Nezha 2 has taken the world by storm. After all, it’s a story adapted from ancient Chinese mythology, and there are so many Hanfu elements in the movie that it’s truly worth delving into. First of all, it should be noted that Nezha 2 is an animated film, and the costumes are designed to serve the characters and the plot, not for historical restoration. Mixing and re – creating Hanfu elements to fit the needs of the characters is completely acceptable. Now, let’s list the costumes of various characters one by one.

Ⅰ. Yin Furen (殷夫人)

For Nezha’s mother, Yin Furen, her clothing style has changed from the curved – hem deep – robe in the first movie to the straight – hem deep – robe in the second movie. These styles are used to depict her gentleness. The crossed – collar lapel, the exposed white collar of the inner garment, and the long edgings all exude a gentle and refined charm.

Of course, these are designs inspired by Hanfu styles, not exact restorations. The wrist guards on her arms and the waist – hugging design incorporate elements of military armor, adding a touch of martial flavor.

You might have noticed a question: why is Yin Furen’s clothing mainly purple?

One interpretation is that among the mythical creature of the phoenix, the purple phoenix is regarded as a symbol of “noble and elegant female images”. It not only presents a serene and beautiful appearance but also represents the ancient women’s pursuit of freedom, independence, and strength. Just like Yin Furen, one moment she is a kind – hearted mother coaxing Nezha, gentle and beautiful, and the next moment she becomes a heroic female warrior donning a cloak, full of heroic bearing.

In the movie, Nezha is associated with red and Ao Bing with blue. Nezha was originally a demon pill, yet his heart is pure and kind. Ao Bing, though a spiritual pearl, bears the hatred of his family. They are both imperfect, but when they join hands, they gain infinite power, embodying the concept of yin and yang interacting, opposing, and integrating.

Red and blue blend to form purple, which is the color of Yin Furen, the color of great love. It has the firmness of yang, as invincible as fire, and the tenderness of yin, as quietly nurturing as water.

Ⅱ. The Crane Maid

The Crane Maid is a disciple in the Jade Void Palace, so her costume is extremely organza fairy.

In terms of its prototype, it seems to draw on elements from Hanfu, including a front – closing, large – sleeved upper garment, a bustier, a spliced and wrapped long skirt, a wide waistband, an apron – like piece, and ribbons that flutter in the wind.

In fact, it closely resembles the highly popular children’s Hanfu sets on Taobao today, designed to exude an otherworldly air. This can be seen as a reflection of contemporary aesthetic preferences in the field of artistic design.

Undoubtedly, this character – building approach is successful. It aligns perfectly with the “fairy – like” image of the Crane Maid, enabling the audience to better immerse themselves in the story.

Ⅲ . Ao Run

The costume of the character Ao Run (敖闰) is composed of elements that create a huge visual impact: blue – purple color, a bustier, a large – flared skirt, a high slit, and ruffled edges. In fact, in Hanfu, designs with a bustier, a large – flared skirt, and ruffled edges are quite common. However, the high slit is indeed more of a Western – leaning element. This design that combines Eastern and Western elements is not strictly Hanfu; it more closely resembles a Western evening gown. Nevertheless, her outfit is so stunning that it’s definitely worth a showcase.

Hanfu with ruffled edges is shown in the picture below. It exudes an otherworldly air while adding a touch of delicate sweetness. Many elements of good things, whether from the East or the West, are shared. Some people say they love both Queen Elsa from Frozen and Ao Run, the Dragon King of the Western Sea. That’s because both of them have a “villain – like” charm, embodying the image of brave and resourceful women.

 Ⅳ. Shiji

I believe that no one who has watched the movie can dislike Shiji (石矶娘娘). She is plump, her skin isn’t perfect, and her face is covered with small bumps. In the eyes of many, she isn’t the typical pretty girl, completely shattering the “fair, young, and slender” aesthetic of women in our traditional culture. In fact, Shiji can transform into any form at will, yet she still chooses to show her plump figure. In her mind, this is the way she is and the way she likes herself.

Her attire is reminiscent of a beauty from the Tang Dynasty. Wearing a high – waisted ruqun (Qixiong ruqun, a traditional Hanfu style), she confidently and gracefully showcases and appreciates herself, living the life she desires. With a pink silk scarf, a high – waisted ruqun, and shiny bow – tie decorations, paired with red gemstones and red hairpins, and the neat arrangement of items in her bedroom. What kind of a fairy demon is she? She’s clearly just an adorable homebody!

Ⅴ. The Marmot

In contrast, in the movie, the marmot demon is depicted wearing tattered front – closing half – sleeves and crossed – collar short jackets. These clothes create a very down – to – earth image. The reason is that these are basic styles of clothing. They are the most practical styles that the working people have worn for thousands of years. Despite the countless variations in fashion over time, these fundamental styles remain at the core. In other words, no matter how much things change, their essence remains the same.

Summary

In terms of character portrayal, this movie is truly impeccable, making people fall deeply in love with the characters. There are so many remarkable and memorable moments. The costume designs also perfectly match the characters, leaving a lasting impression.

SilkDivas hopes that Hanfu can keep up with the pace of the times. It should transcend the current simple research stage, integrate with advanced technologies, and delve deeper into the essential characteristics of Hanfu. We sincerely look forward to seeing the birth of more outstanding works that incorporate Hanfu elements!