In the vibrant world of Chinese mythology – inspired anime, Nezha Reborn has emerged as a remarkable creation that has captivated audiences with its fresh take on the age – old tale of Nezha. But who are the masterminds behind this animated masterpiece? This article delves into the creative forces, the inspirations, and the painstaking processes that brought Nezha Reborn to life.
The Visionary Director
The Spark of Innovation
Zhao Ji, the director of Nezha Reborn, played a pivotal role in shaping the film’s unique vision. Initially, his team explored a more traditional retelling of the Nezha story, following the lines of the 1979 classic Nezha Conquers the Dragon King. However, Zhao Ji had a eureka moment: what if Nezha were to be reimagined in a contemporary setting? This question became the catalyst for the creation of the film we know today.
Zhao Ji recognized that Nezha, with his rebellious and fearless nature, aligned closely with the punk spirit. From the original Fengshen Bang text, Nezha’s character was portrayed as bold and sometimes reckless, traits that resonated with the punk ethos. By placing Nezha in a new, modern – day – inspired world, Zhao Ji aimed to present a youthful, punk – influenced Nezha, a departure from the more familiar heroic image of the past.
Building the World of Nezha Reborn
In the early stages of the project, Zhao Ji worked with a small but dedicated team, with himself and the art director, Guiye, leading the charge. They spent a year brainstorming on various aspects, including the character’s temperament, the overarching world – view, and the development of the story. The creation of a test short film was a crucial milestone. It was the moment when their abstract ideas took a tangible form, allowing them to assess whether their envisioned style and world – view were viable. After two and a half years of arduous development, the confirmation of this creative direction filled the team with excitement, setting the stage for the film’s further development.
The Creative Team
The Writers
The screenwriter, Mu Chuan, was responsible for crafting the new narrative of Nezha Reborn. Drawing from the rich source material of Chinese mythology, particularly the Fengshen Bang and the traditional Nezha legends, Mu Chuan had to create a story that was both familiar and novel. The plot of Nezha Reborn sees Nezha’s soul reincarnating into Li Yunxiang, a passionate motorcycle – loving youth in a modern – day – like city. The film follows Li Yunxiang’s struggles against the Dragon King’s clan, who seek to eliminate Nezha once and for all. The writer had to balance the elements of the original myth, such as Nezha’s feud with the Dragon King and his iconic weapons, with the new setting and characters, creating a seamless blend that would engage both fans of the original myth and new audiences.
The Artistic Team
The artistic team of Nezha Reborn was tasked with creating a visually stunning world that combined elements of modernity and traditional Chinese aesthetics. The design of Nezha’s new look was a blend of multiple inspirations. The classic image of the young Nezha from Nezha Conquers the Dragon King was a starting point. Additionally, ancient Buddha statues and portraits, as well as the looks of some male celebrities, were studied to create a Nezha that was both handsome and rebellious.
The design of the dragons, especially Ao Bing, was another area where the artistic team put in great effort. Zhao Ji wanted to create a more traditional Chinese dragon, and he looked to the works of the Southern Song dragon – painting master Chen Rong for inspiration. The team’s previous experience in creating the reptile – like movements for the snake in White Snake: was also put to use. The development of a reptile – binding system for White Snake: llowed for a smooth transition when creating the animation for the dragon in Nezha Reborn, resulting in a highly detailed and natural – looking dragon.
The city in Nezha Reborn, Donghai City, was designed with painstaking detail. The team, much like urban planners, mapped out every aspect of the city, from the large – scale zoning such as the rich and poor districts, the no – man’s land, and the industrial areas, to the minute details like the layout of individual streets. The chase scene in the film, for example, features an incomplete canal. The team had to consider the canal’s original purpose, its route, and the impact of its abandonment on the surrounding area. The art style of the civilian areas in the film was inspired by old Shanghai. The team visited Shanghai museums and explored ancient alleys, some of which have since been demolished, to capture the essence of old Shanghai and incorporate it into the film.
The Technical Team
The technical team at one of the main production companies, was essential in realizing the creative vision of Nezha Reborn. Thanks to their continuous exploration and accumulation of animation technology in previous projects like White Snake: they were able to handle the complex visual effects required for Nezha Reborn. Whether it was the intense battles between Li Yunxiang (Nezha) and the Dragon King’s forces, with their dazzling displays of fire, ice, and lightning, or the transformation sequences, the technical team ensured that the visual experience was nothing short of spectacular. They developed and refined techniques to create realistic – looking magic, fluid character movements, and detailed environments, making the world of Nezha Reborn come alive on the big screen.
Conclusion
The creation of Nezha Reborn was a complex and collaborative process, involving a talented team of directors, writers, artists, technicians, and production companies. Zhao Ji’s innovative vision, combined with the efforts of the entire creative team, led to the birth of a film that not only pays homage to the traditional Nezha mythology but also breathes new life into it. By drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, from ancient art to modern cultural concepts, and by leveraging the latest animation technologies, Nezha Reborn has carved out a unique place in the world of Chinese – inspired anime. It stands as a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration in reimagining classic stories for a new generation of audiences, both in China and around the world.