Nezha: The Devil's Child Stirs the Sea

Synopsis

After six years, director Jiaozi returns with "Ne Zha: The Devil's Child Stirs the Sea," where the intertwined fates of Ne Zha and Ao Bing unfold once more, narrating an earth-shattering legend of stirring the sea.

Overview

Ne Zha: The Devil's Child Stirs the Sea is an animated film written and directed by Jiaozi, jointly produced by Kekedou Animation and Enlight Media's Coloroom Pictures. The film was released in mainland China on January 29, 2025 (Chinese New Year's Day), serving as the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster animation Ne Zha.

Upon its release, the film caused a sensation, with its cumulative box office surpassing 15.446 billion RMB, overtaking Inside Out 2 to become the highest-grossing animated film in global box office history and ranking fifth on the all-time global box office chart. Director Jiaozi also became the highest-grossing director in Chinese film history with this film.

Plot

Following the previous film where Ne Zha defied fate and shattered prejudice, Ne Zha: The Devil's Child Stirs the Sea expands the story into a grander oceanic world. The intertwined destinies of Ne Zha and Ao Bing once again form the narrative core—one is a devil's child who rebels against heaven, the other is a prince burdened with the mission of the Dragon Clan. Their friendship and conflict escalate to new heights.

The film is based on the classic Chinese mythological tale "Ne Zha Stirs the Sea" from Investiture of the Gods, undergoing a bold modern adaptation. While retaining the core of the classic story, it injects richer emotional layers and visual spectacle.

Voice Cast

Box Office and Records

On its 22nd day of release, it surpassed Inside Out 2 ($1.699 billion) to become the highest-grossing animated film worldwide. It concluded its theatrical run in mainland China on June 30, 2025, with a total box office of 15.446 billion RMB.

Cultural Impact

The success of Ne Zha: The Devil's Child Stirs the Sea marks a new pinnacle for China's animation industry. The film achieved a qualitative leap in visual effects, with both the grand presentation of oceanic scenes and the meticulous depiction of character movements reaching world-class standards.

From a cultural perspective, the film presents classical Chinese mythological stories to a global audience through a modern narrative approach, serving as a successful case of Chinese cultural export. Ne Zha, the most rebellious character in Chinese mythology, is imbued with new vitality in a contemporary context, resonating strongly with young audiences.

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/34780991/
2. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/哪吒之魔童闹海
3. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/哪吒之魔童闹海/61115689
4. IT Home: https://www.ithome.com/0/909/523.htm