The Rise of Yang Yu: From Humble Beginnings to Animation Stardom
Yang Yu, the visionary director behind the critically acclaimed films “Ne Zha” and its upcoming 2025 sequel “Ne Zha 2,” has carved a remarkable path from modest beginnings to becoming one of China’s most successful filmmakers. His journey is not only a story of artistic triumph but also one of perseverance, passion, and personal sacrifice.
A Record-Breaking Success
The release of “Ne Zha 2” on June 30 marked a historic milestone in Chinese cinema. The film shattered over 113 records, including becoming the highest-grossing Chinese film ever, attracting the largest audience in Chinese history, and earning the title of the highest-grossing animated film globally. It also became the only Asian film to rank among the top five highest-grossing films worldwide. These achievements have solidified Yang Yu’s reputation as the highest-grossing Chinese director, with his role as director, screenwriter, and producer earning him an impressive reported salary of 2 billion yuan (approximately US$278.7 million) for “Ne Zha 2” alone.
A Journey of Passion and Perseverance
Yang Yu’s path to success was far from easy. Born in Sichuan Province, he enrolled in the Department of Animation at Sichuan University in 1999. During his third year, he discovered the 3D animation software Maya and spent the next year teaching himself to use it. After graduating in 2003, he briefly worked in an advertising company before making a life-changing decision to pursue animation full-time. Tragically, his father, who worked at a hospital, passed away shortly after Yang graduated.
Despite the challenges, Yang remained determined. He left his job in the advertising field, driven by a deep sense of purpose. When he shared his decision with his mother, she simply asked, “Have you thought this through?” Her question reflected her concern, but Yang was confident in his choice. His mother ultimately supported him, and together they endured years of financial hardship.
Struggles and Breakthroughs
During this period, Yang relied on his mother’s monthly pension of 1,000 yuan to support them both. He lived frugally, focusing entirely on his career while avoiding distractions, including relationships. This period of solitude helped him grow both personally and professionally.
In 2008, after four years of struggle, Yang released his first short film, “See Through.” The film received critical acclaim, winning the Special Jury Prize at the 26th Berlin International Short Film Festival and the Gold Award at the 12th Japan TBS DigiCon6 Grand Final. These accolades secured his place in the animation industry, and in 2011, he co-founded a film production company.
The Breakthrough: “Ne Zha”
In 2019, Yang released “Ne Zha,” a project that initially faced skepticism from investors and was rejected by major production companies. Undeterred, Yang turned to smaller companies to bring his vision to life. The film eventually became a massive hit, grossing over $700 million globally and proving that his creative instincts were spot-on.
The success of “Ne Zha” led to the development of “Ne Zha 2,” which continues the story with themes of breaking stereotypes and embracing one’s true identity. Both films are deeply rooted in Yang’s family background and his passion for animation, with themes of unconditional love as a central message.
A Lasting Influence
Yang credits his mother’s unwavering love as a key influence on the films. He often reflects on how Ne Zha’s mother never cared whether he became a demon or an immortal—what mattered was her boundless support, which allowed Ne Zha to embrace his authentic self.
Currently, Yang is working on a third installment of the “Ne Zha” series. Despite his growing fame, he has declined all event invitations and interviews. In April, “Ne Zha 2” won the Best Contribution Award at the Hua Biao Awards, but Yang did not attend the ceremony. The award was accepted on his behalf by the film’s producer, who revealed that Yang was under immense pressure but remained focused on his creative work.
At the ceremony, the producer read a letter from Yang, expressing gratitude to the China Huabiao Film Awards for the honor and acknowledging the support of the audience. “What we’ve done isn’t enough compared to their support,” the letter stated. “We will continue to work harder and never forget our original dream. Thank you for allowing me to bury myself in work and meet everyone through our work.”
