I wrote yesterday about how impressed I was by Ne Zha, and the sequel here is even better.

The story takes place immediately after the events of the first Ne Zha: the titular character (who embodies the Demon Orb) and his companion Ao Bing (who embodies the Spirit Pearl) are left without bodies due to their fight against Ne Zha’s imminent demise. Master Taiyi reconstructs their bodies, but Ao Bing loses his after he prevents his aunts and uncles (all dragons) from attacking. So, Ne Zha and Ao Bing are forced to inhabit the same body as they participate in a series of trials to win an elixir that will allow Ao Bing to recover his body (a story that has resonances with the Hercules narrative in the Western tradition).

In the process, we are initiated into the Taoist cosmology of immortals and demons, temples and dragons. The film elicited in me a profound sense of wonder about traditional Chinese beliefs and practices, and I suspect that it will do the same for many other viewers. Given that Ne Zha 2 was one of the highest-grossing movies of all time (a sign of the times–the Chinese film industry is making its mark on the world), I suspect that other viewers around the world will have the same impression. Some might depart from the film having seen a wicked-cool story, but those who are more curious will go out and explore further.

In this way, I believe that Ne Zha 2 is going to be a “gateway drug” for learning about traditional Chinese mythology and spirituality.

In addition, the quality of the animation was the highest that I have ever seen. The film opens with close shots on water and food: two things that are notorious difficult to animate well, and the studio did an outstanding job of it. The temple scenes were stunning, and two fight scenes–the second trial and the final fight–can only be described as “so fucking cool!” They are so well done, and I found myself amazed at the visual treat.

The film plays a great deal with moral ambiguity and questions about doing what’s right, especially when things are hard. Shen Gongbao’s arc is the best example of this, but we also see it in Ao Bing’s narrative.

Ne Zha 2 pulls no punches with emotional and thematic depth, aesthetic style, and complex storytelling. In summary, it is a masterpiece.