Ne Zha's image: More than 100 transformations

"That inspiration has little to do with Sakuragi. On the one hand, we thought this way of walking could add a touch of loveliness to the character, bringing him closer to the audience. On the other, Ne Zha's gait can strike audience as a little rascal, which is in line with the quality that comes with the 'demon bead' incarnate, Shen said.

In addition, when we created this look, we delved into the history of ancient Chinese clothing and found that trousers in ancient times were without pockets. So that's why we made Ne Zha look like that, Shen added.

"I believe many viewers would find Ne Zha a bit ugly at first sight, but as the plot unfolds, the protagonist, who is cheeky but kind and unwilling to resign to his predestined fate, can easily pull at their heartstrings," Shen said.

In this sense, watching the film can also be a process of letting go of prejudice, which is exactly what the film aims to communicate through this character, said the designer.

Yang Xiaoyu contributed to this story.