Hanfu Elements in Ne Zha 2: A Cultural Feast in Animation

Ne Zha 2 has captivated global audiences, and its stunning costume designs weave Hanfu culture into the heart of this animated masterpiece. The film’s Ne Zha 2 costumes blend traditional Chinese clothing with creative flair, making it a cultural feast for fans of animated film fashion. Let’s explore how Hanfu elements elevate the characters’ looks!

Ne Zha 2 is an animated film, so the costumes serve the characters and story, not historical accuracy. The designs borrow Hanfu elements but remix them to fit the characters’ needs, which is totally fine and super creative!

Here’s a breakdown of the Hanfu-inspired elements in the movie’s costumes:

1. Ne Zha

Ne Zha’s kid-friendly look is a classic yet innovative take on traditional styles. His hairstyle rocks a fringe with twin buns (yaji), a playful nod to ancient kids’ hairdos. He wears an open-front, sleeveless vest (duijin beixin), a common style for ancient laborers and children, with the sleeveless design making him look sharp and dynamic.

His pants, inspired by the cross-crotch pants (jiaodang ku) unearthed from Dingling Tomb, have a low crotch for comfort and resemble Tang Dynasty striped trousers (tiaowen ku) at the cuffs. A bold yellow sash highlights the Hanfu tradition of tying pants with a belt, emphasizing practicality.

The vest has a small slit at the back—a purely artistic choice, as ancient vests didn’t typically have this. The pants’ low crotch reflects the practical, warm, and non-revealing design of ancient heku or jiaodang ku, debunking myths about Hanfu pants being “exposing.”

Hanfu pants have been unfairly criticized. Historically, they were diverse and essential, worn by all ages and genders for warmth and modesty. From ancient heku (closed-crotch underwear) to dubi ku (knee-length work pants) and kuche fu (pleated trousers), pants have been a core part of Hanfu for millennia, blending style and function.

2. Ao Bing

Our elegant and adorable Ao Bing mixes traditional Hanfu with modern Western flair, creating a dreamy, 仙侠 (xianxia)-style look. His hairstyle is a half-up, half-down style with a crown, blending traditional hair-binding with xianxia drama’s flowing, ethereal vibe to highlight his beauty.

His outfit features a cross-collar, right-lapel (jiaoling youren), wide-sleeved robe—a hallmark of Hanfu—paired with a sleeveless, high-collar overcoat inspired by Western trench coats. The cross-collar is iconic, instantly screaming “Hanfu!”

His ensemble includes Hanfu staples like wide sleeves, decorative edging, a tied waistband, inner pants, and ancient-style boots. However, it’s not a strict Hanfu replica. The inner long robe has side slits, but the outer coat doesn’t, and the hem splits into front and back panels, resembling a bixi (knee cover), creating a structural contradiction but looking cool.

This mix-and-match approach is perfect for a mythical character, prioritizing Ao Bing’s godly charm over historical accuracy.

3. Taiyi Zhenren

Taiyi Zhenren’s flowy outfit draws from Taoist Hanfu culture, likely inspired by a wide-sleeved hechang (crane cloak) or pifeng (cape). This design, rooted in traditional Chinese clothing, suits his quirky, wise persona, as seen in historical Taoist attire on China Culture.

4. Lady Yin (Ne Zha’s Mom)

Lady Yin’s costume evolves from the first film’s curved-hem quju deep robe to a straight-hem zhiju in Ne Zha 2, emphasizing her gentle, motherly aura. The cross-collar neckline, white inner layer (zhongyi) peeking out, and long decorative edging scream soft elegance.

Arm guards and a waist-hugging belt add warrior-like armor elements, blending martial vibes with her nurturing role. This is inspired by Hanfu but not a direct replica, tailored to her character’s warmth and strength.

5. Hetong (Crane Child)

As a disciple of the Jade Void Palace, Hetong’s outfit is pure 仙气 (xianqi or fairy-like charm). It likely draws from a wide-sleeved, open-front top, a chest-covering moxiong, a pieced-together long skirt, a wide waistband, a weichang (apron-like skirt), and flowing ribbons.

This mirrors today’s trendy kids’ Hanfu sets, designed for maximum ethereal beauty. It reflects modern aesthetics in animation, perfectly suiting Hetong’s “fairy” persona and pulling viewers into the story.

6. Marmot

In contrast, the marmot demons wear tattered, open-front, half-sleeved tops and short cross-collar jackets (jiaoling duanru). These are basic, practical styles worn by laborers for thousands of years, giving the demons a grounded, scrappy look.

These foundational Hanfu styles are versatile, proving that even in their simplest form, Hanfu can adapt to any character. It’s the classic “all roads lead to Rome” of costume design!

Why Hanfu Culture Matters in Animated Film Fashion

The integration of Hanfu culture in Ne Zha 2 showcases the timeless appeal of traditional Chinese clothing. By blending historical Hanfu elements with modern creativity, the film celebrates Chinese heritage while captivating global audiences. Explore more about Hanfu’s evolution at Ehanfu, and see how Ne Zha 2 costumes bring animated film fashion to life!