Ne Zha 2 – An Achievement in Animation

All images courtesy of Chendu Coco Cartoon

After seeing the insane traction this film had received, I was beyond excited to attend an early screening of Ne Zha 2. The buzz surrounding it was immense—early audiences claimed it was not only a massive improvement over the first film but one of the best animated films ever created. Its staggering box office numbers only added to the anticipation.

Initially, I had some doubts. The pacing and humor didn’t immediately align with my tastes, and I wondered if the film would fully engage me. But I was quickly, and completely, proven wrong. Very wrong.

The second half of this film is, without a doubt, home to some of the most jaw-dropping animated fight sequences ever put to screen. Every frame feels meticulously crafted, with character designs and cinematography so breathtaking that I found myself literally bouncing in my seat—turning to see if anyone else was just as awestruck as I was.

At first, I assumed all of the film’s budget had been funneled into these visually stunning moments, but I soon realized that the entire film—every single scene—was a masterclass in animation detail and world-building. For nearly an hour straight, Ne Zha 2 delivers some of the most intricate, high-energy sequences I have ever seen, cementing itself as a true work of art.

I now completely understand the hype. This film deserves global recognition, and I hope Western audiences give it the attention it truly warrants. Given the monstrous success it’s already achieved at the box office, Ne Zha 2 has the potential to go down as one of the titans of animation.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to witness this cinematic spectacle early—and now, without a doubt, I’m eagerly awaiting news of a third installment.

-Ben King @crowscritics