Japan is the hub of anime where new stories are curated and adapted into a television series every once in a while. Because the industry is largely focused on shows from Japan, sometimes real gems from other countries are overlooked by the fans. As it turns out there are some great Chinese anime slowly making their way into mainstream media.
Chinese anime, or donghua as it’s often called, has been winning hearts around the world with its unique blend of traditional Chinese culture and modern storytelling. Unlike the more familiar Japanese anime, donghua offers a fresh take with vibrant art styles, intriguing plots, and characters that feel both real and relatable. Whether you’re a longtime fan of animation or just curious about new styles, this exciting world of donghua is definitely worth diving into.
With the movie Nezha 2 making tides, both domestically and internationally, Chinese anime too is witnessing a massive spike in viewership as well as a drastic increase in the quality of animation.
In this article, we’re highlighting the top 10 donghua anime that you simply can’t miss. We’ve gathered some of the best donghua to watch right now, each with its own flavor and style that makes Chinese anime stand out. So, if you’re searching for the best donghua to watch, get ready to explore a mix of epic adventures, heartwarming stories, and eye-catching visuals that make these shows some of the best donghua available today.
10. Full-Time Magister
The aloof high schooler Mo Fan has found himself in a universe similar yet distinctly different from his own mundane one; it’s a place where magic has replaced the essence of science. Mo Fan, despite being poor and new to this world, enters the renowned magic school, all to become a magician to support his father and crippled sister.
However, rumors spread about his poverty and lack of magical ability, labeling him as the laughing stock of the school. Nonetheless, he manages to harness not only the powerful fire element, but also the rare lightning element! Endowed with two abilities, Mo Fan begins his journey to become a fully-fledged magician, strong enough to protect his dear family.
9. Battle Through The Heavens
Battle through the Heavens is a Chinese anime adaptation of the web novel of the same title, written by Heavenly Silkworm Potato. In a land where no magic is present. A land where the strong make the rules and the weak have to obey. A land filled with alluring treasures and beauty yet also filled with unforeseen danger.
Xiao Yan, who has shown talents none had seen in decades, suddenly three years ago lost everything, his powers, his reputation, and his promise to his mother. Just when he was about to despair, a ray of soul emerged from the ring in his hand, and a brand new door opened in front of him. After hard training, he finally achieved a glorious story.
8. Tales Of Demons And Gods
Based on the wildly popular manhua, Tales of Demons and Gods is a well-known Donghua that follows the adventures of Nie Li, who was once the strongest demon spiritualist. Upon losing his life in a battle against the Sage Emperor and his minions, Nie Li is brought back in time to when he was just 13 years old.
Although he’s the weakest in his class with the lowest talent, he aims to protect the city from the coming future of being devastated by demon beasts and the previous fate of ending up destroyed. He also decides to destroy the so-called Sacred family who arrogantly abandoned their duty and betrayed the city in his past life.
7. The Daily Life Of The Immortal King
The Daily Life of the Immortal King is a popular Netflix anime series based on a Chinese novel written by Kuxuan. The donghua tells the story of Wang Ling, a cultivated genius who defeats a powerful demon at the age of six. But now that he’s sixteen, he faces his greatest battle yet – Senior High School.
With one challenge after another popping up, his plans for a low-key high school life seem further and further away. As a cultivation genius who has achieved a new realm every two years since he was a year old, Wang Ling is a near-invincible existence with prowess far beyond his control. Would he be able to survive school life?
6. Martial Master
The protagonist Qin Chen, who was originally the top genius in the military domain, was conspired by the people to fall into the death canyon in the forbidden land of the mainland. Qin Chen, who was inevitably dead, unexpectedly triggered the power of the mysterious ancient sword.
Three hundred years later, in a remote part of the Tianwu mainland, a boy of the same name accidentally inherited Qin Chen’s will. In order to rewrite the myth of the strong man in hope of the sun, and to protect everything he loves, Qin Chen resolutely took up the responsibility of maintaining the five kingdoms of the world and set foot on the road of martial arts again.
5. Soul Land
Tang San is one of the Tang Sect martial art clan’s most prestigious disciples and peerless in the use of hidden weapons. With high expectations, the sect’s elders believe his future will be bright; yet Tang chooses to forsake this life at the cost of obtaining the sect’s forbidden lore – an action punishable by death.
With his ambition attained, he hands his legacy to the sect and throws himself from the fearsome Hell’s Peak. But he could have never imagined that this would take him to another world, one without magic, martial arts, and grudges. A land where only the mystical souls of battle lay. With a new road to follow, a new legend begins.
4. The King’s Avatar
The King’s Avatar is an acclaimed Chinese anime based on the web novel by Hu Die lan. The series depicts the fictional esports scene in China where the story revolves around a multiplayer online video game called Glory. Widely considered the best player of the video game Glory, Ye Xiu was captain of the esports team before being forced to resign from the team, giving up one of the strongest accounts in the game.
He ends up finding work as a night-shift manager at Happy Internet Cafe, where he meets Chen Guo, the owner of the cafe who happens to be a huge fan of his alias ‘Ye Qiu’, his former team. While awaiting his return to the competitive scene, Ye Xiu continues playing the game, building a character from scratch and pursuing the championship and glory.
3. Scissor Seven
Scissor Seven, also known as Killer 7 in China, is a comedy Chinese anime television series that was released under the name Scissor Seven on Netflix. The donghua follows the life of amnesiac bounty hunter Wu Liuqi (Seven). The clumsy and broke Seven fails a crash course in professional killing and opens a barber shop as a disguise.
He then decides to become an assassin but is terrible at his job! Despite his deadly telekinetic scissor techniques and his ability to seamlessly transform into anything, he always messes up his assassinations and targets the wrong people. Taking on a day job as a hairdresser and accompanied by his feathered friend Dai Bo, Seven is on a simple quest to recover his lost past.
Created by He Xiaofeng and produced by Sharefun Studio and AHA Entertainment, “Scissor Seven” first premiered in China in 2018 and gained international recognition through its release on Netflix in 2020. The series has been praised for its unique animation style, engaging storyline, and distinctive blend of humor and action, making it a standout in the realm of donghua anime. With multiple seasons and a dedicated fanbase, “Scissor Seven” is widely regarded as one of the best donghua to watch for those seeking a fresh and entertaining experience.
2. Grandmaster Of Demonic Cultivation
As the grandmaster who founded demonic cultivation, Wei Wuxian was feared by the world for the unorthodox cultivation path he created. Thirteen years after he was killed, he incarnates into the body of a man called Mo Xuanyu, who was rejected by his clan and despised by his family, therefore sacrificing his own body to Wei Wuxian so he would be avenged.
He then is reunited with Lan Wangji, a former classmate of his. This marks the beginning of a supernatural mystery that plagues the clans and threatens to disrupt their everyday life. Fighting demons, ghosts, and even other cultivators, the two end up forming a bond that neither of them had ever expected.
Produced by Tencent Penguin Pictures and B.C May Pictures, this donghua spans three seasons, originally airing from 2018 to 2021. It has garnered acclaim for its intricate plot, character development, and high-quality animation, solidifying its place among the best donghua to watch. The series has also expanded into various adaptations, including a live-action drama titled “The Untamed,” further showcasing its widespread popularity.
1. Link Click
In a corner of a busy city, there is a small store called “Time Photo Studio” that is open for business as usual. Although the entrance looks abandoned, it is actually run by two men with supernatural abilities – Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang. In order to fulfill their customers’ requests, Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi team up to use their supernatural powers to enter photos.
But every time they jump into a picture, they take a great risk. One wrong move and they could alter the future of the person who took the picture and possibly countless other events too. So when the events they are forced to live through in these pictures start to become personal, they have to push their feelings aside and focus on accomplishing the task they were paid to do.
The mix of mystery, adventure, and a touch of supernatural charm makes Link Click a standout donghua anime. Its creative storytelling and visually appealing animation have quickly earned it a spot among the best donghua to watch right now.
What sets Link Click apart is its blend of everyday life with mind-bending time-travel elements. The characters are down-to-earth and relatable, while the plot keeps you guessing with its clever twists. If you’re looking for a new and engaging donghua that proves Chinese anime can be both innovative and heartfelt, then Link Click is one of the best donghua you simply can’t miss.
Which one of the following Chinese anime (Donghua) is your favorite? Feel free to comment down your thoughts and make sure to recommend some other anime like the ones listed above, also don’t forget to share this article with your fellow otaku friends.
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