Donghuas (動畫 / Chinese animations) have filled the void of good wuxia dramas for me over the last few years. Few drama adaptations of the original IP have come close to matching the quality of the donghua versions. The compelling storytelling and animation continue to improve and impress me. And many of them have OST songs that rival C-dramas.
The Demon Hunter |《沧元图》
#Fantasy #Wuxia #Cultivation #DemonHunting
Synopsis:
Google Translated from Douban
The evil spirits in Cangyuan Realm are causing chaos, and the human race is being destroyed. The protagonist Meng Chuan has made an oath to avenge his mother since he was a child. Starting from Jinghu Taoist Temple, he relies on his perseverance and fearless will and decisive sword skills to punish the evildoers and defeat them. He will become a legend as he destroys the demon tribe, climbs to the top of the Four Avenues, becomes famous in Dongning Mansion, and worships at Yuanchu Mountain.
Douban Rating: 8.4
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.52
Currently Airing
YouTube: Episode 01 – 22 [ENG Subbed, 26 Episodes]
The Demon Hunter is currently airing and has become one of my favourite donghuas with its fast paced plot advancement, exciting battles and an amazing OST. The action in episode 17 paired with the song《野草》(Wild Grass) by 椿樂隊 was absolutely epic!
The MV below for the ending theme song features the beautiful concept art for the donghua.
Heaven’s Official Blessing |《天官赐福》
#DanMei #MoXiangTongXiu #XianXia #Romance #Adventure #DemonHunting
Synopsis:
Google Translated from Douban
Xie Lian, the crown prince of Xianle Kingdom, ascended to immortality for the third time after being demoted back to mortal status twice. However, he accidentally destroyed the golden palace of the priests. With no one to worship him, he could only descend to earth to eliminate ghosts in exchange for merit as compensation. During his time in the mortal world, Xie Lian met two other immortals who came to help him, and also got to know Hua Cheng, the King of Ghosts. Together, the four of them solved mysterious cases, and gradually discovered the sad past of the seemingly glamorous people in the immortal world.
Douban Rating: 8.1
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.34
SEASON 1
Netflix: Season 1 / Episode 01 – 13 [ENG Subbed, Subscription]
SEASON 2 – Currently Airing
Crunchyroll – Episode 01-04 [ENG Subbed, Subscription]
The donghua is based on the novel by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (MXTX), the third and most “romantic” of her three danmei novels. The artwork for Heaven’s Official Blessing stands out among all the other 3D donghuas. It is the most similar to Japanese anime style, but with its own unique ethereal visual. The animation is a beautiful Chinese watercolour painting in motion.
Danmei (Chinese: 耽美; pinyin: dānměi; lit. ‘indulging beauty’) is a Chinese genre of literature and other fictional media that features romantic relationships between male characters. Danmei is typically created by and targeted towards a heterosexual female audience.
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Danmei
A live action drama adaptation started filming in 2021 starring Zhai Xiao Wen and Zhang Ling He. The response has been mostly negative after photos were released of the two leads in their costumes. The donghua set a very high bar for the visuals of the main characters and the two actors are neither ethereal nor swoony enough in my opinion. The wardrobe and styling are another area of concern. BUT! There is always hope that it could be good… if it ever gets a chance to air (or even finished filming?). The Untamed also received a lot of backlash from novel fans when photos of Xiao Zhan as Wei Wuxian were released. The first 10 minutes of episode 01 did not help with the cringe special effects. The Untamed became an international hit despite its bad CGI and initially over/under acting by the batch of inexperienced actors in the drama. A good script and chemistry between the leads will create a binge-worthy drama.
A Mortal’s Journey To Immortality |《凡人修仙传》
#Fantasy #Wuxia #Cultivation #DemonHunting #Adventure
Synopsis:
Google Translated from Douban
Han Li was an ordinary boy born in poverty. In order to let his family live a better life, he voluntarily went to Qixuanmen to take the entrance examination, and was eventually accepted by Doctor Mo.
At first, Doctor Mo carefully trained and taught Han Li medical skills, which made Han Li very grateful to him. However, when his disciple Zhang Tie disappeared, Han Li discovered Doctor Mo’s true identity. Doctor Mo tried to take Han Li’s body, but was eventually killed by Han Li. Through Doctor Mo’s suicide note, Han Li learned about a whole new world: the existence of the world of immortality.
After learning of Tainan Xiaohui from Dr. Mo’s daughter Mo Caihuan, Han Li decided to go there to follow the footsteps of the immortal cultivators after bidding farewell to his family.
Douban Avg Rating: 8.6
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.46
SEASON 1 – 5
YouTube: Episode 01 – 72 [ENG Subbed]
YouTube: Episode 73 – 76 [ENG Subbed]
Han Li in the novel is described as average and ordinary in his natural talent and physical appearance. His intelligence, perseverance and sheer good luck more than makes up for anything he’s lacking as he sets out on his cultivation journey towards immortality.
The animated Han Li is anything but average and ordinary in looks. He reminds me of a young Louis Koo in the 1995 version of Return of the Condor Heroes with a resemblance to Xiao Zhan and Yang Yang at certain angles as well. It is hilarious every time someone says his face is “平平無奇” (píng píng wú qí, ordinary or unremarkable).
The live action drama adaptation started filming in June. The casting of Louis Koo was not an option since he is now in his 50s. Xiao Zhan would have been a good choice for the lead role of Han Li for his looks and ability to portray the introspective boyish young man as seen in Sunshine By My Side. Unfortunately, Yang Yang was cast instead. My anticipation for the C-drama went from excitement to dread. Hopefully he’ll at least be able to walk and sit like a human instead of robot and not look like he’s in love with himself throughout the drama.
Scumbag System |《穿书自救指南》
#DanMei #MoXiangTongXiu #Comedy #Romance #Transmigration #Mission
Synopsis:
Google Translated from Douban
Shen Yuan was originally a reader of the cultivation novel “The Path of the Proud Immortal”. After reading the book, he cursed out loud and triggered the activation code to enter the world of the book as the scumbag villain Shen Qingqiu. In order to change the fate of the scumbag villain Shen Qingqiu, who’s true cruel personality would be revealed by his disciple Luo Binghe and died in disgrace, he began a long road to clearing his name…
Douban Rating: 7.3
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.74
SEASON 1
WeTV: Episode 01 – 10 [ENG Subbed]
YouTube: Episode 01 – 10 [ENG Subbed]
This is also based on a MXTX novel, the first and most hilarious of her three danmei novels. The donghua does not disappoint with it’s comedy throughout. I admit that I dropped this donghua the first time after just 15 minutes. I decided to give it another chance after finding out it was based on a MXTX novel since I loved her other novel Mo Dao Zu Shi and the drama adaptation The Untamed. So happy I did! But so sad that season 2 has been stuck in the gutters forever.
Rumour is that season 2 did not pass censorship and is preparing for the second round. In the meantime, season 1 has been released in Japan with the original Chinese audio and Japanese subtitles, and a new version with Japanese dubbing. Let’s hope that means season 2 could be released outside of China even if it doesn’t pass the second round of censorship review.
There is also an unofficial short drama version that is a mashup of Scumbag System and The Untamed. Season 1 and Season 2 are both fun and entertaining despite plenty of potentially cringe-worthy scenes. The should-be-cringe somehow works because of charisma and chemistry of the two lead actors. Fingers crossed that Season 3 will happen.
Island of Siliang |《眷思量》
#Fantasy #Mystery #Mission #Adventure #Romance
Synopsis:
Google Translated from Douban
This is a story about conspiracy and redemption that takes place on the beautiful and fantastic Siliang Island. Starting from the protagonist Jingxuan’s search for the truth about the death of his parents, the secret past on Siliang Island is revealed step by step. At the same time, it is the story of a group of young people working hard to grow up and break free from the shackles for their own life goals.
Douban Rating: 8.0
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.01
SEASON 1
WeTV: Episode 01 – 15 [ENG Subbed]
Viki: Episode 01 – 15 [ENG Subbed]
This donghua is the only one on this list that is not based on a novel. In an industry dominated by men and IP adapted animations, Zhao Yu Qing gives us something different with her labour of love. She is screenwriter, investor, producer and director for her original story donghua. She is also the art director, chief commercial officer and wrote the lyrics for all four OST songs. You will see her name scattered throughout the credits.
She had the initial concept in university and then began preparing for more than a decade while working on other animation projects. Her background in art design, extensive historical research and attention to detail are evident throughout the donghua. The Island of Siliang is a beautiful 3D animation.
Jade Dynasty |《诛仙》
#Fantasy #Wuxia #Cultivation #Adventure #Romance
Synopsis:
Google Translated from Douban
The orphaned Zhang Xiaofan was accepted as a disciple by the Qingyun Sect after his village was massacred overnight. After five years of hard training, he shined in the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Competition, and was later sent to Kongsang Mountain to investigate the whereabouts of the demon sect. During the journey, he and his senior sister Lu Xueqi encountered a crisis and met and Bi Yiao, a woman from the Demon Cult. At the same time, new dangers were waiting for him ahead.
Douban Rating: 6.9
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.28
SEASON 1
WeTV: Episode 01 – 26 [ENG Subbed, VIP]
Season 1 was a little slow in the first half, but picks up momentum in the second half and ends with an emotional cliffhanger. I am looking forward to Season 2 where the male lead Zhang Xiao Fan turns his back on the supposedly “righteous” clans.
The C-drama and C-movie were both disappointments for me with the deviations from the novel. The drama version was also a miscast and I dropped it early on. I like the movie casting of Xiao Zhan, Li Qin and Tang Yi Xin, but Meng Mei Qi was a head scratcher. Li Qin is gorgeous and Tang Yi Xin is adorable, but the styling in general was questionable with Meng Mei Qi looking especially silly.
My Watchlist
Just like my ever growing watchlist for Chinese dramas, there also seems to be an endless supply of donghuas for me to catch up on. Below is my list of wuxia donghuas to check out based on high ratings and positive viewer comments. I have another list for non-wuxia/historical donghuas!
Drama Addict 