‘Ne Zha II’: What to Know About the Chinese Blockbuster

This article contains spoilers for “Ne Zha” and discusses some plot points in “Ne Zha II.”

This weekend the indie distributor A24 is releasing a movie in the United States that has already become a phenomenon. Just how much of a phenomenon? “Ne Zha II,” which was released in its home country of China and other parts of the world earlier this year, has already grossed more than $2.1 billion worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.

But “Ne Zha II” also drops viewers into a sprawling story that might leave American audiences encountering the tale for the first time a little baffled. The film, written and directed by Jiao Zi, riffs on Chinese mythology, featuring epic battles and goofy gags in almost equal measure. It’s safe to say there’s a lot going on. For newcomers, here’s what you need to know.

Wait, is there a ‘Ne Zha I’?

Yes: “Ne Zha” came out in 2019 and earned over $726 million worldwide. That movie gives us the origin story of the title character, a mischievous little boy whose impish glare occasionally resembles that of Calvin from “Calvin and Hobbes.”

In that movie’s prologue we learn that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gave birth to what is called the Chaos Pearl. The Supreme Lord Yuanshi Tianzun then divided that into two entities: the Spirit Pearl and the Demon Orb, the latter of which he deems will be destroyed in three years. The Spirit Pearl is supposed to be entrusted to Ne Zha, the son of the warrior Li Jing, but the evil Shen Gongbao steals it, and thus Ne Zha is imbued with the Demon Orb. And the Spirit Pearl? That goes to Ao Bing, the son of the imprisoned Dragon King, Ao Guang.

Because of his demon nature — and the fact that he is sort of a rude little scamp — Ne Zha is an outcast in his village. Eventually he befriends Ao Bing, even though they are supposed to be mortal enemies. At the end of the first film, after teaming together to save Ne Zha’s home, their spirits are separated from their bodies. This is all briefly explained in an introduction to “Ne Zha II.”

Is this based on anything?

Sort of. Essentially, the “Ne Zha” franchise is a mash-up of a lot of Chinese legends and religion, with roots in Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism. Nearly all the characters in the movies, including Ne Zha himself, have analogues. The “Ne Zha” movies, however, rewrite the traditional stories for more modern twists and messages about being true to yourself.

Ne Zha is a figure with Indian origins, though the film’s lore riffs on the 16th-century novel “Investiture of the Gods,” as well as the myth “Ne Zha Conquers the Dragon King,” which was adapted into a 1979 animated movie.

So what is ‘Ne Zha II’ about?

“Ne Zha II” picks up essentially right at the end of “Ne Zha.” First, Master Taiyi, essentially both movies’ comic relief, must restore the physical forms of Ne Zha and Ao Bing using the Sacred Lotus. When the plan goes awry and Ao Bing loses his new body, he must share the skin of Ne Zha. Along with Master Taiyi, they head to a jade palace where Ne Zha will undergo the tests to become an immortal, at which point he can obtain an elixir that can revive the Sacred Lotus and save his pal. The trials involve fighting demons that include a colony of talking beavers.

Wait, talking beavers? Is ‘Ne Zha II’ funny?

“Ne Zha II” mixes its convoluted mystical story line and awe-inspiring animation with some very juvenile humor. There are a lot of fat jokes involving Master Taiyi, who has incredible power but is also very silly. There’s also a whole bit in which Taiyi’s flying pig passes gas in someone’s face, and another where Ne Zha urinates in an inopportune place.

It sounds like this is for little kids. Will they like it?

I have no doubt that tots will giggle at the gags, but there are also a lot of scary bits with genuinely horrifying imagery. Think: Creatures called abyss monsters and the charred bodies of townspeople felled by lava. It’s also over two hours long, which might test the patience of some young ones.

What about adults?

While some of the humor might feel a little juvenile, the animation is spectacular. According to A24, 4,000 people across 138 animation companies worked on the production, and the scale is evident in the astounding climatic sequence.

Who’s in the English-speaking voice cast? Anyone I know?

The Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh is voicing Ne Zha’s mother, Lady Yin, in the English dub, replacing Stephanie Sheh, who did the dub for “Ne Zha.” And Vincent Rodriguez III, best known for his role on the CW series “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” voices Ne Zha’s father, Li Jing.

Will there be a ‘Ne Zha III’?

Almost definitely. Not only does “Ne Zha II” end on a note that implies there’s more adventure in Ne Zha’s future, there’s also a cheeky mid-credits sequence.