"The film mainly targeted domestic audiences when we decided to make it," says Yang.

But he adds that he believes the movie, despite being set in ancient China and studded with Chinese culture and history, will not be difficult for foreign viewers to watch as the characters' feelings are universal.

An extra scene released with the film Ne Zha that shows Jiang Ziya, another key figure in the ancient novel Fengshen Yanyi, has also stirred debate online. Some Chinese netizens say they hope that the success of Ne Zha ushers in a new franchise inspired by Fengshen Yanyi, evolving as a Chinese answer to the world's most lucrative superhero series, Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Speaking about the internet frenzy, dubbed the fengshen yuzhou ("Fengshen cinematic universe"), Yang gives a guarded reaction.

"It's too early to expect Chinese animators to create such a cinematic universe, as we have yet to gain that kind of competence.

"To make good animation, you need to endure loneliness and not compromise."