Anime fans are becoming more familiar with the term «Donghua.» Donghua refers to animated content produced in China, typically dubbed in Mandarin. Donghua has existed for decades but has seen a recent surge in popularity, thanks in part to some donghua breaking into the mainstream. These series offer impactful storytelling, high-octane action, beautiful animation, and worlds that viewers can become engrossed in, especially with the Chinese culture that many of these series explore.
The past decade has seen some great donghua for fans to enjoy. They range in terms of genre and action but are all so fantastic that any of them would be great to start for fans seeking to join in on the «Donghua» craze. Many of these series can be found on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Bilibili, making it easier than ever to dive into the world of Donghua.
10 The Daily Life of the Immortal King Details an Overpowered Character
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Xian Wang de Richang Shenghuo, also known as The Daily Life of the Immortal King, is a donghua animated by studio Haoliners Animation League. The series follows Wang Liang, a high school student with a calm and carefree demeanor. Wang Liang possesses a power capable of destroying the world at a moment’s notice and has to use an amulet that lessens his powers. However, time weakens the amulet significantly, and soon Wang Ling and his father embark on an adventure to repair it.
The anime initially starts similarly to Saiki K, featuring an overpowered male lead. However, while other anime series keep the overpowered male lead in a comedic manner, Xian Wang de Richang Shenghuo has a more serious tone. This serious tone is what fans of the series praise it for. On MyAnimeList, the series has a 7.32 score, with fans praising the character writing while also pointing out that it takes a bit to get into.
9 Spare Me, Great Lord! Is an Underrated Parody Series
Not Currently Streaming
Da Wang Rao Ming, also known as Spare Me, Great Lord, is a Tencent Video-produced donghua. Studio Big Firebird Culture animates the series and adapts the novel of the same name. The donghua’s story surrounds Lu Shu, a frail teenager who lost his parents. After enrolling in a prestigious high school while working for a living and caring for his adoptive sister, Lu Xiaoyu, everything changes after Lu Shu is the victim of a car accident that awakens his superpowers as a cultivator. Lu Shu hides his powers to avoid the international foundation responsible for cultivators, Tian Luo Di Wang. Lu Shu hides his powers because his cultivator abilities stem from the negative emotions of others.
While the series may sound like a generic anime, this donghua distinguishes itself by being a parody and comedy of the genre. Lu Shu uses his powers to tease people and earn income rather than being a paragon. Lu Shu’s relationship with his sister is also wholesome and heartwarming. MyAnimeList gives the series a high rating of 7.52, with fans praising the comedic energy of the series.
8 Rakshasa Street Utilizes Shonen Storytelling in the Donghua Medium
Available for Purchase on Amazon Prime
Zhen Jun Jie, also known as Rakshasa Street, is based on the manhua Requiem Street. In the narrative, «Requiem Street» is a place where spirits and humans co-exist, but only the rare-soul users with guardian spirits can enter. Xia Ling has a chance encounter that allows her to enter Reqiuem Street, which is home to both good and evil spirits. The adaptation was produced by Yaoqi and animated by L2 Studio with 24 episodes.
While the anime has a generic plotline, its execution is fantastic. Every aspect of the world and the writers explain the power perfectly, allowing audiences to be completely engrossed and on board with the «laws of the world» and reducing the chances for any unexpected and ridiculous power-up to save the cast, which often happens in other shonen series. On MyAnimeList, the series boasts a high rating of 7.55, with fans praising its storytelling and action for helping it stand out from other shonen series by combining humor and drama perfectly.
7 Psychic Princess Follows a Fantastic Enemies-To-Lovers Romance
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Tong Ling Fei, or Psychic Princess, is a 16-episode ONA produced by Tencent Animation & Comics and animated by Haoliners Animation League. This historical comedy tells the tale of the arranged marriage of Ye Youming and Qian Yun Xi. Quan Yun Xi is standing in for her younger sister, Qian Yungshang, and Ye Youming refuses to acknowledge Qian Yun Xi as his wife due to his contempt for the Qian family. What begins is a comedic but romantic drama between the two as Ye Youming tries to resist the childlike charm and boldness of Quan Yun Xi.
Tong Ling Fei is a simple anime to get into, featuring a strong female lead who quickly becomes endearing to fans. Ye Youming is a perfect male lead for Quan Yun Xi, and the relationship between the two of them lends to some great comedy. On MyAnimeList, the series has a high rating of 7.62, with fans praising the comedy and being very impressed by the enemies-to-lovers relationship between the two leads.
6 The King's Avatar Plays Games with its Main Character
Streaming on Crunchyroll
The King’s Avatar is a 12-episode series produced by Bilibili and animated by B.CMAY PICTURES. The donghua focuses on a top-tier professional player of the online multiplayer game «Glory» Ye Xiu. The story dubs him a «Battle God» for his skills; however, when he retires against his will, he finds himself back at ground zero when he joins back into «Glory» as a new character named «Lord Grim.» Now, Ye Xiu must reclaim his title as the greatest in the new age of players, eSports challenges, and more.
Despite the premise, The King’s Avatar (also referred to as Quanzi Gaoshu) doesn’t have a focus on eSports. It primarily focuses on characters who play video games and how playing video games connects people and defines others. The protagonist, Ye Xiu, is a case in point, as the story places extra emphasis on his likability and provides him with a clear character arc within the game. Ye Xiu has a subtlety to his writing that makes him a compelling character from start to finish. MyAnimeList gives Quanzi Gaoshu a score of 7.86, with fans praising the character’s writing and setting.
5 Scissor Seven Is an Action-Comedy Hidden Gem
Streaming on Netflix
Scissor Seven is a donghua animated by Sharefun Studio and AHA Entertainment. Also referred to as Cike Wu Liuqi, the series follows Wu Liuqi, an amnesiac bounty hunter with deadly telekinetic scissors who can transform into anything. The catch is that Wu is terrible at his job and consistently botches assassinations, often targeting the wrong person.
Cike Wu Liuqi possesses top-notch humor, a wonderful heart, and a passion for kindness that endears audiences to the characters. It’s because of this that Cike Wu Liuqi is the perfect donghua to cheer someone up if needed, and with short episodes, they’re ideal for bringing smiles to even the most stressed workers. MyAnimeList gives the series a 7.91 and praises its wonderful comedy.
4 Heaven Official's Blessing Approaches Histroy From a Unique Perspective
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Heaven’s Official Blessing is a Bilibilli-produced anime by Haoliners Animation League studio. The donghua focuses on Xie Lian, the crown prince of the Xie Le Kingdom. Xie Lian is attempting to ascend to heaven, and the only way that’s possible is through exorcising ghosts. Taoism, Buddhism, and Chinese mythology influence the story, making it a unique type of fantasy series for anime watchers.
Tian Guan Cifu boasts a brilliant animation style that sets it apart from others. The anime excels in all categories, from character development and narrative flow, but it truly shines in its stunning art and beautiful details, particularly in the characters and backgrounds. And for fans of BL, the series features a romance between its two male leads. On MyAnimeList, the series has an 8.41, with fans praising the romance and art of the series.
3 The Master of Diabolism Won the Best Serial Animation Award
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Mo Dao Zu Shi, also known as The Master of Diabolism, is an Aniplex-produced donghua animated by B.CMAY PICTURES. Mo Dao Zu Shi tells the story of Wei Wuxian, a reincarnated character, who reunites with his former classmate, Lan Wangji. Together, they embark on a mission to unravel the mysteries of a spiritual world. Similar to the upcoming Lord of Mysteries, the series focuses on a supernatural mystery.
Mo Dao Zu Shi has a lot going for it, from its music to its protagonist and the smoothness of the animation. The anime even masterfully combines CG animation with 2D animation. The series is a perfect historical dark fantasy, and on MyAnimeList, the series has a high score of 8.46, with fans praising its storytelling and narrative. Mo Dao Zu Shi even won the Gold Award for «The Best Serial Animation Award» at the 15th China Animation Golden Dragon Awards and received the «Best New Animation» award at the Xinguang Award, as well as the 7th China Xi’an International Original Animation Competition.
2 To Be Hero X Is Already One of Donghua's Greatest Hits
Streaming on Crunchyroll
To be Hero X is an Aniplex and Bilibili-produced donghua animated by Pb Animation Co, LAN Studio, and Paper Plane Animation Studio. The series follows a world where people’s trust in them creates heroes. The series is an anthology series, cutting to a different main character who is on the path to becoming the top hero.
The series captivated fans from its stunning first episode, masterfully blending two animation styles, and it kept them engaged thanks to its masterful writing of new relationships that formed between characters. Although not yet finished, the anime garnered fans through the power of word of mouth. Fans are impressed by To Be Hero X‘s animation and storytelling, even in a short number of episodes. It immediately sucks fans into its world and characters by making them extremely relatable. MyAnimeList gives the series a high rating of 8.55, with fans expressing enjoyment of the donghua’s animation, emotional highs, and fresh story in the anime world. It’s even bold enough to ask, is being a hero worth the struggle?
1 Link Click Is The Greatest Donghua Of the Past 10 Years
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Shiguang Dailiren, also known as Link Click, is a Bilibili-produced donghua animated by LAN Studio. This drama mystery series centers on Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, who offer a unique service at their «Time Photo Studio.» Together, they can enter any photograph to grant the customer’s wish. However, entering a picture carries a significant risk and can radically alter the current timeline.
Shiguang Dailiren has a unique premise, tons of action, gripping mystery, and a straightforward method of time travel to avoid confusion for audiences. It is also one of the most stunning donghua to exist. The characters and relationships between all the characters, but especially Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, whose relationship is at the core of the series, make it the most crucial relationship in the plot. The story emphasizes this well, with each episode slowly peeling back the layers and fog of the bond. On MyAnimeList, the series has a high score of 8.72, ranking it among the highest-rated donghua series on the site.
