‘Moral kidnapping’: Is skipping Ne Zha 2 unpatriotic? Heated debate follows Chinese animation’s box office success

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SINGAPORE: In conventional Chinese tradition, he has been portrayed as a naughty child god, a dreadful warrior who had sacrifice himself to keep his family and country. &nbsp,

A modern rock hero and protector saints for misfits in culture, a theme that has recently had a strong impact on new decades of young Chinese moviegoers, has been reimagined in a fresh lively retelling. &nbsp,

” Nezha and I might share some traits. We both care about how other people see us”, said Yang Chenxi, a 17-year-old learner from the town of Huzhou who has watched Ne Zha 2 five times already. &nbsp,

This innovative active type was “different from the usual story” of a traditional Chinese figure, Yang told the China Daily newspaper. &nbsp,

Online, some have gushed about the writer’s quirks and traits: a flaming anger with a stubborn temperament, who also possesses awareness deep down and shows “filial devotion and kindness”. &nbsp,

” I hope I can also become like Ne Zha, the kind of person who is strong and capable, and dares to stand up for oneself,” said Qi Zai, a user on the well-known Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu.

Another Xiaohongshu user named Kaycee said,” The various iterations of Ne Zha have watched me grow up.” ” I hope that I will be able to “met” Ne Zha once more in the upcoming milestone in my life,” he said.

According to research fellow Sui Chuan at China’s Xiamen University of Technology, the animated transformation of the character is “in line with the spiritual aspirations of today’s youths and their determination to fight against labels.” &nbsp,

” This kind of modification breaks the character’s” sacredness “myth, enabling it to resonate with the audience”, she told China Daily. &nbsp,

Excited fans continue to spread the film on other Chinese social media platforms, including the microblogging site Sina Weibo, hoping that its success in China can be used to spread the message around the world.

There is also no shortage of praise for Ne Zha in the Chinese media, with glowing reviews of the movie’s success and support for Chinese patriotism and culture. &nbsp,