The Chinese animation industry is rapidly emerging as a major global player, driven by the spectacular success of Ne Zha 2 (2025). This signals China’s strategic shift toward cultivating its own animation industry and taking center stage in the international arena.
Ne Zha 2 and Nobody (2025) are powering the current boom in Chinese animation, highlighting China’s ability to turn traditional culture into engaging stories with broad audience appeal. Their box office achievements underscore the country’s growing prominence in global animation.
The rise of Chinese animation industry
The origins of the Chinese animation industry date back to the 1920s, when the Wan brothers produced traditional films like Princess Iron Fan (1941). Most of the films were notable due to their unique water-and-ink animation, particularly in Little Tadpoles Look for their Mother (1960).
The animation trends in the Chinese film industry quickly transformed after the Cultural Revolution challenges and the consequential period of struggle. The late 20th and early 21st Century could be counted as eras of Chinese animated boom.
One of the first celebrated Chinese animated film successes is Monkey King: Hero is Back (2015) and the 3D Donghua movie, Ne Zha 2 (2025). Ne Zha wasn’t as successful as its sequel, but the country is content that Chinese CGI movies are demonstrating a growing technological prowess on their own.
The Chinese animation market 2025 is purely characterized by significant use of CGI in Chinese cinema, and making a deep connection with its cultural roots. The rare oriental aesthetics with a blend of Chinese mythology is getting massive acceptance across borders.
Hence, it is speculated that Chinese animated movies like Ne Zha 2 and the recently released Nobody (2025) are going to give a tough competition to the already-established Korean industry- you know, I’m talking about the headbanging success of K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025).
Spotlight on Ne Zha 2 (2025)
Chinese animated films’ success attracted attention with Ne Zha 2‘s box office distinction. Its success is as fascinating as the emergence of Korean cinema with Oscar-winning movies like Parasite (2019).
The movie is about Ne Zha sharing his body with a Dragon Prince, Ao Bing. The film is different from its predecessor and is partly based on the 16th-century book Investiture of the Gods, which talks about myths as the wrath of heaven, the sacred lotus flower, and the third son of Li Jing.
How Ne Zha 2 influenced Chinese animation? It showed how wildly Chinese animation is evolving since Ne Zha 2’s graphics were vibrant and visually strong. The animation aesthetics, infused with a suspenseful story narrative, was a winning recipe for its cinematic victory.
Spotlight on Nobody (2025)
Nobody Chinese movie is the next animated film that broke records in China this summer. Nobody is currently the highest-grossing 2D animated film in the country, making $32.9 million after its August release this year, as per Variety.
The film is again inspired by classic Chinese mythology, just like Ne Zha 2. Directed by Yu Shui, it is influenced by Journey ot the West but with the eyes of minor demons.
The success story of the Nobody Chinese film comes from the adoption of the perspectives of the less conspicuous beings in Journey to the West and strongly embedded Chinese cultural elements. Shanghai Animation Film Studio wanted to focus on their inner worlds and dig deeper into these less-detailed characters.
Shanghai Animation Film Studio is now celebrating the success of Nobody just like Little Tadpoles Look for their Mother (1960) or Where is Mama? enjoyed similar success as a short film, earning an IMDb rating of 7.6.
Why these films matter
One of the main reasons behind Chinese animation growth is the use of Chinese mythology animation. It has now become a rich source of creative cultural material that the rest of the world was unaware of.
The visually imaginative worlds that other Korean and Japanese movies couldn’t have envisioned serve as a cultural carrier of Chinese national identity and promote their creative industry.
The common factors contributing to their success are storytelling, high-end technology, and audience targeting with immense emotional impact. These two films have created an appeal to both local and international markets.
Without a question, Ne Zha 2 and Nobody are breaking stereotypes of Chinese animation, directly making a comparison with Japanese anime and Western animation.
By the way, mark your calendars for the upcoming Japanese anime feature, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie (2025), which is expected to break its own franchise records, with already having scored an impressive rating on IMDb. It will be released on September 18, 2025, in the US, UK, and Canada after its release in Japan on July 18, 2025.
Industry impact
The rise of Chinese animated films does not stop us from making comparisons with Japanese anime. Chinese vs Japanese anime gives a clear picture of how Chinese animated films are different.
- Japanese anime has large expressive eyes with exaggerated facial expressions. Chinese Donghua has more detailed and realistic visuals.
- Chinese Donghua is frequently based on Chinese mythology, while Japanese anime has a wide range of sci-fi, romance, horror, and fantasy.
- Chinese anime shines with high-quality CGI, while Japanese anime is adapted from manga or light novels- basically focusing on quantity due to high demand.
- The Japanese animation industry has a long-established global fanbase, while the Chinese animation industry has just started getting fame.
Local vs global animation markets in Chinese animation have their own strengths and weaknesses, contributing to putting itself on the map.
- Digital streaming has made content consumption easier
- Cultural resonance matters in Chinese animated films
- Open government support with funds for domestic animation and reduce reliance on foreign content
- Streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and YouTube are looking to form collaborations and co-productions with Chinese animation studios
- Chinese storytelling offers unique angles to Western content
- Bridges cultural gaps
- Fan communities help spread Donghua globally
Because of these two distinguished Chinese animated flicks, animation studios in China are getting noticed. They have finally earned their long-overdue acclaim after dominating the headlines with Ne Zha 2 and Nobody.
These two animated movies are driving the Chinese box office, and increased investment in Chinese animation studios is on the rise. More high-quality animated films are in development, which is a great influence on young creators and studios.
Wrapping up…
The phenomenal success of Ne Zha 2 and Nobody marks a turning point for the Chinese animated industry, implying its arrival as a serious contender on the global stage. These two films have captivated audiences and achieved widespread praise for their artistic, cultural, and commercial success.
The Chinese animated industry has just begun to mature, and the world is watching as Ne Zha 2 and Nobody have sparked the boom- a mere beginning. Chinese animation is sharpening its tools to take the lead.
Passionate Entertainment Writer | Trusted Pop Culture Voice
Madiha Ali is an experienced entertainment writer with over five years of expertise in covering movies, TV shows, celebrity news, and pop culture. Her bylines appear on trusted platforms like High on Films, Ary News, The Express Tribune, Tea and Banter, Show Snob, CelebFeedz, Snapfeedz, Daily Planet Media, The Irish Insider, and Movie Insiderz.
She brings a personal, insightful approach to every story—whether she’s analyzing the emotional layers of a film or giving her take on trending celebrity headlines. Madiha’s writing style is known for being authentic, well-researched, and reader-focused.
When she’s not writing, she’s fully immersed in the world of entertainment—watching new releases, revisiting classics, exploring behind-the-scenes content, or reading books that fuel her creativity. Her passion for storytelling drives her work and helps her stay connected to what matters most in the industry.
Madiha believes great stories start conversations, challenge perspectives, and stay with us long after the credits roll. Through her writing, she continues to share those stories with clarity, depth, and heart.
Expertise in Entertainment Journalism
Published on Trusted Media Platforms
Audience-Focused & Original Voice
Dedicated to Quality Content
Discover more from MovieInsiderz - Latest Movie Reviews, News & Box Office Updates
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
