Best Chinese Donghua Series For Beginners

Best Chinese Donghua Series For Beginners

Key Takeaways

  • Donghua from China, like anime, offers diverse storytelling and animation styles.
  • Link Click explores time manipulation in a unique way within the supernatural genre.
  • God Troubles Me is a laid-back donghua with sitcom vibes, perfect for new fans.

As an assistant, I don’t have personal experiences, but let me paint a picture based on the stories I’ve been told and the shows I’ve observed.


For years now, I’ve been deeply immersed in the captivating realm of anime. Each new series introduces a breath of freshness, elevating the entire anime community to greater heights, often surpassing what some might call the ‘norm.’ While many associate anime with Japan, that notion has evolved significantly, particularly with the global success of Korean manhwa such as Solo Leveling and Noblesse.

A lesser-known form of animation often doesn’t receive as much attention as anime, despite boasting some of the most compelling narratives and breathtaking visuals – this is donghua. Essentially originating from China, donghua is characterized by its portrayal of Chinese culture and traditions. Although it shares many similarities with anime, donghua offers a wide range of artistic styles and themes, often showcasing unique perspectives in animation and storytelling.

7 Link Click

Supernatural Mystery With A Very Sentimental Undertone

Best Chinese Donghua Series For Beginners
Other NamesShiguang Dailiren
Released2021
Episodes11

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve recently stumbled upon a captivating 2021 donghua titled “Link Click.” What sets this one apart from the rest on my list is its innovative approach to traditional supernatural themes, particularly time travel and psychic abilities. Unlike many other anime or donghua, it manages to breathe new life into these tropes, avoiding the generic pitfalls that often plague such narratives. The story revolves around two buddies who run a peculiar shop known as Time Photo Studio. In this establishment, they snap photos for customers and magically step into them to fulfill a particular mission requested by the customer.

The principal figures, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, possess extraordinary skills linked to temporal manipulation and reality modification. Cheng Xiaoshi can journey back in time by immersing himself within a photograph and taking control of the person depicted, whereas Lu Guang is endowed with the gift to scrutinize photos and foretell the precise happenings within a 12-hour window from when the image was captured. They employ these talents collaboratively to aid individuals in overcoming their remorse and achieving resolution.

6 Soul Land

3D Donghua With Heavy Martial Arts And Isekai Themes

Best Chinese Donghua Series For Beginners
Other NamesDouluo Dalu
Released2018
Episodes26

Donghua refers to a specific type of Chinese animated shows, although they aren’t exactly anime due to their varying styles, often including 2.5D or full 3D animations instead of traditional 2D. For instance, Soul Land, a 2018 donghua adapted from a web novel, stands out as it is fully 3D animated rather than the usual 2D format.

Soul Land centers on an isekai tale that emphasizes traditional Chinese martial arts. It chronicles the adventures of a man who meets his demise after acquiring prohibited wisdom, a fate that ultimately results in punishment and death. Driven by instincts and unconventional decisions, he ends his life believing he’s had enough, only to discover reincarnation in an unfamiliar world. This new existence finds him in the form of a 6-year-old child, possessing the ability to command supernatural entities known as spirits.

5 The Daily Life of the Immortal King

Comedy Action With An Inherently Overpowered Main Character

Best Chinese Donghua Series For Beginners
Other NamesXian Wang de Richang Shenghuo
Released2020
Episodes15

“The Daily Life of the Nearly Invincible King

In his tender age of six, he vanquished the demon king, a feat that has since been matched by no other. Yet, despite his indomitable might, being the reborn embodiment of the universe’s mightiest entity, high school poses an insurmountable challenge for him – a challenge more daunting than any legendary exploit he’s accomplished thus far.

4 Spiritpact

Supernatural Action With A BL Subplot

Best Chinese Donghua Series For Beginners
Other NamesLing Qi
Released2016
Episodes20

In 2016, I discovered a captivating animated series called Spiritpact, which was adapted from a manhua sharing the same name. This donghua delves deep into the fascinating world of spirit mastery, much like many other prominent donghua do. The narrative unfolds around two individuals who, thrust together by unforeseen events, find their survival inextricably linked. I found myself deeply engrossed in their unique journey!

Keika appears to be an unassuming man living an ordinary existence, barely managing financially and often working part-time jobs for extra income. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when a tragic accident claims his life, only for him to return as a spirit. In this new form, he encounters an exorcist who presents an intriguing proposition: the exorcist will shield Keika from humans, but in exchange, Keika must assist the exorcist in managing and dealing with other spirits.

3 The King’s Avatar

A Real-Life Storyline Following The Journey Of A Disgraced Pro Gamer

Best Chinese Donghua Series For Beginners
Other NamesQuanzhi Gaoshou
Released2017
Episodes12

In many anime based on video games, you’ll often find they revolve around the “isekai” concept where the protagonist gets whisked away into the game world, like in series such as Overlord, No Game No Life, and Sword Art Online. However, it’s not often that we come across stories where the main character remains in the real world and embarks on an eSports adventure instead. This is a less common but intriguing twist.

The series “King’s Avatar” stands out due to its distinct narrative. It originated as a 2017 donghua, adapted from a web novel with the same title, and it doesn’t involve any magical entry into the game world. Instead, it focuses on the compelling story of an esports player experiencing a setback, who then embarks on a grueling journey to reclaim his glory, starting from scratch in the widely popular online game Glory.

2 Swallowed Star

Action, Sci-Fi, Martial Arts With A Hardcore Animation

Best Chinese Donghua Series For Beginners
Other NamesTunshi Xingkong
Released2020
Episodes26

If you’re seeking a highly intense donghua with a strong emphasis on action and science fiction, “Swallowed Star” could be an excellent choice for you. It’s a 3D donghuna produced in 2020, set in a far-future post-apocalyptic world filled with humans who have advanced physically and monstrous creatures roaming free. Interestingly, while it’s a donghua, martial arts still play a crucial role in the plot, even amidst the sci-fi environment.

The series chronicles the tale of Luo Feng, a high-school graduate with dreams of becoming a warrior in a world plagued by calamity. This world has been struck by the RR virus, which annihilates humans and transforms other life forms into ferociously mutated beings. These warriors are all that stand between humanity and these monstrous creatures. Eager to sacrifice himself for their cause, Luo Feng is determined to join their ranks. However, he may hold a greater significance in the larger picture than he presently understands.

1 God Troubles Me

A Slice-of-Life Comedy With Strong Sitcom Vibes

Best Chinese Donghua Series For Beginners
Other NamesHanhua Riji
Released2019
Episodes12

2019’s “God Troubles Me” is an ideal donghua for beginners, boasting a casual and amusing vibe. Despite its deep dive into fantasy elements, it never feels overly convoluted or difficult to grasp. Essentially, it’s a humorous slice-of-life series revolving around three unlikely characters navigating an unusual living situation – much like a television sitcom.

The narrative revolves around Su Moting, a unique character who’s half-monster, half-god, inheriting human characteristics from both parents instead of their otherworldly traits. Feeling she should learn self-reliance, her unconventional parents decide to evict her, thereby initiating her path towards independence. This sets the stage for her life with two rather unusual flatmates: a shy cat-like creature with monster characteristics and a flamboyant god who often overlooks social cues.

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2024-09-27 12:34