Since the 2019 release of "Ne Zha 1" ignited a craze for Chinese animation, the rise of Chinese animation IPs has attracted attention. Now, with "Ne Zha 2" topping China's box office charts, the discussion has reached a fever pitch: How can Chinese animation strike a balance between commercial value and cultural depth? How can it create globally influential animation IPs?

The Chinese character Ne Zha embodies themes of rebellion and rebirth. "Ne Zha 1" subverts the traditional image of Ne Zha, crafting a hero who is rebellious yet kind-hearted. Based on it, "Ne Zha 2" deepens the hero's internal conflicts and complexities. It not only shows Ne Zha's personal struggles but also expands to group dilemmas, emphasizing that a hero is not just a fighter for individual destiny but also a bearer of social responsibility. Ne Zha evolves from defying fate to protecting humanity, showcasing a more mature path of heroism.

Unlike "Ne Zha 1", which focused on individual destiny, the narrative core of "Ne Zha 2" revolves around the fate of groups. The film abandons the absolute opposition between "immortals" and "demons" found in traditional myths, creating a more nuanced worldview. In this narrative, characters are not innately opposed but are individuals bound by established rules. Ne Zha's growth is not just a personal awakening but also a subversion and reshaping of the mythological system. His joint struggle with Ao Bing and the Dragon King shifts the hero narrative from individual striving to broader social value expression.

In terms of character development, the film uses the traditional Chinese concept of yin and yang to present character conflicts, adding layers of cultural interpretation. From mythological heroes in Ming and Qing dynasty novels to revolutionary symbols in the animated film "Ne Zha Conquers the Dragon King," and now to contemporary growth fables, "Ne Zha 2" further deepens the cultural significance of this symbol, turning it into a modern allegory for cultural identity and self-exploration.

Visually, the film draws deeply from traditional Chinese cultural elements, such as bronze ware patterns and mythological murals, giving the mythological world a sense of historical authenticity. Besides, using modern animation technology, the film presents a grand underwater world and epic battle scenes, breathing new life into traditional mythological imagery.

The success of "Ne Zha 2" not only demonstrates the ability to create Chinese animation IPs but also shows the potential to drive the development of related industries. As the industrialization of Chinese animation improves, how to further perfect the IP ecosystem, enhance brand loyalty, and form globally influential cultural symbols in the international market will be key directions for upgrading China's animation industry.

《哪吒2》：塑造中国的动漫IP

自2019年《哪吒1》成功掀起国产动画热潮以来，国产动漫IP的崛起备受关注。如今，《哪吒2》登顶中国影史票房榜，再次将该话题推向高潮，国产动画如何在商业价值与文化深度之间找到平衡？如何塑造具有全球影响力的动漫IP？

中国的哪吒形象承载了反叛与重生的双重主题。《哪吒1》对传统哪吒形象进行了颠覆式改编，塑造了一个个性叛逆却内心善良的英雄形象。《哪吒2》在此基础上深化了英雄成长的矛盾性和复杂性，不仅展现哪吒的个体奋斗，更扩展至群体困境，强调英雄不再只是个人命运的抗争者，更是社会责任的承担者。哪吒从“逆天改命”走向“守护苍生”，展现了更为成熟的英雄成长路径。

与前作强调个体命运抗争不同，《哪吒2》的叙事核心围绕群体命运展开。影片摒弃了传统神话故事中“仙”与“妖”绝对对立的设定，构建了一个更具层次感的世界观。在这个体系中，不同角色并非天生对立，而是受既定规则束缚的个体。哪吒的成长不仅是个体觉醒，更是对神话体系的颠覆与重塑。他与敖丙、龙王等角色的共同抗争，使英雄叙事从单一的个体奋斗转向更广阔的社会价值表达。

角色塑造方面，影片通过中国传统的阴阳二元论呈现人物冲突，使文化解读更具多义性。从明清小说中的神话英雄，到动画电影《哪吒闹海》中的革命象征，再到当代动画中的成长寓言，《哪吒2》进一步深化了这一文化符号的内涵，使其成为探讨文化认同与自我探索的现代寓言。

美术设计方面，影片深度汲取中国传统文化元素，如青铜器纹样、神话壁画等，使神话世界更具历史质感。同时，借助现代动画技术，影片呈现恢宏壮阔的海底世界、气势磅礴的战斗场面，使传统神话意象焕发新的生机。

《哪吒2》的成功不仅彰显了国产动画IP的塑造能力，也展现了其带动周边产业链发展的潜力。随着国产动画工业化水平的提升，如何进一步完善IP生态，增强品牌黏性，并在全球市场中形成具有国际影响力的文化符号，将成为推动中国动画产业升级的重要方向。

文 ｜广东技术师范大学音乐学院副教授 闫骥爽
图 ｜海报
翻译 ｜赵凡
英文审校｜王枥焓