@thejapantimes This piece relies on disingenuous cherry picking.

For one, its examples of original movies are both sequels. Not only that, the first Ne Zha adapted a classic novel and mythological character, and Demon Slayer capitalizes on a handful of previous films. While there ARE original big budget Asian films, such as Hi, Mom and The Wind Rises, they didn't come out this year, which doesn't help the writer's argument.