BEIJING, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- 2025, a banner year for animation at the Chinese box office, was bookended by two powerhouse sequels: the homegrown phenomenon "Ne Zha 2" ignited the market early in the year, while Disney's "Zootopia 2" powered a year-end surge, underscoring the genre's potent and enduring appeal in the world's second-largest market.

Animation films generated over 25 billion yuan (3.54 billion U.S. dollars) at the box office -- a record for China's animation sector -- accounting for roughly half of the country's total ticket sales this year. Overall, animation films claimed four of the top ten spots, with "Ne Zha 2," "Zootopia 2," and "Nobody" placing first, second, and sixth.

Speaking recently about the performance of "Zootopia 2," Yin Hong, vice chairman of the China Film Association and a professor at Tsinghua University, said that imaginative, high-quality animation is a clear favorite among young people, whose social media dominance means that winning them wins the market.

Domestic releases "Ne Zha 2" and "Nobody" earned 15.4 billion yuan and 1.72 billion yuan, respectively. As of Tuesday, the 28th day of release, "Zootopia 2" raked in nearly 3.83 billion yuan in revenue, leading China's year-end box office chart.

Igniting a cultural phenomenon, "Ne Zha 2" became the world's highest-grossing animated feature ever and ranked among the top five earners of all time globally, underscoring the growing clout of China's film industry.

"Ne Zha 2" showcased China's technical prowess in the animation industry. With more than 1,900 visual effects shots, "Ne Zha 2" represents the collaborative efforts of nearly 140 animation studios and over 4,000 animators.

Huang Danhong, a professor at Sichuan University of Media and Communications, noted the film's advanced character modeling, scene rendering and fluid simulations, as well as particle effects such as lightning, fire, seawater and lava. "These technological breakthroughs enhance visual realism and emotional depth, elevating storytelling to new levels," Huang said.

With its record-shattering box-office performance, "Ne Zha 2" has also sparked global interest in Chinese animation and, more broadly, in Chinese culture.

On social media, Chinese netizens have explained the film's cultural references to international audiences, from Sanxingdui-inspired barrier beasts to Taiyi Zhenren's wine jar, modeled on 5,000-year-old Majiayao painted pottery.

Chinese scholars and media observers have highlighted the cultural depth of "Ne Zha 2," noting that it blends rebellion and nonconformity with the protagonists' journey from defying fate to assuming responsibility for the greater good.

This storyline highlights Chinese values of commitment, responsibility and sacrifice, prompting reflection among international viewers. "The struggle in the face of adversity really struck me," an American audience member wrote on social media.

Lyu Zhenzhen, a liberal arts scholar at Guangzhou University, said themes drawn from traditional culture and distinctive aesthetics underpin Chinese animation's identity, but lasting global resonance comes from contemporary values rooted in China's cultural heritage that also speak to universal human emotions.

The global impact of Chinese animation is also visible in cultural experiences abroad. In August, a Chinese animation-themed cafe opened in New York, drawing fans of the Chinese animated series "Heaven Official's Blessing."

Among them, Jen Dunn, 35, visited wearing a Hanfu outfit she had sewn herself, a kind of traditional Chinese attire. She traced her growing interest in Chinese culture to her enthusiasm for the country's animated works. "A lot of the movies are really good, like 'Ne Zha,'" she said.

The Chinese government has highlighted the role of culture in development, emphasizing the need to foster cultural creativity. Efforts are being encouraged to nurture original works, produce outstanding films and boost the global influence of Chinese civilization through high-quality cultural offerings.

Buoyed by the success of "Ne Zha 2" and other domestic works, industry observers are optimistic about the future of China's animation sector. According to them, the world's second-largest film market provides both domestic momentum and international opportunities.

China's clout in the global film industry rests not just on its vast population, but also on upgrading consumer demand, more refined cultural tastes, and a strong ability to draw in and deploy top-tier global resources, says an Economic Daily article.

"Zootopia 2" further illustrates China's market influence, with the Hollywood blockbuster generating roughly half of its global earnings from the Chinese mainland after a simultaneous release in North America.

Film market researcher Chen Dan said that the film's performance has boosted confidence across the industry, both at home and abroad. "The audience is still there," Chen said. "When strong content comes along, moviegoers are still willing to return to theaters and pay for tickets."

As China seeks to expand its animation sector, industry insiders note that Hollywood remains a source of valuable lessons. Wang Kaiying, a franchise developer, said that building franchises rooted in traditional Chinese culture is vital for domestic animation. Drawing on Disney's integrated model -- linking films, animation, publishing, theme parks and merchandise -- Wang stressed that successful franchises depend on long-term strategic planning.

Similarly, Wang Lei, a professor at the Communication University of China, noted that U.S. animation spans blockbuster studio productions and independently funded films, often tied to games, theme parks and toys. This model, he said, underscores the vast growth potential for China's animation industry.