Nezha Conquers the Dragon King

The film adapts a tale from Chinese mythology-specifically the epic fantasy novel "Fengshen Bang"-centered on the warrior deity Nezha. After carrying him for three and a half years, Lady Yin, General Li Jing’s wife, gives birth to a fleshy orb that transforms into a lotus flower, from which Nezha emerges. Born already able to walk and speak, Nezha becomes the disciple of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren. The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, weary of peace, grow cruel and destructive, unleashing storms and drought across China. When the people plead for rain, the East Sea Dragon King Ao Guang refuses, ordering the yaksha Ye Sha to kidnap children for him to devour. Ye Sha seizes one of Nezha’s friends while bathing in the ocean, prompting Nezha to intervene and severely wound him. Enraged, Ao Guang sends his third son, Ao Bing, who is killed by Nezha in the ensuing clash. Tensions escalate between Nezha and Ao Guang, with the Dragon Kings unleashing storms, floods, and other disasters upon the land. Witnessing the suffering, Nezha takes his father’s sword, declares he is returning his flesh and bones to his parents, and calls for his master before taking his own life. His master revives him, this time from another lotus blossom, granting him new weapons and powers. Nezha storms Ao Guang’s underwater palace, confronts the Dragon Kings once more, and ultimately defeats them.