A Box Office Myth Igniting Nationwide Discussion
Recently, the film industry has been turned “upside down” by an animated film. That’s right, it’s Ne Zha 2! Like a superhero emerging out of nowhere, it has “blazed a trail” all the way and launched a fierce attack on the global animated box office chart. Up to now, its box office performance has been quite astonishing. Not only has its domestic box office soared, but it has also won the love of many friends in all over the world, allowing the whole world to see the charm of Chinese animation. For a while, this film has been the talk of the town, and social media has been flooded with various topics related to the “Ne Zha craze”. People have been discussing the plot, special effects, and those unforgettable characters. In this wave of nationwide discussion, I wonder if you have noticed an amazing detail — Hanfu! Today, let’s step into Ne Zha 2 and explore the beauty of Hanfu hidden in the film.
Ne Zha’s New Attire: A Passionate Collision between Tradition and Modernity
In the film, Ne Zha is like a little messenger of Hanfu culture on the move. Every piece of his clothing conceals the subtlety of the integration of tradition and modernity. When Ne Zha was a baby, that red bellyband was a classic among classics. In traditional Chinese culture, red represents auspiciousness, festivity, and vitality, just like Ne Zha’s lively and unyielding character, full of energy and enthusiasm. This small red bellyband is not only a tribute to the elements of traditional clothing but also a symbol of Ne Zha’s innocence, making people feel cute and amiable at first sight.
As he grew a little older, Ne Zha in his childhood changed into a front-buttoned vest. The buttonless design is convenient and neat, giving a sense of casualness and freedom that was typical of the daily wear of ancient working people and children. Moreover, this vest has a sleeveless design, making Ne Zha more flexible in his movements, presenting the image of a mischievous and playful child. The color matching is also very particular. The interweaving of red and golden yellow not only retains the warmth of traditional colors but also adds a touch of modern and fashionable vitality, just like Ne Zha’s spirit of having traditional roots while daring to break through and innovate.
The trousers he wears on the lower body are even more remarkable. Its elements are somewhat similar to the crotch trousers unearthed from the Dingling Tomb. The crotch position is very low, and the closed part is like the striped trousers of the Tang Dynasty. It is also tied with a prominent yellow belt, perfectly demonstrating the characteristic of Hanfu trousers being tied with a belt. This design is not only convenient for Ne Zha to run and jump but also full of historical significance, making people admire the ingenuity of the designer. Wearing such trousers, Ne Zha rampages through the streets and alleys of Chentang Pass, as if carrying the cultural imprint of thousands of years and going wild in the modern animated world.
Ao Bing’s Fashion Cross-over: When Hanfu Meets Western Aesthetics
As soon as Ao Bing made his appearance, his unique appearance was like a ray of light that instantly caught everyone’s attention. His hairstyle, on the basis of the traditional hair-tying and wearing a crown, has a “new style” with a half-tied and half-loose look. This kind of hairstyle is quite common in the images of immortals and heroes in film and television dramas. It perfectly shows the ethereal and elegant temperament of immortals, raising Ao Bing’s appearance level to a new height. He is simply a combination of “beauty and temperament”.
Looking at his clothes, it is even more a grand fashion show of tradition and modernity. Inside is a large-sleeved upper garment with a crossed collar and a right lapel, which is a very typical feature of Hanfu. The design of the crossed collar and right lapel is like a cultural symbol, carrying a strong historical charm and making people feel the charm of traditional culture at a glance. And the sleeveless stand-up collar coat matched outside is full of the style of Western fashion. The stand-up collar almost surrounds both sides of the face, somewhat similar to the stand-up collar of Western trench coats, adding a sense of competence and fashion to Ao Bing.
On the lower body is a simple pair of long trousers that modify Ao Bing’s figure, making him look taller and more upright. A delicate belt is tied around his waist, which not only plays a role in fixing the clothes but also adds a touch of delicacy to the overall look. Paired with a pair of ancient-style boots, his whole temperament is immediately revealed. He has both the elegance and grandeur of traditional Hanfu and the fashion and refinement of Western fashion, perfectly creating the image of Ao Bing, who is both gentle and dashing. In the film, wearing this outfit, Ao Bing stands out whether in intense fighting scenes or in affectionate conversations with Ne Zha, leaving a deep impression on people.
The Supporting Characters Embellished by Hanfu
In the fantastical animated world of Ne Zha 2, not only the Hanfu styles of the main characters are eye-catching, but the costumes of the supporting characters are also extremely wonderful. Each set contains unique cultural connotations and design ingenuity.
Lady Yin: The Personification of Gentle Classicism
As Ne Zha’s mother, Lady Yin’s clothing, from the curved robe style in the first film to the straight robe style in the second film, is trying to depict the gentle image of a mother. The collar of the crossed collar, the white collar of the middle garment that is just right to be revealed, and the long hem, her gentle temperament is like the spring breeze blowing towards us. This design is as if a gentle woman has stepped out of an ancient scroll, making people feel the softness and delicacy of traditional women.
Looking closely, the wrist guards on Lady Yin’s arms and the waistband design around her waist cleverly integrate the elements of the armor of military generals. This is like telling us that Lady Yin not only has a gentle side but also a tenacious side. In order to protect Chentang Pass and her family, she can put on the armor and transform into a heroic warrior. This design of combining softness and firmness perfectly shows Lady Yin’s character and also allows us to see the powerful expressive power of Hanfu in shaping character images.
Taiyi Zhenren: The Immortal and Ethereal Spirit in the Taoist Robe
As soon as Taiyi Zhenren made his appearance, his loose Taoist robe attracted everyone’s attention. The prototype of his clothing should be a front-buttoned large-sleeved hechang or cape, which is very consistent with the image of Taoism. In ancient times, the hechang was a favorite clothing of literati, scholars, and Taoists. Wearing it, one seems to be able to integrate with heaven, earth, and nature, full of the charm of an immortal and ethereal spirit.
Taiyi Zhenren’s Taoist robe not only conforms to the Taoist image in style but also pays great attention to the choice of color and material. The loose large sleeves gently sway with his movements, just like clouds floating in the sky, free and unrestrained. Paired with his chubby figure and lovely expression, it makes people feel both friendly and interesting, as if this immortal lives among us, with endless wisdom and humor.
The Crane Boy and the Marmot: The Interpretation of Clothing with Immortal and Earthly Auras
As a disciple in the Yuxu Palace, the Crane Boy’s clothing is simply the synonym of “floating with an immortal aura”. Judging from the prototype, it uses a front-buttoned large-sleeved upper garment, a corset, a spliced and wrapped long skirt, a wide belt, a wrap skirt, and flowing ribbons that dance in the wind in Hanfu. These elements combined together are like the clothing of a fairy in a dream.
Especially those flowing ribbons that dance in the wind are like the ribbons of a fairy flying in the sky. Coupled with the light fabric, every step he takes seems to be on the clouds, making people feel that he can fly at any time. This design perfectly fits the “fairy” setting of the Crane Boy, making it easy for us to be immersed in this immortal character when watching the film, as if we are entering the mysterious fairyland together with the Crane Boy.
Contrary to the immortal aura of the Crane Boy, the image of the marmot is full of an earthy feeling. In the film, tattered front-buttoned half-sleeved garments and crossed-collar short clothes are used to depict the little marmot demon. These are the most practical styles that the working people have worn for thousands of years. Although they look shabby, they are full of the breath of life, just like those ordinary but hardworking little people around us.
The marmots run around in the film wearing such clothes, busy for a bite to eat. Their images vividly show the living conditions of the people at the bottom. These basic styles of Hanfu, after simple design and treatment, have successfully created the cute and down-to-earth image of the marmot, allowing us to see the diversity and adaptability of Hanfu in shaping different characters.
Hanfu Gaining Popularity and Chinese Culture Going Global
The explosive popularity of Ne Zha 2 has once again made Hanfu, a traditional cultural element that has already received much attention, the focus of attention. It is like a bridge connecting the ancient traditional culture and modern animated art, allowing more people to see the beauty of Hanfu and feel the charm of traditional culture.
In this era of globalization, cultural exchanges and dissemination have become increasingly important. The ingenious use of Hanfu elements in Ne Zha 2 not only enables domestic audiences to have a deeper understanding and love for traditional culture but also opens a new window for the external dissemination of Chinese culture. When foreign friends see the exquisite Hanfu styles in the film, they are deeply attracted and develop a strong interest in traditional Chinese culture. This is the power of culture, which can transcend the boundaries of language and region and make people from different countries and ethnic groups resonate.
As an important symbol of traditional Chinese culture, Hanfu carries rich historical and cultural connotations. It is not just a piece of clothing but also a cultural inheritance and a symbol of national spirit. Through excellent works like Ne Zha 2, we have seen the infinite possibilities of Hanfu in modern culture. It can be combined with various art forms such as animation, film and television, and games, and enter people’s lives in a more vivid and interesting way, allowing more people to understand and love Hanfu culture.
I hope that while enjoying the wonderful plot of Ne Zha 2, you can also pay more attention to these Hanfu elements hidden in the characters. Let’s feel the beauty of Hanfu together, inherit and carry forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and let this ancient cultural pearl shine more brightly in modern society! If you are also a Hanfu enthusiast, welcome to leave a message in the comment section to share your views on the Hanfu styles in the film. Let’s communicate and cheer for Hanfu culture together!
