New film from animation studio behind 'White Snake' slated for release in July

BEIJING -- Chinese film studio Light Chaser Animation announced on Monday that the second installment of its "new gods" animated film series, following the 2021 fantasy New Gods: Nezha Reborn, is set for release this July, without specifying the date.

Famed for producing the 2019 animated blockbuster White Snake, the studio has released a teaser of the new title, which is known in Chinese as Xin Shen Bang: Yang Jian, literally meaning New God List: Yang Jian in English.

The upcoming film revolves around Yang Jian, a mythological figure who, just like Nezha, is also from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) novel The Investiture of the Gods.

It is the same book that inspired the 2019 movie Ne Zha by Beijing Enlight Pictures which pocketed 5 billion yuan (about $784 million).

New Gods: Nezha Reborn raked in 456 million yuan.