This article discusses the ending of the Netflix film New Gods: Nezha Reborn, so it will contain major spoilers.
After a rollercoaster of a movie, with plenty of heartaches and revelations, including the fact that Li Yunxiang is a reincarnated Nezha and the “kiss of death”, our lead character vows to go down into the East Sea and defeat the Dragon King and bring back the water Donghai city. He tells the selfish God within him that he is going to do it on his own, regardless of their help or not. It feels like a Hercules story, where he loses his powers but decides to fight anyway. Li Yunxiang becomes an aspirational character in the end.
Netflix’s New Gods: Nezha Reborn – the ending explained
As Li Yunxiang enters the depths of the East Sea, he learns that Dr Su is under hostage, which provides an even harder mission than he first thought — he struggles against the Dragon King, but then Nezha activates from within. The Dragon King mocks Li and states that he has perfected the Tao of Transformation — the Dragon King swallows the Dragon Pearl that unchains the river dragons and will cause a great Tsunami — the fate of the city lies with Li.
All hopes are lost with Donghai about to be submerged in water, but Nezha activates and transforms Li once again — the powers overwhelm Li as he defeats the Dragon King. In an emotional transition, Dr Su kneels over Li and sobs as he looks to be dead.
In Heaven, Li meets Nezha — he asks the God to find their next incarnation. Suddenly, Li’s powers return, and Nezha brings life back into the lead character. Moments later, with Nezha able to continue their mission, the tsunami recedes.
The city is saved.
What happens next?
As the film ends, there’s plenty of transition to a normal life starting again in Donghai city — Li meets Sun Wukong and tells him he is Nezha — in earlier scenes, the Monkey King told him he was not the reincarnated God.
The post-credits tie in the sequel — There’s an easter egg showing Nezha is wearing a suit and tilting his hat. The sequel has already been confirmed.
