Warning: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Ne Zha 2!

The Chinese film Ne Zha 2 includes plenty of action and plot twists, leading to a powerful ending with messages that every person should hear. The first Ne Zha came out in 2019, following the тιтular main character, born of the demon orb, who tries to defy his fate with the help of his friend Ao Bing, born of the spirit pearl. In a shocking but exciting twist, Ne Zha 2 dethroned Inside Out 2 for the тιтle of the highest-grossing animated movie of all time. Ne Zha 2 picks up where the first movie left off.

Ne Zha and Ao Bing try to make new bodies with the Lotus Flower. After Ao Bing’s new body gets destroyed, the two spirits must possess Ne Zha’s new body and journey to Yu Xy Palace, where he can test to become immortal and get the elixir necessary to make another body for Ao Bing. While they go on this quest, Gongbao and the dragons hold Chentang Pᴀss hostage. They’ll only let them go if Ne Zha succeeds. What follows is a fast-paced story that reveals Wuliang and the Chan sect as the true villains, leading to a dramatic ending.

How Ne Zha And Ao Bing Save The Dragons In Ne Zha 2

Ne Zha and Ao Bing Help The Dragons Escape The Tiyaun Cauldron

In Ne Zha 2, Ne Zha and Ao Bing have abilities that surpᴀss all other monsters and humans. As such, they are the two individuals with the strongest chance of saving the dragons after they get trapped in the Tiyaun Cauldron. However, when Ne Zha and Ao Bing attempt to lift the top of the cauldron on their own, they fail because the Chan sect works together. In actuality, their power comes from their ability to inspire others to fight.

Ne Zha and Ao Bing lead the effort to break out of the Tiyaun Cauldron, but the dragons can only escape when they all work together to fight back against the oppressive force of Wuliang and the Chan sect. This part of the story reflects the collectivist ideals of Chinese society, which stresses the duty and responsibility to the group over the desires of the individual. The dragons in Ne Zha 2 recognize that they, as individuals, could die fighting back, but they acknowledge that the group’s goal of survival is more important.

Wuliang’s True Plan (& Why He Destroyed Chentang Pᴀss)

Wuliang’s Plan Shows How Corrupt The Chan Sect Has Become

The biggest shock of the movie Ne Zha 2 is the reveal that Wuliang actually destroyed Chentang Pᴀss, framing the dragons for the mᴀssacre. After imprisoning and oppressing the dragons for a long time, he enlists three of the dragon rulers to destroy the town in exchange for their freedom and fealty. Meanwhile, the primary leader of the dragons and the rest of the group didn’t have anything to do with the attack. The entire destruction of Chentang Pᴀss plays into Wuliang’s ultimate plan for domination.

The leader of the Chan sect has repeatedly intervened in a conflict, killed one group, and framed the other. The clan’s military force, the demon hunters, then swoops in to punish the bad guys, painting themselves as the heroes. However, they’re actually putting the innocent parties into the Tiyaun Cauldron, which changes each individual into an immortality ball that they can use to initiate more members of the community. They know precisely how to manipulate the situation so people of other communities think of the Chans as morally righteous.

Ultimately, Wuliang’s plan – mᴀssacre, frame, defeat, and become heroes – repeats over and over, furthering the Chan sect’s power. Because Wuliang’s army paints themselves as the good guys, members of other communities trek to the Yu Xy Palace for a slight chance of becoming immortal members of the Chan sect. Moreover, even though they have a stockpile of immortality balls, Wuliang rations them to make them more desirable.

How Li Jing And Lady Yin Survive The Mᴀssacre

Gongbao Helps Li Jing And Lady Yin Escape Wuliang’s Attack

Part of the reason Ne Zha sides with Wuliang against the dragons is that he finds his mother’s battle helmet, making him believe his parents – Li Jing and Lady Yin – died during the mᴀssacre. He might have felt less compelled to help if he knew that his mom and dad made it out alive. However, the duo shows up again towards the end of Ne Zha 2.

It turns out Gongbao had saved Li Jing and Lady Yin with the help of the demon that Ne Zha and Ao Bing fought during the first Ne Zha. This might seem surprising at first glance, but it makes sense upon further reflection. Despite taking destructive actions, Gongbao’s motivation was never to harm the citizens of Chentang Pᴀss, viewing them as a means to an end. While holding them captive, Gongbao connects with Li Jing and Lady Yin, which motivates him to save them during the mᴀssacre.

Gongbao sweeps the duo and the demon away from the fighting. The demon petrifies the duo so that Wuliang and his underlings won’t be able to detect them; then he buries himself under the ground. Meanwhile, Gongbao distracts the enemies by fighting back. After the mᴀssacre’s over, the demon uses his snot to undo the petrification.

Ne Zha & Ao Bing’s Journey To Immortality Explained

Ne Zha & Ao Bing Must Work Together While Inhabiting The Same Body

After Ao Bing’s body gets destroyed, Ne Zha and Ao Bing inhabit the same body while on a quest for immortality. If Ne Zha pᴀsses three trials and hides he’s the demon orb, he can gain immortality and get the potion to make Ao Bing a new body. Unfortunately, Ne Zha can’t conceal his demonic powers, so they decide that Ao Bing should control the body during the trials. The back and forth of who’s in control highlights the opposite but complementary nature of the characters. Ne Zha is impulsive and masculine, while Ao Bing is levelheaded and feminine.

The immortality trials prove difficult, with Ne Zha taking sleeping pills so that Ao Bing can take over the body. They have to go up against three demons, with each getting captured or killed after their defeat. The presumption during the trial is that there’s a good reason the Chan sect is sending Ne Zha after these demons. However, the immortality trials actually serve as the first sign that Wuliang and his people are the bad guys. None of these demons have ever been shown doing anything nefarious that warrants punishment, keeping to themselves until they’re forced to fight.

What Is The Deification War Teased In Ne Zha 2?

The Deification War Is Central To The Invesтιтure Of The Gods

Throughout Ne Zha 2, Wuliang repeatedly brings up the impending Deification War, but he never actually clarifies what it is. The answer can be surmised by looking at the book The Invesтιтure of the Gods, or Fengshen Yanyi, by Xu Zhonglin, on which Ne Zha and Ne Zha 2 are loosely based. The classic Chinese novel is similar to The Iliad by Homer in that it tells of an epic war to overthrow a corrupt king, during which Deities, immortals, demons, spirits, and heroes meddle in the battles.

By the end, the Zhou heroes and select deceased members of the Shangs ascend to godhood, falling into a hierarchy based on their spiritual ascension. While the Ne Zha movies stray from the source material in many ways, they are likely building up to an all-out war that will end with deification. However, the onscreen war may not happen in exactly the same way that it does in writing, but it will undoubtedly continue to improve upon the incredible animation of Ne Zha 2.

Ne Zha 2’s Post-Credits Scene Explained: How It Sets Up Ne Zha 3

Gongbao Could Serve As A Villain Again In Ne Zha 3

Before the credits of Ne Zha 2, the Chan sect retreats to Yu Xy Palace while Ne Zha and Ao Bing decide to continue fighting against the oppressive group. However, this isn’t where the story ends. The movie has a mid-credits scene that sets expectations for Ne Zha 3. During the scene, Wuliang goes down to a vault where Shen Gongbao and his father, Shen Zhengdao, are being held captive.

Wuliang offers to give Zhengdao a happy life if Gongbao agrees to have a fealty curse placed on him. It’s unclear whether Gongbao intends to take the deal, as Wuliang has to leave before he can answer. However, during his monologue, Wuliang reveals that he has a special plan on how to use Gongbao in the Deification War. This could put the former villain back into play, working against Ne Zha and Ao Bing in Ne Zha 3.

Additionally, Ne Zha could face his most difficult challenge yet in the third film. During Ne Zha 2’s mid-credits scene, his brothers arrive at Yu Xy Palace, summoned by Wuliang. Since they weren’t present for the revelation that the Chan sect are corrupt, they will likely agree to work with Wuliang. This could lead to Ne Zha fighting on opposite sides from his brother if filmmaker Jiaozi decides to make Ne Zha 3.

The True Meaning Of Ne Zha 2’s Ending

Ne Zha 2 Sends A Strong Anti-Imperialism Message

Although the events of Ne Zha 2 remain the same either way, the cultural lens through which a viewer watches the film heavily influences the core message. The animated movie includes heavy symbolism throughout the film, identifying the Chan sect as the United States of America. Looking at this through the lens of Chinese culture, the film is specifically a blatant callout of the US government’s militarism, corruption, and oppression. This message will resonate with global viewers, including some Americans, who oppose the US government’s actions.

Examining Ne Zha 2 from a Westernized lens, the movie carries a strong anti-establishment message that could be applied to any form of corrupt authority. No matter which perspective a viewer takes, the ending sends this powerful message: It’s better to try to fight for justice and fail than it is to willingly comply with injustice. Ne Zha 2 came out at the perfect time, as that statement is more relevant than ever.