China blockbuster Ne Zha 2 director Jiao Zi reveals spending 3 years relying on parents.
Jiao Zi, the director of China’s massive box-office hit Ne Zha 2, has shared a deeply personal story of how he spent over three years unemployed and reliant on his mother’s modest pension. Known off-screen as Yang Yu, Jiao Zi credited his parents’ unwavering support for helping him continue his journey in the animation industry.
Ne Zha 2, which became the highest-grossing film in China by February 10, with a home and international box office total of 14 billion yuan (roughly $2 billion), has been lauded for its stunning animation and emotional storytelling. The film’s themes, which include unconditional parental love, reflect Jiao Zi’s own life experiences, particularly the enduring support he received from his family during difficult times.
In a candid interview, Jiao Zi revealed that for over three years, he struggled to find work and lived off his mother’s meager pension of just 1,000 yuan (about $140) per month. “My mother knew that I wasn’t flashy but a hardworking person. She trusted me,” he said, reflecting on his family’s steadfast belief in his dreams.
Jiao Zi’s journey to becoming a well-known filmmaker was not straightforward. After being enrolled at the prestigious West China School of Pharmacy at his family’s insistence, he found little interest in pharmacy. By his third year of university, he began self-learning animation, soon deciding not to pursue a career in healthcare. Instead, he spent nearly four years working without pay, dedicating himself entirely to his craft, while his mother supported both him and his father with her pension.
Recalling how his mother would buy discounted vegetables and forego new clothes to make ends meet, Jiao Zi’s voice thickened with gratitude. Despite these hardships, his mother never complained and encouraged him to follow his passion for animation. “She persuaded my father to stand behind my decision,” he said.
It wasn’t until 2009 that Jiao Zi’s perseverance paid off, as his 16-minute animated short won over 30 domestic and international awards. This breakthrough led to the founding of his animation studio, Jiaokeli, in Chengdu, Sichuan, which later produced Ne Zha—a landmark success in Chinese animated film.
Ne Zha itself has been embraced by audiences for its exploration of themes like family loyalty, as seen in the moving portrayal of Ne Zha’s mother. In one powerful moment of the film, Ne Zha’s mother, despite being gravely injured, holds her son and assures him, “I do not care if you are deity or monster. I only know you are my kid and I will always love you.” Jiao Zi noted that this unconditional love is the essence of the story he wanted to tell.
The success of Ne Zha 2 follows the massive impact of the original Ne Zha film, which earned 5 billion yuan (around $684 million) in 2019. Both films have struck a chord with audiences worldwide, thanks in part to the director’s ability to channel his personal experiences of love and sacrifice into his work.
Jiao Zi, born Yang Yu, studied pharmacy in university. Photo: Weibo/Thepaper
For Jiao Zi, his work is not just about creating entertaining films—it’s about expressing gratitude. "My family is harmonious. Thanks to my parents’ support and tolerance, I could carry on working in this industry," he shared. His commitment to integrating his real emotions into his films has clearly resonated, making Ne Zha 2 a milestone in the history of Chinese animation.
The origins of Jiao Zi’s choice to adapt the Ne Zha myth remain unclear, but there’s no doubt that his personal experiences with family and perseverance have shaped his approach to storytelling.
Ne Zha 2 Plot Summary: A Hero’s Struggle Against Fate
Building on the success of the 2019 hit Ne Zha, Ne Zha 2 continues to follow the journey of the young deity as he battles against the forces of destiny and the dangers threatening his world. Based on the classic Chinese myth, the film sees Ne Zha wielding his supernatural powers to protect the people he loves.
Following the dramatic events of the first film, Ne Zha and Ao Bing make a tremendous sacrifice, using the energy from the Chaos Pearl. Their bodies are destroyed in the process, but their souls live on. Taiyi Zhenren, a wise and powerful figure, attempts to reshape their bodies with the help of the seven-colored lotus. However, this powerful process proves to be far from straightforward, as Taiyi encounters several difficulties during the transformation.
Meanwhile, a new threat emerges as Shen Gongbao, a formidable antagonist, manages to release the Four Dragon Kings, who had long been imprisoned in the depths of the sea. Among the released Dragon Kings is Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East Sea, who is bent on revenge. Ao Guang vows to bring destruction to Chentangguan, leaving Ne Zha no choice but to confront these powerful foes and protect his home.
Ne Zha 2 takes the audience on an intense journey filled with action and emotional depth, as Ne Zha’s determination and courage are put to the ultimate test. With a blend of mythology, supernatural elements, and powerful storytelling, this sequel continues the saga of one of Chinese animation’s most beloved heroes.
