Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh says Hollywood should put greater focus on Asian mythological characters, following the global success of Ne Zha 2, which has become the highest-grossing animated film in history. Yeoh, who voices Ne Zha’s mother in the film’s English dub, likened the characters to Western figures such as Zeus and Thor, stressing the importance of cultural exchange through mythology. “They’re warriors and demigods… when you learn about another culture’s myths, you have a deeper understanding, and it teaches you to embrace something different,” she said.

Ne Zha 2, distributed by A24, continues the story of Nezha and Aobing as their souls strive to regain physical bodies and protect their families. The fantasy epic, directed by Yu Yang and adapted from Xu Zhonglin’s 16th-century novel Investiture of the Gods, arrives in U.S. theaters on Friday in English-dubbed form. The original Ne Zha (1999) grossed over $700 million worldwide, cementing its place as a cultural phenomenon in Chinese cinema.

The Mandarin-language sequel stunned the global box office earlier this year when it surpassed Pixar’s Inside Out 2 to become the world’s highest-grossing animated film. According to ticketing platform Maoyan, it has earned 12.3 billion yuan ($1.69 billion) worldwide, including pre-sales and overseas revenue, placing it eighth among the highest-grossing films of all time. Its unprecedented success has reignited discussions about the power of Asian stories on the global stage.