Review: Light Chaser Animation’s Golden Film New Gods: Yang Jian

Creator of hit feature films White Snake (2019) and New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021), Light Chaser Animation released New Gods: Yang Jian (2022) in U.S. theaters on January 20, 2023. Second in the New Gods universe and sequel to New Gods: Nezha Reborn, Director Zhao Ji’s feature film continued his trademark retelling of “ancient [Chinese stories] from modern perspectives.” Based on the Chinese mythological deity Yang Jian—commonly known as Erlang Shen—the story delved deeper into “one of the greatest warrior gods of the heavens.” Mythologically represented with a magic-granting third eye on his forehead and golden signalment, Yang Jian was draped in intricate traditional Chinese images that were especially highlighted on the big screen. 

We’ve seen zero to hero, but New Gods: Yang Jian introduced a special twist—hero to zero. With the power to cleave mountains and single-handedly devour multiple gods in battle, Yang Jian was a legendary demigod known for his formidable strength. But when he sealed his sister Yang Chan in Lotus Peak, his third eye forcefully closed—effectively running him magically blind. With a scar where his third eye should be, Yang Jian is abashedly adorned with his signature blue headband to cover his magical absence. 

Fallen from hero status after losing his godly powers since that fateful Lotus Peak incident, Yang Jian is doomed to hustle as a bounty hunter to survive. Paired with a harmonica and a ragtag team, Yang Jian is tasked with menial work—catching petty scammers for money. Money is running tight when a veiled stranger dangles an enticing commission—find a family heirloom from the thief who stole it. Getting whisked in between realms as fate fondly pummels Yang Jian, he decidedly embraces this commoner’s life to capture this thief.

Yang Jian

Although falling second in line in the New Gods series, New Gods: Yang Jian’s story could be well understood as a standalone piece. The story takes off on the newly introduced character Yang Jian, who is voiced by Kai Wang in Mandarin and Nicholas Andrew Louie in English. Weaved into a treasure hunt by starting off as the chaser, Yang Jian reluctantly accepts the commission due to his withering money stash. 

With only the name Chenxiang to go off of, he’s tasked to find the stolen Lamp of Universal Contentment—an item that holds enough power to reverse the Lotus Peak incident and release his sealed sister. But no treasure hunt comes without its competitors. With vicious parties equally enraptured with capturing Chengxiang and delighted with Yang Jian’s significant magical ailment, Yang Jian was worked into squeezing out the remaining remnants of his power to lay claim on his target. 

The narrative is incredibly fast-faced, introducing waves upon waves of enemies that Yang Jian must encounter and defeat. With so many characters who have a largely entangled history, the plot slightly falters on including such an expansive list of figures, with many remaining unexplained. But with the constant stream of alluring character designs and aesthetics, audiences can’t help but be drawn into them anyways. 

Hero to Zero to Sub-zero

Taking advantage of the fact that the world is literally drawn at Light Chaser Animation’s fingertips, combat is taken to an entirely fresh, magically-enhanced level. The thrill of a chase is complete with battle sequences that were literally enshrouded in golden light—absolutely pumped with adrenaline between chaser and chased. Thrown into battles where Yang Jian somehow always ended up getting outnumbered, his reluctance to step into battle isn’t because he’s weaker than before. He just can’t be bothered to fight. 

Mostly dragged into battle but somehow excelling anyway, Yang Jian’s martial arts expertise is paired with a light-hearted attitude and feigned indifference confidently backed up by years of formal training. And it lasts until he royally screws up his commission by releasing Chenxiang after discovering he is his estranged nephew. For his supposed conspiration with a fugitive, Yang Jian falls down another social rank from commoner—dropping into fellow fugitive status of the immortal realm. 

Godly Magic and More

Perhaps the most enticing part of the storyline is the universe inherently infused with magic—glowing avatars, magical familiars, and animal-like spirits that roam the immortal realm. With godly abilities that shape the flow of the otherworldly lifestyle, curious characters that popped up fed into the mystical narrative. Naturally integrated into the immortal society reminiscent of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away (2001), fantastical beings like demons with eye-imbedded hands and creatures with long ears that are biologically graced for eavesdropping enhanced the full, on-screen experience. Entirely immersive in its detail-oriented environment, every character—main or side—was artfully accessorized. 

In a particular scene that showcased a beautiful dance sequence of multiple dancers soaring through the air in a synchronized, flowy pattern, Director Ji commented on the difficulty of animating such a magical dance. Opting to use small figurines to demonstrate how the traditional Chinese Dunhuang dance would function in the air, the dance itself could only be described as light—wispy in its choreography and adorned with ribbons to capture smooth movements. With the fusion of traditional culture and modern technology, the animated dance succeeds in capturing viewers’ attention, alongside Yang Jian’s. New Gods: Yang Jian truly excelled at delivering enchanting performances, enveloping viewers into a world that simultaneously feels real and unreal. 

Godly Animation Galore

Utilizing animation to whisk up captivating realms that came alive from fairy islands to bustling casinos, a godly amount of detail lines each scene with brilliant colors, design, and spectacle. The animation gathers a breath-taking visual of every dimension with a steam-punk glory adorning many of its industrial features. The New Gods: Yang Jian universe is equipped with these wild features, with dated yet futuristic tech aiding the characters. The in-world equivalent of transport takes the form of portal-jumping hummingbird-like rides with finned wings on either side, operating flight through gas fuel. Within this dream-like world, imaginative design was a crucial world-building factor that enhanced the vivid, mythical flavor. 

Alongside the visual component, the film integrates incredibly expressive instrumental and vocal music courtesy of Haowei Guo, who has worked on previous Light Chaser Animation films. Infusing golden animation with a beautifully crafted soundtrack, New Gods: Yang Jian is an enticing addition to the New Gods universe. Without a doubt, the New Gods series is something to look out for. 

Be sure to check out NEW GODS: YANG JIAN at a venue near you!

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