Ne Zha, a traditional figure from Chinese folklore, has returned to the big screen, reimagined as a modern punk protagonist in the new animated film "Ne Zha 2." This innovative retelling has struck a chord with younger Chinese audiences, propelling the film to impressive box office success. However, its performance in Shanghai—where it earned 277 million yuan and ranked second—has ignited heated debates about patriotism in China. The film's success has been both celebrated as a triumph for Chinese culture and scrutinized as a "litmus test" for national loyalty.
The debate surrounding Ne Zha 2 has unfolded prominently on social media platforms, with Xiaohongshu playing a central role. A user named NiCheng sparked controversy by expressing his lack of enthusiasm for the film, which led to accusations of unpatriotic behavior from some fans.
“Not supporting Ne Zha 2” does not necessarily mean one is unpatriotic, NiCheng wrote.
“Stop forcing me to watch it – don't use this as a moral kidnapping and claim I'm unpatriotic,” he said.
“If I don't love my country, then I guess the donations I made for social causes (in China) are all wasted."
This sentiment of being pressured to express patriotism through cinematic preferences resonated with many, generating thousands of comments on Xiaohongshu. Another user, MiU, highlighted the intensity of the fandom's expectations:
“You really can't say anything bad about Ne Zha 2 (online),” said another user with the handle MiU.
“I paid money to watch the film and shared neutral thoughts on social media – I ended up getting scolded by a bunch of people,” she said.
The discourse has drawn attention from cultural commentators as well. Writer Jian Gongbo criticized toxic fandoms, attributing their behavior to "blind arrogance" and "narrow nationalist sentiment."
“An absurd (form) of logic has quietly taken place,” he said.
“(In which) box office sales are the word of law, and watching a movie means you are patriotic.”
Despite the controversies, Ne Zha 2's success has been celebrated by Chinese media as a victory for Chinese patriotism and culture. Kaycee, another Xiaohongshu user, shared her personal connection to the character:
“There might be a similarity between Nezha and me. We both care about how other people see us,” said Yang Chenxi.
Research fellow Sui Chuan from China's Xiamen University of Technology offered insight into the character's transformation. He noted that the animated version of Ne Zha breaks away from the character's "sacredness" myth, signaling a modern reinterpretation that appeals to contemporary audiences.
The animated transformation of Ne Zha has also sparked discussions on its potential for global replication. The film's reception abroad could open doors for Chinese cinema to gain wider international recognition.
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