Personal passions

Some true enthusiasts of the series go even further and make their own creations.

Lyu Lin, a member of Generation Z (those born in 1995-2010) and a fan of Ne Zha 2, particularly appreciates the film's adaptation of Chinese mythology and its fresh take on Ao, a character who was once a villain, but is now portrayed with new depth and complexity.

After purchasing various merchandise, including books, badges, and keychains, she started to recreate and customize them to make her own ita bag, a kind of DIY bag filled with badges, plush toys, or other collectibles.

"I brought this ita bag to an exclusive fan-organized cinema screening. It's ceremonial, as both a personal tribute to my favorite characters, and a collective celebration of the film we adore," says Lyu, who looks forward to the next installment in the series.

Tu Jiayi contributed to this story.