Ne Zha 2

Introduction

The recently released Ne Zha 2, otherwise widely known as《哪吒之魔童闹海》, is a movie that I watched on a whim. I had no plans whatsoever to get a ticket, but when I coincidentally found out that a nearby cinema was screening it in 10 minutes, something drove me to watch it. And I’m so glad I did!

Plot summary

Ne Zha 2, a movie whose ticket sales have reached 15,000,000,000, depicts a battle between the people living in Chentang Pass (陈塘关) and the dragon rulers of the 4 seas. At the start of the show, Ne Zha’s (哪吒) friend Ao Bing (敖丙) has his physical body destroyed and he needs to recover as soon as possible. Because Ao Bing is the son of the dragon leader, saving him and pacifying the dragons is of the utmost importance.

Ne Zha’s human parents attempt to maintain peace in Chentang Pass and fend off troublemakers while their son leaves for Yu Xu Palace (玉虚宫) to pass the test to become an immortal. This will give him access to a magical elixir that can restore Ao Bing back to health. 

Reflections

On the quest for the elixir, many heartwarming, (mostly) hilarious and relatable scenes play out. I found myself rooting for Ne Zha and his attitude of never resigning to fate, because it led to a reflection of how many people face their life. We often drift about aimlessly, conceding to whatever we think has already been predestined. While thoughts on this topic may vary, I personally admire and respect Ne Zha’s prominent element of stubbornness, a theme that shines through in the whole movie.

Additionally, the theme of familial love is another important part that I enjoyed greatly. Even Shen Gongbao (申公豹), born a demon and one of the main troublemakers in Chentang Pass, displayed immense love for his younger brother, Shen Xiaobao (申小豹) and father, Shen Zhengdao (申正道). Upon hearing that they were gravely injured at the hands of Ne Zha, Shen Gongbao went to great lengths to save them such that he was eventually captured and punished with his father.

The most touching scene that brought tears to the eyes of countless viewers was when Ne Zha’s mother slowly passed away. Flashbacks of Ne Zha’s childhood began to play, leading me to realise just how connected Ne Zha’s family was to one another. It must have been so heartbreaking and devastating for Ne Zha to lose his mother and for his father to lose his wife at the hands of a villain of pure evil. 

Moreover, the plot twist nearing the end of the movie had me in shock. To avoid revealing spoilers, I recommend you watch the show by yourself! It will most likely surprise you too.

Conclusion

As someone who lacks spontaneity, watching Ne Zha 2 impulsively was one of the best decisions I have made on a whim. It encapsulates so many intricacies of Chinese culture, intellectual jokes and overarching themes that are also relevant in our day-to-day lives. While the ordinary person does not have the superpowers of most characters in the show, I found myself identifying with much of the emotional turmoil that the characters went through. Ne Zha 2 is my new favourite movie and I hope it will open your eyes the way it has opened mine!

Vera Neo

3 Purity

2025