Why *Ne Zha* Became a Blockbuster
At the end of July 2019, the Chinese animated film Ne Zha became a surprise hit. A compelling story rests on four pillars—protagonist, goal, conflict, and resolution—and the film nails each one.
A protagonist you can’t ignore — Ne Zha is already a household name from Investiture of the Gods and countless folk tales. The challenge for the creators was to reinvent the character without alienating fans, and to keep audiences hooked from start to finish. Their solution: Ne Zha is born into the loyal Li family but is actually the reincarnation of the Demon Orb, cursed to be struck down by heavenly thunder on his third birthday. The plot becomes a countdown to his doom, and every viewer turns into a worried “parent,” compelled to discover his fate.
A goal worthy of a hero — Audiences won’t root for someone who sits and waits for destiny. They cheer for a protagonist with desire. Ne Zha longs to be a hero who slays demons, to be accepted by other kids. Yet his mischievous nature, the townsfolk’s prejudices, and Shen Gongbao’s schemes frustrate him at every turn. Viewers begin to fear for this stubborn “demon child.”
Stone the hero in the tree — Ne Zha faces formidable opponents: the dragon clan eager to reclaim glory, Shen Gongbao aspiring to godhood, and a hapless team on his side. How will this boy fight while bound by the Universe Ring, battle his only friend Ao Bing, protect the townspeople who see him as a monster, and survive heavenly lightning? Each crisis drives the story into another mini-climax.
Let the hero triumph — When the Demon Orb Ne Zha roars “My fate is up to me, not the heavens!” and joins forces with the Spirit Pearl Ao Bing to resist the thunder, the film reaches its emotional peak and the audience goes wild.
By steadily intensifying the action and the setbacks Ne Zha suffers, the director grabs the audience for all 110 minutes and delivers the biggest box-office winner of the summer. As a commercial production, Ne Zha is a triumph.
Published at: Jul 28, 2019 · Modified at: Jan 14, 2026
