The study of ordinary audience reception has gained momentum due to the rise of international communication in the new media era. Social media amplify individuals’ voices, infused with emotions and sensitivity, making it essential to analyze audience reception through the lens of emotional analysis and to reconsider international communication from a reversed perspective. Based on comments about “Ne Zha” on digital platforms within the English-speaking world, this study finds that audiences generally provide highly positive evaluations, expressing a wide range of positive emotions and creating an enthusiastic public discourse centered on Chinese mythology, storylines, and the game characters of “Ne Zha”. However, it also reveals that translation issues affect the audience’s expectations for a linear and smooth experience and have emerged as a primary source of negative emotions among English-speaking audiences. The article further explores the impact of emotions on international communication through dimensions such as attention allocation, decision-making processes, and memory reinforcement. Analyzing audience reception from an emotional perspective not only enhances our understanding of ordinary people’s engagement in reception theory but also sheds significant light on promoting Chinese culture going abroad.