dragon clan, and the film’s questions about who gets to decide what is monstrous or righteous give the story unexpected depth. The scenes with Ne Zha’s parents are equally affecting, grounding the cosmic conflict in a family’s love.

More mythology than one film can hold

The film’s ambition occasionally overwhelms it. The mythology expands rapidly, introducing clans, immortals and political factions that newcomers may struggle to track, and a few subplots feel rushed. At 144 minutes, the pacing of the middle section, which is packed with trials and set pieces, can feel relentless. These are small complaints against a film of such imagination and emotional force.

Who should watch Ne Zha 2?

It is essential for animation fans, lovers of fantasy epics and anyone curious about Chinese mythology on screen. Families with older children will find plenty to enjoy, though the battles are intense and some imagery is frightening, and the crude humour may not suit every household. Watch the first film beforehand, and set aside an evening for this one.

For more Chinese myth and fantasy:

• Ne Zha, the first film, which sets up the friendship and family story this sequel builds on.
• Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms, a live-action epic drawn from the same classic novel.
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, for a very different, more lyrical take on Chinese fantasy action.

The verdict

Ne Zha 2 is a triumph of popular animation: vast, funny, moving and technically astonishing. Its sprawling mythology can be overwhelming, but the combination of spectacle, character and heart makes it one of the defining animated films of its era.

Rating: 5/5